The Congressional Progressive Caucus is (still) awash in corporate money

The 78-member Congressional Progressive Caucus is meant to be the democracy-friendly, corporate-hostile wing of the Democratic Party, which is why the caucus announced a year ago that it would stop accepting corporate money -- but a year later, nearly every member is still accepting corporate money in their individual capacity. The CPC co-chair is Mark Pocan [D-WI], and it was he who announced the no-corporate-money policy, saying, ""If we are going to end the influence of corporations and special interests in government, we have to start by not relying on their support.

Can a Democrat unseat a popular GOP governor?

Even in a blue state, and amid signs that liberal Democratic enthusiasm is surging nationwide, Jay Gonzalez likely faces a steep climb in his bid to unseat Massachusetts' popular Republican governor in November. Gonzalez handily won the Democratic nomination, but now must quickly figure out a way to channel into his campaign the energy and thirst for change that powered Boston City Councilor Ayanna Pressley's primary election upset of longtime Democratic U.S. Rep. Michael Capuano.

In unusual twist, primary challenges loom for 5 in US House

Several members of Massachusetts' all-Democratic congressional delegation are getting a run for their money this year - from within their own party. Five of the eight House incumbents seeking re-election face challenges in the September primary, pending final certification of nominating signatures.

Officials outraged by school shooting

Elected officials from Washington, D.C., to Boston reacted to the deadly school shooting in Texas yesterday with a combination of sorrow and outrage. "We grieve for the terrible loss of life and send our support and love to everyone affected by this horrible attack in Texas," President Trump said in a tweet yesterday.

Chris Evans to Laura Ingraham: – What is wrong with you?’

Perhaps because advertisers were beginning to pull their ads, Fox News host Laura Ingraham has apologized for calling teenager David Hogg , a survivor of the Parkland, Fla., shooting, a "whiny" high schooler. Ingraham tweeted the apology Thursday after Hogg's call for a boycott of companies that advertise on Ingraham's show seemed to be gaining momentum.

House subcommittee to hold hearing on PTC implementation

The committee will hear from several groups and organizations including Amtrak, the National Transportation Safety Board, the Federal Railroad Administration, private rail operators, public transit officials and labor. 'PTC implementation is crucial to the safety of rail transportation for passengers, motorists and pedestrians alike.

Segel: Dems must rein in rigid congressional seniority rules

Tip O'Neill, the great speaker of the U.S. House, once remarked to his colleagues that theirs was the only profession he knew where one advanced due to the death, defeat, or disgrace of his colleagues. He was remarking, of course, on the harsh realities of the congressional seniority system.

House votes to roll back post-2008 financial rules

The Republican-led House has moved closer to fulfilling President Donald Trump's goal of doing "a big number" on Dodd-Frank, the landmark banking law created after the 2008 economic crisis that was designed to prevent future meltdowns. But the effort will likely require some major changes to bring about Democratic support in the Senate.

Congressman asks United CEO, “Why do you hate the American people?”

Congressmen were described as "angry" today when they grilled executives from several different airlines during hearings in the House. Prominently featured was Oscar Munoz, the United CEO best known for recent dragging and beatdown services which are never mentioned in the rewards program brochures.

Keolis cancels four times more trains this fall than last

Keolis Commuter Services canceled four times as many trains this fall than last year's, one of the worst stretches since the record-breaking winter of 2015 and a stark illustration of the transit system's persistent struggles to keep enough trains in service. From September through November, the commuter rail operator canceled 222 trains, compared with 51 over the same span the year before, a Globe review has found.

Congressman Michael Capuano asks Department of Justice to review…

US Representative Michael E. Capuano is asking the Department of Justice and the Federal Transit Administration to review whether Keolis Commuter Services violated federal civil rights laws by taking trains from a line that serves lower-income communities to use on suburban lines . In a letter sent Monday, Capuano, a Democrat from Somerville, said the Fairmount Line runs through several lower-income neighborhoods where many residents have "little choice but to rely on public transit for their economic well-being."

Wells Fargo is still getting off too easy

Wells Fargo chief executive John Stumpf offered more apologies and excuses Thursday during his appearance before the House Financial Services Committee. REUTERS/Gary Cameron For the second time this month, Wells Fargo chief executive John Stumpf was greeted with a barrage of hostile questions from members of Congress, when he testified Thursday before the House Financial Services Committee about the bank's phony-account affair.