Banking panel kills Trump nominee to lead Export-Import Bank – Tue, 19 Dec 2017 PST

Two Banking Committee Republicans, Tim Scott of South Carolina and Mike Rounds of South Dakota, joined with Democrats to shelve the nomination of former GOP Rep. Scott Garrett of New Jersey to head up the bank, which provides loans, credit insurance and loan guarantees to help foreign buyers purchase U.S. exports. It has many GOP critics who say it distorts markets and that too much of its help benefits large corporations like Boeing.

OPINION: $44 Tolls Are Just The Start For Virginia Roads

Virginia politicians are feigning outrage over the $44 toll imposed on the short, one-way morning drive into Washington, DC on Interstate 66. The nation's latest high occupancy toll lane project opened earlier this month with eye-popping fees for single occupancy drivers on their way to work. Complaints about the exorbitant charges miss a far more important point.

Pence delays Israel, Egypt trip as tax vote nears

Washington, Dec 19 - US Vice President Mike Pence, who was scheduled to travel to Egypt and Israel on Tuesday, has postponed his trip until next month to ensure the Senate passage of the much-awaited Republican tax bill, the media reported. The largest tax cut in American history is a landmark accomplishment for President Trump and a relief to millions of hardworking Americans, Pence press secretary Alyssa Farah said in a statement on Monday.

Stefanik to vote “no” on GOP tax bill

On the eve of the House vote to approve the final draft of the GOP tax bill, Rep. Elise Stefanik said she would vote "no'' because of limits placed on the state-and-local tax deductions upon which many New York taxpayers depend. The revised bill is scheduled for a vote in the House Tuesday and in the Senate on Wednesday.

Senate chairman disputes report of Corker add to tax bill

In this Dec. 5, 2017 file photo, Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., listens during a meeting of the Senate Banking Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington. The Senate Finance Committee chairman on Monday rejected as "categorically false" a report that Republican Sen. Bob Corker of Tennessee was responsible for a provision in the final tax bill that could help him financially.

With tax bill complete, GOP leadership makes case to skeptical public

Republicans, confident they've found the votes to pass a massive tax overhaul, entered the next phase of their effort Sunday, attempting to sell the plan to a public that polling suggests is deeply skeptical. GOP leaders argued that the tax bill - the final version of which was unveiled Friday - is aimed primarily at helping the middle class, brushing aside nonpartisan analyses that show the bulk of the legislation's benefits would go to the wealthy and to corporations.

Trump has ambitious plans to campaign in 2018 midterms, including in Pa.

President Donald Trump is not on the ballot in 2018, but the White House is planning a full-throttle campaign to plunge the president into the midterm elections, according to senior officials and advisers familiar with the planning. Trump's political aides have met with 116 candidates for office in recent months, according to senior White House officials, seeking to become involved in Senate, House and gubernatorial races - and possibly contested Republican primaries as well.

Florida Gov. Scott mulls next political move

For more than a year, Florida Gov. Rick Scott has engaged in a guessing game about his political future: Will he challenge U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in 2018? President Donald Trump has already publicly called on Scott to run, but Scott again this week insisted he had not made up his mind. And he sidestepped questions about whether the upset win of Democrat Doug Jones in the neighboring state of Alabama is a sign that a GOP candidate could have difficulty next year in a state that has backed candidates of both parties.

After Alabama loss, Trump has ambitious plans to campaign in 2018 midterms

President Donald Trump is not on the ballot in 2018, but the White House is planning a full-throttle campaign to plunge the president into the midterm elections, according to senior officials and advisers familiar with the planning. Trump's political aides have met with 116 candidates for office in recent months, according to senior White House officials, seeking to become involved in Senate, House and gubernatorial races - and possibly contested Republican primaries as well.

Religious schools, homeschoolers to get a boost in GOP tax plan,…

Religious schools, homeschoolers to get a boost in GOP tax plan, thanks to Ted Cruz and Mike Pence - Washington Examiner Religious schools, homeschoolers to get a boost in GOP tax plan, thanks to Ted Cruz and Mike Pence Washington Examiner Parents would get new federal tax breaks for sending their children to private or religious schools or teaching them at home if the final Republican tax overhaul bill becomes law.

Others say: Accusers should be heard

Few things have changed so profoundly in America in the past year as the social and political rules for how allegations of sexual misconduct against powerful men should be handled, and what the consequences should be for those men who have been sexual aggressors. The names alone make the point.

Editorial: Nikki Haley is right that President Trump’s accusers should be heard

Few things have changed so profoundly in America in the past year as the social and political rules for how allegations of sexual misconduct against powerful men should be handled, and what the consequences should be for those men who have been sexual aggressors. The names alone make the point.

Ohio’s elections chief wants new voting machines by 2020

Ohio's elections chief wants counties to modernize their voting machines before the 2020 presidential election, and he's urging the governor and state lawmakers to foot much of the bill. Republican Secretary of State Jon Husted sent a letter to Gov. John Kasich, his budget director and state legislative leaders on Thursday seeking $118 million in state capital funds for the project.