Trump hits birth control, LGBT rights

In a one-two punch elating religious conservatives, President Donald Trump's administration is allowing more employers to opt out of no-cost birth control for workers and issuing sweeping religious-freedom directions that could override many anti-discrimination protections for LGBT people and others. At a time when Trump finds himself embattled on many fronts, the two directives - issued almost simultaneously on Friday - demonstrated the president's eagerness to retain the loyalty of social conservatives who make up a key part of his base.

Ex-Rep. Grimm: All NYC Restaurants Pay Workers Off the Books

Former Staten Island congressman Michael Grimm is gunning for a congressional comeback after serving time for tax evasion. He's counting on two things to get his old job back: the loyalty of his constituents, who he served after Sandy, and the popularity of Donald Trump in his neck of the woods.

EPA moves to rescind Obama plan to slow global warming

The Trump administration is moving to roll back the centerpiece of President Barack Obama's efforts to slow global warming, seeking to ease restrictions on greenhouse gas emissions from coal-fired power plants. In a plan expected to be made public in coming days, the Environmental Protection Agency declared the Obama-era rule exceeded federal law by setting emissions standards that power plants could not reasonably meet.

Trump’s one-two punch hits birth control, LGBT rights

In a one-two punch elating religious conservatives, President Donald Trump's administration is allowing more employers to opt out of no-cost birth control for workers and issuing sweeping religious-freedom directions that could override many anti-discrimination protections for LGBT people and others. At a time when Trump finds himself embattled on many fronts, the two directives - issued almost simultaneously on Friday - demonstrated the president's eagerness to retain the loyalty of social conservatives who make up a key part of his base.

NORC Poll: Just 24 percent say US heading right direction

As told by the people who knew them best, the 58 victims in Sunday's mass shooting at a Las Vegas country concert lived their lives with passion and a love of country music. As told by the people who knew them best, the 58 victims in Sunday's mass shooting at a Las Vegas country concert lived their lives with passion and a love of country music.

Trump expands opt-out for workplace birth control insurance

President Donald Trump is allowing more employers to opt out of providing no-cost birth control to women by claiming religious or moral objections, issuing new rules Friday that take another step in rolling back the Obama health care law. The new policy is a long-expected revision to federal rules that require most companies to cover birth control as preventive care for women, at no additional cost.

Trump administration expands exemptions on contraceptive mandate

The Trump administration Oct. 6 issued interim rules expanding the exemption to the contraceptive mandate for religious employers, such as the Little Sisters of the Poor, who object on moral grounds to covering contraceptive and abortion-inducing drugs and devices in their employee health insurance. The contraceptive mandate was put in place by the Department of Health and Human Services under the Affordable Care Act.

Ex-Obama officials begin health insurance sign-up campaign

Former Obama administration officials are undertaking a private campaign to encourage people to sign up for coverage next year under the Affordable Care Act. With the start of open enrollment on Nov. 1, the Trump administration has slashed the Obama health law's ad budget, as well as grants to outside organizations that are supposed to help people sign up.

McMaster hints to Dems he’s not sold on Iran deal plan

H.R. McMaster, President Donald Trump's national security adviser, invited a small group of Democratic senators to the White House Wednesday to discuss the president's plans on the Iran deal, and lawmakers left with the impression that he was not sold on the idea that decertifying is the right way to go, according to two sources familiar with the meeting. The sources said the meeting was clearly intended for McMaster to get ideas from key Senate Democrats on how to avoid decertifying the Iran deal, which many in both parties think would destabilize relations with allies and make it harder to confront foes well beyond Iran.

Trump-tied lobbyists cash in on their connections, report says

A supporter of then-presidential candidate Donald Trump held a "Drain the Swamp" sign during a rally last year in Ohio. - The day after the presidential election, the Washington lobbying firm Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck touted its Republican team's "significant relationships a with those who will steer the incoming Trump administration."

Both Parties’ Extremists Working to Lose Next Election

Almost no one disagrees that our two major political parties, the oldest and third-oldest in the world, have become increasingly extreme and estranged over the past decade. It's a startling contrast with the state of political conflict in the dozen or so years after the fall of the Soviet empire.

White House seeks to move past Trump/Tillerson friction WASHINGTON…

The Trump administration sought Thursday to move past the brouhaha over Rex Tillerson's reported insult of his boss, making clear President Donald Trump alone sets the nation's agenda that his advisers must execute. A day after the duo's sometimes difficult relationship burst into public view, the president joined his top diplomat in disputing a report that Tillerson had considered abandoning Trump's Cabinet earlier this year.

Report: Trump-tied lobbyists cash in on their connections

The day after the presidential election, the Washington lobbying firm Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck touted its Republican team's "significant relationships with those who will steer the incoming Trump administration."