#MeToo movement challenged by cascade of allegations

The criticism came swiftly last week after Atlantic magazine published a writer's account saying that Sen. Al Franken "groped" her in 2009 by putting his hand on her waist during a photo op, "grabbing a handful of flesh" and squeezing at least twice. "And this is your definition of a grope? Come on! This accusation trivializes real predation and abuse.

Health | Weiss: Medicare Takes a Blow Under GOP’s Major Tax Plan Fix

In early December, the GOP-controlled Senate passed by a partisan vote of 51 to 49 its sweeping tax rewrite , sending the $1.4 trillion tax package, detailed in a 492 page bill, to the Conference Committee to iron out the differences between the Senate and House bill, Tax Cuts and Jobs Act , that was passed by a 227-to-205 vote on November 16, 2017. While Democrats are technically part of the conference committee, Republicans are yet again hashing out the details behind closed doors on a purely partisan basis.

CNN Guest On Christian Baker Case: ‘Shut Your Bakery Down Or Make The Cake’ [VIDEO]

Richard Sherman, a criminal defense attorney, says that in the recent Supreme Court case of a bakeshop that refused to bake a cake for a gay couple because of their religious beliefs, the bakers should "either shut [their] bakery down or make the cake." "Then Richard, the argument has to be made, particularly for Phillips, that this is different than if I were selling a car, if you want to come into my store and by any product, which it would not be supported by law no matter what right that I don't want to sell you this product because I don't agree about anything that you represent, who you are, etcetera," said host Fredericka Whitfield on CNN Saturday.

GAO Confirms ‘Climate of Fear’ Exists in Poultry Processing Plants

The central underlying problem is the pervasive climate of fear inside poultry plants; when workers are afraid to report issues, OSHA and other inspection agencies are unable to detect or investigate problems. Eighteen months after the GAO issued a report confirming that poultry workers face inordinate health and safety hazards and that many of these problems go under-reported, a follow-up investigation calls on all three federal agencies-- the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture-- to improve ways for workers to communicate issues without fear of retaliation.

Markey: Tax plan an assault on Bay Staters

U.S. Sen. Edward J. Markey is slamming the Republican tax plan as a measure that would disproportionately hurt Bay State residents and is sounding off on calls to go after entitlement programs next year. "This Republican tax plan is a direct assault on Massachusetts families and their way of life," Markey said.

Filing: Men accused of bomb plot want Trump voters on jury

Three men accused of plotting to bomb a mosque and apartment complex housing Somali refugees asked a federal judge Friday to include prospective jurors from rural western Kansas because they are twice as likely to have voted for President Donald Trump. A defense motion argues that plans to only summon citizens in the more urban counties closest to the federal courthouse in Wichita is a discriminatory practice that excludes rural and conservative jurors.

Steve Bannon Delivers Keynote Address at Black Entrepreneurs’ Conference

Former White House strategist Steve Bannon delivered remarks on Tuesday before an audience of African American entrepreneurs, where he discussed President Donald Trump's economic agenda and blamed illegal immigration for the economic stagnation of other minority groups. "Illegal immigration and trade deals are two sides of the same coin.

Aide tries to refocus tax debate after Trump’s corporate rate remark

President Donald Trump's weekend remark about a scaled-back tax cut for corporations sparked behind-the-scenes debate in the U.S. Congress, with a White House aide trying on Thursday to minimize the impact of the president's comment. The US Capitol Building is seen from the Congressional Visitors Center in Washington, U.S., December 6, 2017.

EPA scientists free to speak, chief says

Scientists at the Environmental Protection Agency will be free to publicly discuss their work from now on, Scott Pruitt, the agency's administrator, has assured lawmakers who criticized the EPA for preventing employees from presenting findings about climate change. In a letter Monday to U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., Pruitt did not explain why the agency had canceled the presentations of two EPA scientists and one consultant who were scheduled to speak in Providence in October about the health of the Narragansett Bay, nor did he address whether the agency had acted improperly.

Trump warns of government shutdown threat ahead of meeting with lawmakers

U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday said the federal government could shut down after funding runs out on Friday, casting blame on Democrats for congressional gridlock on the budget and disagreements on immigration issues. U.S. President Donald Trump, flanked by Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan and Defense Secretary James Mattis , speaks to reporters before he holds a cabinet meeting at the White House in Washington, U.S. December 6, 2017.

The Latest: Democratic lawmaker blasts GOP move in gun bill

The Latest on legislation intended to make it easier for gun owners to legally carry concealed weapons across state lines : Democratic Rep. Elizabeth Esty says Republicans are catering to gun industry lobbyists by combining a bill on background checks with one making it easier to carry concealed guns across state lines. "an insult to the folks in Sandy Hook," a Newtown village where 20 school children and six adults were killed in 2012.

Rand Paul Hires Personal Injury Lawyer Over Neighbor Attack

Senator Rand Paul has been a colorful and often controversial character for all of his political career, a reputation that was even partially set up for him at a young age thanks to his father Ron Paul, an equally flamboyant character. So, when news reports began trickling in that Senator Rand had apparently been attacked by his neighbor all kinds of theories were flying around about how the attack could be related to his political positions.

Man challenges death sentence after actual killer given life

This undated photo provided by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction shows Austin Myers. Lawyers for the condemned Ohio killer say it's "patently unfair" that he received the death sentence for killing a friend during a burglary when the man's accomplice, who delivered the fatal knife wounds, received a life sentence instead.

Q&A: Tax bill impacts on health law coverage and Medicare

The tax overhaul Republicans are pushing toward final votes in Congress could undermine the Affordable Care Act's health insurance markets and add to the financial squeeze on Medicare over time. Lawmakers will meet this week to resolve differences between the House- and Senate-passed bills in hopes of getting a finished product to President Donald Trump's desk around Christmas.