U.S. intelligence chiefs decline to discuss contacts with president

Lawmakers verbally sparred with top intelligence chiefs on Wednesday after they staunchly refused to answer questions about conversations they had with President Donald Trump regarding probes into Russian activities during the election. Members of the Senate intelligence committee wanted to know about news reports claiming Trump had asked Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats and Adm.

Rep. Chris Collins: Trump Was Trying To Protect Flynn As A Friend, Not Stop An Investigation

GOP Rep. Chris Collins of New York said he believes President Donald Trump wasn't asking then-FBI Director James Comey to stop investigating former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn. Rather, he was acting out of loyalty to protect his friend from further public scrutiny.

Congress needs to reassert itself on use of force

The Trump Administration, like its predecessors, has shown an apparent appetite for the use of force overseas. The "mother of all bombs" dropped on Syrian troops, saber-rattling toward North Korea, deployments of U.S. forces in 10 or more countries -- all of this suggests a growing comfort with the idea of putting our troops in dangerous places.

Congressman starts impeachment process against President Trump

Rep. AL Green, a Texas Democrat, said he's readying articles of impeachment against Donald Trump, the first official step to remove a sitting president. Green took to the House floor last month to call for the impeachment to of President Trump for what he said was obstruction of justice in connection to the firing of FBI chief James Comey, who was investigating ties between Trump's presidential campaign and Russia.

Ryan won’t commit to Treasury timetable for debt increase

House Speaker Paul Ryan won't commit to holding a vote to increase the government's borrowing authority this summer. The Wisconsin Republicans instead says the House will vote on such debt legislation before the government defaults - but not necessarily by an August deadline requested last month by Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin .

California legislator wins Democratic fight for House seat

A Hispanic legislator backed by the Democratic Party and powerful labour unions easily won Tuesday's election to a vacant U.S. House seat in Southern California, after turning back a spirited campaign by a self-proclaimed outsider who wanted to become the first Korean-American in Congress in nearly two decades. Assemblyman Jimmy Gomez won 60 per cent of the 33,000 votes counted in the 34th Congressional District, according to an unofficial tally Tuesday.

U.S. Sen. John Kennedy returns from overseas trip highlighting NATO

U.S. Sen. John N. Kennedy has returned from an overseas trip with a bipartisan group of members of the U.S. House and Senate. Kennedy, R-Madisonville, traveled to Belgium, Lithuania, Estonia, Finland and France on a trip that focused on NATO and defense spending.

White House touts the ACA’s demise even as insurers seek help in stabilizing its marketplace

President Trump, flanked by Vice President Mike Pence and Chief of Staff Reince Priebus, signed an executive order targeting the Affordable Care Act as one of his first official acts in office on Jan. 20. The event Monday in the Roosevelt Room of the White House was just the latest "health-care listening session" hosted by an administration that for months has repeatedly sought to undercut a law it officially must carry out.

US Congress plans self-driving car legislation to speed rollout

A self-driving car being developed by nuTonomy, a company creating software for autonomous vehicles, is guided down a street near their offices in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S., June 2, 2017. Photo: REUTERS/Brian Snyder The US Congress is working on national self-driving vehicle legislation that could replace state-by state rules and make it easier for automakers to test and deploy the technology, senior US House and Senate lawmakers told Reuters on Tuesday.

Tennessee Rep. Blackburn confirms bid for 9th term in House

The Tennessean reports that Blackburn's bid for a ninth term puts an end to speculation in some circles that she might instead try to run for statewide office next year. Republican Sen. Bob Corker hasn't yet announced whether he will seek a third six-year term, though he is widely expected to run.

Ahead of Comey testimony, Republicans prep response efforts — and brace

President Donald Trump couldn't get through a round of thank you's during a meeting Tuesday with GOP leaders and his top White House aides without alluding to the ever-growing controversy that has now reached his son-in-law and top adviser Jared Kushner . "Jared's actually become much more famous than me ... I'm a little upset about that," Trump said obliquely, referring to the headline-grabbing allegations surrounding his son-in-law's contacts with Russian officials.

Nunes won’t say if he stepped aside in Russia probe

House intelligence committee Chairman Devin Nunes declined Tuesday to say if he had stepped aside from the House Russia probe -- deflecting questions about his role one week after he signed off on the first subpoenas in the investigation. "Good try," Nunes said, when asked if he had stepped aside and if he would continue signing subpoenas.

House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wis., center, and Senate Majority Whip…

House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wis., center, and Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn, R-Texas, right, listen to President Donald Trump, left, speak during Trump's meeting with House and Senate Leadership in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, June 6, 2017. less House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wis., center, and Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn, R-Texas, right, listen to President Donald Trump, left, speak during Trump's meeting with House and Senate Leadership in the ... more President Donald Trump says he is sure the Senate will get a health care bill "across the finish line" this summer.

Hemp conference starts Friday: Plant has long been considered a possible new crop for Hawaii

On the heels of the state Legislature approving funding for continued development of an industrial hemp program, Hawaii Island hosts the first Hawaii Hemp Conference this weekend. The event begins Friday with a welcome dinner and concert, with a mini-expo and marketplace taking place Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Farm visits are scheduled for Sunday.