Flake’s exit from Senate race opens door for new challenger

On Tuesday, Sen. Jeff Flake, often an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump, announced he would not seek re-election for the Senate in 2018. As Sen. Jeff Flake made his stunning announcement on Tuesday that he will be retiring from the Senate, Jay Heiler, a Treasurer of the Arizona Board of Regents, made it clear that he's leaning toward running for the soon-to-be-vacant congressional seat and that he recently spoke with former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon about jumping into the 2018 midterm election battle.

A big wave of cash, with some dry spots, for Democratic House challengers

Democratic congressional challengers have posted very impressive fund-raising tallies so far this year. In the last quarter, nearly three dozen Republican incumbents were outraised by at least one Democratic challenger - an astonishing number against sitting members of Congress.

Alaska senators tell Trump they want mountain’s name to stay

U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan said the Alaska mountain came up during an hourlong meeting he and fellow Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski had with Trump and Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke in March. Sullivan said during a weekend speech to the Alaska Federation of Natives that Trump asked if the senators thought the name change from Mount McKinley to Denali should be reversed, the Alaska Public Radio Network reported .

Senate passes $36.5B disaster aid bill; Trump signature next

The Senate passed a $36.5 billion emergency aid measure Tuesday to refill disaster accounts, provide a much-needed cash infusion to Puerto Rico, and bail out the federal flood insurance program. The 82-17 vote sends the measure to the White House, where President Donald Trump is sure to sign it.

Flake folds to Trump in the face of a debased base

These were the plagues Sen. Jeff Flake cursed in his floor speech Tuesday night, announcing he would not seek a second term in the U.S. Senate. Flake is correct to condemn these growing problems and to accuse President Trump of trampling on decency, civility, stability, and the separation of powers.

Trump Urges GOP Senators to Push Tax-Cut Plan Hours After Corker Feud

President Donald Trump encouraged GOP senators to push ahead with their tax-cut plans Tuesday, hours after feuding publicly with fellow Republican Bob Corker. "I would say the attitude was very positive.

As panel questions Trump associates, GOP launches new probes

As close associates of President Donald Trump are questioned as part of congressional investigations into Russia's election interference, House Republicans announced two probes looking back at the Obama administration, including the renewed examination of Democrat Hillary Clinton's emails. The announcements Tuesday, coming amid private interviews with the president's personal lawyer and his former campaign digital director, appear aimed at diverting attention away from congressional probes into potential coordination between the Kremlin and associates of the Trump campaign.

As Donald Trump’s Popularity Dwindles, Bernie Sanders’ Surges

The latest Harvard-Harris poll , conducted between October 14 and October 18, affirms that voters are increasingly favoring Sen. Bernie Sanders and progressivism while President Donald Trump's favorability continues its downward spiral. Sanders' total favorability in this latest poll is 53 percent, and it is highest among hispanics and African-Americans .

The Latest: Supreme Court hears education funding case

Attorneys for the state of Washington told the state Supreme Court they have complied with a court mandate to fully fund the state's basic education system, but an attorney for the coalition behind the long running lawsuit disagreed. The high court heard arguments for about an hour Tuesday during which the court's nine justices at times were visibly frustrated with answers from both sides.

As panel questions Trump associates, Nunes and other GOP leaders announce new probes

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., center, standing with Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., left, and Rep. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., right, speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2017. House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., center, standing with Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., left, and Rep. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., right, speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2017.

House GOP chairmen announce probe of Obama’s Justice Dept

The Republican chairmen of two House committees announced Tuesday they're opening an investigation into actions the Obama administration Justice Department took during last year's presidential election. The chairmen said in a statement Tuesday they have several questions, including why then-FBI Director James Comey decided to publicly announce the investigation into Hillary Clinton's handling of classified information but not to publicly announce the investigation into Donald Trump's campaign associates.

Russia probe adds Obama-era uranium deal

The chairman of the House intelligence committee is launching a new probe into an Obama-era uranium deal as his panel interviews two witnesses key to its investigation into Russian meddling in the U.S. election. Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., announced the joint investigation with the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

Senate set to vote on $36.5B disaster relief bill

The Senate likely will vote Tuesday on a $36.5 billion bill to aid communities affected by recent natural disasters, a measure that could bring relief to hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico, the majority of which is still without power. "The Senate remains committed to doing its part to support the ongoing hurricane relief efforts," Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said.

Trump attorney Michael Cohen scheduled to meet with House Russia investigators

Michael Cohen, an attorney for Donald Trump, arrives in Trump Tower in New York City, Dec. 16, 2016. Cohen acknowledged, Aug. 28, 2017, that the president's company considered building a Trump Tower in Moscow during the Republican primary, but that the plan was abandoned "for a variety of business reasons."