Oklahoma lawmakers pass bill criminalizing performing abortion

Oklahoma lawmakers have moved to effectively ban abortion in their state by making it a felony for doctors to perform the procedure, an effort the bill's sponsor said Thursday is aimed at ultimately overturning the U.S. Supreme Court's 1973 decision that legalized abortion nationwide. The bill , which abortion rights group Center for Reproductive Rights says is the first of its kind in the nation, also would restrict any physician who performs an abortion from obtaining or renewing a license to practice medicine in Oklahoma.

Steve Napolitano undaunted in campaign to replace Knabe

Running against a politician with the last name Hahn might intimidate most, but for Steve Napolitano, the challenge is undoubtedly worthwhile. "Nobody knows the Fourth District better than me and I have a record of achievement," said Napolitano.

House Bid to Lower Confederate Flag Fails

A Democratic amendment to the defense bill would have withheld funding from any educational institution that flies the Confederate flag. House Democrats made a desperate - and ultimately unsuccessful - attempt to force South Carolina's historic Citadel military college to stop flying the Confederate flag, a reminder that the battle over its display has not ended.

This Would Be Perfect Year for – None of the Above’by John FundEven…

"It's not like 'none of the above' is a potential option," GOP Texas governor Greg Abbott said on MSNBC's Nevada senator Dean Heller, also a Republican, disagrees. "I vehemently oppose our nominee and some of the comments and issues he brought up during the campaign," he told reporters this month.

House GOP moves forward to help Puerto Rico after delays

After weeks of delays, House Republicans are moving ahead with legislation to help Puerto Rico manage $70 billion in debt. A revised bill introduced late Wednesday would create a control board to help manage the U.S. territory's financial obligations and oversee some debt restructuring.

Gage Skidmore / Flickr; Tony Alter / Flickr

Donald Trump has cleared the field of competitors for the Republican nomination but has still not won over one particular, and significant, constituency. Legislators have been curiously resistant to his charms, far more so than those with executive branch experience.

Calendar

Last week, Alaska senators Lisa Murkowski , Dan Sullivan and Rep. Don Young asked Secretary of State John Kerry to negotiate with Canadian leaders to make sure appropriate environmental safeguards are in place for mine development in Southeast Alaska. The congressional delegation explained the importance of this issue to Alaskans and the need for assurances that the water quality in transboundary waters between Alaska and Canada will be maintained.

Judge Sets Trial Date in Lawsuit Against Duckworth

A judge in southern Illinois has set an Aug. 15 trial date in a workplace retaliation lawsuit filed against U.S. Senate candidate Tammy Duckworth. The Democratic congresswoman is challenging Republican U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk in one of November's most competitive Senate races.

CDC director Freiden warns GOP Zika bill is inadequate

Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., left, accompanied by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., speaks about Zika funding during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, May 17, 2016. Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., left, accompanied by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., speaks about Zika funding during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, May 17, 2016.

Capitol Hill Buzz: Gowdy remarks stir partisan Benghazi feud

It's a question congressional investigators have long been seeking to answer: Could the military have reached the besieged diplomatic outpost in Benghazi, Libya, in time to prevent the killings of four Americans, including U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens, the night of Sept. 11, 2012? "Whether or not they could have gotten there in time, I don't think there is any issue with respect to that.

How’s Minneapolis doing? Well, that depends…

During her State of the City address this week, Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges emphasized the yin and yang of a city with remarkable attributes but also deep challenges - especially regarding race and equity. That dichotomy is illustrated in the Minneapolis Public Schools - a district that does a great job educating some students but struggles mightily with others.

Ohio Senate race is most expensive in U.S., may be ugliest

Sen. Rob Portman, an incumbent, talks about how Republicans, amid a contentious presidential election, came out in record numbers to participate in Ohio's primary. Portman took more than 80 percent of the vote to fend of a conservative challenge.

Ryan plugs GOP campaign agenda, but no mention of Trump

House Speaker Paul Ryan did it again Friday - he spoke about the choices in this year's elections without uttering the words, "Donald Trump." Four days after privately telling House Republicans that he would no longer defend or campaign for his party's presidential nominee, Ryan, a Wisconsin Republican, tore into Democrat Hillary Clinton and liberals for pursuing a government-heavy agenda for elites.