Flake, Corker say fed up, lay into president

Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., delivers a speech Tuesday on the floor of the Senate in which he spoke out against President Donald Trump and announced that he would retire at the end of his term. "We were not made great as a country by indulging in or even exalting our worst impulses, turning against ourselves, glorifying in the things that divide us and calling fake things true and true things fake," he said, to applause from members of both parties.

Grambling State: 2 students fatally shot on campus

A former judge who led Guatemala's soccer federation is set to be the first person sentenced in the U.S. in the world soccer scandal. An American Indian activist and former U.S. congressional candidate in North Dakota accused of inciting a riot during protests against the Dakota Access oil pipeline says he'll seek to present a "necessity defense."

Absence of Xi heir among new China leaders raises questions

A former judge who led Guatemala's soccer federation is set to be the first person sentenced in the U.S. in the world soccer scandal. A former judge who led Guatemala's soccer federation is set to be the first person sentenced in the U.S. in the world soccer scandal.

VA: Secret waiting list delayed care for 87 veterans in 2017

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs officials say an unauthorized, secret waiting list for psychotherapy appointments at Omaha's VA hospital delayed care for 87 veterans this year. Letters addressed to Iowa Sens. Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley and Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse - all Republicans - blamed the unauthorized list on "training deficiencies" involving the hospital's medical support assistants, the Omaha World-Herald reported Saturday.

Flake’s bow-out could mean rush of Arizona GOP candidates

U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake's decision to bow out of a re-election fight could spur a rush of other Republican candidates who hope to take on his only announced challenger in the 2018 Arizona primary. The freshman senator's decision came after months of statements where he said he expected a tough primary and general election race but believed he could win.

Senate GOP, with Pence assist, moves to repeal rule helping consumers in disputes with banks

The Republican-led Senate narrowly voted Tuesday to repeal a banking rule that would let consumers band together to sue their bank or credit card company to resolve financial disputes. Vice President Mike Pence cast the final vote to break a 50-50 tie.

You own it: New Zealand party told to pay for Eminem rip-off

U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake's decision to bow out of a re-election fight could spur a rush of other Republican candidates who hope to take on his only announced challenger in the 2018 Arizona primary. An open letter alleging widespread sexual harassment in Illinois politics and urging women and their allies to come forward is circulating around the state Capitol.

China’s Xi given 2nd 5-year term as Communist Party leader

A Broadway producer who admitted scamming friends and others into investing hundreds of thousands of dollars into a nonexistent play about opera star Kathleen Battle has been sentenced to six months in jail. A Broadway producer who admitted scamming friends and others into investing hundreds of thousands of dollars into a nonexistent play about opera star Kathleen Battle has been sentenced to six months in jail.

Lawmakers seek probe of power contract to Zinke neighbor

Members of Congress from both parties on Tuesday called for an investigation into a $300 million contract awarded to a small company based in Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke's hometown of Whitefish, Montana. The Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority awarded the contract to Whitefish Energy Holdings to help crews restore transmission and distribution lines damaged or destroyed during Hurricane Maria.

Flake’s exit from Senate race opens door for new challenger

On Tuesday, Sen. Jeff Flake, often an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump, announced he would not seek re-election for the Senate in 2018. As Sen. Jeff Flake made his stunning announcement on Tuesday that he will be retiring from the Senate, Jay Heiler, a Treasurer of the Arizona Board of Regents, made it clear that he's leaning toward running for the soon-to-be-vacant congressional seat and that he recently spoke with former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon about jumping into the 2018 midterm election battle.

A big wave of cash, with some dry spots, for Democratic House challengers

Democratic congressional challengers have posted very impressive fund-raising tallies so far this year. In the last quarter, nearly three dozen Republican incumbents were outraised by at least one Democratic challenger - an astonishing number against sitting members of Congress.

Markey joins other pols seeking quick probe of Bedford VA death

US Senator Edward Markey Tuesday joined the chorus of elected officials calling on the Veterans Affairs secretary to speed up the investigation into the death of a Vietnam veteran who died at the Bedford VA while a nurse's aide was allegedly playing games on her computer. Markey asked Shulkin to "rectify" the systemic problems at Bedford and other VA facilities around the country to ensure that health care workers are adequately trained and supervised.

Alaska senators tell Trump they want mountain’s name to stay

U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan said the Alaska mountain came up during an hourlong meeting he and fellow Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski had with Trump and Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke in March. Sullivan said during a weekend speech to the Alaska Federation of Natives that Trump asked if the senators thought the name change from Mount McKinley to Denali should be reversed, the Alaska Public Radio Network reported .

Trump crowdsources GOP senators on choice for Fed chair

President Donald Trump asked for a show of hands from Republican senators as he nears a decision on naming a new head of the Federal Reserve, the most critical personnel choice affecting the economy that he'll make in his presidency. Trump made the request during a lunch with GOP senators at the Capitol on Tuesday, said Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn, R-Texas.

Senate passes $36.5B disaster aid bill; Trump signature next

The Senate passed a $36.5 billion emergency aid measure Tuesday to refill disaster accounts, provide a much-needed cash infusion to Puerto Rico, and bail out the federal flood insurance program. The 82-17 vote sends the measure to the White House, where President Donald Trump is sure to sign it.

Flake folds to Trump in the face of a debased base

These were the plagues Sen. Jeff Flake cursed in his floor speech Tuesday night, announcing he would not seek a second term in the U.S. Senate. Flake is correct to condemn these growing problems and to accuse President Trump of trampling on decency, civility, stability, and the separation of powers.