Tax-reform plan would eliminate deduction for wildfire losses

Tax-reform plans before Congress would limit or eliminate the natural-disaster deduction, meaning future victims of wildfires like the ones raging throughout Southern California could no longer deduct losses of property that is uninsured or under-insured. The House and Senate proposals, which are in the process of being reconciled, would not affect natural-disaster deductions filed for the 2017 tax year.

Sexual misconduct claims force two in Congress to resign, another into ethics probe

In a head shaking series of events, a tide of sexual misconduct allegations continued to sweep across Capitol Hill on Thursday, as one Senate Democrat and one House Republican announced their resignations, while another House GOP lawmaker became the subject of an ethics review over a sexual harassment case that has already resulted in a taxpayer funded settlment. Hours later, the House floor suddenly was in the spotlight, as Rep. Trent Franks surprised colleagues by announcing he would resign effective at the end of January.

The Latest: Ariz. Rep. Franks resigns before Ethics probe

Arizona Republican Trent Franks says he is resigning from the House because he discussed with two female staff aides whether they would consider being a surrogate mother. He says his resignation will take effect Jan. 31. He says he will not put his family, staff and fellow lawmakers through "hyperbolized public excoriation."

Hard to identify winners, losers in post-Franken scenarios

Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., leaves the Capitol after speaking on the Senate floor, Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Photo Credit: AP / Andrew Harnik He became the first television comedian to win a U.S. Senate seat.

Aztec High School shooting leaves 2 students, suspect dead

Police escort buses moving students and faculty from Aztec High School after a shooting Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, in Aztec, N.M. Buses begin to move students and faculty from Aztec High School after a shooting Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, in Aztec, N.M. Students are led out of Aztec High School after a shooting Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, in Aztec, N.M. The school is in the Four Corners region and is near the Navajo Nation.

Gowdy: More Revelations of Bias, Prejudice Likely From DOJ

There will likely be more revelations of bias and improper conduct by the Department of Justice, Rep. Trey Gowdy said Thursday, and he wants to know how the department and the FBI will restore Americans' confidence. "I think there will be other revelations of bias, prejudice, and improper conduct on behalf of the Department of Justice," the South Carolina Republican, who heads the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, told Fox News' "America's Newsroom."

Jim Jordan: Special Counsel Should Be Appointed to Probe FISA Warrant

Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, said Thursday that another special counsel ought to be appointed to investigate the warrant against Carter Page, former adviser to President Donald Trump's campaign. "The only logical way to get to the answers for the American people is to appoint a second special counsel.

Is Citizens United to Blame for the Disastrous GOP Tax Bill?

Let's get one thing out of the way: Very few Americans want or even understand the sweeping tax bill Republicans are right now conspiring to ram through Congress. The bill has never polled particularly well and it's not getting better Just shy of 3 in 10 Americans said they supported the legislation in a new poll by Quinnipiac University.

FBI Director Grilled by House Judiciary over Rogue FBI Agent Fired from Mueller Team

On Thursday morning, FBI Director Christopher Wray was grilled by the House Judiciary Committee on the merits of a recent Trump tweet, where he declared the FBI in tatters. This was in response to news that an FBI agent working with Robert Mueller's investigatory team addressing Russian interference in the 2016 election had sent anti-Trump tweets to a girlfriend.

Female Lieutenant Governor Poised to Take Frankena s SeatIf the…

On Thursday, Al Franken will announce that, in light of the growing number of sexual-harassment allegations against him , he has decided to resign from the Senate. Unless he announces that he's actually comfortable staying on as a pariah - or else, that he's decided to leave the Democratic caucus, and join a party that takes a more nuanced view of sexual predation.

Interior announces full funding to repair Arlington Memorial Bridge

U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke announced a $227 million project to rehabilitate Arlington Memorial Bridge, a historic and critical transportation link in the nation's capital. As awarded, the project will save American taxpayers $35 million and 1.5 years of estimated construction time.

AP Interview: On North Korea, senator says China a problem

China is more of a problem than a partner for the United States on dealing with nuclear-armed North Korea, a leading Republican senator and ally of President Donald Trump told the Associated Press during a wide-ranging interview Thursday. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., said China has been "lying for 25 years" about wanting to eliminate North Korea's nuclear capability.