Surprise, relief dominate Capitol Hill after special counsel named

Some Republicans joined Democrats in breathing a sigh of relief Wednesday at news that deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein had appointed a special counsel to lead the investigation into whether Trump's campaign had any ties to Russia. While many members said they were caught off-guard, a bipartisan array of lawmakers applauded the selection of former FBI Director Robert Mueller to lead the investigation.

Ohio delegation praises Mueller appointment

Ohio lawmakers from both parties Wednesday praised the former FBI director who will now oversee the Justice Department's investigation of the Trump administration's possible ties to the Russians, saying his intellect and experience make him highly qualified. Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein announced that former FBI Director Robert Mueller will serve as special counsel to oversee the investigation.

House bill would eliminate comp benefits for convicted legislators

U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Ill., on Wednesday introduced legislation that would eliminate workers compensation for members of Congress who have been convicted of a crime related to their public office. According to recent media reports, the bill is a response to a situation involving former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., D-Ill.

Another round of premium hikes: blame Trump or Obama?

In this March 21, 2017 file photo, President Donald Trump, followed by Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price, leaves Capitol Hill Washington. It's looking like another year of big premium increases and dwindling choice for many consumers who buy their own health insurance, but why, and who's to blame? President Donald Trump has seized on early market rumbles as validation of his claim that "Obamacare" is collapsing.

Paul Ryan: Some people want to harm Trump

House Speaker Paul Ryan says it is obvious some people want to harm President Trump, and that he's confident the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee is going to hear from former FBI Director James Comey. Russian President Vladimir Putin is offering to provide US Congress a transcript of President Trump's exchange with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

Sen. Thom Tillis has seizure during race

North Carolina Republican Sen. Thom Tillis had a seizure Wednesday morning while running in the annual American Council of Life Capital Challenge race in Washington, a race organizer told CNN. Tillis was transported to George Washington University Hospital, event spokesperson Jeff Darman said, and his status remains uncertain at this time.

Rep. Al Green Ready to Call for Impeachment of Trump on Floor or Congress

Rep. Al Green believes that Tuesday's James Comey memo is the last straw, tweeting that he plans to call for the impeachment of President Trump on the floor of Congress Wednesday morning. In the memo, reported on by The New York Times , the former FBI director claims that Trump asked him to stop investigating former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn.

GOP runoff to replace SC Rep. Mulvaney will go to recount

In this July 8, 2015 file photo, Rep. Tommy Pope, R-York, speaks in Columbia, S.C. The special election spotlight has rolled on to South Carolina, where Republican runoff voters are now tasked with deciding which mainstream Republican they'll choose as their pick to keep Mick Mulvaney's former seat in GOP control. Tommy Pope and Ralph Norman are up for election in Tuesday's GOP runoff in the 5th Congressional District.

FBI given deadline to turn over Trump-Comey communications

While the White House has denied any wrongdoing over claims Donald Trump urged then-FBI director James Comey to drop a probe, markets are worried it could throw the president's agenda off-track AFP/SAUL LOEB WASHINGTON: House oversight committee chairman and Republican Jason Chaffetz has set a deadline of May 24 for the FBI to produce all communications between President Donald Trump and former FBI director James Comey. In a letter to acting FBI driector Andrew McCbe, Chaffetz said "all memoranda, notes, summaries, and recordings referring or relating to any communications between Comey and the President" must be submitted.

Trump Said to Ask Comey to Drop FBI Probe of Flynn’s Russia Ties

President Donald Trump asked FBI Director James Comey to drop an investigation into former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn, according to a person who was given a copy of a memo that Comey wrote following his Oval Office conversation with Trump. The revelation raised the political peril for Trump's White House by introducing the possibility that the president may have obstructed justice, an impeachable offense.

Top House Republican criticizes McMastera s remarks on Western Wall location

A top House Republican is criticizing President Trump's national security adviser for declining to clarify the White House position on the location of the Western Wall. H.R. McMaster, in a press briefing Tuesday previewing Trump's first foreign trip, declined to elaborate on the location of Judaism's holiest site after reports that a U.S. official told Israeli counterparts the wall was located in the West Bank.

Party chairman, anti-abortion Democratic group plan to meet

Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez plans to meet with an anti-abortion Democratic group amid divisions within the party over whether to back candidates opposed to abortion, according to the group. Democrats for Life Executive Director Kristen Day said Tuesday that the DNC and her group were in talks about scheduling a session with Perez, who proclaimed last month it is "not negotiable" that "every Democrat, like every American, should support a woman's right to make her own choices about her body and her health."

AG Balderas won’t be entering race for New Mexico governor

New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas will not be entering the race for governor and instead will focus on his re-election as the state's top prosecutor. The Democrat ended the speculation Tuesday with a statement that detailed the work his office has done - from pursuing internet criminals who target children to recovering Medicaid fraud dollars.

Native American Dem leader running for congressional seat

The former leader of the New Mexico Democratic Party is officially running for an open congressional seat and hopes to become the nation's first Native American congresswoman. Debra Haaland announced her bid Tuesday after recently filing a statement of candidacy with the Federal Election Commission to run for the state's 1st Congressional District.