‘Dreamers’ left in limbo as Senate rejects immigration bills

The Senate has blocked a bipartisan proposal that would have provided 1.8 million young immigrants a chance for citizenship and $25 billion for a border wall. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., flanked by, Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., left, and Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, discuss the bipartisan immigration deal they reached during a news conference at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Feb. 15, 2018.

Bannon interviewed for 20 hours in Mueller probe, as House investigators’ get stonewalled

Steve Bannon, President Donald Trump's former chief strategist, arrives for questioning by the House Intelligence Committee as part of its ongoing investigation into meddling in the U.S. elections by Russia, at the Capitol in Washington, Feb. 15, 2018. Steve Bannon, President Donald Trump's former chief strategist, arrives for questioning by the House Intelligence Committee as part of its ongoing investigation into meddling in the U.S. elections by Russia, at the Capitol in Washington, Feb. 15, 2018.

Blue Cross submits plans to comply with new requirements

Blue Cross of Idaho submitted to Idaho insurance regulators a set of health insurance plans that it hopes to sell under Gov. Butch Otter's executive order. The Idaho Statesman reports Blue Cross submitted its five plans on Tuesday after the executive order required Idaho insurers to create "state-based" health plans that do not comply with the Affordable Care Act.

APNewsBreak: Senator to stop blocking some DOJ jobs over pot

20, 2017 file photo, Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., speaks during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Capitol Hill, in Washington. Gardner used his power as a senator to freeze all nominations to the... WASHINGTON - Colorado's Republican U.S. senator will stop blocking nominees for some Justice Department jobs over concerns about the marijuana industry, saying Thursday that federal officials have shown good faith in recent conversations on the department's pot policy.

House Speaker Ryan: Florida shooting shouldn’t threaten right to own guns

Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Paul Ryan, in a round of interviews with conservative radio shows on Thursday, said the Florida school shooting that killed at least 17 people on Wednesday should not threaten citizens' rights to own guns. "There's more questions than answers at this stage," the Republican lawmaker said in an interview with Tom Katz on Indiana radio station WIBC about the mass shooting less than 24 hours earlier.

Rep. Kevin Cramer likely to announce U.S. Senate run at rally

A member of Governor Doug Burgum's staff tweeted, "See you all at the Ramada in Bismarck this Friday to launch Rep. Kevin Cramer's campaign for US Senate" On Tuesday former ND GOP chairman Gary Emineth dropped out of the race for Heidi Heitkamp's seat, citing the likelihood that Cramer would run and yesterday Cramer confirmed Oklahoma oil man Harold Hamm would chair his finance committee should he decide to run.

IG Reviewing FCC Changes That Benefited Sinclair-Tribune Merger

The internal watchdog at the Federal Communications Commission opened an investigation into whether changes made by the agency last year improperly helped to grease the skids for Sinclair's purchase of Tribune, The New York Times reported. At issue is the timing.

FCC chair actions on eve of Sinclair-Tribune deal under scrutiny

The Federal Communications Commission's top internal watchdog has opened an investigation into whether agency chair Ajit Pai and others improperly changed rules governing ownership of TV stations in order to benefit Sinclair Broadcasting. The New York Times reported today that just weeks after Pai spearheaded rule changes last April that resulted in companies like Sinclair being able to own significantly more stations, the broadcasting giant said it had agreed to purchase Tribune Media for $3.9 billion.

US Senate Weighs Competing Immigration Proposals

Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., listens as Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, speaks about immigration and the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, Feb. 7, 2018, on Capitol Hill in Washington. The U.S. Senate could vote on several immigration reform proposals Thursday, as lawmakers weigh competing plans that address issues such as protecting young undocumented immigrants, boosting border security and changing the rules for family-based immigration.

Romney postpones announcement on Senate race after shooting new

Mitt Romney is preparing to announce a bid for Utah's Senate seat held by retiring Orrin Hatch, a position some hope the 2012 GOP presidential nominee will use to continue his biting criticism of President Donald Trump. Romney, who once called Trump "a phony" who was unfit for office, is not expected to address the president in an announcement video he has prepared for release online, according to people with direct knowledge of his plans.

House panel weighs contempt if Bannon fails to show for Thursday hearing

The House Intelligence Committee has scheduled a Thursday meeting to hear testimony from Steve Bannon -- but it's an open question whether President Donald Trump's former chief strategist will even show up. The White House sent a letter to Capitol Hill late Wednesday laying out its explanation for why Trump's transition period falls under its authority to assert executive privilege, a move intended to shield Bannon from answering questions about that time period, according to a person familiar with the discussions.

Bipartisan Senate group reaches immigration deal, but votes unsure

A group of bipartisan senators Wednesday struck a much-anticipated deal on a narrow immigration compromise -- but it remains unclear whether the proposal could garner the elusive 60 votes needed to advance legislation in the Senate. According to a draft obtained by CNN, the bill would offer nearly 2 million young undocumented immigrants who came to the US as children before 2012 a path to citizenship over 10 to 12 years.

State assemblywoman faces fresh misconduct allegations

Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia was hit Wednesday with fresh allegations of misconduct in her office, including frequent discussions about sex and alcohol consumption at the Capitol. San Diego lawyer Dan Gilleon filed a formal complaint with the Legislature detailing the allegations on behalf of four anonymous former employees in Garcia's office.

Trump at last denounces abuse; Kelly’s future in doubt NEW

Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, R-Wis., meets with reporters following a GOP strategy session at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018. Ryan confirmed that Rep. Trey Gowdy, R-S.C., chairman of the House Oversight Committee, updated him that the watchdog panel has decided to launch a probe related to the background investigation and security clearance for White House aide Rob Porter who has resigned due to domestic abuse allegations against him.

House narrowly passes bill that could lead to prescription drugs…

Tribune file photo) Rep. Norm Thurston, R-Provo , in the House Chamber of the Capitol in Salt Lake City, Feb. 9, 2018. The Utah House narrowly approved a bill that could lead to prescription drugs flowing into the state from Canada under a program the bill's sponsor hopes would help lower the cost of drugs.