Michele Bachmann eyeing run for Franken’s Senate seat

Former GOP congresswoman and presidential candidate Michele Bachmann said Tuesday she is considering running for Democratic former Sen. Al Franken's Minnesota seat. Bachmann, who was a member of Congress representing Minnesota until 2015, told " The Jim Bakker Show " that she's mulling over whether she should run.

Utah Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch to retire, clearing way for Mitt Romney

Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch announced Tuesday that he won't seek re-election this year, clearing the way for Mitt Romney to return to the national stage by running for his seat. He said in a social media message, "after much prayer and discussion with family and friends I've decided to retire at the end of this term."

Utah’s Hatch to retire, opening door to possible Romney run

Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah said today he will not seek re-election after serving more than 40 years in the Senate, opening the door for former GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney to run for his seat. Hatch, 83, said he's always been a fighter, "but every good fighter knows when to hang up the gloves."

Del. lawmaker helps in passing of the Stop Taxing Death and Disability Act

Changes have been made to the existing list of tax-exempt student loan cancellations, after a local lawmaker says a new law will not tax student loans canceled as a result of death or permanent disability as income. The Office of United States Senator Chris Coons says on Tuesday, the Stop Taxing Death and Disabilities Act will eliminate the tax penalty on student loans that are forgiven due to death or permanent disability.

As U.S. budget fight looms, Republicans flip their fiscal script

The head of a conservative Republican faction in the U.S. Congress, who voted this month for a huge expansion of the national debt to pay for tax cuts, called himself a "fiscal conservative" on Sunday and urged budget restraint in 2018. In keeping with a sharp pivot under way among Republicans, U.S. Representative Mark Meadows, speaking on CBS' "Face the Nation," drew a hard line on federal spending, which lawmakers are bracing to do battle over in January.

BP offers glimpse at gains from U.S. tax code

British energy company BP said Tuesday its after-tax earnings from the United States would be supported by the 14 percent cut in the corporate tax rate. The British energy company said its after-tax earnings would be supported by a provision in the U.S. corporate tax overhaul, which dropped from 35 percent to 21 percent as of Jan. 1. "The ultimate impact of the change in the U.S. corporate income tax rate is subject to a number of complex provisions in the legislation which BP is reviewing," the company said in a statement .

.com | Perils abroad, full plate at home, as Trump opens 2nd year

The glamour of his holiday break behind him, President Donald Trump returned to the White House on Monday night to face a hefty legislative to-do list, critical midterm elections and perilous threats abroad. Trump started his second year in Washington after a lengthy sojourn at his private club in Palm Beach, Florida, capped by a New Year's Eve bash.

Indiana National Guard unit honored ahead of deployment

That's something he's getting ready to do when he ships out to Kuwait with the 38th Sustainment Brigade for his third international deployment. But Weeks' departure from his family was made a little easier Tuesday evening after receiving a rousing sendoff from family, friends and elected officials wishing him well before the mission.

Few colleges track suicides, despite prevention investments

In this Jan. 23, 2014 file photo, James Holleran, father of Madison Holleran, a University of Pennsylvania freshman who took her own life, talks about his daughter while sitting next to a favorite photo of her at his home in Allendale, N.J. Nearly half of the largest U.S. public universities do not track suicides among their students, despite making investments in prevention at a time of surging demand for mental health services. After her 2014 suicide, one of her former teachers in New Jersey was surprised to learn learn many universities don't report suicide statistics.

Will surprise Alabama election result bring end to inaction in Senate?

When Doug Jones defeated Judge Roy Moore down in Alabama, Democrats picked up a seat in the U.S. Senate and Republicans dodged a bullet. Because the cheers from most Democrats and progressives were so loud, they drowned out the sighs of relief many Republicans and conservatives exhaled when Moore toppled.

President Donald Trump opens 2nd year with perils abroad, full plate at home

President Donald Trump speaks with reporters Sunday as he arrives for a New Year's Eve gala at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Fla. WASHINGTON – The glamour of his holiday break behind him, President Donald Trump returned to the White House on Monday night to face a hefty legislative to-do list, critical midterm elections and perilous threats abroad.

US suspends $ 255 million military aid to Pakistan

Washington: The United States has suspended its $ 255 million military aid to Pakistan for now, the White House has confirmed, saying the fate of such assistance will depend on Islamabad's response to terrorism on its soil. The confirmation comes on the same day when US President Donald Trump accused Pakistan of giving nothing to the US but "lies and deceit" and providing "safe haven" to terrorists in return for $ 33 billion aid over the last 15 years.

Improving state’s image is a worthwhile goal

Alabamians are hopeful the ringing in of a new year brings a measure of sanity to politics in the Heart of Dixie. The waning hours of 2017 offered a touch of closure to another year of embarrassing shenanigans that kept the state under the glare of the national limelight.

Democrats vying to oppose Roskam give views on health care

With three candidates who are cancer survivors, health care issues are personal for several of the seven Democrats hoping to earn their party's nomination to face incumbent Republican Rep. Peter Roskam next November in the 6th Congressional District. Candidates Amanda Howland, Kelly Mazeski and Becky Anderson Wilkins each told a crowd of 800 at a recent forum in Carol Stream the basics of their cancer survival stories as they explained why affordable health care matters.

2018 brings governor’s race, other big contests in Illinois

All statewide offices will be on the ballot on Nov. 8, but no contest will be as fevered i 1 2 or costly i 1 2 as the governor's race. Already, the candidates are raising and spending money at a pace that could make this the most expensive governor's race in U.S. history.