House chaplain seeks to withdraw resignation

The embattled chaplain of the U.S. House of Representatives is seeking to withdraw his resignation in a caustic letter to House Speaker Paul Ryan that accuses a top Ryan staff aide of telling him "something like 'maybe it's time that we had a Chaplain that wasn't a Catholic.' " Ryan, a Wisconsin Republican and a Catholic himself, forced Conroy to tender his resignation last month, sparking a firestorm.

GOP fights to hold ground in Democratic bastion California

With the June 5 primary closing in, hundreds of party delegates will spend the weekend in San Diego debating endorsements for candidates seeking statewide offices that are all held by Democrats. Republican registration numbers continue to slide in the state - currently, an anemic 25 percent of the total - and the party could soon suffer the indignity of being eclipsed by independents in voter enrollments.

Oklahoma lawmakers pass religious veto on same-sex adoptions

Oklahoma legislators approved a measure Thursday to grant legal protections to faith-based adoption agencies that cite their religious beliefs for not placing children in LGBT homes and Republicans in Kansas were pushing a similar measure. The Oklahoma House's 56-21 vote sent its measure to Republican Gov. Mary Fallin, who has not said whether she would sign it.

Leaders outline vision for Pawtucket/Central Falls development site

A busy district on the border of Pawtucket and Central Falls is set to undergo a major facelift, and local leaders hope the project will breathe new life into the area. "This is really a great project that's going to benefit the city of Pawtucket and the city of Central Falls," Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien said.

House Chairman Unveils Bill to Overhaul VA-Funded Private Care and Shutter Department Facilities

A key lawmaker in the House on Thursday introduced a measure to expand veterans access to private health care on the government's dime while also instituting a process by which the Veterans Affairs Department would begin closing underutilized facilities. The Veterans Affairs Maintaining Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks Act would provide veterans access to private sector care when the services they are seeking are not offered at VA, there is no full-service medical facility in their state, they previously were eligible for outside care under the Veterans Choice Program or VA cannot meet its own standards of care in providing care to an individual veteran.

Interior Department reinstates mineral leases incorrectly denied in 2016

The reinstated mineral leases will provide an economic stimulus to the region as early as this summer, said Frank Ongaro, executive director of Mining Minnesota, left. U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer, right, went to bat for Northeastern Minnesota, authoring the Miner Act to demonstrate Congress would not put up with the Obama administration's interference with mineral exploration leases.

‘Law And Order’ Actress Diane Neal Seeks House Seat

Former "Law and Order" actress Diane Neal is seeking a new role as representative of a sprawling congressional district in upstate New York, saying her long recuperation from a devastating car accident made her rethink her direction in life. The 42-year-old Neal, who portrayed Assistant District Attorney Casey Novak on "Law and Order: SVU," said Wednesday she's launching her active campaign for the 19th Congressional District.

Congress, District 4: Republicans have crowded field to choose from…

Registered Republicans will choose from a crowded field of five candidates in the May primary for the Fourth Congressional District. Democrats will choose between longtime incumbent Peter DeFazio of Springfield and political newcomer Daniel Arcangel of Monmouth.

FDA lets vaping flourish as it eyes crackdown on cigarettes

FDA officials say the goal is to spur innovation of products that may be less harmful for adults, but health advocates are skeptical. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is giving wide leeway to electronic cigarettes as it attempts to push people away from traditional tobacco products.

Lobbyist tied to Pruitt pushed clienta s committee candidates

The lobbyist whose wife rented a condo to Environmental Protection Agency head Scott Pruitt at $50 a night sought EPA committee posts for a lobbying client, according to a newly released EPA memo. J. Steven Hart's seeking those appointments from his wife's former tenant, Pruitt, shows "the extent to which the special interests providing him with gifts have sought specific favors from EPA in return," said Rep. Frank Pallone of New Jersey, the senior Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

Paul Ryan: Democratic takeover would mean subpoenas, chaos Source: AP

House Speaker Paul Ryan said Wednesday that a Democratic takeover of the House or Senate in November would lead to a stalemate in Congress while opening the way for partisan investigations of the Trump White House. If either the House or the Senate flips party control, "what you'll have is absolute gridlock," said Ryan, R-Wis.

Memo: Pruitt landlord’s husband sought EPA work for client

The lobbyist whose wife rented a condo to Environmental Protection Agency head Scott Pruitt at $50 a night sought EPA committee posts for a lobbying client, according to a newly released EPA memo. J. Steven Hart's seeking those appointments from his wife's former tenant, Pruitt, shows "the extent to which the special interests providing him with gifts have sought specific favors from EPA in return," said Rep. Frank Pallone of New Jersey, the senior Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

Republican politicians nominate Donald Trump for Nobel Peace Prize

The Nobel Peace Prize should be awarded to President Donald Trump because of his work to ease nuclear tensions with North Korea, a group of Republican politicians have said. The Nobel Peace Prize should be awarded to President Donald Trump because of his work to ease nuclear tensions with North Korea, a group of Republican politicians have said.

Equaling The Playing Field On Trade Is A Sweet Deal For The US

With issues surrounding international trade now on the forefront of various countries' economic agendas, American proponents of free trade are finding themselves having to explain their viewpoints and defend the economic benefits of trade, including to a Republican White House. China is imposing tariffs on US fruits, nuts, pork and wine in retaliation for President Trump's steel tariffs.

Lobbyist connected to Pruitt’s townhouse stay contacted EPA, despite denials

The lobbyist connected to a controversial living arrangement for Environmental Protection Agency chief Scott Pruitt emailed the agency on behalf of a client last year, seemingly contradicting his earlier assertion that he did not lobby the EPA in 2017. For much of his first year in Washington Pruitt stayed in a room in a Capitol Hill townhouse co-owned by Vicki Hart, the wife of veteran D.C. lobbyist J. Steven Hart, paying $50 for each night he used it.

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai Visits Cable ONE in Pascagoula, Mississippi

Pictured : Patrick Large, Deputy Chief of Staff for Representative Steven Palazzo ; Charles McDonald, Cable ONE Sr. Vice President of Operations; Jim Duck, Cable ONE General Manager; FCC Chairman Ajit Pai; Charlie Oakes, Cable ONE General Manager; Greg Capranica, Cable ONE General Manager; and Scott DeLano, Chairman of Technology, Mississippi House of Representatives. )--Federal Communications Chairman Ajit Pai traveled to Pascagoula, Mississippi this week to meet with Cable ONE associates from the company's Mississippi markets.