Trump’s VA choice bows out in latest Cabinet flame-out

President Donald Trump's White House doctor reluctantly withdrew his nomination to be Veterans Affairs secretary Thursday in the face of accusations of misconduct, the latest embarrassing episode highlighting Trump's struggles to fill key jobs and the perils of his occasional spur-of-the-moment-decision-making. The weeks-long saga surrounding the nomination of Navy Dr. Ronny Jackson leaves the government's second-largest agency without a permanent leader while it faces an immediate crisis with its private health care program.

Morris tourism director lobbies Washington for National Park maintenance

"They're starting to deteriorate, the same way a plaster roof deteriorates when there's a leak in the roof," said Bensley, who lobbied New Jersey's congressional delegation to support the National Park Service Legacy Act. The bipartisan bill would provide money for maintenance that has been underfunded for decades.

Pompeo sworn in as secretary of state, dashes off to Europe

Mike Pompeo took over as America's top diplomat Thursday after being confirmed by the Senate and sworn in across the street minutes later. The new secretary of state immediately dashed off to Europe in an energetic start befitting the high-stakes issues awaiting him from Iran to North Korea.

Pompeo Begins Mission with NATO Meeting in Brussels

New U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo sent a powerful signal to NATO allies, traveling to Brussels for Friday's ministerial meeting just hours after being confirmed. "I hopped straight on a plane and came straight here," Pompeo told NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

Warren probes CFPB over lobbyists’ influence on Mulvaney

Sen. Elizabeth Warren is pressing the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau over what arrangements the agency has made to ensure that acting Director Mick Mulvaney is excluded from decisions that affect banks and other firms that previously gave him campaign contributions. In a letter to Sonya White, the agency's ethics official, the Massachusetts Democrat asked for details on what matters Mulvaney is recused from following comments he made earlier this week in which he said campaign contributions were a key factor in whether he took meetings with lobbyists.

Congressmen want answers after Ryan asks House chaplain to resign Source: Cox Media Group

Democratic congressmen are seeking answers after House Speaker Paul Ryan asked the House chaplain to resign earlier this month, CNN reported. Democratic Rep. Gerry Connolly said he wasn't sure why Ryan asked for the Jesuit priest's resignation, and wants the Wisconsin Republican to answer questions over "this breach that he created."

DC Newsjunkie | Blumenthal, Murphy Seek Relief For Crumbling Concrete

Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy introduced legislation this week aimed at providing up to $100 million in federal assistance to help homeowners and businesses whose homes and buildings suffer from crumbling foundations. The Connecticut tandem put two bills into the hopper that provide two separate ways for the $100 million to be authorized over a five year period.

Ben Carson’s war on the poor puts Republicans in a bind

President Donald Trump's choice for Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Dr. Ben Carson, delivered on the president's command to move people "out of poverty" by proposing to raise the rent on some of America's most vulnerable communities. On Wednesday Carson released legislative text that would raise rent for tenants in government-subsidized housing to equal 35 percent of gross income .

Despite Lawsuit Setback, Dallas County GOP Chairwoman Ready to Fight to November Finish

Monday wasn't a great day for the Dallas County Republican Party. Already down to one countywide officeholder and a single spot on the commissioner's court, the Dallas GOP and its new chairwoman, Missy Shorey, had its lawsuit against the Dallas County Democratic Party - the one that would've wiped dozens of Democratic candidates off November ballots - dismissed.

Republicans avoid confronting Trump over whether he can fire special counsel

President Trump congratulates Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky on tax legislation on Dec. 20, 2017. The Senate Judiciary Committee appeared an island of civility Thursday as Democrats and Republicans politely debated and voted 14 to 7 to approve bipartisan legislation intended to prevent President Trump from firing special counsel Robert S. Mueller III without cause.

Ag groups express opposition to amendments to Farm Bill

INSURANCE ARGUMENT: A monster hail storm that hit Kansas on the night of May 14 provides an illustration of why farmers so strongly support crop insurance. This field in Scott County was just one of many that were wiped out in the storm, which destroyed thousands of acres of wheat.

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.

EPA chief gets congressional scolding over ethical lapses

Democratic lawmakers assailed EPA chief Scott Pruitt on Thursday for the ethics and spending scandals that have prompted multiple calls for his ouster. The chairman of the panel that is questioning Pruitt called the allegations a "distraction but one this committee cannot ignore."

The Latest: Australia says Pompeo prioritizes naming envoy

Australia's foreign minister says new Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has told her appointing an ambassador to Australia is "one of his highest priorities." Foreign Minister Julie Bishop told reporters Pompeo phoned her during a flight to a NATO meeting within hours of being confirmed in his new role.