Ohio governor OKs 20-week abortion ban, nixes heartbeat bill

Republican Gov. John Kasich signed a bill Tuesday imposing a 20-week abortion ban while vetoing stricter provisions in a separate measure that would have barred the procedure at the first detectable fetal heartbeat. The so-called heartbeat bill would have prohibited most abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detected, which can be as early as six weeks into pregnancy - or before many women know they are pregnant.

The Freedom to Yelp: Congress Curbs ToS Overreach

Worried about a company retaliating against you when you post a negative review on Yelp or TripAdvisor? Worry no longer because Congress has your back. Last week, Congress passed a law that will make it illegal for companies to retaliate against U.S. consumers who post negative reviews online.

Brownback selects a new state bank commissioner

A Kansas bank vice president and former adviser at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has been appointed to be state bank commissioner by Gov. Sam Brownback. On Tuesday, Brownback said he was nominating Miki Bowman, of Council Grove, to lead Kansas' regulation of state-chartered banks and trust companies, savings and loan companies, mortgage businesses, supervised lenders and money transmitters.

Donald Trump’s pick to head State Department recommended by lobbyist to Exxon, Russia

Late Monday, President-elect Donald Trump's transition team quietly announced that it was postponing his first post-election conference, meant to address potential conflicts of interests for the incoming commander-in-chief. Then early Tuesday, Trump announced his selection of Exxon CEO Rex Tillerson as Secretary of State and lined up former Republican government officials with ties to ExxonMobil and Russia's state-run gas company to vouch for the career oil man with no experience in government.

The Latest: Brazil’s Temer and Trump discuss economic growth

In this June 15, 2012, file photo, Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson shake hands at a signing ceremony of an agreement between state-controlled Russian oil company Rosneft and ExxonMobil at the Black Sea port of Tuapse, southern Russia.

Republican lawmaker looks to overhaul Social Security

A key Republican lawmaker wants to overhaul Social Security, the decades-old program that provides benefits to some 60 million retirees and disabled, with a plan to gradually increase the retirement age and slow the growth of benefits for higher-income workers. Rep. Sam Johnson of Texas, the chairman of the House Ways and Means subcommittee on Social Security, introduced legislation just before the end of the congressional session last week that he said would "permanently save" the program.

Donald Trump makes it official: Rexa

President-elect Donald Trump officially nominated Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson for secretary of State on Tuesday, setting up a possible confirmation battle over the nominee's business ties to Russia. While Democrats and even some Republicans raised questions about Tillerson and Russia -- which is accused of interference in the recent presidential election -- Trump praised his fellow businessman as "a world class player" who has led one of the world's largest corporations.

Trump thought he was going to lose, too

Donald Trump delivers his victory speech from his election night event at the New York Hilton in Midtown Manhattan. It was a long-fought presidential election after declaring his candidacy June 16, 2015, and later telling supporters that he would accept the results of the election under the condition that he wins.

Peniel Joseph, Texas Perspectives: Carson nomination signals a Trump neoconfederacy

The selection of Ben Carson to be secretary of housing and urban development is yet more evidence that Donald Trump and his transition team are embracing an approach that uses race as cover for a return to the racially oppressive past. Carson, whose professional ascent was aided by civil rights victories and affirmative action, has pointedly rejected the very methods that allowed him to access opportunities that were unheard of in America's pre-civil rights years.

Controversial anti-Semitism bill dies in House

The House of Representatives ended this congressional session without taking action on a bill targeting campus anti-Semitism, a measure that had been backed by mainstream Jewish groups, criticized by civil libertarians and passed unanimously by the Senate on Dec. 1. Rep. Bob Goodlatte , chairman of the House Committee on the Judiciary, did not advance the bill through his committee, a congressional staffer told JTA. Congress formally ends its session on Monday afternoon, but the session is pro forma and most members are already back in their districts for a Christmas break.

Trump’s criticism of Russia hacking claim could haunt him

Donald Trump held firm Monday to his skepticism of the huge intelligence apparatus he's about to inherit, doubting anew the CIA conclusion that Russia tried to hack its way into tipping the U.S. election his way. Trump emphasized that he does not accept the conclusion that the Kremlin tried to disrupt the election in his favour, an idea he dismissed as "ridiculous" over the weekend.

Aaron Schock pleads not guilty to federal charges Updated at

Former U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock pleaded not guilty Monday afternoon to two dozen federal charges alleging he misused public money, lied about it and failed to file correct tax returns. During a 45-minute hearing that focused mostly on conditions for his bond, Schock, 35, said little except "Yes, your honor" or "No, your honor" to several questions by U.S. District Judge Sue Myerscough, who will be presiding over the case.

Ex-Illinois US Rep. Schock pleads not guilty to funds misuse

Former Illinois Congressman Aaron Schock, who just two years ago was the future face of the Republican Party, pleaded not guilty Monday in federal court to charges that he misused government and campaign money for personal use. The 35-year-old Republican from Peoria pronounced his plea and gave short answers to questions by U.S. District Judge Sue Myerscough, who set a trial date of Feb. 7. Appearing calm and dressed in a dark suit with thin stripes, the one-time formidable fundraiser and rising GOP star faces federal corruption charges alleging he used his position to spend lavishly on travel, World Series and Super Bowl tickets and other amenities of an extravagant lifestyle.

Sen. Casey calls for federal investigation into CDC emails on Legionnaires’ outbreak

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey said today he will ask for a formal federal inquiry into how the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention handled its investigation of the 2012 Legionnaires' outbreak at the Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Healthcare System, following publication of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's two-part series that raised questions about possible bias by federal officials. "It is of great concern to me and should be to anyone interested in this that there could be bias in the CDC's results in this investigation" of the Pittsburgh VA Legionnaires' outbreak, Mr. Casey said.

Is Hillary Clinton Trying To Question The Legitimacy Of Donald Trump Winning?

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and John Podesta arrive for a portrait unveiling ceremony for retiring Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., last week. Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call,Inc. hide caption Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and John Podesta arrive for a portrait unveiling ceremony for retiring Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., last week.