House GOP rejects Dem effort for info on Trump-Russia probes

House Republicans have rejected a Democratic effort to require the Justice Department to provide Congress with information about President Donald Trump's finances and possible campaign ties to Russia. The GOP-led Judiciary Committee on Tuesday defeated the resolution on a party-line vote of 18-16.

Watch live at 9 p.m.: President Trump addresses Congress

President Donald Trump's first address to Congress gives him a welcome opportunity to refocus his young administration on the core economic issues that helped him get elected - and, his allies hope, to move beyond the distractions and self-inflicted wounds that have roiled his White House. Trump's advisers say he will use the speech to declare early progress on his campaign promises, including withdrawing the U.S. from a sweeping Pacific Rim trade pact, and to map a path ahead on thorny legislative priorities, including health care and infrastructure spending.

Mark Meadows’ wife rips Ryan on ObamaCare

"In a nutshell, for reasons we cannot fathom, Republican leadership is putting forth a so-called Obamacare 'repeal' that is not a repeal at all," Debbie Meadows said in an email to North Carolina Republicans Politico first reported on Tuesday. "Leadership is selling it as a full repeal and has convinced many in the White House that it's terrific," she added.

Trump signs executive order on black colleges

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Tuesday aimed at signaling his commitment to historically black colleges and universities, saying that those schools will be "an absolute priority for this White House." HBCU presidents are hoping Congress will bolster Trump's actions to strengthen the schools with dramatically increased funding in the upcoming federal budget.

Agency delays plan for keeping Asian carp from Great Lakes

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had been scheduled to release draft results of a study begun in April 2015 on possible structural or technological upgrades at the Brandon Road Lock and Dam near Joliet, Illinois, a few miles downstream of a network of electrical barriers intended to repel the carp. A final version of the plan was to be released in early 2019.

Rachel Notley expects to meet with members of Trump administration

Alberta Premier Rachel Notley says she expects to meet face to face Wednesday with members of U.S. President Donald Trump's government as she continues a visit to Washington, D.C. "I'm not going to get into specific names until those meetings are finally confirmed, but, yes, we do anticipate meeting with people in the Trump administration," Notley said Tuesday in a conference call from the U.S. capital. Trump is contemplating changes to the trade relationship with Canada, including a new border tax.

Trump looks to refocus his presidency…

With his first address to Congress, President Donald Trump has an opportunity to refocus his young administration on the economic issues that helped him get elected. His allies hope it will help him move beyond the distractions and self-inflicted wounds that he has dealt with so far.

Rep. Turner calls Comey hearing ‘highly speculative’

On a day that saw FBI Director James Comey testify before the House Intelligence Committee, Erin Burnett made the issue the focus of her evening news program by welcoming a man who was in the room as the testimony was given. Rep. Mike Turner of Ohio is a Republican member of the Intelligence Committee, and cautioned anyone from forming opinions based solely on what Comey shared Monday morning.

Why accusations about Trump and the Russians will go nowhere

The recent controversy surrounding President Trump and his supposed ties to Moscow has always been a non-starter for me. We are supposed to believe the word of unnamed intelligence officials ensconced in the Beltway suburbs without a drop of firsthand experience, busy leaking to reporters because they are upset about the result of the last election? Already there's a motivation problem right there.

APLU Looks Forward to Congressional HBCU Conference & Advancing Legislative Action

Association of Public and Land-grant Universities President Peter McPherson today issued the following statement regarding tomorrow's congressional convening of Historically Black Colleges and Universities on Capitol Hill. The association's membership includes 23 historically black colleges and universities , of which 21 are land-grant institutions .

What to watch for in Trump’s address to Congress

President Donald Trump is set to deliver his first address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night -- where he's expected to make the case for a budget that boosts defense spending and slashes funding for agencies. The speech -- a "State of the Union" address in all but the name -- will be Trump's biggest national audience since his swearing-in ceremony, a chance to try to bring the nation together and sell his agenda on Capitol Hill.

Issa renews call for independent prosecutor on Russia

Rep. Darrell Issa doubled down on statements he made over the weekend urging for an independent investigation of communications between President Donald Trump's presidential campaign and Russians known to US intelligence. "The American people need a clear-eyed view of the nefarious actions of the Russian government," the California Republican said in a statement Monday.

Big surge for military in Trump budget, big cuts elsewhere

President Donald Trump is proposing a huge $54 billion surge in U.S. military spending for new aircraft, ships and fighters in his first federal budget while slashing big chunks from domestic programs and foreign aid to make the government "do more with less." The Trump blueprint, due in more detail next month, would fulfill the Republican president's campaign pledge to boost Pentagon spending while targeting the budgets of other federal agencies.

Lawmaker who introduced HB2 repeal bill questions bill’s future

The North Carolina lawmaker who introduced a bill to repeal the controversial House Bill 2 has called into question the bill's future after the bill was moved to a House committee. The bill seeks to fully repeal HB2 and update the state's non-discrimination laws to match federal protections.

Trump Looks To Refocus His Presidency In Address To Congress

President Donald Trump's first address to Congress gives him a welcome opportunity to refocus his young administration on the core economic issues that helped him get elected - and, his allies hope, to move beyond the distractions and self-inflicted wounds that have roiled his White House. Trump's advisers say he will use his prime-time speech Tuesday to declare early progress on his campaign promises, including withdrawing the U.S. from a sweeping Pacific Rim trade pact, and to map a path ahead on thorny legislative priorities, including health care and infrastructure spending.