Tensions erupt in Senate over Trump nominees

Tensions erupted in the Senate Tuesday as Democrats stalled several of President Donald Trump's Cabinet picks, frustrating Republicans who accused Democrats of playing politics to try to hurt Trump and make Senate Republicans look ineffective. Party leaders squared off after a fast-paced and chaotic morning when Democrats on one committee abruptly boycotted a hearing where two top administration officials were expected to clear votes to advance to the floor.

Hatch: Trump may not have Obamacare replacement

He has said he was putting finishing touches on a plan that would provide "insurance for everybody" and would submit a proposal as soon as his nominee to lead the Department of Health and Human Services is confirmed. But according to Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch, a key player in the GOP's efforts to dismantle the Affordable Care Act, there may not be a Trump Obamacare plan.

Ted Cruz reportedly says nuclear option is on table in Supreme Court pick

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said in an interview Tuesday that "all procedural options are on the table" when it comes to confirming a strong conservative to replace Justice Scalia on the Supreme Court. President Trump nominated federal Judge Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court on Tuesday, choosing a jurist widely seen by conservatives as a fitting successor to the late Scalia - and touching off what is sure to be a fierce confirmation battle with Senate Democrats already vowing resistance.

Seven Things To Know For February 2

In this Oct. 10, 2016, file photo, Law enforcement officers, left, drag a person from a protest against the Dakota Access Pipeline, near the town of St. Anthony in rural Morton County, N.D. North Dakota Sen. John Hoeven said Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2017, that the Acting Secretary of the Army has directed the Army Corps of Engineers to proceed with an ... (more)

Senator: Army Corps told to approve Dakota pipeline easement

In this Oct. 10, 2016, file photo, Law enforcement officers, left, drag a person from a protest against the Dakota Access Pipeline, near the town of St. Anthony in rural Morton County, N.D. North Dakota Sen. John Hoeven said Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2017, that the Acting Secretary of the Army has directed the Army Corps of Engineers to proceed with an easement necessary to complete the Dakota Access pipeline.

Do they want anarchy?

Former New Hampshire senator Kelly Ayotte will lead a team of political veterans chosen by the White House to help shepherd President Donald Trump's nominee for the Supreme Court through the U.S. The Boston Bruins came out of the All-Star break with a key road victory, trailing early but taking control for a 4-3 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on ... (more)

Ayotte Will Guide SCOTUS Pick Through Senate

"The White House has assembled a team of political veterans with deep experience navigating the Senate to help shepherd President Trump's nominee for the Supreme Court," the Washington Post reports. "Leading the effort will be former senator Kelly Ayotte, a relatively moderate Republican from New Hampshire Ayotte will serve as the nominee's so-called sherpa, personally introducing the pick to senators and escorting him or her to meetings and the confirmation hearing.

Trump’s Supreme Court nominee – watch live

He said the selection process "may be the most transparent judicial selection process in history," and said he is keeping his promise to the American people with this nomination. "When Justice Scalia passed away suddenly last February, I made a promise to the American people if I were elected president, I would find the very best judge in the country for the Supreme Court," he said.

Trump Immigration Order Under Scrutiny as Dems Debate Sessions Vote

Just days after a fire destroyed a mosque in Victoria, Texas, a GoFundMe page set up by a mosque member has raised nearly $1 million to help rebuild the m... -- A teenager who said he left a Quebec City mosque minutes before a gunman stormed in and killed six people inside said the attack made him "scared out of my mi... All cattle and calves in the United States, as of January 1, 2017, totaled 93.6 million head. This is 2 percent above the 91.9 million head on January 1, 2016.

DeVos may have used official’s remarks without attribution

Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee Chairman Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., accompanied by the committee's ranking member Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash. speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2017, during the committee's executive session to discuss the nomination of Education Secretary-designate Betsy DeVos.

McMahon wins committee vote to lead SBA

Linda McMahon, U.S. President Donald Trump's nominee to be administrator of the Small Business Administration testifies before the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee January 24, 2017 in Washington, DC. less Linda McMahon, U.S. President Donald Trump's nominee to be administrator of the Small Business Administration testifies before the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee January 24, 2017 in ... more Linda McMahon, Small Business Administration administrator nominee for U.S. President Donald Trump, testifies during a Senate Small Business Committee confirmation hearing in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2017.

Clinton tweets: ‘What I’m thinking about today’

Hillary Rodham Clinton Clinton tweets: 'What I'm thinking about today' Morgan Freeman on Trump: 'It feels like we are jumping off a cliff' Don't doubt Trump when it comes to the VA MORE on Tuesday tweeted that she is thinking about Khizr Khan, the father of a U.S. Army captain who was killed in Iraq, and an Iraqi interpreter who can reportedly no longer come to the United States due to President Donald Trump Clinton tweets: 'What I'm thinking about today' Report: State officials defy Spicer, send memo opposing travel ban NY attorney general joins ACLU lawsuit against Trump order MORE What I'm thinking about today: Khizr Khan: https://t.co/wrHK7IkBrG And a vet who fought with those now excluded: https://t.co/4LhNIT8xVo The tweet comes several days after Trump signed an executive order imposing a 90-day ban on nationals from seven predominantly Muslim countries entering the United States.

President Trump’s Cabinet Picks Head Toward Confirmation Despite Objections

Other panels were considering Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., to be attorney general and wealthy conservative activist Betsy DeVos to head the Education Department. All had strong Republican support, though final confirmation votes by the full Senate weren't yet scheduled.

Casey says he’ll vote against Trump cabinet nominees Mnuchin and Price

Sen. Bob Casey announced this morning that he will vote against two controversial Trump cabinet nominees: Steven Mnuchin for the Treasury Department and Tom Price as Secretary of Health and Human Services. In a statement, Mr. Casey expressed concern about policies that Mr. Price had pursued as a Congressman from Georgia.

Radio One DJ Clara Amfo slam Braid Bar

The wedding assassin: Hitman follows bride and groom as they walk down the aisle during Brazilian weddinga before pulling out a handgun and shooting at guests Trump's first combat casualties: Eight-year-old American daughter of Anwar al-Awlaki killed along with decorated SEAL Team 6 member in botched Yemen raid where almost everything went wrong Pictured: Judy Garland's new resting place after her remains are moved from New York to Hollywood 'to be near her three children' How the US military is botching the online fight against ISIS due to incompetence, cronyism flawed data, and a lack of Arabic speakers Missouri inmate to be executed over 1998 killing of a mother and two young children after he slashed their throats and dumped the bodies in a pond How quickly can YOU spot the typo? Hilarious photos showcase the spelling mistakes on billboards that make drivers do a double take 'Stop ... (more)

Can Democrats block Sessions or other Trump Cabinet nominees? No.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer speaks alongside House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and other members of Congress as demonstrators protest against President Trump and his administration's ban of refugees from around the world and foreign nationals from seven Muslim-majority countries. Democrats angered by President Trump's executive order banning immigration from seven Muslim-majority countries face a key test on Tuesday as the U.S. Senate is set to consider a slate of his Cabinet nominees, including his choice for attorney general.