Gov’t to report on solvency of Social Security, Medicare

Republicans in Washington have been clamouring for years to address the long-term financial problems of Social Security and Medicare. On Thursday, the trustees who oversee the programs are scheduled to issue their annual warning about the finances of the federal government's two largest benefit programs.

Afghan girls will be allowed into US for robotics contest

In this Thursday, July 6, 2017, file photo, teenagers from the Afghanistan Robotic House, a private training institute, practice at the Better Idea Organization center, in Herat, Afghanistan. U.S. President Donald Trump intervened to allow the group of Afghan girls into the country to participate in a robotics competition.

Alabama GOP Senate Candidates Fight Over Loyalty to Trump

Alabama Senate candidate, Rep. Mo Brooks, says he supported President Donald Trump in the general election, after backing Texas Sen. Ted Cruz in the primary. President Donald Trump may be embroiled in scandal in Washington, D.C. But in Alabama - a state he won by nearly 30 points last fall - he remains extremely popular.

A Friendly Face: Pence Deployed to Governors

Vice President Mike Pence, seen here on Capitol Hill on Tuesday with Kellyanne Conway, counselor to President Donald Trump, will address health care, education and infrastructure at the NGA conference in Rhode Island on Friday. Vice President Mike Pence on Friday will continue his quiet campaign as the Trump administration's ultimate inside player when he tries to convince governors to view President Donald Trump as a partner on issues such as health care and infrastructure.

Talk of Bipartisan Health Care Bill Emerges Amid Floundering GOP Effort

The Republican effort to overhaul the U.S. health insurance system appears to be floundering, as GOP senators await additional details on a new draft of the legislation. While the initiative remains in limbo, more lawmakers are openly exploring the possibility of a bipartisan health care bill.

The Latest: McConnell praises new effort to repeal Obamacare

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is praising a last-ditch Republican bill to repeal and replace "Obamacare" - the latest sign the GOP's repeal effort may be back from the dead. McConnell calls the bill by Sens. Bill Cassidy and Lindsey Graham "an intriguing idea, and one that has a great deal of support."

Gradually, Senate GOP abandoning the president

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., flanked by Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., the Republican Conference chairman, left, and Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., laughs as he holds his first news conference since the Republican health care bill collapsed last week due to opposition within the GOP ranks, Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2017, on Capitol Hill Washington.

Russia sanctions bill stuck in procedural hell

A bill imposing sanctions on Russia and Iran that in theory has broad support from both parties has been has been stalled by convoluted fights over substance and process that are threatening to derail the measure, even after it passed 98-2 in the Senate and seemed to be on a path toward quickly becoming law. The battle has Democrats charging that Republicans are looking to make it easier for President Trump to waive sanctions against Russia, while the GOP charges that Democrats are needlessly delaying the bill's passage.

Million-plus would face deportation if program phased out

President Donald Trump's top immigration official warned Hispanic members of Congress Wednesday that more than a million people living in the United States under a special protected status could soon be placed in line for deportation. Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly told members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus that the fate of deferred action program known as DACA - Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals - will likely be determined by the courts, perhaps as soon as September, and that attorneys he's consulted with do not think the program is legally sustainable.

Thousands of Californiaa s wild horses may live or die depending on federal budget

Wild horses rescued by the Wild for Life Foundation that was roaming on federal lands have a new home at the Wild Horse Foundation's facility in Ramona Friday, July 7, 2017. One of the wild horses rescued by the Wild for Life Foundation that was roaming on federal lands at the Wild Horse Foundation's facility in Ramona Friday, July 7, 2017.

Protesters opposing GOP health care bill descend upon lawmakers, some arrested

Protesters around the country on Thursday responded to lawmakers who declined to hold town halls by bringing their complaints straight to the doors of their elected officials' offices. From Arkansas to Arizona, supporters of Obamacare chanted, sang songs and in some cases, got arrested as they made their case against the Senate Republican health care bill.

Kobach says White House will keep personal voter data requested by Trump commission

Kris Kobach said Thursday that the White House would store the personal voter data he requested in his role with President Donald Trump's voting commission. In a court filing in response to a lawsuit over the requests , Kobach also disclosed the members of the commission that was created after both Trump and Kobach claimed widespread voter fraud they have not yet been able to prove.

Much to discuss’: Trump and Putin’s first handshake at G20 summit

The two men are to hold a formal meeting later today, when their body language is likely to be closely analysed US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, a veteran businessman and a former spy, shook hands on Friday ahead of the most highly anticipated face-to-face meeting on the sidelines of the G20 summit . Trump has said he wants to find ways to work with Putin, a goal made more difficult by sharp differences over Russia's actions in Syria and Ukraine, and allegations Moscow meddled in the 2016 US presidential election.

Will a Jewish Nevada woman win a seat in the Senate?

The Nevada Independent reported Thursday that Rosen, a software developer whose only elective experience prior to her successful congressional run last year was as president of Ner Tamid, a Reform synagogue in suburban Las Vegas, was talked into running by former Sen. Harry Reid, who believes she is the likeliest challenger to unseat Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nev. "He told me to think about it and that's what I did when I came home to talk to my husband," Rosen, 59, said, describing the conversation she had with Reid in May. She cast her decision in terms of "tikkun olam," a Talmudic principle meaning "repair the world" which has become commonplace among American Jewish liberals.

GOP candidate for governor stops in Marietta

JANELLE PATTERSON The Marietta Times Ohio Gubernatorial candidate U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci, of Wadsworth, center, speaks to members of Marietta Noon Rotary Thursday. The Republican candidate, 58, of Wadsworth, near Akron, spoke with local pastors and representatives of Buckeye Hills Regional Council, made an appearance at the Marietta Noon Rotary Club meeting, toured Broughton Commercial Properties and held a commercial roundtable at Artex Oil before closing out the local visit with a meet and greet at Freedom Gate Church with local Republican party members.

All eyes on Donald Trump-Vladimir Putin dynamics as they meet for first time at G20

US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are set to size each other up in person for the first time on Friday in what promises to be the most highly anticipated meeting on the sidelines of the G20 summit. Trump has said he wants to find ways to work with Putin, a goal made more difficult by sharp differences over Russia's actions in Syria and Ukraine, and allegations Moscow meddled in the 2016 US presidential election.

PHOTO: Protesters gather outside a Sen. Ted Cruz town hall meeting,…

Protesters gather outside a Sen. Ted Cruz town hall meeting, Thursday, July 6, 2017, in Austin, Texas. Cruz is expressing doubt about whether the Republican plan to repeal and replace former President Barack Obama's health care law will pass the Senate, suggesting Thursday that efforts to cobble together enough votes are on shaky ground.