Senate GOP could scale back tax cuts

By MARCY GORDON and STEPHEN OHLEMACHER Associated Press WASHINGTON - Senate Republicans weighed scaling back the tax cuts in their massive package to secure crucial support as congressional analysts said Thursday the legislation would add $1 trillion to the nation's debt over the next decade.

Treasury’s tax analysis still missing ahead of key Senate vote

Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren is demanding answers from Treasury about why Secretary Steven Mnuchin has yet to release an economic analysis of the GOP's tax overhaul plan, despite repeated promises that he would. The missing analysis, highlighted in a New York Times story Thursday, has prompted Warren to call for an investigation before the Senate prepares to vote on its sweeping tax reform plan Friday.

Report: Democratic outcry on sex abuse threatens Franken’s future

Democratic Senator Al Franken is fighting for political survival amid mounting allegations that he committed sexual abuse and a solidifying resolve within his party to take a hard line on any such transgressions. The senator from Minnesota's problems were compounded Thursday on two fronts: A fifth accuser , this one an Army veteran, stepped forward with an account similar to three others who have claimed they were groped while posing for pictures with the former Saturday Night Live star.

The Latest: FBI offers reward for solving agent’s death

The Latest on the Nov. 18 death of a U.S. Border Patrol agent in West Texas : The FBI has announced that it is offering a $45,000 reward for information leading to solving the mystery surrounding the death of a U.S. Border Patrol agent in West Texas. An FBI statement issued Thursday announced a new digital billboard campaign to promote the reward for answers to questions surrounding the death of Border Patrol agent Rogelio Martinez, He was found dead and another agent was found injured in a culvert on Interstate 10 near Van Horn, about 110 miles southeast of El Paso.

Garrison Keillor Firing Prompts Outrage, Backlash Against Public Radio by His Fans

Outraged Garrison Keillor fans deluged Minnesota Public Radio Thursday with complaints about the firing of the humorist over alleged workplace misconduct. Some say they will no longer support MPR, one of the nation's largest public radio operations, which depends heavily on financial contributions.

Kansas plan for new prison draws criticism from lawmakers

Damon Hininger, the president and CEO of private prison company CoreCivic Inc., follows a Kansas legislative committee discussion of a state Department of Corrections plan to build a new prison, Thursday, Nov. 30, 2017, at the Statehouse in Topeka, Kan. The department plans to have CoreCivic build the prison and lease it to the state for 20 years.

Trump Reportedly Urged Top GOP Lawmakers To End Russia Probe

The New York Times alleges that according to several lawmakers and aides, Trump urged top Republicans in the Senate to wrap up its probe into possible collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign, something which has dogged his presidency. Senator Richard Burr , the chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, confirmed that the president was "eager" to see the end of his investigation.

Texas sheriff says it’s unlikely border agents were attacked

A Texas sheriff who was among the first people to reach two badly injured U.S. Border Patrol agents said he thinks they may have been sideswiped accidentally by a tractor-trailer, not attacked, as President Donald Trump and some others have suggested. The injured agents were found the night of Nov. 18 along a culvert next to Interstate 10 near Van Horn, which is about 110 miles southeast of El Paso and about 30 miles from the border with Mexico.

GOP tax bill gains support; Senate leaders work on holdouts

An attorney for U.S. Rep. John Conyers says the 88-year-old lawmaker will fight allegations of sexual harassment involving former female staff members. Maryland officials say 26 people have been indicted after an investigation into gang activity in the state's prisons, including correctional officer called a high-ranking gang member.

U.S. stocks gain on tax outlook as treasuries drop

Santa Claus visited the trading floor of the New York Stock Exchange, in Nov. 2015, before the opening bell. Stocks have already exceeded most expectations in 2017, and it looks like Santa Claus will drop by to give investors another gift before the year comes to a close.

Sen. John McCain says he’ll vote for Senate GOP tax plan

Interrogators Blast Trump's 'Clueless' CIA Pick Tom Cotton The Central Intelligence Agency is set to receive an advocate of waterboarding, sweeping surveillance powers, jailing journalists, and conflict with Iran as its next director. - A combat veteran and first-term Arkansas GOP senator The Rex situation is simple - Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has been politically dead for months; the only question is when they're going to hold his funeral.

Trump Plays Musical Chairs in the Cabinet Room

White House Envisions Tillerson Ouster From State Dept., to Be Replaced by Pompeo, Within Weeks - WASHINGTON - The White House has developed a plan to force out Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson, whose relationship with President Trump has been strained, and replace him with Mike Pompeo Army veteran says Franken groped her during USO tour in 2003 - STORY HIGHLIGHTS - An Army veteran says Sen. Al Franken groped her in December 2003, telling CNN that while she was deployed in Kuwait, the Minnesota Democrat cupped her breast during a photo op.

Trump to cut Bears Ears National Monument by 85 percent, Grand…

White House Envisions Tillerson Ouster From State Dept., to Be Replaced by Pompeo, Within Weeks - WASHINGTON - The White House has developed a plan to force out Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson, whose relationship with President Trump has been strained, and replace him with Mike Pompeo Army veteran says Franken groped her during USO tour in 2003 - STORY HIGHLIGHTS - An Army veteran says Sen. Al Franken groped her in December 2003, telling CNN that while she was deployed in Kuwait, the Minnesota Democrat cupped her breast during a photo op.

Republicans Praise Presidenta s Tax Plan During Missouri Visit

Missouri congressional members are expressing their views after President Trump's address on tax cuts at the St. Charles Convention Center Wednesday. Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer says the plan passed by the House offers major tax cuts to two important groups - small businesses, and those making $200,000 or less.

Senate GOP presses ahead on tax bill; McCain backs measure

Senate Armed Services Chairman John McCain, R-Ariz., arrives for votes on Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday evening, Nov. 27, 2017. President Donald Trump and Senate Republicans are scrambling to change a Republican tax bill in an effort to win over holdout GOP senators and pass a tax package by the end of the year.