House blocks resolution to condemn Arizona rep for tweet

The Republican-led House has blocked a resolution condemning an Arizona Republican congressman who sought to arrest immigrants in the U.S. illegally at the State of the Union address. In a tweet, Conservative Rep. Paul Gosar called for the Capitol Police and Justice Department to check the identification of people attending President Donald Trump's speech and arrest "any illegal aliens."

Deputy attorney general’s job may be in jeopardy

WASHINGTON – Rod Rosenstein's tenure as deputy attorney general and the top Justice Department official overseeing the Russia investigation appears to be in peril after President Donald Trump refused to say Friday whether he had confidence in him. After Trump authorized release of a controversial memo on FBI surveillance practices by House Intelligence Committee Republicans, he was asked by a reporter whether he was more likely to fire Rosenstein and whether he had confidence in the 27-year-veteran of the Justice Department who oversees its day-to-day operations and special counsel Robert Mueller III's investigation.

The scene: Transgender vet to attend SOTU as Kennedy guest

Scenes from the Capitol on a night of pomp, pageantry and politics for President Donald Trump's State of the Union address: Army Staff Sgt. Patricia King, the first person to have sex reassignment surgery paid for by the military, is attending the State of the Union address.

Trump to call for unity in address after divisive year

President Donald Trump, facing sagging approval ratings in a midterm election year, is seeking to rally a deeply divided nation in Tuesday night's State of the Union address with optimism about the growing economy and calls for action on immigration, trade and infrastructure rebuilding. White House officials said Trump would appeal for bipartisanship, though it's unclear if his rhetoric will be matched by any real overtures to Democrats.

Trump: Dems Want a Shutdown to Get Focus Off Trump’s Tax Cuts

"Government Funding Bill past last night in the House of Representatives," President Trump tweeted early Friday morning. "Now Democrats are needed if it is to pass in the Senate - but they want illegal immigration and weak borders.

Paul Gosar Versus His Siblings: Brother Calls Congressman an ‘Embarrassment’

Paul Gosar's brother called him "an embarrassment" to the family on Friday, following up on a published letter by seven siblings blasting the Arizona Congressman for his conspiracy theories. His siblings had their blistering letter published in the Kingman Daily Miner on October 24, criticizing the Prescott congressman for his debunked theories about August's white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Some expect rush of GOP hopefuls vying for Sen. Flake’s seat

U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake's decision to bow out of a re-election fight could spur a rush of other Republican candidates who hope to take on his only announced challenger in the Arizona primary next year. The freshman senator's decision came after months of saying he expected a tough primary and general election but believed he could win.

Republican gathering focuses on conservative issues, draws protesters

Republican gathering focuses on conservative issues, draws protesters The National Federation of Republican Assemblies convention in Mesa drew protesters Saturday Check out this story on azcentral.com: http://azc.cc/2yQJmsB Women from Stronger Together Arizona dressed as handmaids and gathered in front of the National Federation of Republican Assemblies convention in Mesa on Oct. 7, 2017. They were protesting for reproductive rights.

Nation’s political split on display at Trump Phoenix visit

The nation's political split over President Donald Trump is expected to be on full display Tuesday as hard-core backers of the Republican president flood into the Phoenix Convention Center and police brace for protests from opponents outside. The rally organized by the Trump campaign will also be a test of the president's support among his base and elected Arizona Republicans, some of whom won't show up because of the possible damage he can do to their own political standing.

If Trump pardons Arpaio, GOP can’t claim ‘rule of law’ on immigration

Arizona politicians have invoked the "rule of law" for more than a decade to argue for harsher immigration enforcement. Does it apply to Arpaio? If Trump pardons Arpaio, GOP can't claim 'rule of law' on immigration Arizona politicians have invoked the "rule of law" for more than a decade to argue for harsher immigration enforcement.

Congressman suggests Charlottesville rally organized by Soros

Congressman Paul Gosar, a Republican from Arizona, said that leftist billionaire George Soros may have secretly organized August's white supremacist rally in Charlottesville to slander nationalists. Gosar proposed the theory about the rally - a march that prompted demonstrations against racism, including one where a White supremacist killed one woman - in an interview published Thursday with "You know George Soros is one of those people that actually helps back these individuals.

Leaders in McCain’s home state frustrated by repeal failure

Sen. John McCain sent shockwaves through the Senate early Friday morning when he cast the deciding vote rejecting the GOP's heath care effort to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. While his dramatic thumbs-down rejection drew gasps and cheers in Washington, D.C., leaders in Arizona have responded with a mixture of disappointment and frustration - but little in the way of direct criticism in this Republican-heavy state.

Congressional Votes

Congressional Votes WASHINGTON - Here's a look at how area members of Congress voted the week of March 17-23. Check out this story on portclintonnewsherald.com: http://ohne.ws/2n1T5G6 Along with roll call votes this week, the Senate also passed the Honoring Investments in Recruiting and Employing American Military Veterans Act , to encourage effective, voluntary investments to recruit, employ, and retain men and women who have served in the military with annual federal awards to employers recognizing such efforts.

In health care push, Trump couldn’t master art of consensus

He'd been greeted with a standing ovation - one of his favorite measures of success - when he entered the Roosevelt Room on Thursday to meet with members of the hard-line House Freedom Caucus. After seven years of promises, the president said Republicans had reached a crucial moment to repeal and replace the "Obamacare" health care law.

Phoenix Veterans Day Parade 2016

Phoenix Veterans Day Parade 2016 Marchers carry the "Hero's Flag" during the Veterans Day Parade in central Phoenix on Friday, Nov. 11, 2016. Check out this story on azcentral.com: http://azc.cc/2fk6ZmS Phoenix Police Chief Jeri Williams hands out badge stickers during the Veterans Day Parade in central Phoenix on Friday, Nov. 11, 2016.

Bipartisan Group Of 51 U.S. House Members Urges DEA To Delay “Hasty” Ban…

More than 50 members of the U.S. House of Representatives have signed a letter to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency urging the federal agency to halt an emergency push to ban the coffee-related herb kratom by as early as Friday ). A related letter by the 51 U.S. House Members also has been sent to the Office of Management and Budget .

News Guide: McCain, Arpaio draw interest in Arizona primary

" A challenge to longtime U.S. Sen. John McCain leads the lists of contests drawing attention in Tuesday's Arizona primary election. Here's a look at some of the races and issues: Sen. John McCain is seeking a sixth term, and his main challenger in the Republican primary is former state Sen. Kelli Ward.

News Guide: McCain, Arpaio draw attention in Arizona primary

A challenge to longtime U.S. Sen. John McCain leads the lists of contests drawing attention in Tuesday's Arizona primary election. Here's a look at some of the races and issues: Sen. John McCain is seeking a sixth term, and his main challenger in the Republican primary is former state Sen. Kelli Ward .