Trump labels Attorney General Jeff Sessions ‘beleaguered’

"So why aren't the Committees and investigators, and of course our beleaguered A.G., looking into Crooked Hillarys crimes & Russia relations?" the president tweeted from his personal Twitter account on Monday morning. Over the past week, Trump has been attacking Attorney General Jeff Sessions for his decision months ago to recuse himself from the investigations into possible connections between Trump's campaign and Russia.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell walks into the Senate chamber at the Capitol on Thursday.

President Donald Trump pressured Republicans Monday to approve the Senate's wheezing health care bill, saying a showdown vote planned for this week is their "last chance to do the right thing" and erase the Obama health law. Trump's prodding came a day before leaders have said the Senate will vote on legislation shredding much of President Barack Obama's health care law.

Sean Sullivan & Robert Costa:

Six months after [taking] complete control of the federal government, the Republican Party stands divided as ever - plunged into a messy war among its factions that has escalated in recent weeks to crisis levels. Frustrated lawmakers are increasingly sounding off at a White House awash in turmoil and struggling to accomplish its legislative agenda.

US student freed after week held in China over taxi dispute

Montana Republican Sen. Steve Daines says police in central China freed 25-year-old Guthri... . FILE - This undated file photo provided by Jennifer McLean shows her son, University of Montana student Guthrie McLean, on the Great Wall of China.

Report: Higher premiums if Trump halts Obamacare subsidies NEW

Premiums for a popular type of individual health plan would rise sharply, and more people would be left with no insurance options if President Donald Trump makes good on his threat to stop Obamacare payments to insurers, the Congressional Budget Office said Tuesday. The nonpartisan number crunchers also estimated that cutting off payments that now reduce copays and deductibles for people of modest incomes would add $194 billion to federal deficits over a decade.

Meet the owner of a gay bar who is challenging Texas Gov. Abbott

That's why the openly gay, 49-year-old Dallas Democrat who owns five businesses - including The Dallas Eagle, a popular gay bar - is doing what some might say is impossible: attempting to win the governor's seat by running against one of the most popular and well-funded governors in recent memory. In an interview with The Texas Tribune, Payne - who is a political newcomer - said he realizes this is a difficult feat given Texas' history as a predominately red state.

Marijuana supporters find an ally in veterans

The Trump administration's attack on legal marijuana, already stymied by large states determined not to roll back the clock, is increasingly confronting an even more politically potent adversary: military veterans. Frustrated by federal laws restricting their access to a drug many already rely on to help treat post-traumatic stress disorder, chronic pain and opioid addiction, veterans have become an influential lobbying force in the marijuana debate after sitting on the sidelines for years.

Trump’s election commission lacks integrity

President Donald Trump had some remarkable things to say at the inaugural meeting of his Commission to Promote Voter Suppression and Justify Trump's False Claims, which is formally known as the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity. He also asked a question that deserves an answer.

U.S. student freed after week held in China over taxi dispute

An American university student is free following a weeklong detention in China for allegedly injuring a taxi driver who was roughing up his mother during a fare dispute, in a case that drew objections over the student's treatment from U.S. lawmakers. Guthrie McLean, a student at the University of Montana, was released from a detention center in Zhengzhou early Monday, according to his mother, Jennifer McLean, a teacher who lives in the central Chinese city.

US student freed after week in Chinese detention

An American college student is free following a weeklong detention for allegedly injuring a taxi driver who was roughing up his mother during a fare dispute, in a case that drew objections over the student's treatment from U.S. lawmakers. Guthrie McLean, a student at the University of Montana, was released from a detention center in Zhengzhou early Monday, according to his mother Jennifer McLean, a teacher who lives in the central Chinese city.

Where are the wreaths for the known?

U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis recently told constituents of how he participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. He told us to remember and give thanks to those who gave their lives in the service of our nation, as they are the "indispensable Americans without whom we would not be free."

Senator: American student arrested in China has been freed

Chinese authorities have dropped charges against an American college student who was arrested and detained in the Asian nation a week ago after reportedly injuring a taxi driver who was roughing up his mother in a fare dispute, a U.S. lawmaker said Sunday. Guthrie McLean, a University of Montana senior, was released from a detention center in the central China city of Zhengzhou early Monday local time, according to Republican Sen. Steve Daines of Montana.

Ahead of key vote, details of GOP health bill still unknown

The Senate will move forward with a key vote this week on a Republican health care bill but it's not yet known whether the legislation will seek to replace the Affordable Care Act or simply repeal it, the third-highest ranking Republican senator said Sunday. Sen. John Thune of South Dakota said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., will make a decision soon on which bill to bring up for a vote, depending on ongoing discussions with GOP senators.

Detained college student Guthrie McLean released by Chinese authorities

This undated file photo provided by Jennifer McLean shows her son, University of Montana student Guthrie McLean, in China. Montana Republican Sen. Steve Daines says police in central China freed 25-year-old Guthrie McLean early Monday, July 24, 2017, local time, after he was arrested in China a week earlier after reportedly injuring a taxi driver who was roughing up his mother in a fare dispute.

Trump open to signing Russia sanctions legislation

Congressional Democrats said on Saturday they had agreed with Republicans on a deal allowing new sanctions targeting Russia, Iran and North Korea in a bill that would limit any potential effort by Trump to try to lift sanctions against Moscow. A White House official said the administration's view of the legislation evolved after changes were made, including the addition of sanctions on North Korea.

COMMENTARY: How the DREAM Act divides families

Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, of South Carolina, and Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin, of Illinois, have introduced a new DREAM Act. The lawmakers want to protect young undocumented immigrants who could lose their temporary legal status under Deferred Action of Childhood Arrivals due to a court challenge from 10 states, led by Texas.

Trump Critics Flake, Heller Being Targeted for Primary Challenges

Vulnerable Senate Republicans, Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., and Dean Heller, R-Nev., might face more than Democratic opposition in 2018, especially if the GOP's repeal of Obamacare fails at their hands, according to The Hill. "We're watching the races in Arizona and Nevada closely and stand ready to support strong challengers who are true conservatives, have strong grassroots support, and can run a winning campaign," Senate Conservatives Fund President Ken Cuccinelli told The Hill in a statement.

a Inside Texas Politicsa : DNCa s Perez on rebuilding Texas Democratic Party

The first Latino leader of the Democratic Party, Tom Perez, is in studio with host Jason Whitely and Bud Kennedy of the Star-Telegram. The chairman of the DNC, who also served as Labor Secretary under President Obama, discussed challenges facing the party and plans it as for Texas, and the future of House leader Nancy Pelosi.