Banking panel kills Trump nominee to lead Export-Import Bank – Tue, 19 Dec 2017 PST

Two Banking Committee Republicans, Tim Scott of South Carolina and Mike Rounds of South Dakota, joined with Democrats to shelve the nomination of former GOP Rep. Scott Garrett of New Jersey to head up the bank, which provides loans, credit insurance and loan guarantees to help foreign buyers purchase U.S. exports. It has many GOP critics who say it distorts markets and that too much of its help benefits large corporations like Boeing.

For GOP, day finally arrives: Voting to begin on tax plan

They have them in the House. They have them in the Senate. This bill is expected to pass both chambers and be on President Donald Trump's desk by Wednesday, no small feat given the extremely fast timeline GOP leaders gave themselves when they unveiled their tax plans last month.

Trump predicts economic boom as final tax bill heads for House, Senate

President says 'giant tax cut for Christmas' will breathe new life into U.S. economy, delivering more jobs and higher wages and massive tax relief for American families and companies. President Trump on Tuesday predicted the already-humming U.S. economy is about to get a big boost, as the final version of the $1.5 trillion Republican tax bill heads to the floors of the House and the Senate.

GOP set to roll $1.5T final tax bill through House, Senate

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., accompanied at right by Secretary for the Majority Laura Dove, walks to his office from the chamber as Republicans in the House and Senate plan to pass the sweeping $1.5 trillion GOP tax bill on party-line votes, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, Dec. 18, 2017. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., accompanied at right by Secretary for the Majority Laura Dove, walks to the chamber as Republicans in the House and Senate plan to pass the sweeping $1.5 trillion GOP tax bill on party-line votes, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, Dec. 18, 2017.

London open: Stocks edge up after record highs on Wall St but Christmas lull setting in

London stocks rose in early trade on Tuesday following record highs on Wall Street on the back of optimism over the tax reform bill, although gains were muted as the Christmas lull began to set in. On Monday, the Nasdaq, Dow Jones and S&P 500 all notched record highs again as investors grew increasingly hopeful that the US tax reform bill will be passed in the coming days.

Juan Williams: The ground shifts on immigration

The earthquake began when candidates backed by President Trump played strong anti-immigrant cards in Virginia's gubernatorial race and Alabama's Senate race - and both came up losers. Trump, who had begun pulling down the curtain on the Obama-era program called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals , is himself now talking a different game.

The Latest: House GOP unveils $81B disaster aid measure

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., accompanied at right by Secretary for the Majority Laura Dove, walks to the chamber as Republicans in the House and Senate plan to pass the sweeping $1.5 trillion GOP tax bill on party-line votes, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, Dec. 18, 2017. House Republicans have unveiled an $81 billion disaster aid measure that almost doubles last month's request by President Donald Trump.

House GOP unveils $81B disaster relief for hurricanes, fires

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., accompanied at right by Secretary for the Majority Laura Dove, walks to the chamber as Republicans in the House and Senate plan to pass the sweeping $1.5 trillion GOP tax bill on party-line votes, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, Dec. 18, 2017. WASHINGTON - House Republicans on Monday unveiled an $81 billion disaster aid package to help hurricane-ravaged communities and states hit by wildfires, almost double the amount requested by President Donald Trump.

Pence delays Israel, Egypt trip as tax vote nears

Washington, Dec 19 - US Vice President Mike Pence, who was scheduled to travel to Egypt and Israel on Tuesday, has postponed his trip until next month to ensure the Senate passage of the much-awaited Republican tax bill, the media reported. The largest tax cut in American history is a landmark accomplishment for President Trump and a relief to millions of hardworking Americans, Pence press secretary Alyssa Farah said in a statement on Monday.

GOP senators rally to defend Corker over tax bill provision

President Donald Trump is poised to outline a national security strategy that envisions nations in a perpetual state of competition and de-emphasizes the multinational agreements that have dominated the United... President Donald Trump is poised to outline a national security strategy that envisions nations in a perpetual state of competition and de-emphasizes the multinational agreements that have dominated the United States' foreign policy since the Cold War. A prominent U.S. appeals court judge has announced his retirement days after women alleged he subjected them to inappropriate sexual conduct or comments.

Sex allegations that have roiled Congress take down judge

The sexual misconduct allegations that have cut a swath through Congress brought down a prominent member of the judicial branch Monday with the resignation of Alex Kozinski, a federal appeals court judge known for his blunt and colorful legal opinions. Kozinski, a 67-year-old member and former chief judge of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, the nation's largest federal appeals court, said in a statement that a battle over the accusations would not be good for the judiciary.

McConnell unveils wish list to attach to spending bill

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., accompanied at right by Secretary for the Majority Laura Dove, walks to the chamber as Republicans in the House and Senate plan to pass the sweeping $1.5 trillion GOP tax bill on party-line votes, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, Dec. 18, 2017. less Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., accompanied at right by Secretary for the Majority Laura Dove, walks to the chamber as Republicans in the House and Senate plan to pass the sweeping $1.5 trillion ... more WASHINGTON - The Senate's top Republican Monday announced a lengthy wish list that he hopes to attach to a must-do spending bill this week, but there's no agreement with the chamber's Democrats and little time to waste.

Hawaii attorney general announces run for US Congress

Hawaii Attorney General Douglas Chin, who has been fighting President Donald Trump's travel ban and other policies over the past year, has announced he will run for U.S. Congress. Chin, a Democrat, seeks to replace Hawaii U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, who is running for governor.

Group sees 2018 tax cuts across all incomes, with biggest for rich

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., accompanied at right by Secretary for the Majority Laura Dove, walks to his office from the chamber as Republicans in the House and Senate plan to pass the sweeping $1.5 trillion GOP tax bill on party-line votes, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, Dec. 18, 2017. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., accompanied at right by Secretary for the Majority Laura Dove, walks to the chamber as Republicans in the House and Senate plan to pass the sweeping $1.5 trillion GOP tax bill on party-line votes, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, Dec. 18, 2017.

McCain says he’s feeling well, vows return in January

Republican Sen. John McCain on Monday expressed thanks for the overwhelming support as he battles brain cancer, saying he is feeling well and looks forward to being back on the job in January. The 81-year senator returned home to Arizona after being treated for a viral infection at Walter Reed Medical Center in Maryland.

Stefanik to vote “no” on GOP tax bill

On the eve of the House vote to approve the final draft of the GOP tax bill, Rep. Elise Stefanik said she would vote "no'' because of limits placed on the state-and-local tax deductions upon which many New York taxpayers depend. The revised bill is scheduled for a vote in the House Tuesday and in the Senate on Wednesday.

House Trump-Russia Probe Shouldn’t – Drag’ Out, Says Republican

The Republican leading the House Intelligence Committee's Russia investigation said Monday there's no reason to "drag" the inquiry out much longer and that Americans need some answers. But Representative Michael Conaway of Texas wouldn't comment on Democrats' contention that the GOP is trying to wrap up the probe by the end of the year.

House GOP Agrees on $81 Billion in Disaster Spending

A firefighter turns away from the heat as flames explode through the front windows of a home burning in the Lilac fire in House Republicans agreed Monday on $81 billion in disaster relief for areas hit by hurricanes and wildfires that will be attached to a must-pass government spending bill this week, according to a document provided by a Republican lawmaker.