McCain to return for pivotal U.S. Senate vote on healthcare

Senator John McCain will make a return to the U.S. capitol on Tuesday to play what could be a crucial role in keeping Republican efforts to repeal Obamacare afloat. McCain, who is battling brain cancer at his Arizona home, is set to help decide whether the repeal push will move forward or perhaps be abandoned entirely.

Dems block passage of intelligence bill

Top Democratic lawmakers complain that Republicans are rushing to pass it without open debate at a time when intelligence committees in both chambers are investigating Russian meddling in last year's election. Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California said she had no problem with the bill itself, but rather the expedited procedure for approving it.

Trump to Boy Scouts: ‘We could use some more loyalty’

President Donald Trump turned a Boy Scouts event into a campaign-style rally Monday, starting off his remarks by saying he'd put aside the "fake news" and other issues in Washington while addressing the Boy Scouts of America 2017 National Scout Jamboree. "I said, who the hell wants to speak about politics when I'm in front of the Boy Scouts?" Trump said.

After all that, Amazon’s Whole Foods deal may be delayed

A raft of regulatory questions may delay the $13.7-billion mega-merger between Amazon and the supermarket chain as Democratic lawmakers and government officials raise antitrust concerns. Whole Foods told its investors in June that the deal was expected to close late this year, but the companies reportedly warned that it could take until May of 2018.

Trump selects ambassador for the Netherlands, Bahrain

President Donald Trump will nominate former Republican Congressman Peter Hoekstra to serve as the U.S. ambassador to the Netherlands. Hoekstra previously served as chair of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and was the ranking Republican on the Committee until 2011, the White House said.

White House Nominates Hoekstra as US Ambassador to Netherlands

Former US Congressman Pete Hoekstra speaks at the Ottawa County Republican Party headquarters in Holland Twp., MI in this file photo. WASHINGTON Pete Hoekstra is apparently going to be rewarded for his support of Donald Trump in the 2016 Presidential Campaign after all.

A Key Vote on Healthcare, Ohio’s Portman Remains Noncommittal at GOP Dinner Featuring VP Pence

The Ohio Republican Party's state dinner this weekend brought in hundreds of party faithful, and included two leaders with different perspectives on the Senate health care bill. And that puts the person who'll actually be voting on it in a tough position.

Amnesty-Loving Rep. Gutierrez Threatens Dems Are Going To “Eliminate” POTUS

Amnesty-loving Rep. Luis Gutierrez delivered a fiery speech Saturday at Chicago's Lincoln United Methodist Church where he promised that Democrats would "eliminate" President Trump after they reclaim the majority. The Lincoln United Methodist Church is a sanctuary church and according to Gutierrez's website , he "spoke to a packed house about the need to defend DACA and other forms of legal immigration status that are under attack from Republicans and Donald Trump."

Congressional Budget Office is Freedom Caucus’s target in spending bill

House Freedom Caucus Chairman Rep. Mark Meadows , center, speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill on July 12. Conservative hard-liners in the House are hoping to gut the Congressional Budget Office, the nonpartisan scorekeeper whose analysis has recently bedeviled Republican efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act, by amending a massive spending bill set to be debated later this week. An amendment filed Monday by Rep. H. Morgan Griffith would eliminate the agency's Budget Analysis Division, cutting 89 jobs and $15 million of the CBO's proposed $48.5 million budget.

Congress Continues Work on FY 2018 Science Funding

A number of funding bills have advanced through the House and Senate Appropriations Committees in the past two weeks. Lawmakers are eager to make progress on fiscal year 2018 spending before leaving the Capitol for their annual summer recess.

US student is freed after week held in China in taxi dispute

This undated file photo provided by Jennifer McLean shows her son, University of Montana student Guthrie McLean, on the Great Wall of China. Montana Republican Sen. Steve Daines says police in central China freed 25-year-old Guthrie McLean early Monday local time, after he was arrested in China a week earlier after reportedly injuring a taxi driver who was roughing up his mother in a fare dispute.

The Latest: Paul Ryan defends Special Counsel Robert Mueller

In this June 21, 2017 file photo, special counsel Robert Mueller departs after a closed-door meeting with members of the Senate Judiciary Committee about Russian meddling in the election and possible connection to the Trump campaign, at the Capitol in Washington. President Donald Trump's legal team is evaluating potential conflicts of interest among members of Mueller's investigative team, according to three people with knowledge of the matter.

Trump labels Attorney General Jeff Sessions ‘beleaguered’

"So why aren't the Committees and investigators, and of course our beleaguered A.G., looking into Crooked Hillarys crimes & Russia relations?" the president tweeted from his personal Twitter account on Monday morning. Over the past week, Trump has been attacking Attorney General Jeff Sessions for his decision months ago to recuse himself from the investigations into possible connections between Trump's campaign and Russia.

Democrats attempt rebranding with populist new agenda

In this July 20, 2017 photo, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., flanked by, Rep. Frank Pallone, D-N.J., the ranking member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, left, and Rep. Bobby Scott, D-Va., the ranking member on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, discusses the Republican efforts to replace "Obamacare," during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington. Democrats are trying to bounce back from their November election losses and rebrand themselves, rolling out a populist new agenda under the slogan "A Better Deal."

Sean Sullivan & Robert Costa:

Six months after [taking] complete control of the federal government, the Republican Party stands divided as ever - plunged into a messy war among its factions that has escalated in recent weeks to crisis levels. Frustrated lawmakers are increasingly sounding off at a White House awash in turmoil and struggling to accomplish its legislative agenda.

US student freed after week held in China over taxi dispute

Montana Republican Sen. Steve Daines says police in central China freed 25-year-old Guthri... . FILE - This undated file photo provided by Jennifer McLean shows her son, University of Montana student Guthrie McLean, on the Great Wall of China.

Trump Son-In-Law Scheduled To Meet With Congressional Panels On Russia Ties

U.S. President Donald Trump's son-in-law and senior adviser is scheduled to meet with the Senate Intelligence Committee on July 24 as part of an investigation into contacts between Russia and the Trump campaign during the 2016 election. Jared Kushner's closed-door meeting with the Senate panel will be followed by another private session before the House Intelligence Committee the following day.

Meet the owner of a gay bar who is challenging Texas Gov. Abbott

That's why the openly gay, 49-year-old Dallas Democrat who owns five businesses - including The Dallas Eagle, a popular gay bar - is doing what some might say is impossible: attempting to win the governor's seat by running against one of the most popular and well-funded governors in recent memory. In an interview with The Texas Tribune, Payne - who is a political newcomer - said he realizes this is a difficult feat given Texas' history as a predominately red state.