Senators Mock Colleague on Hot Mic: – You Could Beat the S–t Out of Him’

A private conversation between two senators that was caught on a live microphone reveals a tense climate among lawmakers and with the White House. Susan Collins, a Maine Republican, mocked Representative Blake Farenthold, who'd suggested he might challenge her to a duel if she weren't a woman because of her opposition to holding a vote to get rid of Obamacare.

Adding train service to RI airport would cost $90 million

The plan to build a new Amtrak train station at Rhode Island's main airport could cost up to $90 million, according to a joint study from the railroad and the state Transportation Department . In addition to the capital costs, Amtrak trains stopping at T.F. Green Airport in Warwick would make every non-Acela trip from New York to Boston longer.

Sen. Reed to Trump: Give Statements to Mueller, Not Congress

President Donald Trump should speak about the investigation into Russian interference in the election to special counsel Robert Mueller rather than testifying before Congress, as such testimony would raise "separation of powers" questions, Sen. Jack Reed said Sunday. "Special prosecutor Mueller is charged to conduct this investigation, and I believe he's the appropriate person to conduct this investigation," the Rhode Island Democrat told "Fox News Sunday."

Attorney General Sessions next up for Capitol Hill scrutiny

Attorney General Jeff Sessions is in for sharp questioning by senators Tuesday on the extent of his contacts with Russian officials during the presidential campaign and of his involvement in the firing of FBI chief James Comey. Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., said Sunday "there's a real question of the propriety" of Sessions' involvement in Comey's dismissal, because Sessions had stepped aside from the federal investigation into contacts between Russia and the Trump campaign.

Republicans urge Trump on tapes; Sessions to testify Tuesday

Fellow Republicans pressed President Donald Trump on Sunday to come clean about whether he has tapes of private conversations with former FBI Director James Comey and provide them to Congress if he does - or possibly face a subpoena, as a Senate investigation into collusion with Russia or obstruction of justice extended to a Trump Cabinet member. It was a sign of escalating fallout from riveting testimony from Comey last week of undue pressure from Trump, which drew an angry response from the president on Friday that Comey was lying.

DeVos non-committal on private school LGBT discrimination

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, June 6, 2017, before the Senate Appropriations Committee, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee hearing on the fiscal year 2018 budget. less Education Secretary Betsy DeVos testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, June 6, 2017, before the Senate Appropriations Committee, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies ... more WASHINGTON - Education Secretary Betsy DeVos said Tuesday that schools receiving federal money should follow federal law, but she would not commit to banning discrimination against LGBT students in private schools.

After Amtrak derailments, Booker and Menendez seek to block Trump’s transit cuts

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Sens. Robert Menendez and Cory Booker asked leaders of the Senate Appropriations subcommittee overseeing transportation to ensure federal funding for Amtrak and the Gateway Tunnel project. Their letter to U.S. Sens. Susan Collins , the subcommittee chairwoman, and Jack Reed , the ranking Democrat, came after Amtrak acknowledged responsibility for two recent derailments that tied up NJ Transit train traffic for days.

Pingree: Trump’s Coast Guard, FEMA Cuts ‘Reckless’

US senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island were among the lawmakers from both parties who on Thursday were publicly questioning whether the potential cuts to the Coast Guard that were reported by the New York Times, Politico and other media outlets would serve Trump's stated goals. Terry McAuliffe says President Trump would be "foolish" to cut the Coast Guard's budget to help fund a wall along the U.S. -Mexico border.

Six more Democrats met with Russian Ambassador in the past

Six more Democratic leaders revealed to have been in meeting with Sergey Kislyak amid McCaskill's false claims that she had never met with the Russian Ambassador Attorney General Jeff Sessions failed to disclose during his confirmation hearing that he spoke with Russia's ambassador twice last year A September meeting with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak came at the height of the Russian cyber campaign to influence the presidential race As Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill's claims that she had never met with Sergey Kislyak were proven to be untrue, six more Democrats have been revealed to have met with the Russian Ambassador.

Top HASC Democrat introduces bill to allow base closures

The top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee announced on Thursday that he will reintroduce a bill that would allow the Pentagon to close and realign military bases. The Military Infrastructure Consolidation and Efficiency Act from Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., would give the Pentagon the authority to conduct another round of base realignment and closure, known as BRAC, in 2019.

Some GOP senators call for bipartisan Russia election probe, as their leaders stay mum

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump speaks at a "Thank You USA" tour rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on Dec. 9, 2016. Two Senate Republicans joined demands for a bipartisan probe into Russia's suspected election interference allegedly designed to bolster Donald J. Trump as questions continue to mount about the president-elect's expected decision to nominate a secretary of state candidate with close ties to Russia.

URGENT a ” Bipartisan group of senators calls for probe of Russian role in 2016 US elections

A bipartisan quartet of high-profile senators said Sunday that "recent reports of Russian interference in our election should alarm every American." "Congress's national security committees have worked diligently to address the complex challenge of cybersecurity, but recent events show that more must be done," said Sens. Chuck Schumer, the incoming Senate Democratic leader, Sen. John McCain, the Armed Services Committee chairman, fellow Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, and Sen. Jack Reed, the top Armed Services Committee Democrat, in a Sunday morning statement."

Federal preschool grants awarded to New England states

Four New England states are among 18 states getting more than $247 million in federal grants to continue expanding access to high-quality preschool for children from low- to moderate-income families. The share of the funds announced Wednesday includes $15 million for Massachusetts, $11.7 million for Connecticut, $7.3 million for Vermont and $6 million for Rhode Island.

Delegates: Clinton VP pick solid, may not help Dem unity

Virginia Senator Tim Kaine, a leading contender to be Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton's pick for vice president, waves to the crowd before attending a private fundraiser event in Newport, RI hosted by fellow Democratic Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island. less Virginia Senator Tim Kaine, a leading contender to be Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton's pick for vice president, waves to the crowd before attending a private fundraiser event in Newport, RI ... more WASHINGTON - Delegates to the Democratic National Convention gave mostly positive reviews to Hillary Clinton 's choice for vice president Friday, saying he will appeal to moderates but also do little to soothe disenchanted Bernie Sanders supporters.