Matt Longjohn has uphill battle to take Fred Upton’s 6th District seat

Democrat Matt Longjohn has a lot working against his attempt to remove Republican Rep. Fred Upton from Michigan's 6th U.S. House District. Energized Democrats are hoping the so-called "blue wave" will wash Upton out of office, but the 16-term congressman has a long history of winning elections and is poised to outspend his opponent.

Agreement paves way for Enbridge to permanently shut down, replace Line 5 in Straits of Mackinac

Accord between the state and company requires Enbridge to pay all costs for a multi-use tunnel beneath the Straits, compels safety improvements on other water crossings LANSING, Mich. The state of Michigan and Enbridge Energy today announced an agreement that will lead to major safety enhancements along the entire length of the Line 5 petroleum pipeline crossing the state, permanently shut down the current segment that crosses the Straits of Mackinac, and construct a multi-use utility tunnel beneath the Straits.

John Katko among 20 GOP rebels trying to force House immigration vote

U.S. Rep. John Katko has joined a group of 20 Republican moderates openly rebelling against party leaders by trying to force a vote on a series of immigration bills. Katko, R-Camillus, signed a petition that could force an open-ended debate and votes on four bills aimed at preserving an Obama-era program that allowed young, undocumented immigrants to remain in the country without fear of deportation.

U.S. lawmakers propose making it easier to meet auto fuel rules

A bipartisan pair of Michigan lawmakers introduced a bill to make it easier for automakers to comply with federal fuel efficiency requirements, as the Trump administration considers softening standards that require nearly doubling the fuel economy of the U.S. new vehicle fleet by 2025. The proposal, introduced late on Wednesday, would extend the life of fuel economy credits that would currently expire after five years, lift a cap on transferring credits between car and truck fleets and award automakers credits for emissions reductions not measured by existing test procedures.

U.S. lawmakers propose making it easier to meet mpg rules

A bipartisan pair of Michigan lawmakers introduced a bill to make it easier for automakers to comply with federal fuel efficiency requirements, as the Trump administration considers softening standards that require nearly doubling the fuel economy of the U.S. new vehicle fleet by 2025. The proposal, introduced late on Wednesday, would extend the life of fuel economy credits that would currently expire after five years, lift a cap on transferring credits between car and truck fleets and award automakers credits for emissions reductions not measured by existing test procedures.

Upton considers Senate run as GOP seeks Stabenow challenger

In this My 3, 2017, file photo, Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., left, speaks to reporters outside the White House in Washington, following a meeting with President Donald Trump on health care reform. Rep. Greg Walden, R-Ore.

Iraq War veteran seeks Michigan Senate seat

Republican John James, a political newcomer who flew Army helicopters in the Iraq War and now runs an automotive supply chain and logistics business in Detroit, said Thursday he is running for U.S. Senate. He is the second candidate in the GOP primary field, joining former state Supreme Court Justice Bob Young after another business executive, Lena Epstein, left the race this week to seek a House seat instead.

Great Lakes funding included in U.S. House federal budget bill

Funding for Great Lakes restoration was approved by the U.S. House Thursday as part of its $1.2 trillion spending plan for the federal government next year. The $300 million in funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, which houses annual spending for Great Lakes toxic sediment removal and invasive species management through the Environmental Protection Agency, was included despite efforts from President Donald Trump's administration to cut funding for the program entirely.

Republicans are jumping ship amid dissatisfaction in the Trump era

Veteran Republicans are bailing on Congress in growing numbers, as GOP control of Washington fails to produce the unity or legislative successes party leaders wish for. With President Donald Trump willing, if not eager, to buck fellow Republicans and even directly attack them, a number of lawmakers no longer wish to be involved.

Ditching Donald Trump: Wave of Republican retirements points to big GOP trouble in 2018

Republican members of Congress returned from an August recess in which they avoided terrible headlines by doing their darnedest to avoid their constituents only to face an even bleaker political landscape awaiting them in Washington. With few legislative results to tout, several congressional Republicans have opted to head into 2018 by taking the road of least resistance: retirement.

Another Republican jumps ship in Trump era

Veteran Republicans are bailing on Congress in growing numbers, as GOP control of Washington fails to produce the unity or legislative successes party leaders wish for. With President Donald Trump willing, if not eager, to buck fellow Republicans and even directly attack them, a number of lawmakers no longer wish to be involved.

House panel backs bill to revive Nevada nuclear waste dump

Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nev., during a press conference where he announced he will vote no on the proposed GOP healthcare bill at the Grant Sawyer State Office Building on Friday, June 23, 2017 in Las Vegas. People enter the south portal of Yucca Mountain during a 2015 congressional tour of the proposed radioactive waste dump near Mercury, Nev., 100 miles northwest of Las Vegas.

Obamacare Repeal Sinks Into Tedious Talking Points

In defending the unpopular and flawed House bill to replace Obamacare, a common Republican refrain is that it fully protects health-insurance coverage for people with pre-existing medical conditions. "Under this bill, no matter what, you cannot be denied coverage if you have a pre-existing condition," insisted House Speaker Paul Ryan, a talking point echoed by President Donald Trump.