Rubio Slams Criticism of His Questioning of Comey

Sen. Marco Rubio lashed out at criticism that he made a deal with President Donald Trump for a tougher Cuba policy in exchange for his line of questioning of former FBI Director James Comey last week before the Senate Intelligence Committee, Politico reported on Monday. The criticism against Rubio was spearheaded by an article in the Miami Herald columnist Fabiola Santiago that "Rubio seemed most interested in getting Comey to publicly admit that President Trump 'was not personally under investigation' than in obtaining any new evidence for the Senate investigation."

Trump headed to Miami

Trump is preparing to tighten at least some of Obama's changes, including restricting business with the Cuban military and U.S. travel that resembles tourism. Those type of revisions have been endorsed by Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and Miami Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, the only two local GOP members of Congress who backed Trump and as a result have pressured his administration on the issue.

Trump preparing to unveil new Cuba policy, sources say

U.S. President Donald Trump departs to spend the weekend at his New Jersey golf estate from the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, U.S. June 9, 2017. U.S. President Donald Trump departs to spend the weekend at his New Jersey golf estate from the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, U.S. June 9, 2017.

Barzani: Iraqi Kurds to vote on independence in September

Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region has called a referendum on independence to be held on September 25, an official said on Wednesday, moving ahead with a plan for full statehood that is likely to be opposed by Baghdad. Wednesday's announcement comes just two months after Iraqi Kurdistan released a roadmap for a referendum, with Kurdish leaders stating at the time that a vote is a " natural right of the nation of Kurdistan to decide on its political and administrative path in a referendum and an entity of an independent state ".

One Lafayette student’s stint on Capitol Hill

In a flash, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan walked by and touched the arm of Lafayette native Brittany Dupree. That was one moment for the congressional intern One Lafayette student's stint on Capitol Hill In a flash, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan walked by and touched the arm of Lafayette native Brittany Dupree.

Ben Carson calls poverty ‘a state of mind’ during interview

Tracy Grant, the Eureka Garden tenant's association president, shows Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson and Sen. Marco Rubio her apartment during Carson's visit to Jacksonville. In an interview released Wednesday, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson said that a "certain mindset" contributes to people living in poverty, pointing to habits and a "state of mind" that children take from their parents at a young age.

Flynn rejects Trump-Russia probe subpoena; Dems say he lied

National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster, center, arrives for a news conference with President Donald Trump and Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos in the East Room of the White House, Thursday, May 18, 2017, in Washington. . From left, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., ranking member on the Senate Judiciary Committee, Sen. Cory A. Booker, D-N.J., and Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., walk on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, May 18, 2017, to ... .

Key lawmakers vow public hearings on why Comey was fired

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., is surrounded by reporters as he leaves a briefing of the full Senate by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, amid controversy over President Donald Trump's firing of FBI Director James Comey, at the Capitol, Thursday, May 18, 2017, in Washington. From left, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., ranking member on the Senate Judiciary Committee, Sen. Cory A. Booker, D-N.J., and Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., walk on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, May 18, 2017, to meet with Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein for a briefing of the full Senate amid controversy over President Donald Trump's firing of FBI Director James Comey.

Key lawmakers vow full airing of reasons behind Comey firing

From left, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., ranking member on the Senate Judiciary Committee, Sen. Cory A. Booker, D-N.J., and Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., walk on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, May 18, 2017, to meet with Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein for a briefing of the full Senate amid controversy over President Donald Trump's ... (more)

Rubio: Trump White House ‘Not Much Different from the Campaign, People Got What They Voted For’

John Dickerson asked Senator Marco Rubio about Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell recently saying that he would like a "little less drama from the White House." Rubio, who ran against Trump in the 2016 election and eventually supported him despite serious criticisms , said, "I don't understand why people are that shocked.

Rubio: ‘White House And I Have Different Approach’ On Human Rights

Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio said that his approach on the issue of human rights was different than that of the White House during an interview with CNN's " State of the Union " Sunday. "The White House and I have a different approach on the issue of human rights," Rubio told host Jake Tapper.

Congressional panels pledge thorough probe into Comey firing

Members of key congressional committees pledged today to proceed with aggressive investigations into Russia's meddling into the U.S. election and any ties with the Trump campaign, saying the American people need a full airing as to why former FBI director James Comey was ousted. Comey was fired by President Donald Trump earlier this month.

‘We’re in a full-fledged feeding frenzy’: Trump just had 2…

House Speaker Paul Ryan just successfully pushed the American Health Care Act the chamber. And though the bill still needed to be handled by the Senate, Trump and House Republicans took a victory lap of sorts after the much maligned legislation finally made it through its brutally tough initial battle.

Washington establishment strikes back as Trump finds himself with a special counsel

The naming Wednesday of former FBI Director Robert Mueller as special counsel to investigate the Russian government's meddling in the U.S. election, including ties to Trump's campaign, abruptly shifted the balance of power in Washington. The city's permanent political class forcefully reasserted itself against an antagonistic president determined to bring them to heel.

Republicans Rush to Trump’s Defense

After a report surfaced on Monday that President Trump shared classified information with Russian officials during an Oval Office meeting last week, some Senate Republicans initially rushed to defend the president, while other GOP lawmakers, as well as congressional Democrats, expressed alarm. "It's no longer classified the minute he utters it," Republican Senator Jim Risch said , according to Talking Points Memo 's Alice Ollstein.

Venezuela is in crisis, the U.S. should help

Venezuela is in crisis, the U.S. should help Readers react to Venezuela's crisis: Your Say Check out this story on USATODAY.com: https://usat.ly/2qh83gv With the ongoing violence in Venezuela, it's extremely important to see the value in the U.S. providing aid. U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio and Bill Nelson of Florida introduced a bill to provide Venezuela with $10 million for food and medicine.

Lawmakers reach agreement on stalled VA accountability bill

Congressional Republicans and Democrats have reached agreement on a long-stalled bill to make it easier for the Department of Veterans Affairs to fire its employees, part of an accountability effort touted by President Donald Trump. The deal announced Thursday could smooth the way for final passage on an issue that had been in limbo since the 2014 wait-time scandal at the Phoenix VA medical center.