Q&A on the Democrats’ big idea: A job-creation program

All of a sudden, you can't turn around in progressive Washington policy circles without bumping into a jobs guarantee proposal. The most prominent version is a bill introduced this week by Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., with heavy hitting Democratic co-sponsors including Sens. Jeff Merkley of Oregon, Kirsten Gillibrand of New York , Kamala Harris of California and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts.

Feds’ delays imperil migrant children

In this June 18, 2014, file photo, boys wait in line to make a phone call as they are joined by hundreds of mostly Central American immigrant children that are being processed and held at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Nogales Placement Center in Nogales, Ariz. The Associated Press has learned that a Senate subcommittee has found that the government risks placing migrant children in the custody of human traffickers because federal agencies have delayed crucial reforms needed to keep the children safe.

Senate panel advances legislation to protect Robert Mueller from firing

This file photo taken on June 19, 2013 shows then Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Robert Mueller testifying before the US Senate Judiciary Committee on oversight during a hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Special counsels like the one named to oversee the probe into Russia's alleged election interference are rare super sleuths with more power and independence than regular US investigators.

Ronny Jackson withdraws from consideration for VA chief

President Donald Trump's pick to lead Veterans Affairs, Ronny Jackson, withdrew Thursday in the wake of late-surfacing allegations about overprescribing drugs and poor leadership while serving as a top White House doctor, saying the "false allegations" against him have become a distraction. In a statement the White House issued from Jackson, he said he "did not expect to have to dignify baseless and anonymous attacks on my character and integrity."

‘No coincidence’ Shelby sided with payday lenders after $46K flowed to campaign: Watchdog

In early March of 2015, more than $46,000 poured into Sen. Richard Shelby's campaign account from payday lending companies and industry executives. About three weeks later, Shelby voted against a Senate budget amendment that would have given the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau more power to protect Americans from predatory lending -- a measure that would have harmed the payday lending industry.

John Kerry Joins TPG’s $2 Billion Rise Fund as Senior Adviser 2 hours ago

Rise Fund has enlisted former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry as a senior adviser, bolstering its credibility as the fund sets out to prove that financial returns and social good can go hand-in-hand. Kerry said he will help identify investments and advise portfolio companies across Rise's various sectors, with a focus on renewable energy opportunities.

Senate committee poised for vote on bill to protect Mueller

The Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to vote on a bill to protect special counsel Robert Mueller's job - legislation that has split Republicans as President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized Mueller's Russia investigation. Two Republicans and two Democrats introduced the bill earlier this month as Trump publicly criticized the special counsel.

Nation’s nastiest GOP primary playing out in Pence’s Indiana as rivals try to win over Trump voters

From left, U.S. Rep. Todd Rokita, Mike Braun and U.S. Rep. Luke Messer are locked in a bitter Republican primary in the Hoosier state to face the Democrat incumbent U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly. From left, U.S. Rep. Todd Rokita, Mike Braun and U.S. Rep. Luke Messer are locked in a bitter Republican primary in the Hoosier state to face the Democrat incumbent U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly.

Senate Judiciary Committee will vote on bill to protect special counsel Robert Mueller

The Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to vote on a bill to protect special counsel Robert Mueller's job -- legislation that has split Republicans as President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized Mueller's Russia investigation. Two Republicans and two Democrats introduced the bill earlier this month as Trump publicly criticized the special counsel.

GOP Senators Losing Their Cool Over White House Vetting Fails

Republican senators are growing increasingly frustrated with the White House for foisting upon them a parade of controversial cabinet nominees whom they believe haven't gone through a proper vetting process. Throughout much of the Trump presidency, those frustrations have been shielded from public view out of deference to the president's right to pick his own team.

Colorado congressman sues to get onto GOP primary ballot

Rep. Doug Lamborn filed a federal lawsuit on Wednesday in a last-ditch bid to get his name back on the GOP primary ballot after the Colorado Supreme Court ruled he must be kicked off it because his campaign did not gather petitions correctly. Colorado law requires congressional candidates to gather signatures from 1,200 party members in their district.

Connecticut senators introduce federal legislation to help homeowners

To continue reading this premium story, you need to become a member. Click below to take advantage of an exclusive offer for new members: HARTFORD - Connecticut's Democratic U.S. senators are introducing federal legislation to help state homeowners with concrete foundations crumbling due to the presence of an iron sulfide.

Sessions defends Trump pardons of Joe Arpaio, Scooter Libby Source: AP

Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Wednesday defended President Donald Trump's right to pardon former Sheriff Joe Arpaio and former Bush administration official I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby. Both of those pardons were issued by Trump and bypassed the involvement of the Justice Department and its pardon attorney, which historically reviews petitions for clemency.

Bredesen holds narrow lead over Blackburn in new poll

Former Tennessee governor and Democrat Phil Bredesen holds a narrow lead over Republican Marsha Blackburn in the race for the Tennessee Senate seat being vacated by Bob Corker. In a new poll conducted by Mason-Dixon Polling and Strategy, Bredesen holds a 46 percent to 43 percent lead over Blackburn.

hack button on keyboard

Although the Department of Homeland Security has consistently said 21 states' election systems had been targeted by Russian hackers, a DHS official acknowledged more states could have been affected. In an April 24 Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing, Sen. Claire McCaskill pointed out that number reflects only the number of states that had sensors or tools in place to capture the scanning activity.

Blumenthal, Murphy Announce Bill to Provide $100 Million in Direct…

U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal and U.S. Senator Chris Murphy today announced introduction of the Crumbling Foundations Small Business and Homeowners Assistance Act to provide $100 million in direct federal relief to property owners in Connecticut with crumbling foundations. The bill, introduced by Blumenthal and co-sponsored by Murphy would establish a grant program through the Federal Emergency Management Agency to award funding up to $20 million annually over a five year period.

This Senate race attack is, well, childish

If you think the fighting among Republicans seeking Indiana's U.S. Senate seat is childish, wait until you get a load of this. This is, quite literally, the most childish attack in Indiana's Senate race If you think the fighting among Republicans seeking Indiana's U.S. Senate seat is childish, wait until you get a load of this.

Florida Republicans may be forced to act on voting rights

Confronted with a federal judge's looming deadline, Florida Gov. Rick Scott called an extraordinary late-night meeting of top state officials Wednesday to decide what to do about the state's process for restoring voting rights to former prisoners. U.S. District Judge Mark Walker gave Florida until Thursday to create a new process after ruling in February that the state's system is unconstitutional and arbitrary, with decisions possibly swayed by politics and racial factors.