Senate opens ‘Obamacare’ debate at last but outcome in doubt

Prodded by President Donald Trump, a bitterly divided Senate voted at last Tuesday to move forward with the Republicans' long-promised legislation to repeal and replace "Obamacare." There was high drama as Sen. John McCain returned to the Capitol for the first time after being diagnosed with brain cancer to cast a decisive "yes" vote.

Bigotry has no place in our courts

Last week, I took to the Senate Floor to shine a light on the president's nominee to join the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals, John K. Bush. This man has a clear record of promoting bigotry and discrimination that has no place in our courts, and we cannot let this nomination slip through the cracks.

Inside the Beltway: Congress loves media, not voters: poll

Imagine this: A sleek member of the press and an earnest likely voter are standing side by side in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol. Which one would attract the most attention from passing lawmakers? Unfortunately, new research reveals a predictable, but shabby scenario.

Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) returns to the U.S. Senate July 25, 2017 in…

Sen. John McCain returns to the U.S. Senate July 25, 2017 in Washington, DC. McCain was recently diagnosed with brain cancer but returned on the day the Senate is holding a key procedural vote on U.S. President Donald TrumpA*s effort to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act.

Donald Trump faces veto dilemma as Russian sanctions bill passes House

Washington: The US House of Representatives has approved a sweeping package of sanctions against Russia, clearing a key hurdle in Congress' effort long opposed by the Trump administration, to punish Moscow for its aggression toward its neighbours and interference in last year's US presidential election. The landslide vote, 419-3, brings President Donald Trump one step closer to a choice he has strained to avoid: whether to sign legislation that is embraced by Republicans in both the House and the Senate but which undercuts his attempts to ratchet down tensions with Moscow, or to veto the bill even as Russia-related scandal consumes his administration.

Children may be ‘iconic targets’ for terrorists, medical experts warn

And they say countries facing terror threats must prepare to deal with attacks with chemical weapons such as sarin or mustard gas, and attacks targeted at "iconic victims" such as children or emergency care responders. After Donald Trump publicly stated that he was disappointed in Jeff Sessions, his new Communications Director, Anthony Scaramucci, agrees in an interview that the US President 'probably' wants Sessions fired.

Outrage Over Trump Family Meetings with Russians is Establishment Hypocrisy

From where I normally sit in France , the ongoing Trump-Russia fever dream that has played out in the U.S. over the last year barely even qualifies as background noise. I guess the world has more important things to worry about than whether Russian President Vladimir Putin personally zombified the nearly 63 million Americans who voted for Donald Trump over Hillary Clinton in November's presidential election.

One Wisconsin Now Statements on Ron Johnson Vote

MADISON, Wis. - The following are the statements of One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross following U.S. Senator Ron Johnson and his majority Republican colleagues' vote to "proceed" with repeal of the Affordable Care Act: "Ron Johnson and his Senate Republican cohorts voted to follow Donald Trump and Paul Ryan and proceed with the dismantling of the healthcare safety net for the most vulnerable Americans to pay for tax cuts for the richest.

Domenici Conference at NMSU celebrates 10 years, focuses on foreign policy, workforce issues

The 2017 Domenici Public Policy Conference at New Mexico State University will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the conference, and this year's topics will highlight U.S. foreign policy, equity in education and workforce issues. Antonia Novello, the country's first female and first Hispanic Surgeon General, is scheduled to speak at the 2017 Domenici Public Policy Conference.

Senate Republicans clear key hurdle on Obamacare repeal, but the hard part is still ahead

Senate Republicans clear key hurdle on Obamacare repeal, but the hard part is still ahead "This is just the beginning," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told reporters after the vote. Check out this story on thestarpress.com: https://usat.ly/2v4pVPb Vice President Mike Pence was the tie-breaking vote as the Senate voted to advance the GOP health care bill that aims to repeal and replace Obamacare.

Senate GOP Advances Heath Care Bill(s) to DebateThey dona t know what…

In recent days, John McCain was diagnosed with brain cancer ; Rand Paul savaged his party's health-care plan as " crony capitalism "; and Nevada's Dean Heller - the GOP's most vulnerable Senator in 2018 - denounced the bill's Medicaid cuts , while arguing that it wouldn't do anything to lower premiums. But on Tuesday, John McCain got back to town - and Paul and Heller got onboard.

Trump says hea s a oevery disappointeda in Sessions

Trump told The Wall Street Journal in an interview Tuesday that he has not made up his mind as to whether to fire his longtime ally. He told the newspaper he is "looking" at the possibility of firing the former Alabama senator and did not suggest that he will curtail his criticism of Sessions.

Senate GOP Agrees to Debate Health Plan With No Votes to Spare

Senate Republicans agreed to begin floor debate on health-care legislation, a hard-fought step amid uncertainty about exactly what plan senators will ultimately be asked to vote on. The drama of Tuesday's 51-50 vote -- with Vice President Mike Pence providing the tie-breaker -- was heightened by the arrival from Arizona of Senator John McCain to help the GOP try to repeal Obamacare following his brain-cancer diagnosis last week.

Senators Mock Colleague on Hot Mic: – You Could Beat the S–t Out of Him’

A private conversation between two senators that was caught on a live microphone reveals a tense climate among lawmakers and with the White House. Susan Collins, a Maine Republican, mocked Representative Blake Farenthold, who'd suggested he might challenge her to a duel if she weren't a woman because of her opposition to holding a vote to get rid of Obamacare.

Vice President Mike Pence and others listen as President Donald Trump …

President Donald Trump urged Republicans to "step up to the plate" for Tuesday's crucial Senate vote on their bill eviscerating much of the Obama health care law. The stage was set for high drama, with Sen. John McCain returning to the Capitol to cast his first vote since being diagnosed with brain cancer.