London open: Stocks edge up after record highs on Wall St but Christmas lull setting in

London stocks rose in early trade on Tuesday following record highs on Wall Street on the back of optimism over the tax reform bill, although gains were muted as the Christmas lull began to set in. On Monday, the Nasdaq, Dow Jones and S&P 500 all notched record highs again as investors grew increasingly hopeful that the US tax reform bill will be passed in the coming days.

Trump talked of rescinding Gorsuch nom after criticism: report

President Trump thought about dealing out quick justice to his Supreme Court pick after learning that he criticized him, according to a report. The commander-in-chief became upset and talked about rescinding the nomination of Neil Gorsuch after he met with Connecticut Democrat Sen. Richard Blumenthal and told him that Trump's attack on the judiciary were "disheartening" and "demoralizing," the Washington Post reported Monday.

Juan Williams: The ground shifts on immigration

The earthquake began when candidates backed by President Trump played strong anti-immigrant cards in Virginia's gubernatorial race and Alabama's Senate race - and both came up losers. Trump, who had begun pulling down the curtain on the Obama-era program called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals , is himself now talking a different game.

Sen. Patrick Leahy regrets calling for Franken’s resignation

Sen. Patrick Leahy says he regrets calling for Sen. Al Franken to resign instead of waiting for an ethics investigation. The Burlington Free Press reports the Vermont Democrat released a statement Monday, saying he has "stood for due process" throughout his career, and that he regrets "not doing that this time."

The Latest: House GOP unveils $81B disaster aid measure

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., accompanied at right by Secretary for the Majority Laura Dove, walks to the chamber as Republicans in the House and Senate plan to pass the sweeping $1.5 trillion GOP tax bill on party-line votes, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, Dec. 18, 2017. House Republicans have unveiled an $81 billion disaster aid measure that almost doubles last month's request by President Donald Trump.

House GOP unveils $81B disaster relief for hurricanes, fires

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., accompanied at right by Secretary for the Majority Laura Dove, walks to the chamber as Republicans in the House and Senate plan to pass the sweeping $1.5 trillion GOP tax bill on party-line votes, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, Dec. 18, 2017. WASHINGTON - House Republicans on Monday unveiled an $81 billion disaster aid package to help hurricane-ravaged communities and states hit by wildfires, almost double the amount requested by President Donald Trump.

OPINION: $44 Tolls Are Just The Start For Virginia Roads

Virginia politicians are feigning outrage over the $44 toll imposed on the short, one-way morning drive into Washington, DC on Interstate 66. The nation's latest high occupancy toll lane project opened earlier this month with eye-popping fees for single occupancy drivers on their way to work. Complaints about the exorbitant charges miss a far more important point.

Trump’s judicial nominee withdraws after viral video

Washington, Dec 19 - Matthew Petersen, US President Donald Trump's district court nominee who struggled to answer basic legal questions at his confirmation hearing last week, has withdrawn his nomination, the media reported. Petersen, who was up for a lifetime appointment on the US District Court for the District of Columbia, struggled to answer basic questions including how many depositions he had worked on, how many jury trials he had tried, the last time he had read the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, during an exchange with Senator John Kennedy, a Louisiana Republican, reports CNN.

Pence delays Israel, Egypt trip as tax vote nears

Washington, Dec 19 - US Vice President Mike Pence, who was scheduled to travel to Egypt and Israel on Tuesday, has postponed his trip until next month to ensure the Senate passage of the much-awaited Republican tax bill, the media reported. The largest tax cut in American history is a landmark accomplishment for President Trump and a relief to millions of hardworking Americans, Pence press secretary Alyssa Farah said in a statement on Monday.

GOP senators rally to defend Corker over tax bill provision

President Donald Trump is poised to outline a national security strategy that envisions nations in a perpetual state of competition and de-emphasizes the multinational agreements that have dominated the United... President Donald Trump is poised to outline a national security strategy that envisions nations in a perpetual state of competition and de-emphasizes the multinational agreements that have dominated the United States' foreign policy since the Cold War. A prominent U.S. appeals court judge has announced his retirement days after women alleged he subjected them to inappropriate sexual conduct or comments.

McConnell unveils wish list to attach to spending bill

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., accompanied at right by Secretary for the Majority Laura Dove, walks to the chamber as Republicans in the House and Senate plan to pass the sweeping $1.5 trillion GOP tax bill on party-line votes, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, Dec. 18, 2017. less Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., accompanied at right by Secretary for the Majority Laura Dove, walks to the chamber as Republicans in the House and Senate plan to pass the sweeping $1.5 trillion ... more WASHINGTON - The Senate's top Republican Monday announced a lengthy wish list that he hopes to attach to a must-do spending bill this week, but there's no agreement with the chamber's Democrats and little time to waste.

Hawaii attorney general announces run for US Congress

Hawaii Attorney General Douglas Chin, who has been fighting President Donald Trump's travel ban and other policies over the past year, has announced he will run for U.S. Congress. Chin, a Democrat, seeks to replace Hawaii U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, who is running for governor.

Group sees 2018 tax cuts across all incomes, with biggest for rich

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., accompanied at right by Secretary for the Majority Laura Dove, walks to his office from the chamber as Republicans in the House and Senate plan to pass the sweeping $1.5 trillion GOP tax bill on party-line votes, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, Dec. 18, 2017. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., accompanied at right by Secretary for the Majority Laura Dove, walks to the chamber as Republicans in the House and Senate plan to pass the sweeping $1.5 trillion GOP tax bill on party-line votes, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, Dec. 18, 2017.

The Last Jedi’ is a hit, but how much did audiences like it?

This image released by Lucasfilm shows Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker in "Star Wars: The Last Jedi." With glowing reviews from critics and $450.8 million of worldwide box office in the first three days of release of "The Last Jedi," all would seem to be right in the "Star Wars" universe.

McCain says he’s feeling well, vows return in January

Republican Sen. John McCain on Monday expressed thanks for the overwhelming support as he battles brain cancer, saying he is feeling well and looks forward to being back on the job in January. The 81-year senator returned home to Arizona after being treated for a viral infection at Walter Reed Medical Center in Maryland.

House GOP Agrees on $81 Billion in Disaster Spending

A firefighter turns away from the heat as flames explode through the front windows of a home burning in the Lilac fire in House Republicans agreed Monday on $81 billion in disaster relief for areas hit by hurricanes and wildfires that will be attached to a must-pass government spending bill this week, according to a document provided by a Republican lawmaker.

Democratic Senators invoke CRA to attempt reversal of FCC’s net neutrality decision

Senator Charles Schumer of New York is leading an effort to overturn the FCC's net neutrality decision. The FCC may have successfully overturned the current net neutrality rules during their December monthly meeting, but a call from one of the top Democrat Senators to repeal the decision clearly suggests that the battle over this issue has just begun.