Missing American journalist alive in Syria, Senator says

The Obama administration has "high confidence" that missing American journalist Austin Tice is alive in Syria, Sen. John Cornyn said Friday. Freelance journalist Tice disappeared while reporting near the Syrian capital of Damascus in August, 2012.Texas Republican Cornyn, the second-ranking GOP leader in the Senate, said he had been briefed on the latest situation by White House hostage envoy James O'Brien.

Congress passes at least $120M in…

In some of its last votes of the year, the U.S. Senate finally approved legislation that will be worth more than $120 million to Flint, Mich., and its effort to respond to an ongoing public health crisis linked to high lead levels in its tap water. In a series of votes late Friday night and early this morning, the Senate passed a so-called continuing resolution to fund government through April 28 of next year and national water infrastructure legislation, two bills that together included provisions to authorize and pay for long-sought funding for Flint and provide $170 million or more to help address concerns of lead in drinking water.

Capito calls on Trump to join fight for miners’ benefits

Senator Shelley Moore Capito is calling on President-Elect Donald Trump to make the Miners Protection Act a priority in his first days in office. Capito voted in the majority in favor of the continuing resolution on Friday night to fund the government.

Watch Live: Donald Trump Rally in Grand Rapids Tonight

Republican President-elect Donald Trump is headed to Grand Rapids tonight for his first appearance in Michigan since winning the presidency. His last Michigan stop was the night before the election, where he held a last-minute rally in Grand Rapids with Vice President-elect Mike Pence.

Government funding bill clears key hurdle in Senate

A bill to fund the US government through April that got caught up in a fight over health insurance for coal miners, cleared a key procedural hurdle late Thursday when senators voted 61-38 to advance it. A group of Democrats, who tried to bolster the health insurance provisions in the bill, were not able to get enough votes to block it.

Trump jovially rejoins campaign trail, tosses hat to a fan

Appearing jovial and relaxed, Donald Trump plunged back into election politics Friday, a full month after he won the presidency, enthusiastically prodding Louisiana Republicans to turn out for Saturday's Senate runoff election and protect the party's 52-48 margin in Washington. Addressing a large crowd at an airport hangar, at one point he tossed his trademark "Make America Great Again" hat to a supporter.

Trump: Ban Fed Employees From Applying to Former Clients

President-elect Donald Trump said Friday that he would propose a lifetime ban on federal employees who grant huge defense contracts from working for those companies - after saying this week that he wanted to cancel the "ridiculous" order for a new Air Force One. "But when you're talking about the kind of money [spent on such contracts] I said: 'Who gives these orders out?'" Trump told a rally in Baton Rouge, La., as part of his "thank you" tour of battleground states.

Senate pushes to avert gov’t shutdown over miners’ benefits

The Senate pushed to avert a government shutdown at midnight Friday as coal-state Democrats evoked President-elect Donald Trump in pleading for a more generous extension of health care benefits for retired miners. A key Democrat in the rancorous fight over benefits for retired miners facing a loss of coverage at year's end suggested he would beat a tactical retreat and resume the battle next year.

Will justice in America be Trumped?

His Nixonian campaign mantra of "law and order" demonstrates no empathy for those ensnared in the criminal justice system. Trump is not the first presidential candidate who, while running, assured his followers he would address the nation's perceived lackluster enforcement of criminal law.

Sessions’ first move at DOJ should be to clear Rep. Rick Renzi

Jeff Sessions Sessions' first move at DOJ should be to clear Rep. Rick Renzi Sessions' first move at DOJ should be to clear Rep. Rick Renzi Will justice in America be Trumped? MORE is confirmed as attorney general, he must work with Congress to clean up the corruption within the Department of Justice. One of the first cases he should review is the prosecution of former Arizona Congressman Rick Renzi.

Trump picks congresswoman to lead Interior

Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers will be Donald Trump's nominee for secretary of the interior, according to multiple media outlets. A senior member of the House, McMorris Rodgers, 47, is the highest-ranking female Republican in Congress.

Governor Tomblin Urges Passage of Federal Miners Protection Act –

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin recently issued a statement urging congressional passage of the Miners Protection Act, legislation supported by U.S. Senators Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito that would protect health care benefits for retired coal miners and their families: "For decades, West Virginia's coal miners have given tirelessly of themselves to power our nation, lift up our economy and support their families.

Obama fails to condemn lawless protesters

Like most Americans, I was shocked when I saw President Obama fail to condemn protesters who wouldn't accept the election results. " I would not advise people who feel strongly a to be silent ," he said while visiting Germany in November, taking no action to stop protests like those that caused $1 million in damages in Portland, Ore.

Five Things We’ve Learned From Trump’s Cabinet Picks So Far

First Read is a morning briefing from Meet the Press and the NBC Political Unit on the day's most important political stories and why they matter. President-elect Donald Trump's cabinet selections are now almost complete -- save for that secretary of state position, as well as Agriculture, Energy, and Interior.

Trump’s Cabinet will serve corporate interests, not the chumps who voted for him

To understand what kind of president Donald Trump will be, do not listen to what he says, watch what he does. In a series of campaign-style events, he has repeated all the favorite lines that convinced millions of voters that he was on the side of Americans who feel abused by the establishments on Wall Street, K Street and Pennsylvania Avenue.