Senate presses ahead on $36.5B disaster relief package Updated at

The Senate is pushing ahead on a $36.5 billion hurricane relief package that would give Puerto Rico a much-needed infusion of cash. The measure also would replenish rapidly dwindling emergency disaster accounts and provide $16 billion to permit the financially troubled federal flood insurance program to pay an influx of Harvey-related claims.

Republicans keep taking White House nominees hostage and Trump keeps caving

Together, Republican Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst of Iowa, along with Deb Fischer of Nebraska, made Trump squeal last week. Grassley threatened to "hold up EPA nominees" if EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt reduced the federally-mandated biofuels quota.

Senate presses ahead on $36.5B disaster relief package

The Senate is pushing ahead on a $36.5 billion hurricane relief package that would give Puerto Rico a much-needed infusion of cash. The measure also would replenish rapidly dwindling emergency disaster accounts and provide $16 billion to permit the financially troubled federal flood insurance program to pay an influx of Harvey-related claims.

Budget deficit hits $666 billion, an $80 billion spike for the year

In this Oct. 17, 2017, photo, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., flanked by Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., left, and Majority Whip John Cornyn, R-Texas, announces to reporters that the Senate is moving ahead on a Republican budget plan at the Capitol in Washington. Senate Republicans seem to be on cruise control to pass a $4 trillion budget plan that shelves GOP deficit concerns in favor of the partyA's drive to cut taxes.

The Latest: Fla. senator blocks nominee over disaster aid

President Donald Trump strongly rejected the claim Wednesday that was he was disrespectful to the grieving family of a slain Army sergeant. President Donald Trump strongly rejected the claim Wednesday that was he was disrespectful to the grieving family of a slain Army sergeant.

The Latest: Trump thinks GOP has votes for budget

A multistate manhunt that kept the Mid-Atlantic region on alert for more than 10 hours ended when officers on foot chased down a man they say shot six people, killing three, in two separate shootings. Missouri officials are proposing an innovation corridor between Kansas City and St. Louis for a new Amazon location instead of a single headquarters in one of the metropolitan areas.

Two Texas Republicans in Congress open door to “bump stock” ban

Two Texas Republicans in Congress Sen. John Cornyn and Rep. Bill Flores expressed interest Wednesday in exploring a federal ban on a type of gun attachment used by the gunman in the Las Vegas mass shooting. Flores, R-Bryan, said he supports a federal ban on "bump stocks," which Stephen Paddock used to make rifles shoot more like automatic firearms, The Hill reported Wednesday.

Mike Pence’s top aide threatens disloyal Republicans, and members fume

"If we're going to be in the minority again, we might as well have a minority who are with us as opposed to a minority who helped us become a minority," Ayers said. Republicans in Congress were seething Wednesday after a top aide to Vice President Mike Pence suggested to a gathering of GOP donors that the party's congressional majorities should be jettisoned in 2018 if that's what it takes to weed out members disloyal to President Trump.

Texas congressional delegation considers the future of “bump stock” rifle enhancements

The Texas Tribune asked all 38 members of the state's congressional delegation whether they would consider a ban on "bump stocks," the type of gun attachment used by the Las Vegas mass shooter. WASHINGTON - Over several hours on Wednesday afternoon, something quite unusual happened on Capitol Hill: A small gun-control measure began to pick up public consideration from a half-dozen or so congressional Republicans.

Dark days for Senate Leader McConnell as health care, Alabama losses cast doubt

Senate Republicans reckoned Wednesday with an insurgent's win in Alabama that poses clear threats to their own grip on power and the leadership of Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. Nearly $10 million spent by a McConnell-backed super PAC couldn't save incumbent GOP Sen. Luther Strange, who had been endorsed by President Donald Trump as well.

‘We don’t have the votes’: GOPa

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham speaks as Sen. Roy Blunt. Sen. John Barrasso, Senate Majority Whip Sen. John Cornyn, Sen. Bill Cassidy, and Senate Majority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell listen during a news briefing at the Capitol September 19, 2017 Senate leaders have given up on the latest Republican push to repeal and replace President Barack Obama's health care law.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., speaks to the media, accompanied by…

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., speaks to the media, accompanied by Senate Majority Whip Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2017, in Washington.

Paul Ryan vows that help is coming after hurricane hit Texas

House Speaker Paul Ryan joined a bipartisan delegation of lawmakers Thursday to help remove debris at a in Friendswood, Texas home damaged by Hurricane Harvey and vowed that Congress will take up legislation next month to get help to those impacted by recent natural disasters. The Wisconsin Republican said the purpose of his visit was to show "that the recovery efforts are well on their way and there will not be any kind of delay with respect to the federal government."

Trump privately tries to mend fences with Senate Republicans

Over the summer, Trump had a contentious phone call with Murkowski and also berated her on Twitter, accusing her of letting the country down for voting against GOP plans to gut Obamacare. But behind the scenes, Trump has since tried to make nice, inviting her to a private lunch earlier this month -- something that seems to have defused tensions, at least for now.

Deal or no deal? ‘Dreamers’ wait as Trump, lawmakers joust

The fate of 800,000 young immigrants hung in the balance Thursday as top lawmakers, White House officials and President Donald Trump himself squabbled over whether an agreement had been struck to protect them - and if so, exactly what it was. In the face of an intense backlash from conservatives inside the Capitol and out, Speaker Paul Ryan and other GOP House members adamantly insisted that there was no agreement to enshrine protections for the immigrants brought to America as children and now here illegally.