Paul Ryan defends Jim Jordan, rejects calls for ethics probe

JULY 11: Speaker of the House Paul Ryan speaks with reporters during a news conference following a House Republican conference meeting July 11, 2018 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. House Republicans are promoting the results of their recent tax bill.

Disney princesses topic of heated exchange with star

It all started when conservative YouTuber Ashton Whitty posted a photo of herself wearing a Make America Great Again red cap at Disneyland. Whitty, whose videos include attacks on illegal immigration and Rep. Maxine Waters of California, added that "we need a Disney princess" that supports the Second Amendment, opposes abortion , and is passionate about both free speech and her country.

voting scrutiny

To help protect the nation's voting infrastructure, the Elections Assistance Commission is distributing $380 million in funding to states, while the Department of Homeland Security is conducting vulnerability scans on election equipment in at least 17 states. But some senators believe there's much more that could be done to help secure elections.

Senate approves resolution to give Congress more say on Trump tariffs

The nonbinding measure, which passed 88-11, directs Capitol Hill negotiators trying to reconcile separate spending bills to include language giving lawmakers a role when such tariffs are put in place. Workers apply fiberglass to the resin frame of a boat Wednesday at Regal Marine Industries in Orlando, Fla.

Senate calls for more say on tariffs in bipartisan vote

Lawmakers went on record Wednesday to express their frustration with the Trump administration's growing use of tariffs as the Senate passed a nonbinding resolution designed to give Congress more say about trade penalties imposed in the name of national security. The measure, which passed by an 88-11 vote, directs Capitol Hill negotiators trying to reconcile separate spending bills to include language giving Congress a role when such tariffs are put in place.

Rep. Diane Black Calls for Law Making Illegal Border Crossings a Felony

Rep. Diane Black said Wednesday her plan to make illegal border crossings a felony offense rather than a misdemeanor would stop people from being willing to break the law while entering the United States. "One of those big disincentives would be now to know this is a felony not a misdemeanor," the Tennessee Republican told Fox News' "Fox & Friends."

The story behind the MJ Hegar video

Mary Jennings "MJ" Hegar, a 42-year-old mother and Republican turned " independent Democrat " running for Congress in Texas, is an Air Force veteran and retired Air National Guard helicopter pilot who didn't let an abusive biological father, knee injuries, and sexual bias, harassment and assault stop her from doing three tours in Afghanistan that climaxed with a rescue mission gone awry in which she strapped herself to the skids of a chopper and fired at the Taliban. Her service earned her a Purple Heart.

Trump blasts Germany as being ‘captive to Russia’ in tiff over NATO defense spending

President Donald Trump slammed European allies at a summit of NATO leaders on Wednesday, singling out the biggest of them for economic ties to Russia while skimping on defense. The source of Trump's ire: German support for a pipeline that would bring Russian natural gas through the Baltic Sea to central Europe - even as it spends just 1.24 percent toward the collective defense of NATO allies.

Trump claims Germany ‘controlled’ by Russia, Merkel differs

President Donald Trump barreled into a NATO summit Wednesday with claims that a pipeline deal has left Germany "totally controlled" and "captive to Russia" as he lobbed fresh complaints about allies' "delinquent" defense spending at the opening of what was expected to be a fraught two-day meeting. Trump, in a testy exchange with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, took issue with the U.S. protecting Germany as it strikes deals with Russia.

Trump Must Meet Xi to Stop Trade War, Top House Republican Says

President Donald Trump faced unusually blunt criticism from within his own party, as one of the U.S. House's top lawmakers urged him to restart negotiations to stop a costly trade war with China. Representative Kevin Brady, a Texas Republican who heads the powerful Ways and Means Committee, called on Trump to meet Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping and hash out an agreement to settle their trade differences.

Scotus Interruptus: a Lifetime Political Appointment, Much Like Being Married To Bill Clinton

Another Supreme Court Justice, slightly right-of-center swing vote Anthony Kennedy, has decided to retire. In a contentious and closely watched Supreme Court vote, the justices decided 5 to 4 to get him an ice cream cake for his retirement party.

Ex-FBI Lawyer to Resist Subpoena to Testify About Mueller Probe

A former FBI lawyer who has been at the center of allegations about the basis for Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian collusion in the 2016 election will not appear before congressional investigators despite a subpoena, her lawyer said on Tuesday night. Lisa Page, was to be questioned in private by congressional investigators Wednesday, a day before bureau agent Peter Strzok is to testify publicly about the beginnings of the government's Russia inquiry.

Oklahoma fast-tracking medical marijuana, but with pushback

Oklahoma pushed ahead with emergency rules Tuesday aimed at fast-tracking operations of the medical marijuana industry, but not before concerned health officials tacked on requirements that cannabis advocates say will only slow things down. The state Board of Health narrowly voted to prohibit the sale of smokable marijuana and require that dispensaries must have a pharmacist on staff.

Brett Kavanaugh is uncommonly partisan, research shows

During a visit to Capitol Hill on Tuesday, Vice President Mike Pence, right, spoke about Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, center, as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell listened. Judges, particularly those on the Supreme Court, are expected to sit above the partisan fray.