George Will on Alabama and GOP Politics

George Will's latest WaPo column looks to Alabama to discuss the contemporary Republican Party, The GOP has become the party of the grotesque : Southern Gothic is a literary genre and, occasionally, a political style that, like the genre, blends strangeness and irony. Consider the current primary campaign to pick the Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Jeff Sessions.

Some South Carolina Democrats say news of Joe Biden’s visit adds to…

The announced Charleston visit from former Vice President Joe Biden has excited many of the state's Democrats about the possible presidential run they were denied in 2016. Biden will speak before an influential black audience next month in what is the first high-profile visit from a potential 2020 presidential candidate in this early primary state with more appearances from others being expected, despite the election being three years away.

Zinke calls to Alaskans draw look by watchdog

The Interior Department's internal watchdog is examining phone calls to Alaska's Republican senators from Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke seeking support for the GOP health care bill. Deputy Inspector General Mary Kendall said her office was launching a "preliminary investigation" of Zinke's July 26 calls to Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan.

Trump court appointee did not clear Wisconsin vetting

President Donald Trump's pick to fill a long-standing federal appellate court vacancy never cleared a state vetting commission, U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin's office said Friday. Trump's administration announced Friday morning that he had chosen Milwaukee attorney Michael Brennan to fill the opening on the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago.

Senator Heller Introduces Bill to Help Prevent Wild Fires in Nevada

U.S. Senator Dean Heller introduces the Emergency Fuel Reduction Act, S.1752 along with the support of Senators Jeff Flake , Orrin Hatch , and James Risch . The Emergency Fuel Reduction Act hopes to help prevent wildfires by speeding up the review process for fire prevention projects on public lands.

The Latest: Attorney general vows to slow government leaks

The head of the Environmental Protection Agency says he will consider paying for economic damages from a 2015 mine waste spill triggered by agency crews. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel says the city will sue the federal government in defense of its status as a so-called sanctuary city.

People Noticed Something Odd In the Garage Area of Obama Family’s New $5.3 Million Home

Barack Obama and his family may have left the White House, but their new digs aren't too shabby. The Obamas relocated into a multi-million dollar home in Washington, D.C., which is currently being renovated.

Congressman Mo Brooks has lunch with Trussville citizens while on tour

Today, Trussville residents were able to come meet Rep. Mo Brooks from the fifth district of Alabama at Jim 'N Nick's BBQ where the congressman had lunch while on his "Drain the Swamp" tour across the state. "I feel good about Mo meeting the people," said Cameron Mixon, a member of College Republicans, "Unlike the others, he's going out to meet the voters, try to earn their vote and not try to buy their vote."

Justice faults Democrats for his switch to Republican Party

He said West Virginia House Democrats failed to support a tax overhaul he says would have increased the budget and helped veterans, poorer earners, seniors, teachers, miners and people struggling with addiction. Justice announced his switch from Democrat to the GOP alongside Republican President Donald Trump at a rally Thursday evening in Huntington.

White House cana t count on Senate GOP, so ita s wooing Democrats

Sens. Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., left, and Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., arrive for news conference on the east lawn of the Capitol to unveil a new economic agenda titled "A Better Deal on Trade and Jobs" on August 2, 2017. Sens. Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., left, and Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., arrive for news conference on the east lawn of the Capitol to unveil a new economic agenda titled "A Better Deal on Trade and Jobs" on August 2, 2017.

Inside the bills aimed at checking President Trump on firing Mueller

Republican and Democratic senators concerned that President Donald Trump may try to fire Special Counsel Robert Mueller have introduced legislation aimed at protecting the former FBI director's role leading the investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 election and possible ties to Trump associates. Under current rules governing how a special counsel can be removed, Trump can't fire him directly.

Republican who said pipeline activists were waging ‘jihad’ confirmed to energy agency

The Senate confirmed two new commissioners on August 4, 2017, to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. CREDIT: AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana The Senate voted Thursday evening to confirm two Republican nominees to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, one of whom accused natural gas pipeline opponents of waging a "jihad" against the agency.

Universal health care can work: But the case must be made for how to pay and how money will be saved

In this Oct. 17, 2016, photo, supporters applaud Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., who spoke at a rally in support of Colorado Amendment 69, a ballot measure to set up the nation's first universal health care system, on the campus of the University of Colorado, in Boulder. Progressives are riled up with renewed seize-the-day determination to turn Congress' failure to gut Obamacare and Medicaid into a push for nationwide universal health care.

West Virginia governor, a Democrat, to switch to Republican

West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice announced Thursday he's switching parties to join Republicans as President Donald Trump visited the increasingly conservative state. Justice told about 9,000 Trump supporters at a rally in Huntington that he will be changing his registration Friday.

Timeline of Donald Trump Jr.’s meeting revelations

New revelations about Donald Trump Jr.'s meeting in June 2016 with a Russian lawyer have rocketed the president's eldest son to the center of allegations of collusion with Russia. Here's a look back at the steady drip of disclosures and shifting statements from Trump Jr. and others involved -- which has triggered a mounting list of questions.

Jeff Sessions says cities need to crack down on illegal immigration

If cities want assistance as part of the Justice Department's new initiative to curb violent crime, they will have to help federal authorities tamp down on illegal immigration, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced Thursday. In a statement, the Justice Department said that cities can be selected for the Public Safety Partnership - which sends federal experts to work on crime-fighting efforts with their local counterparts - only if the cities "show a commitment to reducing crime stemming from illegal immigration."