Top Lawyer For Civil Rights At Justice Department Leaving After Roughly 6 Months

Thomas Wheeler, who has been leading the Justice Department's civil rights unit, informed staffers there Thursday that he would be leaving the post, according to two sources familiar with the communication. The job put Wheeler, an Indiana lawyer who's personally and professionally close to Vice President Mike Pence, in the middle of a number of controversies, including the Trump administration's turnaround on guidance regarding transgender students, the decisions to close investigations of police officers without criminal charges and shifting legal positions on voting rights and other cases.

John McCain: Here’s why I voted no and killed the ‘skinny repeal’

Senator John McCain was one of three Republican "no" votes against the GOP health care plan early Friday morning, and is being hailed as the man who killed the so-called Obamacare "skinny repeal." "We should not make the mistakes of the past that has led to Obamacare's collapse, including in my home state of Arizona where premiums are skyrocketing and health care providers are fleeing the marketplace," McCain said in a statement.

Senate Republicans reject last-ditch ‘skinny repeal’ of Obamacare

Senators early Friday narrowly rejected a dramatically slimmed-down Obamacare repeal bill, even after being promised by GOP leaders that the measure would never actually become law. The strategy was a desperate and ultimately unsuccessful gambit by Republican leaders, who had run out of options after failing to convince their majority to pass legislation to repeal the Affordable Care Act and replace it with a promised new healthcare plan.

The Latest: Ryan says House willing to negotiate with Senate

The Republican-run Senate has rejected a GOP proposal to scuttle President Barack Obama's health care law and give Congress two years to devise a replacement. Ryan's announcement Thursday evening is meant to ease doubts among Senate Republicans about voting for a minimal repeal bill.

GOP seeks support for narrow version of “Obamacare” repeal

The Republican-run Senate has rejected a GOP proposal to scuttle President Barack Obama's health care law and give Congress two years to devise a replacement. Addressing the National Federation of Independent Business, Vice President Mike Pence said the Senate has "an opportunity and an obligation" to repeal and replace Obamacare.

GOP eyes narrow bill to advance goal on “Obamacare” repeal

The Republican-run Senate has rejected a GOP proposal to scuttle President Barack Obama's health care law and give Congress two years to devise a replacement. WASHINGTON - They couldn't pass a repeal of "Obamacare," or find the votes for a White House-backed replacement.

LGBT outrage over Trump ban on transgender military service

Most LGBT-rights activists never believed Donald Trump's campaign promises to be their friend. But with his move Wednesday to ban transgender people from military service, on top of other actions and appointments, they now see him as openly hostile.

GOP senators blink on a big chance to repeal ‘Obamacare’

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, arrives for a vote as the Republican-run Senate rejected a GOP proposal to scuttle President Barack Obama's health care law and give Congress two years to devise a replacement, Wednesday, July 26, 2017, at the Capitol in Washington.

Pence’s $1 million fundraiser featured Ivanka Trump

In this image from video provided by C-SPAN2, the final Senate vote, with Vice President Mike Pence's vote, to start debate to tear down much of the Obama health care law, Tuesday, July 25, 2017, on the floor of the Senate on Capitol Hill in Washington. In this image from video provided by C-SPAN2, the final Senate vote, with Vice President Mike Pence's vote, to start debate to tear down much of the Obama health care law, Tuesday, July 25, 2017, on the floor of the Senate on Capitol Hill in Washington.

Indiana Rep. Luke Messer announces 2018 Senate bid

Indiana Rep. Luke Messer announced Wednesday that he will challenge Sen. Joe Donnelly, who is considered one of the most vulnerable Democrats up for re-election next year. The GOP congressman, who represents Vice President Mike Pence's former southeastern Indiana district, took to Twitter to make the announcement.

US Vice President Pence breaks tie as Senate votes to debate healthcare bill

US Vice President Mike Pence had to break a 50-50 tie as the Senate voted by a hair to start debating Republican legislation to tear down much of the Obama healthcare law. The vote gives President Donald Trump and Republican leaders a crucial initial victory but launches a week-long debate promising an uncertain final outcome.

Senate Republicans clear key hurdle on Obamacare repeal, but the hard part is still ahead

Senate Republicans clear key hurdle on Obamacare repeal, but the hard part is still ahead "This is just the beginning," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told reporters after the vote. Check out this story on thestarpress.com: https://usat.ly/2v4pVPb Vice President Mike Pence was the tie-breaking vote as the Senate voted to advance the GOP health care bill that aims to repeal and replace Obamacare.

Senate GOP Agrees to Debate Health Plan With No Votes to Spare

Senate Republicans agreed to begin floor debate on health-care legislation, a hard-fought step amid uncertainty about exactly what plan senators will ultimately be asked to vote on. The drama of Tuesday's 51-50 vote -- with Vice President Mike Pence providing the tie-breaker -- was heightened by the arrival from Arizona of Senator John McCain to help the GOP try to repeal Obamacare following his brain-cancer diagnosis last week.

Vice President Mike Pence and others listen as President Donald Trump …

President Donald Trump urged Republicans to "step up to the plate" for Tuesday's crucial Senate vote on their bill eviscerating much of the Obama health care law. The stage was set for high drama, with Sen. John McCain returning to the Capitol to cast his first vote since being diagnosed with brain cancer.

Senate Democrats won’t let Trump make recess appointments

President Donald Trump shares a laugh with Ms.Seema Verma, Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Secretary Tom Price, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, and Vice President Mike Pence on... WASHINGTON -- Senators are planning to continue procedural moves to prevent the Senate from formally adjourning for recess next month in order to prevent President Donald Trump from making recess appointments, when the chamber eventually adjourns through the Labor Day weekend. Using the threat of a filibuster, Democrats plan to force the Senate to hold pro forma sessions --- a practice both parties have carried out to block recess appointments from presidents of opposite party, Democratic and Republican aides say.

John McCain to return for pivotal U.S. Senate vote on health care

Committee chairman Senator John McCain asks a question during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on the Marines United Facebook page on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S. March 14, 2017. Committee chairman Senator John McCain asks a question during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on the Marines United Facebook page on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S. March 14, 2017.

Repeal ObamaCare or ‘You’re Fired’: Trump jokingly warns Price

West Virginia [U.S.A.], July 25 : U.S. President Donald Trump appeared to joke in his address at the Boy Scouts of America's National Jamboree that he would fire Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price if he fails to scrap Obamacare. Speaking at the occasion, Trump pointed out that several cabinet members are Eagle Scouts.