Nation-Now 27 mins ago 8:36 p.m.Bob Corker campaigns with Donald Trump

U.S. Sen. Bob Corker met privately with Donald Trump for a second time Tuesday and then joined the presumptive GOP presidential candidate at a campaign rally in North Carolina amid speculation that Trump is close to picking his vice presidential running mate. "I wasn't going to say anything - I just came to visit," Corker told the cheering crowd as he strolled onto the stage alongside Trump at the campaign event in Raleigh.

Billions spent to fix VA didn’t solve problems

A commission tasked by Congress with trying to fix the troubled Veterans Health Administration has just concluded a damning report, finding that "many profound deficiencies" at the troubled agency "require urgent reform." The report indicates the billions pumped into the VA since the wait-list scandal erupted two years ago have failed to relieve many of the problems in delivering health care to veterans.

NC Sen. Burr, suggested as possible VP, didna t go home for Trump rally

For one, North Carolina's senior Republican U.S. senator planned to skip Donald Trump's campaign rally in Raleigh on Tuesday, saying he needed to be in Washington to deal with national security matters in light of recent global terror attacks. And while Burr will attend his party's national convention later this month to greet North Carolina delegates, he'll be in Cleveland for only a short time.

Appearing with Clinton in N.C., Obama says hea s ready to a pass the batona

Democratic presumptive nominee campaigns with President Obama at a rally in Charlotte, N.C., on Tuesday. CHARLOTTE - President Obama made his debut on the campaign trail Tuesday for Hillary Clinton, declaring himself "ready to pass the baton" during a boisterous rally in this battleground state on a politically challenging day for his preferred successor.

Special Session Failure Unlikely To End Gun Debate

After their call for a special legislative session failed, Florida Democrats say they will continue to seek "common-sense" regulations on the sales of weapons to people on federal watch lists. With only a single Republican joining with Democrats, initial numbers released by the Florida Department of State indicated there wasn't enough legislative support for a requested special session to deal with gun control as a reaction to the mass shooting last month at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando.

Trump VP Announcement Expected Next Week, Adviser Tells CNN

CNN doesn't identify Donald Trump adviser who says presumptive Republican presidential nominee is expected to announce his running mate next wk. "She has done a fantastic job for the people of Iowa and U.S. Will see her again!" Trump tweets "I will continue to share my insights with Donald about the need to strengthen our economy, keep our nation safe, and ensure America is always a strong, stabilizing force around the globe," Ernst says in stmt after meeting: CNN Trump also said he met with Gov. Mike Pence, R-Ind., on July 3 and praised a Sunday TV appearance by Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark.

Why ‘Dump Trump’ effort faces likely defeat at GOP convention

Despite a continuing effort and lots of noise by a band of insurgents, Donald Trump and the Republican Party are on track to defeat rebels trying to head off his nomination at this month's convention. Far from giving up, the "dump Trump" forces are seeking new supporters and spending money to run ads, hire staff and set up office space near the GOP convention site in Cleveland to try to prevent the real estate mogul from becoming the GOP presidential nominee.

Why Dump Trump effort faces likely defeat at GOP convention

Despite a continuing effort and lots of noise by a band of insurgents, Donald Trump and the Republican Party are on track to defeat rebels trying to head off his nomination at this month's convention. Far from giving up, the "dump Trump" forces are seeking new supporters and spending money to run ads, hire staff and set up office space near the GOP convention site in Cleveland to try to prevent the real estate mogul from becoming the GOP presidential nominee.

This brash lieutenant general is on Trump’s short list for VP

The outspoken and brash Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn - who was forced out of his post by the Obama administration in 2014 after pointing out the rising global jihadist threat - has already briefed the Republican presidential candidate on several occasions and is in close touch with high levels of Trump's staff.

The next chapter of the gun-control showdown comes to the House this week

The House will vote on gun-control legislation this week as part of a broader package of counterterrorism measures, but it will do little to end the political discord between Republicans and Democrats over how Congress should respond to the recent mass shooting in Orlando. House Speaker Paul D. Ryan on Friday announced there would be a vote this week on legislation that incorporates a broad swath of Republican proposals to counter radicalization in the United States.

Incumbent Senate Republicans build leads amid a substantiala ticket-splitting

Donald Trump may be down in the polls, but Republican Senate candidates are still faring relatively well, suggesting - at least for now - that they may escape being drawn down by the whirlpool that analysts predicted would drown all who surround the billionaire businessman. While presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton tops Mr. Trump in matchups in Florida, Pennsylvania and New Hampshire, incumbent Senate Republicans are all ahead in polling in their own races, building significant leads.

Sanders’ campaign is over, yet Secret Service remains

Bernie Sanders is back to his old day job, trading the booming applause of his campaign rallies to the far more tedious work of the Senate. "I have a parliamentary inquiry!" Sanders shouted on the Senate floor one night last week, testing the patience of his colleagues, who were eager to leave the Capitol and start their holiday break.

L.A. Times: Once on – Fringe,’ Immigration Hard-Liners Get to Dance with Trump

Noah Bierman and Brian Bennett of the Los Angeles Times report that hard-line immigration opponents, once relegated to the political edges, are gaining influence with presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump. For decades, immigration hard-liners have felt sidelined and taken for granted by Republican presidential candidates, left with dog whistles and policy crumbs.

The Latest: Ernst, a running-mate prospect, meets Trump

If Donald Trump and Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst discussed making her his running mate in a weekend meeting, mum's the word. The senator released a statement afterward saying they had a good talk and discussed concerns she's hearing from Iowans about the direction of the country as she tours her state.