GOP lawmaker says Capitol pig painting coming down

In this Jan. 5, 2017, photo, a painting by David Pulphus hangs in a hallway displaying paintings by high school students selected by their member of congress on Capitol Hill in Washington. A GOP congressman reported Jan. 13 that a painting stirring controversy on Capitol Hill will be taken down on Tuesday as a result of a review by the agency responsible for maintaining the Capitol complex determined it violated rules for a student arts competition.

AP Interview: Lynch says US must hold police accountable

In this Jan. 12, 2017 photo, Attorney General Loretta Lynch poses for a portrait during an interview with The Associated Press at the University of Baltimore School of Law in Baltimore. In this Jan. 12, 2017 photo, Attorney General Loretta Lynch poses for a portrait during an interview with The Associated Press at the University of Baltimore School of Law in Baltimore.

IRS letters warn millions about health insurance penalty

" If you haven't signed up for health insurance, you may soon be getting a not-too-subtle nudge from the taxman. The IRS is sending personalized letters to millions of taxpayers who might be uninsured, reminding them that they could be on the hook for hundreds of dollars in fines under the federal health care law if they don't sign up soon through HealthCare.gov.

Early win on budget pressures GOP to deliver on health care

" Republicans have won a gateway victory in Congress in their seven-year trek toward scuttling President Barack Obama's health care law. Now with Donald Trump a week from taking the presidential oath, achieving that goal is possible, but the pressure is on for them to deliver a final product.

US Congress approves first step for repealing Obamacare

The US House of Representatives on Friday joined the Senate in passing a critical measure that marks the first major step toward repealing outgoing President Barack Obama's landmark but controversial health care reforms. The Affordable Care Act - popularly known as Obamacare - has allowed millions of uninsured people to get health insurance.

Democrats press FBI to investigate Trump-Russia ties

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and other Democrats are insisting that the FBI investigate alleged links between the Trump campaign and the Kremlin, to find out whether Russia has leverage over the incoming president. House Democrats emerged from a briefing about Russian interference in the 2016 election demanding that the FBI investigate what links may have existed between the Kremlin and President-elect Donald Trump's campaign.

Vilsack leaving USDA early, no Trump replacement named

Secretary Tom Vilsack left the Agriculture Department a week before his tenure ends and before President-elect Donald Trump has chosen his replacement. Vilsack, who has led USDA for eight years and was President Barack Obama's longest-serving Cabinet secretary, told employees in an email that Friday is his final day.

Some U.S. House Republicans doubtful ahead of vote to begin Obamacare repeal

The U.S. House of Representatives moved toward a Friday vote to begin dismantling Obamacare despite anxiety among some Republicans they were rushing into a major step without knowing the budget consequences or having a firm idea of how they would replace the healthcare law. The Republican-led Congress, under pressure from President-elect Donald Trump to act quickly, made the first move toward scrapping Obamacare on Thursday as the Senate voted to instruct key committees to draft legislation to repeal it.

CMO Today: AT&T Chief Meets With Donald Trump, But Doesn’t Discuss Merger

DEAL MAKER : As Donald Trump prepares to take office, one of the big questions hanging over the media industry is whether AT&T's proposed purchase of Time Warner Inc. will receive approval. As The Wall Street Journal reports, AT&T Chief Executive Randall Stephenson headed to Trump Tower on Thursday morning to meet with the president-elect , who vowed before the election to block the $85 billion deal.

Why Trump’s pick for Education could face unusually stiff resistance

In this Dec. 9 photo, Betsy DeVos, Donald Trump's nominee for secretary of education, speaks while on stage with the President-elect at a rally in Grand Rapids, Mich. Issues related to DeVos's wealth, power and influence with lawmakers and stance towards teachers unions and the LGBT community swirl around her nomination.

Two Mother Lode Republicans to attend D.C. ceremonies

Tuolumne County Republicans will host a free event Friday night at the Sonora Opera Hall for people 21 and over to celebrate President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration, and at least two are scheduled to be in Washington, D.C., that day to witness the dawn of a new era in American politics. Becky Wilkins, of Sonora, and County Supervisor Evan Royce, who represents District 3, are planning to fly to the nation's capitol this week after snagging tickets to Friday's inauguration ceremony through Mother Lode U.S. Rep. Tom McClintock's office.

Ryan: GOP will repeal, replace Obamacare at same time

House Speaker Paul Ryan said Thursday Republicans plan to repeal President Barack Obama's health care law at the same time they approve a GOP replacement plan. "We want to do this at the same time, and in some cases in the same bill," Ryan said during a town hall in Washington sponsored by CNN and moderated by Jake Tapper.