Confirmation vote for CIA nominee exposes Democratic rift Source: AP

The political schism in the Democratic Party is playing out in the confirmation vote for Gina Haspel as CIA director, as support from red-state senators facing re-election bumps up against a more liberal flank eyeing potential 2020 presidential bids and rejecting the nominee over the agency's clouded history of torture. Haspel's confirmation became all but certain with a favorable 10-5 vote Wednesday by the Senate Intelligence Committee.

Senate Democrats push to reinstate ‘net neutrality’ rules

Don't expect the House to go along with the Senate's expected passage of legislation that would revive an Obama-era rule requiring equal treatment for all web traffic by internet providers. Opponents such as Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., said the Senate's vote later Wednesday on a measure reversing the Federal Communications Commission's decision that scrapped the "net neutrality" rule amounted to "political theater" with no prospects of approval by the GOP-controlled House.

Senate panel: Russia intervened in 2016 election to help Trump, hurt Clinton

Donald Trump Jr. told the Senate Judiciary Committee last year he did not recall ever discussing the Russia investigation with his father and said he didn't think there was anything wrong with meeting a Russian lawyer at Trump Tower ahead of the 2016 presidential election, according to transcripts released today of his interview with the panel. The committee released more than 1,800 pages of transcripts of interviews with Trump's son and others who attended a June 9, 2016, meeting at which they expected to receive dirt about Trump's opponent, Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Consumers brace for premium hikes while lawmakers grasp at remedies

As some insurers angle for hefty premium hikes and concerns grow that more Americans will wind up uninsured, the federal health law is likely - once again - to play big in both parties' strategies for the contentious 2018 election. Candidates are already honing talking points: Is the current dysfunction the result of the law or of GOP attempts to dismantle it? The impact of changes to the law made by Republicans over the past year - modifications short of the "repeal and replace" they promised - is becoming clear.

Email challenges Pruitt account on motorcade lights, siren

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt appears before a Senate Appropriations subcommittee on the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies on budget on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, May 16, 2018. Pruitt goes before a Senate panel Wednesday as he faces a growing number of federal ethics investigations over his lavish spending on travel and security.

Trump Tower Meeting’s Organizer First Dangled Putin Meeting

Donald Trump's bid for the U.S. presidency was just weeks old in 2015 when the offers for Russian meetings and calls started. A British-American publicist emerged with a swift invitation to visit Moscow, and possibly even to meet with Vladimir Putin.

Senate backs effort to restore ‘net neutrality’

Senate Democrats, joined by three Republicans, pushed through a measure Wednesday intended to revive Obama-era internet rules that ensured equal treatment for all web traffic, though opposition in the House and the White House seems insurmountable. Republicans on the short end of the 52-47 vote described the effort to reinstate "net neutrality" rules as "political theater" because the GOP-controlled House is not expected to take up the issue and the Senate's margin could not overcome a presidential veto.

Senate backs effort to restore ‘net neutrality’ rules

From left, Rep. Mike Doyle, D-Pa., Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., Senate Minority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer of N.Y., and Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., leave a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, May 16, 2018, after the Senate passed a resolution to reverse the FCC decision to end net neutrality.

Gina Haspel, Trump’s pick to lead CIA, wins support of Senate Intelligence Committee

The Senate Intelligence Committee moved Wednesday to recommend Gina Haspel for CIA director, setting up a floor vote that her opponents say will signal to the world whether the United States condemns or condones torture. With two of 51 Republicans committed to voting against Haspel, and five Democrats already indicating they will support her, it appears she is set to become the agency's first female director.

Democrats stick with flawed governor candidate Lupe Valdez in…

Texas Democrats are faced with a vexing choice: pick a candidate for governor that on paper matches up better against incumbent Republican Greg Abbott, or stick with a rebuilding plan and nominate the progressive candidate that could better appeal to the Hispanic voters seen as the key to sustainable success? That's the backdrop of Tuesday's Democratic runoff for governor between former Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez and Houston investor Andrew White, the son of former governor Mark White. White is telling Democrats that he's the best hope of beating Abbott, but many progressive primary voters see Valdez as more reflective of their liberal leanings.

Virginia Republicans at odds – and throats – in Trump era

The vicious tenor of the 2016 GOP presidential primary - which included attacks on a spouse's looks, demeaning nicknames and veiled talk of a candidate's ... ahem ... hand size - is being matched by Virginia's raucous congressional primaries. A GOP House candidate said he's been the target of fake stories about his advocacy for penis enlargement techniques.

Trump Jr: Can’t recall discussing Russia probe with father

Donald Trump Jr. told the Senate Judiciary Committee last year he did not recall ever discussing the Russia investigation with his father and said he didn't think there was anything wrong with meeting a Russian lawyer at Trump Tower ahead of the 2016 presidential election, according to transcripts released Wednesday of his interview with the panel. The committee released more than 1,800 pages of transcripts of interviews with Trump's son and others who attended a June 9, 2016, meeting at which they expected to receive dirt about Trump's opponent, Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Panel set to release report on judges and sexual harassment

As the U.S. judiciary confronts its #MeToo moment, officials plan to release a highly anticipated report this month addressing potential sexual harassment in the nation's courthouses and how complaints are handled. Officials began examining problems after former law clerks and other staffers went public with sexual harassment claims against U.S. Appeals Court Judge Alex Kozinski, a nationally prominent jurist who had served for more than 30 years in California.

Trump backs 2 successful US Senate nominees in primaries

President Donald Trump backed two successful U.S. Senate nominees in Pennsylvania and Nebraska, which were among four states holding primaries Tuesday. The primaries began to settle swing state Pennsylvania's chaotic congressional landscape after a court fight ended with redrawn districts just three months ago.

Conservatives See Farm Bill’s Sugar Program as Too Sweet

An amendment to the farm bill by Rep. Virginia Foxx would end the requirement that at least 85% of the U.S.'s sugar purchases must come from domestic processors. WASHINGTON-House Republican leaders have scheduled a vote on the farm bill for Friday, but haven't yet resolved lingering GOP concerns over major planks of the legislation, including its support for the U.S. sugar industry.

The Latest: Trump celebrates Barletta, Fischer primary wins

President Donald Trump is congratulating two of his favored candidates, Lou Barletta in Pennsylvania and Deb Fischer in Nebraska, who won their U.S. Senate primaries. In a pair of tweets Wednesday morning, Trump said Barletta will "represent his people well - like they haven't been represented in many years."

Pipeline advocates visit Baxter amid statewide debate over Line 35 min ago

Tuesday's Line 3 pipeline replacement discussion was spearheaded by Minnesotans for Line 3 and United Piping Inc. CEO Bob Shoneberger ; Cub Foods owner Chris Quisberg representing the Brainerd Lakes Chamber of Commerce; and Grand Rapids resident DeeDee Tollefson.

Barletta will take on Casey

MARK MORAN / THE CITIZENS' VOICE U.S. Sen. Bob Casey listens as he's introduced by Wilkes University President Patrick Leahy at Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre on Friday. U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta, R-Pa., Republican primary candidate for U.S. Senate, smiles during a lunch gathering, Tuesday, May 15, 2018, in Scranton, Pa.