Senate confirms 15th circuit court judge in 15 months of…

The Senate on Tuesday confirmed the 15th circuit court judge since President Donald Trump took office 15 months ago, far outpacing the rate at his recent predecessors were able to fill vacancies in the powerful appeals courts in the early months of their administrations. The trend has potentially significant political consequences for the direction of the country's most influential federal benches at a time when several will be weighing questions about key administration policies, ranging from immigration to the environment.

In Senate nomination wars: No retreat, no compromise

Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., is hugged by Chairman Bob Corker, R-Tenn., on April 23, 2018, in gratitude for Coons's ending a tie vote in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee's consideration of the nomination of Mike Pompeo to be secretary of state. less Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., is hugged by Chairman Bob Corker, R-Tenn., on April 23, 2018, in gratitude for Coons's ending a tie vote in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee's consideration of the nomination of ... more WASHINGTON - Senate Republicans, frustrated with Democrats' stalling tactics, begin their effort Wednesday to streamline the process for confirming presidential nominees, particularly those below Cabinet level and in low-level posts on the federal judiciary.

APNewsBreak: Feds’ delays imperil migrant children

The U.S. government risks placing migrant children in the custody of human traffickers because federal agencies have delayed crucial reforms needed to keep the children safe, according to the findings of a Senate subcommittee obtained by The Associated Press. Federal officials came under fire two years ago for rolling back child welfare policies meant to protect unaccompanied minors fleeing violence in Central America, and lawmakers said Thursday that the agencies had yet to take full responsibility for the children's care in the United States.

Hartselle Chamber meets with Sen. Shelby

Members of the Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce visited with U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby today in Washington, D.C. This photo was taken outside of his office in the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill. [COURTESY PHOTO] Members of the Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce visited with U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby today in Washington, D.C. This photo was taken outside of his office in the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill.

Manchin Has Heavy War Chest in Senate Contest

Democratic U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin has built a significant fundraising chest in his bid for a second full six-year term, far outpacing West Virginia Republicans hoping to defeat him this fall. Manchin's campaign has raised $4.5 million since the start of 2017 and had $5.4 million in cash on hand at the end of March, according to filings with the Federal Election Commission.

Senate postpones hearing for Trump VA pick Ronny Jackson amid…

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that his pick to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs, White House physician Ronny Jackson, will decide whether it's worth it to pursue the post after lawmakers postponed a hearing on his nomination in light of several allegations. "I don't want to put a man through a process like this.

Trump: VA pick may want to step aside

Rear Adm. Ronny Jackson, President Donald Trump's choice to be secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, leaves a Senate office building after meeting individually with some members of the committee that would vet him for the post, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, April 24, 2018.

The Latest: Watchdog: VA nominee Jackson was unprofessional

Rear Adm. Ronny Jackson, center, President Donald Trump's choice to be secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, walks down a stairwell to avoid reporters and cameras as he leaves a Senate office building after meeting individually with some members of the committee that would vet him for the post, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, ... (more)

Senator warns bankers that Dodd-Frank relief could stall

A Democratic senator who supports rolling back some of the financial rules put in place after the 2008 financial crisis warned bankers Tuesday that the legislation will stall if it comes back to the Senate for another vote. Sen. Mark Warner's comments are a warning shot to House Republicans, who are insisting on adding to Senate-passed legislation that would scale back the law known as Dodd-Frank.

VA nominee Ronny Jackson in jeopardy as Senate delays hearing amid ‘serious allegations’

WASHINGTON President Trump's nomination of Navy Rear Adm. Ronny Jackson to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs is in peril as the Senate delayed his confirmation hearing amid concerns about his record.

FDA cracks down on sales of Juul, other e-cigarettes to youth

Scott Gottlieb, commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, has announced a nationwide crackdown on the sale of e-cigarettes to minors. Scott Gottlieb, commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, has announced a nationwide crackdown on the sale of e-cigarettes to minors.

Trump’s VA nominee faces claims of overprescription, hostile work environment

The Senate Veterans Affairs Committee is examining allegations that President Donald Trump's nominee to lead the Veterans Affairs Department oversaw a hostile work environment as the White House physician and allowed the overprescribing of drugs, according to congressional officials briefed on the committee's work. The allegations, which have been under investigation since last week, forced the postponement of Jackson's confirmation hearing, planned for this Wednesday as senators scrutinize the nominee's time leading the White House medical staff.

Senate committee paves way for Pompeo to become top U.S. diplomat

A U.S. Senate committee approved the nomination of President Donald Trump's choice for secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, on Monday after a Republican senator who had been opposed threw his support behind the CIA director in the face of party pressure. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved the nomination on a party-line vote, with all 11 Republicans backing him, nine Democrats opposed and one Democrat, Chris Coons, voting "present" because one Republican was at a funeral out of town.

Macron, Merkel expected to push Trump on keeping US in Iran nuclear deal

French president Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte arrived at the White House Monday evening to the pomp and circumstance typical of a state visit, the choreography of which he is expected to balance against a delicate diplomatic effort to persuade President Donald Trump to remain in the Iran nuclear deal. Macron, along with German Chancellor Angela Merkel are making back-to-back visits with the president this week in a last-minute lobbying push to prevent the president from potentially sabotaging the agreement.