Republicans in Congress push for vote to avoid shutdown

Republican leaders in the U.S. Congress stepped up their efforts to pass a temporary extension in funding and prevent the federal government from shutting down, scheduling a vote on the measure for later on Thursday. For months, the Republican-controlled Congress has been struggling to fund the government, which is now operating on its third temporary funding extension since the 2018 fiscal year began on Oct. 1. Democrats insist that a long-term spending bill include protection for "Dreamers" - adults brought to the country illegally as children, who were protected from deportation by former President Barack Obama's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, program.

Russia probes come up against claims of executive privilege

Steve Bannon's attorney relayed questions, in real time, to the White House during a House Intelligence Committee interview of the former Trump chief strategist, people familiar with the closed-door session told The Associated Press. The top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee is accusing President Donald Trump's White House of placing a "gag order" on former chief strategist Steve Bannon, barring him from answering many questions as part of the panel's investigation into Russian election interference.

Trump to Pennsylvania, but Don’t Call it a Campaign Trip

President Donald Trump is tiptoeing around the first congressional election of the new year as he heads to southwestern Pennsylvania on Thursday to hail the Republican tax cuts he signed last year. Trump will appear with the Republican nominee for a Pittsburgh-area House seat.

Democrats dig in on immigration, shutdown risk or no

Assistant Attorney General of the National Security Division, Edward O'Callaghan, took questions at Wednesday's press briefing. He supported President Donald Trump's immigration reforms saying they will improve security and make the US safer.

On a oeThe View,a Sen. Dick Durbin defends his account of Trumpa s alleged a oesa “holea remark

Democratic Senator Dick Durbin appeared on ABC's The View Wednesday to defend his account that President Trump called African nations "s - hole countries" at a White House meeting last week on immigration. "I stand by my words," Durbin, a Democrat from Illinois, told the co-hosts.

WH claiming sweeping a executive privilegea in Russia probes

President Donald Trump's White House is relying on a sweeping interpretation of executive privilege that is rankling members of Congress on both sides of the aisle as current and former advisers parade to Capitol Hill for questioning about possible connections with Russia. The argument was laid bare this week during former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon's interview with the House Intelligence Committee.

Lawmakers see path to bringing back earmarks

Lawmakers from both parties expressed support on Wednesday for reversing the House's ban on earmarks, despite skepticism from key conservatives who originally pushed to end the practice nearly a decade ago. The overwhelming consensus at a House Rules Committee hearing on Wednesday was that allowing members of Congress to authorize pet projects back in their districts makes them more effective at their jobs.

How California leaders are fighting back against Sessions’ marijuana…

California legislators are fighting back against U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions' attempt to crack down on state cannabis programs, launching letter-writing campaigns, proposing new laws and discussing federal lawsuits to safeguard legal marijuana. "The genie is out of the bottle, so to speak," said Rep. Lou Correa, D-Santa Ana, who's calling for federal legislators to block Department of Justice appointments until the Trump administration changes its stance on marijuana.

Abuse prevention a focus for disability agency

State officials whose agencies serve people with disabilities outlined for lawmakers Wednesday their efforts to prevent and respond to abuse against that population, particularly highlighting efforts to address sexual assault. Speaking at an oversight hearing held by the Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities, Jane Ryder, the acting commissioner of the Department of Developmental Services, described a training program she called a "national model."

White House official: Trump immigration views have evolved Source: AP

President Donald Trump's views on immigration and building a wall along the Mexico border have evolved since his presidential campaign, the White House chief of staff said Wednesday. Those changes are giving some people hope that a compromise with Congress on the thorny issue is possible.

US Republican senator slams Trump’s ‘reprehensible’ abuse of truth

In the United States, both sides of politics are attacking President Donald Trump over his proposed "fake news awards", for what he regards as dishonest reporting. Outgoing Arizona senator Jeff Flake has compared President Trump to Stalin and says his behaviour is encouraging despots around the world.

Bob Dole to be presented with Congressional Gold Medal with Trump in attendance

Former congressman, senator and presidential candidate Bob Dole was one of the few prominent GOP names to support President Donald Trump in the 2016 election. Trump will repay that support on Wednesday as he appears at an award ceremony granting Dole the Congressional Gold Medal.

Sen. Jeff Flake condemns Trumpa s media attacks, compares rhetoric to Stalin

In a searing speech on the Senate floor Wednesday morning, Sen. Jeff Flake denounced President Donald Trump for his sustained attacks against the news media, going so far as to compare his rhetoric to that of Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin. In Flake's remarks Wednesday, he pointed to Stalin, the Soviet Union's 30-year dictator as a seeming inspiration for Trump's attacks against the press, singling out a phrase that each used to refer to their interpreted opposition.

Legislation would make it harder for investors to sue mutual funds over high fees

A plaintiff would have to state in their initial complaint why fiduciary duty was breached, and then prove the violation with 'clear and convincing evidence' Legislation that would make it more difficult for investors to sue mutual fund companies for excessive fees was poised to advance in the House on Wednesday. The House Financial Services Committee was set to take up a bill that would impose a higher legal burden for plaintiffs when they allege that a fund has violated its fiduciary duty by charging high fees.

‘This Is Reprehensible.’ Read Jeff Flake’s Speech…

Jeff Flake delivered a searing rebuke of President Donald Trump's attacks on the press on the Senate floor Wednesday, urging the chamber to counteract his rhetoric by defending the media. "Not only has the past year seen an American president borrow despotic language to refer to the free press, but it seems he has in turn inspired dictators and authoritarians with his own language.

GOP still struggling with Trump’s remarks on Africa

Republicans are struggling to get their stories straight as President Donald Trump's Homeland Security secretary became the latest GOP official to offer an inconclusive version of a meeting in which Trump is said to have used vulgar remarks that have been criticized as racist. Democrats accused Republicans of selective amnesia as Cabinet member Kirstjen Nielsen testified Tuesday under oath that she "did not hear" Trump use a certain vulgarity to describe African countries.

GOP senator denounces Trump attacks on free press

A Republican senator is denouncing President Donald Trump's use of the terms "fake news" and "enemy of the people" to describe the news media and stories he doesn't like. Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona said Trump's attacks were reminiscent of words infamously used by Russian dictator Josef Stalin to describe his enemies.