Bipartisan bill would prevent Trump from exiting NATO without Senate approval

A bipartisan group of senators introduced legislation Thursday that would prevent President Donald Trump from leaving North Atlantic Treaty Organization without the Senate's consent. Democratic Sens. Tim Kaine of Virginia and Jack Reed of Rhode Island as well as Republican Sens. John McCain of Arizona and Cory Gardner of Colorado announced the bill that "formalizes the Senate's opposition to withdrawing from the treaty" on Thursday, according to a statement.

Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) joins other U.S. Senators in demanding details of Putin summit

Following President Trump's meeting and press conference with Vladimir Putin in Helsinki, where he accepted Putin's election meddling denial, top Senate Democrats sent a letter to President Trump listing a series of questions to clarify what commitments he may have made to Putin during their secretive and lengthy meeting.

On July 4, Americans celebrate their union, rue divisions – Wed, 04 Jul 2018 PST

With backyard barbecues and fireworks thundering across night skies, Americans are celebrating Independence Day by participating in time-honored traditions that express pride in their country's 242nd birthday. But this quintessential American holiday will also be marked with a sense of a United States divided for some - evidenced by competing televised events in the nation's capital.

ANCA urges inquiry into sale of U.S.-made copters to Azerbaijan

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Armenian National Committee of America on Friday, June 22 called upon the bipartisan leadership of key Senate and House oversight committees to investigate potential violations of U.S. arms export laws in connection with published reports that Azerbaijan will showcase U.S. -made Bell 412 helicopters at its June 26th military parade.

Lawmakers say Syria strike appropriate but press President Trump for broader strategy

Congressional lawmakers generally applauded President Trump's decision to launch missiles in a coordinated strike with the United Kingdom and French allies against Syria for a chemical attack the Assad regime inflicted on Syrian citizens last week. Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., attends an Armed Services Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, Nov. 30 2017.

Parkland students join lawmakers and gun safety advocates to call for change ahead of Saturday march

Students who survived the Parkland shooting last month joined with teachers, lawmakers and other stakeholders for a press conference on Capitol Hill today as part of their buildup to this weekend's March for Our Lives on the National Mall. Parkland student Aalayah Eastmond, who attended with her mother Stacey-Ann, urged lawmakers to take action, noting it's been more than a month since the shooting.

Trump’s Spy Chief Nominee to Face Grilling Over Russia Response

Now, with the first congressional primaries taking place this month, Trump's nominee to lead the secretive National Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command will be asked by lawmakers to explain his plans to do so. Army Lieutenant General Paul Nakasone, nominated by Trump to head both intelligence agencies, faces the Senate Armed Services Committee Thursday for his confirmation hearing. Not only may he be pressed about what tools he has at his fingertips to counter Russia, but also whether he will ask the president -- who continues to call probes of Russian interference a "witch hunt" -- for power to do more.

Midterm vote Russia’s prey, senators told

The nation's top intelligence chiefs were united Tuesday in declaring that Russia is continuing efforts to disrupt the U.S. political system and is targeting the 2018 midterm election, after its successful operation to sow discord in the most recent presidential campaign. The assessment stands in contrast to President Donald Trump, who has mocked the very notion of Russian interference in the 2016 election and lashed out at those who have suggested otherwise.

Military leaders say budget stopgaps affecting readiness

Military leaders worry that the way Congress is keeping the federal government funded, using continuing resolutions instead of passing an appropriations bill, is having an adverse effect on the military readiness of the United States. In the absence of a new budget, a continuing resolution funds the government for a set period of time at the same level or slightly lower than a previous appropriations bill.

‘Let us do our job’: Anger erupts over EPA’s apparent muzzling of scientists

Protesters gather Monday outside a meeting where a report on the Narragansett Bay, which included a focus on climate change, was to be released in Providence, R.I. The Environmental Protection Agency prohibited three scientists from speaking at the event. The Trump administration's decision to prevent government scientists from presenting climate change-related research at a conference in Rhode Island on Monday gave the event a suddenly high profile, with protesters outside, media inside and angry lawmakers and academics criticizing the move.

EPA cancels appearance of scientists at Rhode Island event

The Environmental Protection Agency has canceled the appearance of three scientists at an event on Monday in Rhode Island about a report, which deals in part with climate change. The New York Times reports EPA spokesman John Konkus confirmed on Sunday that agency scientists would not be speaking at the event in Providence.

Top US Democrat: South Koreans are ‘confused’ and ‘shaken’ over US-North Korea tensions

Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island suggested that South Koreans are "confused" and "shaken" because of the possibility of becoming embroiled in conflict should a military operation kick off, several news outlets reported this week. Reed was referencing the statements made by US President Donald Trump and North Korea over that country's missile program.

The Latest: RI congressmen seek to ban ‘bump stocks’ on guns

The Latest on congressmen from Rhode Island working on legislation to ban devices that can enable a rifle to fire continuously, like an automatic weapon : Congressmen from Rhode Island want to ban devices that can enable a rifle to fire continuously, like an automatic weapon. U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, a Rhode Island Democrat, said Wednesday he's co-sponsoring a bill with U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, a California Democrat, to ban "bump stocks" and other devices that can enable a rifle to fire continuously.

Senate on track to pass $700 billion defense policy bill

The Senate is on track to pass a defense policy bill that pumps $700 billion into the Pentagon budget, expands U.S. missile defenses in response to North Korea's growing hostility and refuses to allow excess military bases to be closed. The legislation is expected to be approved on Monday by a wide margin in another burst of bipartisanship amid President Donald Trump's push for cooperation with congressional Democrats.

John McCain: Senate at impasse on four defense bill amendments

Sen. John McCain said Thursday the Senate could not overcome an impasse on debates and voting for controversial amendments to its 2018 defense policy bill, including a measure to eliminate sequestration. The sequestration amendment, sponsored by Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., is among four amendments the upper chamber was trying to bring to the floor for votes since Wednesday as part of passing the National Defense Authorization Act, but could not reach a consensus to allow it.

News | Warren Visits General Dynamics Facility, Views Battlefield Communications Demonstration

Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren and Rhode Island Senator Jack Reed visited the General Dynamics facility Taunton to take in a demonstration of the U.S. Army's battlefield communications network, Warfighter Information Network . "WIN-T is the backbone of our Army's communications and data system.

Reed, Whitehouse address failed Republican healthcare repeal

Following the defeat of the Senate Republican-led attempt to pass a "skinny repeal" of the Affordable Care Act by a 51-49 vote, Rhode Island senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse stopped by the press room at T.F. Green Airport to address members of the media about steps forward from here to resolve continuing issues with the country's ... (more)