Flake says GOP has let Trump divert from conservative ideals

Sen. Jeff Flake says his fellow Republicans have let President Donald Trump lead the country away from conservative principles and democratic ideals. But the Arizona lawmaker predicts they won't back down if Trump fires the special prosecutor investigating Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.

California father accused of killing 5-year-old due in court

Longtime critics of former Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio say his conviction of a criminal charge for disobeying a court order to stop traffic patrols that targeted immigrants is a long-awaited comeuppance. Longtime critics of former Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio say his conviction of a criminal charge for disobeying a court order to stop traffic patrols that targeted immigrants is a long-awaited comeuppance.

Sen. Flake faults GOP, Democrat partisanship for Trump rise

Republican Sen. Jeff Flake takes his own party to task as well as Democrats, blaming both in a new book for the political gridlock that led to Donald Trump's presidency and its current chaos. The debut of the Arizona lawmaker's book "Conscience of a Conservative" comes amid turmoil in the White House marked by Anthony Scaramucci's rocky 11 days as communications director and the replacement of the chief of staff.

John McCain’s maverick moment

Shortly before Sen. John McCain entered the Senate chamber in the wee hours of Friday morning, reporters wanted to know how he'd vote. McCain killed his party's narrowly-crafted Obamacare repeal bill Friday not because he was opposed to dismantling the Affordable Care Act, but because he fundamentally believed the process -- the lack of hearings, the one-party, closed-door negotiations, the fact that in the end all that Republican senators could agree upon was a shell of the plan they'd promised -- was flawed.

Collins, Murkowski-and McCain

The rushed, secretive, reckless effort to get a "win," any win, by undoing the Obama health care plan is at an end-for now. It is over because the 48 Democratic and independent senators led by Chuck Schumer refused to be peeled off or to support a measure that was opposed by most of the public and by all professional groups involved in health care.

States Have Already Tried Versions Of ‘Skinny Repeal.’ It Didn’t Go Well

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., joined by Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., and Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn of Texas, discussed health care overhaul with reporters on Capitol Hill Tuesday. Betting that thin is in - and might be the only way forward - Senate Republicans are eyeing a "skinny repeal" that would roll back an unpopular portion of the federal health law.

Trump Critics Flake, Heller Being Targeted for Primary Challenges

Vulnerable Senate Republicans, Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., and Dean Heller, R-Nev., might face more than Democratic opposition in 2018, especially if the GOP's repeal of Obamacare fails at their hands, according to The Hill. "We're watching the races in Arizona and Nevada closely and stand ready to support strong challengers who are true conservatives, have strong grassroots support, and can run a winning campaign," Senate Conservatives Fund President Ken Cuccinelli told The Hill in a statement.

McCain rivals praise senator after brain cancer diagnosis

John McCain McCain rivals praise senator after brain cancer diagnosis McCain absence adds to GOP agenda's uncertainty Overnight Defense: Trump gets briefing at Pentagon on ISIS, Afghanistan 's brain cancer elicited expressions of sympathy across the government, even from fellow senators and public officials who have been the targets of his famous temper. One of the most heartfelt expressions of sympathy on Wednesday night, when news broke of his diagnosis of brain cancer, came from Sen. Ted Cruz McCain rivals praise senator after brain cancer diagnosis Senate heads to new healthcare vote with no clear plan Cruz offers bill to weaken labor board's power MORE Cruz has been one of McCain's chief antagonists in recent years.

Trump struggled to put out fires this week

This week - which was Made in America Week by the way - Donald Trump climbed into a fire truck and proclaimed, "where's the fire?" multiple times, while Vice-President Mike Pence awkwardly stood next to him, laughing: The fire was consuming Republican health reform plans, which again went up in smoke when they couldn't agree on the latest iteration of the healthcare bill. "For seven years I've been hearing repeal and replace from Congress - I've been hearing it loud and strong.

It may be easier to break Trump’s grip on the GOP than once feared

Interpretation of the news based on evidence, including data, as well as anticipating how events might unfold based on past events Sen. Susan Collins arrives ahead of President Trump's first address before a joint session of Congress, on Feb. 28 at the U.S. Capitol. Both Democrats sincerely concerned about the viability of a sane, two-party system and #NeverTrump Republicans horrified at what's become of their once-admirable party have been pondering since Election Day how - or if - the GOP can free itself from President Trump's grip.

Trump recruiting challengers to GOP Sen. Jeff Flake

President Donald Trump and White House officials have had a series of conversations with prospective Republican candidates about challenging Arizona GOP Sen. Jeff Flake in the 2018 primary. Kelli Ward, who has already launched her campaign, and Robert Graham, a former state GOP chair and Trump adviser who is considering it, both told CNN on Monday they have had multiple conversations with White House officials about opposing Flake in the Senate primary.

Protesters opposing GOP health care bill descend upon lawmakers, some arrested

Protesters around the country on Thursday responded to lawmakers who declined to hold town halls by bringing their complaints straight to the doors of their elected officials' offices. From Arkansas to Arizona, supporters of Obamacare chanted, sang songs and in some cases, got arrested as they made their case against the Senate Republican health care bill.

PHOTO: Protesters gather outside a Sen. Ted Cruz town hall meeting,…

Protesters gather outside a Sen. Ted Cruz town hall meeting, Thursday, July 6, 2017, in Austin, Texas. Cruz is expressing doubt about whether the Republican plan to repeal and replace former President Barack Obama's health care law will pass the Senate, suggesting Thursday that efforts to cobble together enough votes are on shaky ground.

Foes of Obamacare repeal invite public to event Friday

Yuma County leaders will hold a press conference at 10:30 a.m. Friday to call on Arizona Sens. Jeff Flake and John McCain, both Republicans, to oppose the repeal of the Affordable Care Act and a new health care bill supported by President Trump. Local residents are also invited to share personal stories about how the repeal of the ACA would affect their lives.