Bannon’s mention of Sen. John McCain, George W. Bush draws boos at California GOP convention

People gather around Stephen K. Bannon, center, before his speech Friday at the California Republican Party convention at the Anaheim Marriott. Mere mentions of former President George W. Bush and Sen. John McCain drew loud boos and catcalls as former Trump advisor Stephen K. Bannon derided the GOP leaders in his address to California Republicans Friday night at their fall convention in Anaheim.

Steve Bannon says California will try to secede from union

Steve Bannon, the controversial former strategist for President Donald Trump, told California Republicans on Friday that if they don't join together to take back the state, they'll see a breakaway effort to create a sovereign nation. "You are a sanctuary state," he told a sold-out dinner crowd of about 500 gather at the Marriott Anaheim for the state GOP's semi-annual convention.

Firm behind Trump-Russia dossier fights Republican demand to open its books

A powerful House Republican is trying to force into public view the identity of the person who first hired the investigative firm that compiled the infamous dossier of alleged links between Russians and the Donald Trump campaign. House Intelligence Chairman Devin Nunes quietly approved a subpoena earlier this month that would compel the unidentified bank handling finances for a private investigative firm called Fusion GPS to open up the company's books.

APNewsBreak: Feds threaten funds for Kansas mental hospital

Timothy Keck, Kansas secretary of aging and disability services, answers questions about a threat from the federal government to cut off funds for patient care at the state's mental hospital in western Kansas, Friday, Oct. 20, 2017, in Topeka, Kan. Keck says he's confident the state can fix all of the problems cited in a building at Larned State Hospital.

VIDEO: Charges, insults fly after Trump aide assails congresswoman over condolence call

The White House on Friday rushed to defend chief of staff John Kelly after he mischaracterized the remarks of a Democratic congresswoman and called her an "empty barrel" making noise. A Trump spokeswoman said it was "inappropriate" to question Kelly in light of his stature as a retired four-star general.

Alabama will give names of crossover voters to prosecutors

The names of Alabama voters who crossed party lines to vote in last month's Republican Senate runoff will be given to prosecutors, the state's election chief said Friday. Secretary of State John Merrill said his office has identified 674 people who voted in the Democratic primary and later voted in the GOP runoff in violation of the state's new crossover voting ban.

Bannon brings message of Republican revolt to California

Former White House adviser Steve Bannon wants to oust Republican senators he feels are disloyal to President Donald Trump. But when he comes to Southern California on Friday, he'll be in a state Trump lost by over 4 million votes and where Republicans have become largely irrelevant in state politics.

Stopping hate crimes against transgender Americans

It's compelling and important news that Attorney General Jeff Sessions is so concerned about the killing of a transgender Iowa high school student that he has sent an experienced federal hate crimes lawyer to help prosecute the man charged in the murder. This act of compassion also begs a question: Why isn't Sessions more concerned about violence against transgender people while they are still alive? There have long been concerns about Sessions' stance on the civil rights of gay and transgender Americans.

Budget deficit hits $666 billion, an $80 billion spike for the year

In this Oct. 17, 2017, photo, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., flanked by Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., left, and Majority Whip John Cornyn, R-Texas, announces to reporters that the Senate is moving ahead on a Republican budget plan at the Capitol in Washington. Senate Republicans seem to be on cruise control to pass a $4 trillion budget plan that shelves GOP deficit concerns in favor of the partyA's drive to cut taxes.

Q&A on the GOP effort to overhaul the nation’s tax system

Speaker of the House Paul Ryan applauds as attendees to the 72nd Annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation dinner are announced Thursday, Oct. 19, 2017, in New York. Speaker of the House Paul Ryan applauds as attendees to the 72nd Annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation dinner are announced Thursday, Oct. 19, 2017, in New York.

Top Dems nix White House demands to alter health care deal

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., makes a call as senators arrive for votes at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Oct. 19, 2017. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of N.Y., right, leaves the Senate floor after a vote, Thursday, Oct. 19, 2017, on Capitol Hill in Washington.

Trump pledges biggest tax cuts ever as Senate paves way

President Donald Trump promised tax cuts Friday "which will be the biggest in the history of our country!" following Senate passage of a $4 trillion budget that lays the groundwork for Republicans' promised tax legislation. Republicans hope to push the first tax overhaul in three decades through Congress by year's end, an ambitious goal that would fulfill multiple campaign promises but could run aground over any number of disputes.

Senate Republicans don’t trust Trump’s health care statements anymore

President Donald Trump's credibility is so low within the Senate that, even when he issues a tweet that seems to undermine their attempt to pass a health care reform bill, it no longer fazes the senators themselves. "In this town, at this time, change seems to be the norm.

Senate GOP backs budget, clears way for tax overhaul

Republicans must now shift their focus to enacting President Donald Trump's sweeping tax plan, a far heavier lift than the $4 trillion budget plan they've muscled through the Senate to lay the groundwork for the first tax overhaul in three decades. The GOP on Thursday narrowly backed the budget plan, a prerequisite to major tax legislation.

Government report calls on Trump to act on climate change

A government report released Monday is sounding an alarm over the threat of climate change, and the government's response. The US government has spent more than $350 billion over the past decade in response to extreme weather and fire events, and the Government Accountability Office report estimated the US would incur far higher costs as the years progress if global emission rates don't go down.