Illinois congressional members selected to hash out farm bill

Three members of Illinois' Congressional delegation will be behind closed doors when lawmakers hash out the reconciliation of the farm bill that passed the House with the version approved by the Senate. The U.S. House of Representatives passed a farm bill, and the Senate passed a similar but different one.

House bill would revive mothballed Nevada nuclear waste dump

The House is moving to approve an election-year bill to revive the mothballed nuclear waste dump at Nevada's Yucca Mountain despite opposition from home-state lawmakers. Supporters say a bill slated for a vote Thursday would help solve a nuclear-waste storage problem that has festered for more than three decades.

House takes up bill to revive Nevada nuclear waste dump

This April 9, 2015, file photo shows the south portal of the proposed Yucca Mountain nuclear waste dump near Mercury, Nev. The House is moving to approve an election-year bill to revive the mothballed nuclear waste dump at Nevada's Yucca Mountain despite opposition from home-state lawmakers.

EPA’s Pruitt admits role in aide’s pay raise but calls attacks on him politically motivated

EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt during an interview in his office at the EPA headquarters in Washington on Oct. 25, 2017. EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt during an interview in his office at the EPA headquarters in Washington on Oct. 25, 2017.

Tom Kacich | Madigan treating Democratic committeewoman hopeful like foe

Pamella Gronemeyer, who is running for the low-profile position of Democratic state central committeewoman in the 13th Congressional District, hasn't promised to try to unseat longtime Democratic Party Chairman Michael Madigan. But one of Madigan's campaign committees, Friends of Michael J. Madigan, has paid for robocalls by Sen. Dick Durbin and AFL-CIO President Mike Carrigan that endorse Gronemeyer's opponent, Jayne Mazzotti of Taylorville.

Committee Turf Battle Marks Latest Chapter of Yucca Mountain Fight

A turf battle is being waged between House Republican policy makers and their purse-controlling colleagues over a perennial topic of fierce debate-storing nuclear waste at Yucca Mountain in Nevada. Rep. John Shimkus, a high-ranking Energy and Commerce Committee member, is aiming for a vote within weeks on his legislation to force federal action on Yucca, the remote site identified in law as the country's permanent repository but never used in part because of steadfast opposition from most Nevada politicians.

Springfield native Sam Pfister is new Director of Federal Affairs

A Springfield man has been named Director of Federal Affairs in Washington D.C. Sam Pfister will be working closely with Congress and the Executive Branch to ensure Illinois' interests are being represented. Pfister will also work with the Governor's office to achieve desired goals.

Congress must focus on reducing drug costs

Access the Citizens' Voice e-Edition on your computer or smart device in its original print format. Home delivery subscribers can read it free! Digital Only Subscription Read the digital e-Edition of The Citizens' Voice on your PC or mobile device, and have 24/7 access to breaking news, local sports, contests, and more at citizensvoice.com or on our mobile apps.

John Shimkus Is Proof GOP Ignorance Is Preexisting Condition

First, that men were put on this Earth to go deep under the Earth and mine coal, which is perfectly safe whether you breathe it, eat it, drink it or burn it to Make America Great. And, second, that women were put on this Earth so that coal miners can breed more coal miners.

Illinois congressman objects to men purchasing prenatal care

Illinois Republican Rep. John Shimkus is under fire after comments he made Wednesday about prenatal requirements in the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. During a 27-hour debate on House Republicans' health care plan in the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Shimkus suggested men could be opposed to former President Barack Obama's signature health care law because under the law they are required to pay for prenatal care.

Male Illinois rep asks why men should have to pay for prenatal coverage

In the 27 hours the House Energy and Commerce Committee spent debating Republicans ' Affordable Care Act revision plan, a handful of moments stand out. At the start, Democratic Rep. Mike Doyle was talking with Republican Rep. John Shimkus about his objections to the Affordable Care Act's requirements for health-insurance plans.

Most Valley Congressmen, senators support cyber hacking probe

With Illinois Senator Dick Durbin calling for a National Intelligence Estimate on the subject, most - but not all - members of the Wabash Valley Congressional delegation support investigations by Congress and the Obama Administration into possible Russian intervention in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Durbin is among nine Democratic senators who this week called on James Clapper, director of national intelligence, to provide an authoritative assessment of the collective judgment of the nation's 16 intelligence agencies into allegations Russia intervened in the election, possibly to assist Donald Trump, and publication of an unclassified summary of key judgments by Jan. 20, 2017.

House GOP Selects New Committee Chairmen

A number of House committees will see a shakeup in leadership next year, as GOP members approve the Steering Committee's recommendations for chairmanships during their conference meeting Friday. House Speaker Paul Ryan released a list of approved recommendations Thursday evening, showing seven changes slated for the 115th Congress.

Overnight Energy: Walden wins Energy gavel | Trump looks at Dems to head Energy, Interior

BREAKING: WALDEN TO HEAD ENERGY AND COMMERCE: Rep. Greg Walden will be the next chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Reuters reported Thursday that Trump is considering her for potential spots at the helm of the Interior or Energy Departments, both of which would intersect with Heitkamp's work on energy policies in the Senate.

EPA gets new powers to regulate toxic chemicals, but progress takes time

The Environmental Protection Agency, led by Gina McCarthy, will have more authority to order safety tests for chemicals and set deadlines for the agency to determine whether dangerous compounds should be restricted or forced off the market. The Environmental Protection Agency, led by Gina McCarthy, will have more authority to order safety tests for chemicals and set deadlines for the agency to determine whether dangerous compounds should be restricted or forced off the market.