U.S. student freed after week held in China over taxi dispute

An American university student is free following a weeklong detention in China for allegedly injuring a taxi driver who was roughing up his mother during a fare dispute, in a case that drew objections over the student's treatment from U.S. lawmakers. Guthrie McLean, a student at the University of Montana, was released from a detention center in Zhengzhou early Monday, according to his mother, Jennifer McLean, a teacher who lives in the central Chinese city.

US student freed after week in Chinese detention

An American college student is free following a weeklong detention for allegedly injuring a taxi driver who was roughing up his mother during a fare dispute, in a case that drew objections over the student's treatment from U.S. lawmakers. Guthrie McLean, a student at the University of Montana, was released from a detention center in Zhengzhou early Monday, according to his mother Jennifer McLean, a teacher who lives in the central Chinese city.

Luis Gutierrez Unhinged: Time to – Eliminate’ – Criminal’ Trump – “BringHim to His Knees

Rep. Luis Gutierrez denounced President Donald Trump on Saturday as a "major criminal" who must be peacefully "eliminated" and brought to his knees after Democrats take back the House of Representatives and begin the impeachment process. Fuming and furious at the thought that Trump could end former President Barack Obama's executive amnesties and impact 1.2 million who did not have "papers," Gutierrez tore into Trump at Chicago's Lincoln United Methodist Church, vowing to "resist" Trump non-violently with "everything possible."

White House Team Differs on Trump Support for Russia Sanctions

The Trump administration supports the current version of a bill to sanction Russia, the new White House press secretary said, although her boss, Anthony Scaramucci, wouldn't guarantee that President Donald Trump will sign it. The legislation, which could soon land on Trump's desk for a signature, wasn't the only area where Trump's hand-picked communications director differed from others in the administration on Sunday after taking the job on Friday.

White House indicates Trump would sign new sanctions bill

In this July 13, 2017 photo, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of N.Y. pauses during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington. Congressional Democrats announced Saturday that a bipartisan group of House and Senate negotiators have reached an agreement on a sweeping Russia sanctions package to punish Moscow for meddling in the presidential election and its military aggression in Ukraine and Syria.

Senator: American student arrested in China has been freed

Chinese authorities have dropped charges against an American college student who was arrested and detained in the Asian nation a week ago after reportedly injuring a taxi driver who was roughing up his mother in a fare dispute, a U.S. lawmaker said Sunday. Guthrie McLean, a University of Montana senior, was released from a detention center in the central China city of Zhengzhou early Monday local time, according to Republican Sen. Steve Daines of Montana.

Ahead of key vote, details of GOP health bill still unknown

The Senate will move forward with a key vote this week on a Republican health care bill but it's not yet known whether the legislation will seek to replace the Affordable Care Act or simply repeal it, the third-highest ranking Republican senator said Sunday. Sen. John Thune of South Dakota said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., will make a decision soon on which bill to bring up for a vote, depending on ongoing discussions with GOP senators.

Trump open to signing Russia sanctions legislation

Congressional Democrats said on Saturday they had agreed with Republicans on a deal allowing new sanctions targeting Russia, Iran and North Korea in a bill that would limit any potential effort by Trump to try to lift sanctions against Moscow. A White House official said the administration's view of the legislation evolved after changes were made, including the addition of sanctions on North Korea.

COMMENTARY: How the DREAM Act divides families

Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, of South Carolina, and Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin, of Illinois, have introduced a new DREAM Act. The lawmakers want to protect young undocumented immigrants who could lose their temporary legal status under Deferred Action of Childhood Arrivals due to a court challenge from 10 states, led by Texas.

Trump Critics Flake, Heller Being Targeted for Primary Challenges

Vulnerable Senate Republicans, Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., and Dean Heller, R-Nev., might face more than Democratic opposition in 2018, especially if the GOP's repeal of Obamacare fails at their hands, according to The Hill. "We're watching the races in Arizona and Nevada closely and stand ready to support strong challengers who are true conservatives, have strong grassroots support, and can run a winning campaign," Senate Conservatives Fund President Ken Cuccinelli told The Hill in a statement.

a Inside Texas Politicsa : DNCa s Perez on rebuilding Texas Democratic Party

The first Latino leader of the Democratic Party, Tom Perez, is in studio with host Jason Whitely and Bud Kennedy of the Star-Telegram. The chairman of the DNC, who also served as Labor Secretary under President Obama, discussed challenges facing the party and plans it as for Texas, and the future of House leader Nancy Pelosi.

Trump Jr., Manafort agree to cooperate with Senate panel and wona t…

Donald Trump Jr. and Paul Manafort have both agreed to negotiate with the Senate Judiciary Committee to provide documents "and be interviewed prior to a public hearing" in regards to its Russia probe, according to statement from the office of committee Chairman Chuck Grassley. Representatives for both Trump Jr. and Manafort did not respond to requests for comment from ABC but previously said they are cooperating with the Congressional investigations.

John Thune: Mitch McConnell will decide ‘at some point this week’ which healthcare bill to bring up

The Senate will vote on a procedural motion to take up healthcare reform this week, but it's unknown if it will be a bill to repeal and replace parts of the Affordable Care Act or repeal it in full, the third-highest-ranking Republican senator said Sunday. Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., said on "Fox News Sunday" that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell will ultimately make the decision but didn't give any clues as to which bill the Senate would consider.

Hawaii awarded $715,000 to protect state’s coral reefs

Those who study Hawaii's coral reefs are hoping a recent $715,000 federal grant awarded to the state of Hawaii will amp up both the education and conservation of the underwater ecosystems. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration awarded the grant to the state of Hawaii as part of a cooperative agreement between the organization and Hawaii's Division of Aquatic Resources, U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono announced Thursday.

Michigan U.S. Sens. Stabenow, Peters request meeting with Trump

U.S. Sens. Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow are asking for a meeting with President Donald Trump to talk about jobs and ways to end outsourcing. Peters, D-Bloomfield Twp., and Stabenow, D-Lansing, wrote a joint letter to Trump in response to his "Made in America" theme week, encouraging him to work with Congress and asking him to meet with them to come up with a plan to promote U.S. jobs and manufacturing.

Health care follies in the Senate

A long time ago, in a galaxy not all that far away, the opposition party in Congress killed a White House-hatched health care plan. The president was Bill Clinton, although the complex blueprint was midwifed by first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, as she liked to be called.