Powerful GOP Appropriations chair Frelinghuysen to retire

Veteran Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen, the powerful chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, has announced he will not seek re-election. The New Jersey Republican was facing his first competitive re-election race in decades and joins a growing roster of GOP veterans who are heading for the exits.

Kochs warm to Trump policies, not behavior

In this May 22, 2012 file photo, Charles Koch speaks in his office at Koch Industries in Wichita, Kan.The Koch brothers are spending up to $400 million to shape November's midterm elections nationwide. less FILE - In this May 22, 2012 file photo, Charles Koch speaks in his office at Koch Industries in Wichita, Kan.The Koch brothers are spending up to $400 million to shape November's midterm elections nationwide.

Trump’s infrastructure plan hits early roadblock over funding

Top Democrats are questioning President Donald Trump's infrastructure plan even before it's released, raising doubts about whether the administration's approach can win bipartisan support. Trump has long touted his plan to upgrade U.S. public works as something that can win Democratic backing, and he will appeal to Democrats on infrastructure in his State of the Union address on Tuesday.

Uncertainty over foreign temporary worker program puts pressure on Missouri firms

So far this year, more than 1,750 unskilled labor jobs have been advertised in Missouri that are pretty much guaranteed if applicants can pass a drug test. Most of the positions are in the St. Louis region and pay $13.81 an hour, plus $20.72 an hour for overtime.

Florida observes Prescribed Fire Awareness Week

Florida's Prescribed Fire Awareness Week is being observed to call attention to the need for slow-moving, low-grade fire to decrease wildfire danger. "Following one of the most active wildfire seasons in recent history and a devastating hurricane season, forecasts predict an extremely dry spring," said Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam.

US needs orderly immigration

Sen. Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats shut down America's government over an unrelated illegal immigration issue. This was an egregious affront to the American people, and to our brave men and women in uniform who were required to report for duty with no guarantee of pay.

Rep. Gonzalez sides with Trump on Israel

Aligning with President Donald Trump and others Republicans, including Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-McAllen, supports the U.S. moving to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. The U.S. also plans to move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem by the end of 2019, Vice President Mike Pence said during an Israel visit last week.

Ohioans To Rally for Dignity, Challenge Trump Immigration Tactics

Amer Othman Adi, a beloved Youngstown businessman, husband and father of four today sits in a northeast Ohio jail, awaiting deportation. On Tuesday, activists will rally before the State of the Union to call attention to Amer's plight and to an immigration enforcement system that has gotten out of control under Trump.

Lawmakers call on Trump to drop bid for legal immigration cuts

Lawmakers in both parties said Sunday that the immigration debate should focus narrowly on efforts to legalize young immigrants known as "dreamers" and beef up border security, suggesting that President Donald Trump's demands to slash legal immigration levels are likely to sink a deal. Democrats have voiced fierce opposition to a White House plan, released late last week, that featured a path to citizenship for 1.8 million dreamers in exchange for $25 billion for his border wall and sharp cuts to family immigration visas.

Pence to headline fundraiser at Trump hotel

Mike Pence is headlining a fundraiser Monday at the Trump Hotel in Washington to benefit his leadership PAC to help Republican candidates in the 2018 mid-term elections. The fundraiser is expected to raise about $500,000 and Pence is expected to be introduced by Donald Trump Jr., the president's son.

Strong health sign-ups under Obamacare encourage Democrats

Republicans on the campaign trail this year will be eager to tout the potential benefits of their tax cut plan. Failed efforts by congressional Republicans last year to repeal former President Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act exposed not only deep divisions within the party but also revealed core benefits of the law that millions of Americans now take for granted.

Truthout’s Progressive Pick of The Week: Greg Palast’s Best Democracy Money Can Buy

As part of their commitment to providing independent information and resources to their readers, Truthout chooses a "Progressive Pick" every week: an independent book or DVD that they find thought-provoking and insightful. This week, Truthout have selected The Best Democracy Money Can Buy: The Case Of The Stolen Election - which has been updated and has just been released on Amazon - as their "Progressive Pick".

In Must-See Interview, Trey Gowdy Hints FISA Memo Will Expose Hillary …

In a must see interview with "Fox News Sunday," Rep. Trey Gowdy hinted, by way of asking a series of rhetorical questions to host Christopher Wallace, that the FISA abuse memo will expose Hillary Clinton and the Democratic National Committee's true role in obtaining the Steele dossier. "If you think your viewers want to know whether or not the dossier was used in court proceedings, whether or not it was vetted before it was used, whether or not it's ever been vetted - if you are interested in who paid for the dossier, if you are interested in Christopher Steele's relationship with Hillary Clinton and the Democratic National Committee, then, yes, you will want the memo to come out," Gowdy told Wallace.