Jason Chaffetz: Are we doing enough to prosecute gun crimes?

Federal law requires all federally licensed firearms dealers to conduct a background check on prospective gun buyers before the sale of a firearm. What goes into that background check? In the clamor to tighten gun restrictions following the horrific massacre at Florida's Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School last week, one important fact has been overlooked.

Senate to weigh punishment for member accused of misconduct

In this Jan. 3, 2018, file photo, California state Sen. Tony Mendoza, D-Artesia, announces that he will take a month-long leave of absence while an investigation into sexual misconduct allegations against him are completed in Sacramento, Calif. When lawmakers return from the President's Day weekend, Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2018, they will learn whether the investigation cleared Mendoza or sets him up for possible expulsion.

Northern District Of California Rejects New Evidence Allegedly…

On February 9, 2018, Judge Charles E. Breyer of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California held that "newly discovered evidence" regarding the basis for an auditor's resignation and the scope of improper expense reimbursements did not justify reconsidering the Court's prior dismissal of claims under Section 10 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for failure to sufficiently allege scienter and loss causation. Rok v.

Trump seeks ban on gun modifications like bump stocks

President Trump signed a memorandum instructing the attorney general to regulate the use of bump stocks, effectively banning the use of the devices that can allow rifles to mimic automatic weapons. Trump made the announcement at a Medal of Valor ceremony at the White House for firefighters and police officers - some of whom had intervened in shooting incidents.

Protecting the conscience and religious beliefs of health care workers

The Trump administration has created a new division within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services tasked with protecting the moral and religious beliefs of health care workers. According to Office for Civil Rights Director Roger Severino: America's doctors and nurses are dedicated to saving lives and should not be bullied out of the practice of medicine simply because they object to performing abortions against their conscience.

Congress Sets Sights on Federal Cryptocurrency Rules

Jolted by the global investment craze over bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, U.S. lawmakers are moving to consider new rules that could impose stricter federal oversight on the emerging asset class, several top lawmakers told Reuters. Bipartisan momentum is growing in the Senate and House of Representatives for action to address the risks posed by virtual currencies to investors and the financial system, they said.

Ex-wife of former White House aide says Hatch has apologizedAssociated Press

In this Jan. 9, 2018, file photo, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, the president pro tempore, arrives at the Capitol for weekly policy meetings, in Washington. Colbie Holderness, an ex-wife of former White House staff secretary Rob Porter said Sunday, Feb. 18, that she has received a letter of apology from Hatch, the Utah Republican who defended his former aide from "a vile attack" after Holderness and another ex-wife accused Porter of domestic abuse.

As special session begins Monday, Speaker Taylor Barras faces…

Paperwork has been distributed and extra chairs have been set up in the Louisiana House chamber ready for Gov. John Bel Edwards' address to legislators at 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 17, 2018. The 17-day special session aims to address a $1 billion deficit in the state budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1. The 144 members of Louisiana's Legislature will convene Monday in a special session that will mark their fifth attempt in two years to solve the state's recurring budget problems.

House budget would expand Medicaid, seek federal approval of work requirement

The House Appropriations Committee on Sunday will consider a proposed two-year budget that includes extending Medicaid coverage to more than 300,000 uninsured Virginians under the Affordable Care Act and using the savings to pay for a blockbuster higher education initiative in Northern Virginia, a big infusion of cash into K-12 and early childhood ... (more)

Jeff Sadow: Gov. Edwards has made legislative special sessions…

From left, Senate President John Alario, R-Westwego, House Appropriations Committee Chairman Rep. Cameron Henry Jr., R-Metairie, House Speaker Rep. Taylor Barras, R-New Iberia, and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Sen. Eric LaFleur, D-Ville Platte, meet in the front of the Senate Chamber during the last day of the regular legislative session Thursday June 8, 2017, in Baton Rouge, La..

After thrills of wave election, Virginia’s freshmen Democrats see…

New delegates from left: Kathy Tran, D-Fairfax, and her daughter, Elise, 11 months, Wendy Gooditis, D-Clarke, Kelly Convirs-Fowler, D-Virginia Beach, Debra Rodman, D-Henrico, Schuyler VanValkenburg, D-Henrico, Lee Carter, D-Manassas, Karrie Delaney, D-Fairfax, Hala Ayala, D-Prince William, Dawn Adams, D-Richmond, Jennifer Carroll Foy, D-Prince William and Elizabeth Guzman, D-Prince William, pose after being sworn in as members of Virginia House of Delegates at the state Capitol in Richmond, Jan. 10, the first day of the 2018 legislative session.

Houston Businessman Pleads Guilty to Money Laundering Conspiracy

A Houston, Texas, man pleaded guilty today to conspiring to commit money laundering, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department's Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick for the Southern District of Texas. According to documents and information provided to the court, Marcus T. Weathersby conspired with others to facilitate the fraudulent sale of second-hand prescription medications to a Utah-based wholesale distributor.

Trump appeals California judge’s curb on birth control rules

The U.S. Department of Justice is appealing a California judge's decision to temporarily block new Trump administration rules allowing more employers to opt out of providing no-cost birth control to women. Lawyers filed the notice of appeal to the 9th District Court of Appeals on Friday, nearly two months after Oakland-based U.S. District Judge Haywood Gilliam blocked the changes to President Barack Obama's health care law.

Trump’s latest budget undercuts his call to focus on mental health, school safety

Trump's latest budget would slash the major source of public funds for mental health treatment, the Medicaid program serving more than 70 million low-income and disabled people. The budget also calls for a 36 percent cut to an Education Department grant program that supports safer schools, reducing it by $25 million from the current level of $67.5 million.