Senate calls for more say on tariffs in bipartisan vote

Lawmakers went on record Wednesday to express their frustration with the Trump administration's growing use of tariffs as the Senate passed a nonbinding resolution designed to give Congress more say about trade penalties imposed in the name of national security. The measure, which passed by an 88-11 vote, directs Capitol Hill negotiators trying to reconcile separate spending bills to include language giving Congress a role when such tariffs are put in place.

Trump slams NATO; Utah Sen. Mike Lee talks SCOTUS; why children have…

A new Deseret News special report looks at why children have the most to lose in the latest battle over LGBT and religious rights. Two sides will meet in a Michigan courtroom Thursday "to decide whether a faith-based adoption agency can refuse to work with same-sex couples," according to the Deseret News.

Retiring Sen. Corker Pens Heartfelt Letter to His Successor

Sen Bob Corker wrote a heartfelt letter to whomever wins the election this November to replace him as Tennessee senator, explaining his views on public service and how best to work for the community. Corker said his entrance into public service began not as a political endeavor but a civic one when, as the owner of a construction business, he saw a notice for help on his church bulletin board and found that "working with people in need touched me in ways you cannot imagine."

Grassley: ‘Guesstimate’ Puts Kavanaugh Hearing Dates by September

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley would only give a "rough guesstimate" Wednesday about when confirmation hearings would begin for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, while hitting back at Democrats' call to postpone the hearings until after the November midterms. "If you look at the last two or three, from the time they were nominated until the Senate voted on them, was about 65 to 70 days.

Rep. Diane Black Calls for Law Making Illegal Border Crossings a Felony

Rep. Diane Black said Wednesday her plan to make illegal border crossings a felony offense rather than a misdemeanor would stop people from being willing to break the law while entering the United States. "One of those big disincentives would be now to know this is a felony not a misdemeanor," the Tennessee Republican told Fox News' "Fox & Friends."

The story behind the MJ Hegar video

Mary Jennings "MJ" Hegar, a 42-year-old mother and Republican turned " independent Democrat " running for Congress in Texas, is an Air Force veteran and retired Air National Guard helicopter pilot who didn't let an abusive biological father, knee injuries, and sexual bias, harassment and assault stop her from doing three tours in Afghanistan that climaxed with a rescue mission gone awry in which she strapped herself to the skids of a chopper and fired at the Taliban. Her service earned her a Purple Heart.

Trump blasts Germany as being ‘captive to Russia’ in tiff over NATO defense spending

President Donald Trump slammed European allies at a summit of NATO leaders on Wednesday, singling out the biggest of them for economic ties to Russia while skimping on defense. The source of Trump's ire: German support for a pipeline that would bring Russian natural gas through the Baltic Sea to central Europe - even as it spends just 1.24 percent toward the collective defense of NATO allies.

Trump claims Germany ‘controlled’ by Russia, Merkel differs

President Donald Trump barreled into a NATO summit Wednesday with claims that a pipeline deal has left Germany "totally controlled" and "captive to Russia" as he lobbed fresh complaints about allies' "delinquent" defense spending at the opening of what was expected to be a fraught two-day meeting. Trump, in a testy exchange with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, took issue with the U.S. protecting Germany as it strikes deals with Russia.

Trump Must Meet Xi to Stop Trade War, Top House Republican Says

President Donald Trump faced unusually blunt criticism from within his own party, as one of the U.S. House's top lawmakers urged him to restart negotiations to stop a costly trade war with China. Representative Kevin Brady, a Texas Republican who heads the powerful Ways and Means Committee, called on Trump to meet Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping and hash out an agreement to settle their trade differences.

Ex-FBI Lawyer to Resist Subpoena to Testify About Mueller Probe

A former FBI lawyer who has been at the center of allegations about the basis for Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian collusion in the 2016 election will not appear before congressional investigators despite a subpoena, her lawyer said on Tuesday night. Lisa Page, was to be questioned in private by congressional investigators Wednesday, a day before bureau agent Peter Strzok is to testify publicly about the beginnings of the government's Russia inquiry.

Oklahoma fast-tracking medical marijuana, but with pushback

Oklahoma pushed ahead with emergency rules Tuesday aimed at fast-tracking operations of the medical marijuana industry, but not before concerned health officials tacked on requirements that cannabis advocates say will only slow things down. The state Board of Health narrowly voted to prohibit the sale of smokable marijuana and require that dispensaries must have a pharmacist on staff.

Brett Kavanaugh is uncommonly partisan, research shows

During a visit to Capitol Hill on Tuesday, Vice President Mike Pence, right, spoke about Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, center, as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell listened. Judges, particularly those on the Supreme Court, are expected to sit above the partisan fray.

Ex-OSU coach defends Jordan in abuse scandal but says team doctor…

Former Ohio State wrestling coach Russ Hellickson, a defender of Rep. Jim Jordan, says he told the team doctor that he was making some athletes 'uncomfortable' Ex-OSU coach defends Jordan in abuse scandal but says team doctor made athletes 'uncomfortable' Former Ohio State wrestling coach Russ Hellickson, a defender of Rep. Jim Jordan, says he told the team doctor that he was making some athletes 'uncomfortable' Check out this story on USATODAY.com: https://usat.ly/2L0raWX Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, arrives for a Republican conference meeting June 7, 2018 on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. Jordan denies allegations that he ignored sexual abuse when he was an assistant wrestling coach at Ohio State University decades ago.

The Latest: Grassley pledges thoroughness on Kavanaugh Source: AP

The Latest on President Donald Trump's nomination of Brett Kavanaugh for the Supreme Court : Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Charles Grassley says speed isn't the goal when it comes to Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation. The Iowa Republican says the judicial record of President Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee is about to be inspected "by every lawyer, at least on the committee."

Senate panel OKs Trump’s pick to lead troubled VA

Veterans Affairs Secretary nominee Robert Wilkie testifies during a Senate Veterans Affairs Committee nominations hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, June 27, 2018. Veterans Affairs Secretary nominee Robert Wilkie testifies during a Senate Veterans Affairs Committee nominations hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, June 27, 2018.