EPA chief: US needs a single standard for fuel efficiency

In this July 11, 2018, file photo, Environmental Protection Agency Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler speaks to EPA staff at EPA Headquarters in Washington. Wheeler says there should be a single national standard for fuel efficiency for cars and trucks, speaking out as a showdown looms with California that could throw the car market into turmoil.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez meets with lawmakers

In this June 27, 2018 photo provided by Ocasio2018, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, celebrates her Democratic congressional primary victory over 10-term incumbent Joe Crowley at a pool hall in the Bronx borough of New York. less In this June 27, 2018 photo provided by Ocasio2018, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, celebrates her Democratic congressional primary victory over 10-term incumbent Joe Crowley at a pool hall in the Bronx borough of ... more In this July 12, 2018, file photo, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, stands next to Zephyr Teachout, after endorsing her candidacy for Attorney General during a news conference in New York.

McCaskill wants tighter rules on duck boats after accident

Democratic U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill announced Tuesday that she wants to enshrine into law federal recommendations to improve duck boat safety such as getting rid of canopies that can trap passengers if the vehicles sink, a move that comes after a deadly accident in Missouri. McCaskill said during a speech on the Senate floor that she is drafting legislation following the sinking of a sightseeing boat last week on Table Rock Lake near Branson that killed 17 people.

Ryan calls Trump threat to pull clearances ‘just trolling’

President Donald Trump's threat to revoke the security clearances of top former officials critical of his administration left congressional leaders stunned and confused, with the House speaker shrugging it off as a bit of "trolling." Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., was surprised to learn that many former top national security and intelligence officials maintain access to classified information after they leave their posts.

Texas Sen. John Cornyn speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill, July 24, 2018.

Texas Sen. John Cornyn, who is not up for re-election until 2020, raised more than $10 million for other GOP Senate candidates this cycle, according to Cornyn would like to move into his party's top Senate leadership position, and being generous with colleagues is a time-honored way of winning their support. He's raised $9.39 million for Republicans' Senate campaign arm - playing an "indispensable" role in the committee's fundraising, according to its leadership.

Trump plans emergency aid to farmers affected by his tariffs

The U.S. readied a plan Tuesday to send billions in emergency aid to farmers who have been hurt by President Donald Trump's trade disputes with China and other American trading partners. The Agriculture Department was expected to announce the proposal that would include direct assistance and other temporary relief for farmers, according to two people briefed on the plan, who were not authorized to speak on the record.

Trump addressing annual VFW convention in pitch to veterans

President Donald Trump is addressing the national convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars on Tuesday, pointing to his support for the nation's veterans as his new VA secretary begins his work. Trump was speaking at the annual VFW convention in Kansas City and was expected to highlight efforts to help more veterans see private doctors.

Corker compares revoking security clearances to Venezuela’s…

White House readies plan to extend about $12 billion in emergency aid to farmers caught in Trump's escalating trade war - An announcement could come as soon as Tuesday, according to two people briefed on the matter. This is the latest sign that growing tensions between the United States and other countries will not end soon.

Ryan says Trump just ‘trolling’ on threat to pull clearances

House Speaker Paul Ryan dismissed President Donald Trump's plan to revoke security clearances from top former national security officials as just a mild form of "trolling," rather than a serious attack on dissent. Graphic shows six individuals from whom Donald Trump is considering revoking security clearances; 2c x 5 inches; 96.3 mm x 127 mm; White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders points to a reporter to take a question as she speaks during the daily press briefing at the White House, Monday, July 23, 2018, in Washington.

Out-of-state money floods U.S. Senate primary in W.Va. as special interests seek to buy election

Anyone who thinks elections in the U.S. can't be bought needs to take a closer look at campaign contributions and expenditures in last May's West Virginia Senate primary elections. If they weren't bought, it was not for a lack of trying.

Corn growers give President’s Award to N.D. senatorSen. Hoeven serves …

National Corn Growers Association President Kevin Skunes presented NCGA's 2018 President's Award to North Dakota Sen. John Hoeven. The President's Award is given annually at NCGA's Corn Congress meeting in Washington to a leader who has worked to advance issues important to corn growers and agriculture.

Odds of Government Shutdown Now 60%

Stan Collender : "The deadline for Congress and President Donald Trump to come to an agreement that will avoid a government shutdown this fall - which may be a much more frequent threat and occurrence these days than it used to be but would still be anything but routine - is approaching quickly and neither the White House, House Speaker Paul Ryan or Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell have done anything to make it less likely."

Lib media try to make Liz Warrenthe fresh young face for 2020

Is Elizabeth Warren having an extramarital affair with New York Magazine? I ask only because NYM just published a 7,200-word opus that reads like a deranged love letter to the American Native senator from Massachusetts, seeking to turn an old, wrinkled leftist with even older, more wrinkled leftist ideas into the fresh young face for America in 2020. So you donA t have to read the article for yourself, I have summarized the lowlights: 1. The article opens with a giant photo of Elizabeth WarrenA s geriatric fist raised proudly into the air.

Joe Guzzardi: Melting down over ICE

Calls to abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement began as whispers, but today are a lion's-roar demand, at least among illegal immigration advocates and their congressional allies. Early on, the loudest end-ICE voices were the usual suspects, with California Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris leading the pack.