The Latest: Kobach aide calls Kansas House measure ‘flawed’

Kansas state Rep. Joe Seiwert, left, R-Pretty Prairie, confers with House Speaker Ron Ryckman Jr., right, R-Olathe, as Ryckman's chief of staff, Paje Resner, center, watches, Friday, April 27, 2018, at the Statehouse in Topeka, Kan. Lawmakers are considering budget measures and tax cuts.

The Latest: Kansas House advances spending legislation

Kansas state Rep. Joe Seiwert, left, R-Pretty Prairie, confers with House Speaker Ron Ryckman Jr., right, R-Olathe, as Ryckman's chief of staff, Paje Resner, center, watches, Friday, April 27, 2018, at the Statehouse in Topeka, Kan. Lawmakers are considering budget measures and tax cuts.

President Trump says of Comey: ‘He’s either very sick or very dumb’

President Donald Trump insists he "won't be involved" in any attempt to interfere with the investigation into Russian election meddling - unless he changes his mind. Trump also is renewing his attacks on James Comey, the FBI director he fired last year, accusing him of lying about Trump's trip to Moscow in 2013 that has received fresh scrutiny.

Nation & WorldGOP-led House panel officially clears Trump in Russia probe

The Republican-led House intelligence committee on Friday released a lengthy report concluding it found no evidence that Donald Trump's campaign colluded with Russia in the 2016 presidential campaign, a finding that drew praise from the president and rebuttals from Democrats. The report caps an investigation that began with the promise of bipartisanship but quickly transformed into an acrimonious battle between Democrats and Republicans over Russia's meddling in the 2016 election and whether there were any connections with the Trump campaign.

‘They’re not victims!’ CNN’s Cuomo hammers…

CNN's Chris Cuomo on Friday unloaded on Rep. Steve King for "wasting my money" on Thursday by having a hearing dedicated to bogus censorship claims surrounding Trump-loving YouTubers Diamond and Silk. Cuomo started by telling King that Diamond and Silk were not in any way victims of "censorship" by Facebook, which suggested that there was absolutely no need to give them an entire congressional hearing where they made blatantly false statements under oath about having never been paid by the Trump campaign .

Trump’s VA choice bows out in latest Cabinet flame-out

President Donald Trump's White House doctor reluctantly withdrew his nomination to be Veterans Affairs secretary Thursday in the face of accusations of misconduct, the latest embarrassing episode highlighting Trump's struggles to fill key jobs and the perils of his occasional spur-of-the-moment-decision-making. The weeks-long saga surrounding the nomination of Navy Dr. Ronny Jackson leaves the government's second-largest agency without a permanent leader while it faces an immediate crisis with its private health care program.

Morris tourism director lobbies Washington for National Park maintenance

"They're starting to deteriorate, the same way a plaster roof deteriorates when there's a leak in the roof," said Bensley, who lobbied New Jersey's congressional delegation to support the National Park Service Legacy Act. The bipartisan bill would provide money for maintenance that has been underfunded for decades.

Pompeo sworn in as secretary of state, dashes off to Europe

Mike Pompeo took over as America's top diplomat Thursday after being confirmed by the Senate and sworn in across the street minutes later. The new secretary of state immediately dashed off to Europe in an energetic start befitting the high-stakes issues awaiting him from Iran to North Korea.

Pompeo Begins Mission with NATO Meeting in Brussels

New U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo sent a powerful signal to NATO allies, traveling to Brussels for Friday's ministerial meeting just hours after being confirmed. "I hopped straight on a plane and came straight here," Pompeo told NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

Congressmen want answers after Ryan asks House chaplain to resign Source: Cox Media Group

Democratic congressmen are seeking answers after House Speaker Paul Ryan asked the House chaplain to resign earlier this month, CNN reported. Democratic Rep. Gerry Connolly said he wasn't sure why Ryan asked for the Jesuit priest's resignation, and wants the Wisconsin Republican to answer questions over "this breach that he created."

DC Newsjunkie | Blumenthal, Murphy Seek Relief For Crumbling Concrete

Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy introduced legislation this week aimed at providing up to $100 million in federal assistance to help homeowners and businesses whose homes and buildings suffer from crumbling foundations. The Connecticut tandem put two bills into the hopper that provide two separate ways for the $100 million to be authorized over a five year period.

Despite Lawsuit Setback, Dallas County GOP Chairwoman Ready to Fight to November Finish

Monday wasn't a great day for the Dallas County Republican Party. Already down to one countywide officeholder and a single spot on the commissioner's court, the Dallas GOP and its new chairwoman, Missy Shorey, had its lawsuit against the Dallas County Democratic Party - the one that would've wiped dozens of Democratic candidates off November ballots - dismissed.

Republicans avoid confronting Trump over whether he can fire special counsel

President Trump congratulates Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky on tax legislation on Dec. 20, 2017. The Senate Judiciary Committee appeared an island of civility Thursday as Democrats and Republicans politely debated and voted 14 to 7 to approve bipartisan legislation intended to prevent President Trump from firing special counsel Robert S. Mueller III without cause.

Trump pledges hands off Russia probe, may – change my mind’

From left, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., the ranking member, confer before considering a bipartisan bill to protect the special counsel from being fired, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, April 26, 2018. They voted 14 to 7 to send the Special Counsel Independence and Integrity Act to the full Senate, but Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has insisted he will not hold a full Senate vote on the legislation which would seek expedited judicial review of a firing.