Vice President Mike Pence on Speaker Ryan’s Decision to Not Seek Re-Election

Vice President Mike Pence: "Few Americans have done more to advance the conservative agenda over the last 20 years than Paul Ryan and I will miss his leadership and friendship when he leaves Congress at the end of this year. "Paul is my friend, a former colleague, a true patriot, and I congratulate him on his long service to Wisconsin and to the American people.

Pompeo defends Trump on Russia, won’t talk about Mueller

Mike Pompeo, the CIA director nominated to be secretary of state, defended the Trump administration's efforts to push back on aggression from Russia at his confirmation hearing Thursday while suggesting more sanctions on Moscow are still needed. Yet he dodged repeatedly when Democrats tried to pin him down on President Donald Trump's handling of the special investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.

Trump asks U.S. trade officials to look into joining Trans-Pacific Partnership

U.S. President Donald Trump has asked trade officials to explore the possibility of the United States rejoining negotiations on the Pacific Rim agreement after he pulled out last year as part of his "America first" agenda. Farm-state lawmakers said Thursday after a White House meeting with President Donald Trump that he had told his trade representative, Robert Lighthizer, to look into the possibility of getting back into TPP.

Paul Ryan Is Running Away From His Own Complicity

One of the major story lines since Trump entered the White House has been the way that Republicans have come to his defense rather than hold him accountable. For example, with all that they know about the president by now, this staged photo-op from yesterday is stomach-turning: Honored to have Republican Congressional Leadership join me at the @WhiteHouse this evening.

Senate and Governor Approval Numbers are Bad News for Democrats

If you're a Democrat, there is almost no good news in the latest Morning Consult governor and senator approval rankings. They can take comfort that it looks like they'll be taking back the governor's office in Illinois and that Scott Walker looks like he's in real trouble in Wisconsin.

Estonia offers free genetic testing in nationwide experiment

Emergency officials in Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas are bracing for the start of what's historically the most active time of year fo... Emergency officials in Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas are bracing for the start of what's historically the most active time of year for tornadoes while also facing wildfire threats because of severe drought conditions. Emergency officials in Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas are bracing for the start of what's historically the most active time of year for tornadoes while also facing wildfire threats because of severe drought conditions.

Spike Lee, Godard films to compete at Netflix-free Cannes

Emergency officials in Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas are bracing for the start of what's historically the most active time of year fo... Emergency officials in Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas are bracing for the start of what's historically the most active time of year for tornadoes while also facing wildfire threats because of severe drought conditions. Emergency officials in Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas are bracing for the start of what's historically the most active time of year for tornadoes while also facing wildfire threats because of severe drought conditions.

Mark Zuckerberg Refuses to Admit How Facebook Works: Gadfly

The most troubling takeaway from two days of congressional hearings on Facebook Inc. was this: Mark Zuckerberg didn't want to explain how the social network operates. The Facebook CEO ducked questions from lawmakers about what types of information the company collects and how it uses the data for advertising purposes.

Connecticut man pleads guilty to hacking celebrity accounts

Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens says affair was 'entirely consensual relationship' but the woman with whom he had an affair says he spanked, slapped, grabbed and shoved her during sexual encounters. Former U.S. House Speaker John Boehner says he has had a change of heart on marijuana and will promote its nationwide legalization.

Ryan’s impact: Tax bill but no entitlement reform

House Speaker Paul Ryan steps down in January after a twenty year career in Congress with one major accomplishment -- a massive overhaul of the tax code. But the policy wonk and Republican thought leader departs without meaningful action on the agenda that led to his rise as a national Republican figure -- reforming entitlement programs and tackling the nation's debt crisis.

Senators try to protect the special counsel

Four senators -- two Republicans and two Democrats -- are taking a step to protect special counsel Robert Mueller's job as President Donald Trump has angrily mused about firing him. Legislation offered on Wednesday by Republicans Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Democrats Chris Coons of Delaware and Cory Booker of New Jersey would give any special counsel a 10-day window to seek expedited judicial review of a firing.

World trade body warns US-China tensions could dent business

FILE - In this June 22, 2016 file photo, Border Patrol agent Eduardo Olmos walks near the secondary fence separating Tijuana, Mexico, background, and San Diego in San Diego. California Gov. Jerry Brown agreed Wednesday, A... California Gov. Jerry Brown has agreed to send National Guard troops to the U.S.-Mexico border at President Donald Trump's request but says they'll focus on combating drug crime not immigration.

Global executions down; sub-Saharan Africa ‘beacon of hope’

California Gov. Jerry Brown agreed Wednesday, A... California Gov. Jerry Brown has agreed to send National Guard troops to the U.S.-Mexico border at President Donald Trump's request but says they'll focus on combating drug crime not immigration. California Gov. Jerry Brown has agreed to send National Guard troops to the U.S.-Mexico border at President Donald Trump's request but says they'll focus on combating drug crime not immigration.

The National Enquirer, a Trump Rumor, and Another Secret Payment to…

Trump Allies and House Republicans to Paul Ryan: Get Out Now House Speaker Paul Ryan's retirement announcement Wednesday morning set off a round of heartburn within the White House and among its allies over the damage that may be done in what's left of his term. Trump chooses impulse over strategy as crises mount In a White House known for chaos, the process of developing the U.S. response to the Syrian government's alleged latest gas attack was proceeding with uncharacteristic deliberation, including several national security briefings for President Trump.

After several recent hospitalizations, former First Lady Barbara Bush …

After several recent hospitalizations, former First Lady Barbara Bush has chosen not to seek additional medical treatment and is instead focusing on comfort care, according to Bush family spokesman Jim McGrath. Former first lady Barbara Bush, the wife and mother of two presidents, has decided to end medical treatment for a life-threatening illness.

Pompeo cites Russian aggression, says diplomacy must go on

In this April 9, 2018, photo, Secretary of State nominee Mike Pompeo leaves a meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington. Outgoing CIA Director Pompeo will tell senators weighing his confirmation as secretary of state that years of soft U.S. policy toward Russia are "now over."

Trump’s would-be secretary of state has an Islamophobia problem

Want smart analysis of the most important news in your inbox every weekday along with other global reads, interesting ideas and opinions to know? Sign up for the Today's WorldView newsletter . Mike Pompeo, the CIA director who was tapped by President Trump to lead the State Department, faces a confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday.

McCarthy, Scalise are likely contenders for House speaker a ” or minority leader

House Speaker Paul Ryan, center, speaks to the media while flanked by House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., right, and House Majority Whip, Steve Scalise, R-La., after a meeting with House Republicans on Capitol Hill, on March 6, 2018 in Washington. House Speaker Paul Ryan, center, speaks to the media while flanked by House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., right, and House Majority Whip, Steve Scalise, R-La., after a meeting with House Republicans on Capitol Hill, on March 6, 2018 in Washington.