Senate narrowly defeats ‘skinnya

The Senate narrowly defeated a bill early Friday that would repeal limited portions of Obamacare as Republican Sen. John McCain cast the deciding vote against the plan. The vote was a major blow to GOP Senate leaders and it was not immediately clear what they would do next.

GOP Obamacare repeal bill fails in dramatic late-night vote

BREAKING: The Senate has dealt a devastating setback to the Republican efforts to repeal Obamacare, defeating a GOP "skinny repeal" bill early Friday morning. Sens. John McCain, Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins joined with Democrats to oppose the measure.

Capito, Manchin reject Trump tweet on transgender soldiers

West Virginia's two U.S. senators both agreed with statements made by the decorated Vietnam War veteran Sen. John McCain about the president's social media post reversing a policy allowing transgender people to serve in the military.

Senate Republicans reject last-ditch ‘skinny repeal’ of Obamacare

Senators early Friday narrowly rejected a dramatically slimmed-down Obamacare repeal bill, even after being promised by GOP leaders that the measure would never actually become law. The strategy was a desperate and ultimately unsuccessful gambit by Republican leaders, who had run out of options after failing to convince their majority to pass legislation to repeal the Affordable Care Act and replace it with a promised new healthcare plan.

House Speaker Paul Ryan says he’s willing to bring the Senate GOP’s bill to conference

House Speaker Paul Ryan said he's willing to take Senate Republicans'"skinnier" attempt at repealing certain parts of the Affordable Care Act to conference. If moving forward requires a conference committee, that is something the House is willing to do," he said in a statement on Thursday.

Sessions won’t step down unless asked

His loyalty to the boss severely tested but seemingly intact, Attorney General Jeff Sessions said Thursday he will stay in the job for as long as President Donald Trump wants him to serve. Sessions said that he and Trump have a "harmony of values and beliefs" and that he intends to stay and fight for the president's agenda "as long as he sees that as appropriate."

Congress sends Russia sanctions bill to Trump’s desk, but it’s unclear whether he will veto it

The 98-to-2 vote sets the president up with a pivotal choice: veto the bill knowing that lawmakers are prepared to override, as his communications chief Anthony Scaramucci suggested Thursday morning on CNN that he might, or sign the legislation that binds his hands when it comes to altering sanctions policy against Moscow, a provision his administration lobbied hard against. Sens. Rand Paul, R-Ky., and Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., were the only senators to vote against the bill.

Russia sanctions bill heads to Trump after Senate approval

The Senate voted decisively on Thursday to approve a new package of stiff financial sanctions against Russia, Iran and North Korea, sending the popular bill to President Donald Trump for his signature after weeks of intense negotiations. Never in doubt, however, was a cornerstone of the legislation that bars Trump from easing or waiving the additional penalties on Russia unless Congress agrees.

5 faith facts about Sam Brownback: Political champion of religious freedom

Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback, President Trump's nominee for international religious freedom ambassador, describes religious freedom as "the choice of what you do with your own soul." If confirmed, the 60-year-old, two-term Republican governor, former U.S. senator and onetime presidential candidate would be the first politician confirmed as the ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom.

From left, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., and …

Three Republicans senators,John McCain of Arizona, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, held a press conference Thursday saying they cannot vote for the GOP health care bill in its current form. WASHINGTON - With their ranks in chaos, Senate Republican leaders appeared ready to work late into the night Thursday to devise a slimmed-down repeal of the Affordable Care Act by sometime Friday, as Democrats slammed the secretive process as a sham and key Republican senators threatened to block the effort.

Top GOP Senator Warns of – Holy Hell’ If Trump Fires Sessions

"If Jeff Sessions is fired, there will be holy hell to pay," Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina told CNN on Thursday morning. Graham described as "chilling" a tweet posted by Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley late Wednesday in which the Iowa Republican said there was "no way" his panel would consider the nomination of a replacement for Sessions.

The Latest: Ryan says House willing to negotiate with Senate

The Republican-run Senate has rejected a GOP proposal to scuttle President Barack Obama's health care law and give Congress two years to devise a replacement. Ryan's announcement Thursday evening is meant to ease doubts among Senate Republicans about voting for a minimal repeal bill.

St. Croix River bridge ribbon-cutting expected to draw a crowd

The health care debate in the nation's capital will keep U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar from attending Wednesday's ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new St. Croix River bridge, but two governors and numerous other state, county and city officials are expected to be there. Klobuchar, D-Minn., spearheaded legislation in the U.S. Senate to permit and fund construction of the massive four-lane bridge, as did then-U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann in the House.

Utah Gov. Herbert joins Sen. Hatch in speaking out against…

Republican Utah Gov. Gary Herbert is breaking with President Donald Trump over his new directive to bar transgender people from the military. "I'm not going to defend President Trump on this issue," the Republican governor said Thursday during his monthly press conference on KUED-TV.

Boy Scouts Chief Apologizes For ‘Political Rhetoric’ In Trump’s Speech

President Trump waves to the crowd after his speech during the National Boy Scout Jamboree on Monday. Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images hide caption The head of the Boy Scouts of America apologized Thursday to the organization's members, telling them the group did not intend to showcase the "political rhetoric" in President Trump's speech to the National Jamboree earlier this week.

US-led coalition cuts ties with partner force in fight against ISIS in Syria

Inspired b... -- In a revealing story published in The Players' Tribune, former NBA star Lamar Odom talked about his drug use and the "everyday struggle" to stay clean.Odom was f... -- Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham warned on Thursday that there would be "holy hell to pay" if President Donald Trump fires U.S. Attorney General Jeff... -- While promoting his new supernatural thriller novel, Talon of God, ABC Radio asked Wesley Snipes about one of his most memorable characters -- Blade, the v... -- Amazon plans to hold the largest job fair in the country next month as it posts thousands of jobs across its fulfillment network, the company announced Wednesday... -- With the rising popularity of e-cigarettes, the debate over whether these devices are a legitimate aid to smoking cessation -- or just another way for people to ... Shania Twain released her first full-fledged solo music video ... (more)