US Congress approves first step for repealing Obamacare

The US House of Representatives on Friday joined the Senate in passing a critical measure that marks the first major step toward repealing outgoing President Barack Obama's landmark but controversial health care reforms. The Affordable Care Act - popularly known as Obamacare - has allowed millions of uninsured people to get health insurance.

The Latest: Emergency training hosted by White House

The White House is holding a series of simulation exercises with members of President-elect Donald Trump's incoming Cabinet to discuss ways of responding to emergencies, natural disasters and national security incidents. White House press secretary Josh Earnest says the group exercises are aimed at ensuring a "smooth and effective transition" for the incoming Trump administration.

Vilsack leaving USDA early, no Trump replacement named

Secretary Tom Vilsack left the Agriculture Department a week before his tenure ends and before President-elect Donald Trump has chosen his replacement. Vilsack, who has led USDA for eight years and was President Barack Obama's longest-serving Cabinet secretary, told employees in an email that Friday is his final day.

‘My confidence has been shook’: Dems furious after…

House Democrats walked out of a classified briefing sputtering with anger over FBI Director James Comey's response to claims of Russian election hacking. Several of the lawmakers who took part in Friday's meeting said they'd lost confidence in Comey and had become convinced he's unfit to lead the agency, reported The Hill .

Former congressman’s request to delay prison term is denied

" A federal appeals court has denied a disgraced former Pennsylvania congressman's request to remain free while appealing his conviction on racketeering charges while his supporters seek a reprieve from President Barack Obama. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit rejected former U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah's petition on Tuesday along with similar pleas made by two of his co-defendants.

Trump raises millions to cover inauguration’s steep costs

In this Dec. 8, 2016 file photo, construction continues on the Inaugural platform in preparation for the Inauguration and swearing-in ceremonies for President-elect Donald Trump, on the Capitol steps in Washington. Trump's Presidential Inaugural Committee has raised a record $90 million-plus in private donations, far more than President Barack Obama's two inaugural committees.

Obama surprises Vice President Biden with Medal of Freedom

U.S. President Barack Obama surprised Vice President Joe Biden on Thursday by awarding him the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction in an emotional White House ceremony that celebrated their partnership over eight years in office. "This is an extraordinary man," Obama said of his friend and running mate at a surprise ceremony with staff, family and friends of the vice president.

She dated Obama before Michelle

But before the iconic couple met in 1989, when they were both working at a Chicago law firm, Obama spent many years dating a different woman - Sheila Miyoshi Jager. Details about this relationship have been revealed in a new biography on Obama, Rising Star: The Making of Barack Obama , by David J. Garrow, who interviewed Jager about the former President.

Poll: Israelis believe Trump pro-Israel, Obama pro-Arab

An overwhelming majority of Israelis believe that outgoing President Barack Obama and his administration were pro-Palestinian Authority, as opposed to pro-Israel, according to a new poll by the Smith polling institute. According to the survey, which was released on Thursday, nearly two-thirds of Israeli Jews believe the Obama administration is pro-Palestinian Authority, but an even larger majority say his successor is pro-Israel.

Poll reflects political polarization during Obama’s tenure

As U.S. President Barack Obama prepares to leave office after eight years, 47 percent of Americans say he will be remembered as an "outstanding" or "above average" president, while 35 percent rate him as "below average" or "poor," a Gallup Poll released Thursday showed. Along those lines, 84 percent of Democrats rate Obama as outstanding or above average, while 69 percent of Republicans say he will be remembered as a below average or poor president, according to Gallup.

Obama names five new national monuments, including Southern civil rights sites

President Barack Obama declared five new national monuments Thursday ranging from a Birmingham, Alabama, church bombed by segregationists to the coniferous forests of Oregon. He has now used his executive authority more than any other president in history to protect iconic historic, cultural and ecological sites across the country.

Ryan: GOP will repeal, replace Obamacare at same time

House Speaker Paul Ryan said Thursday Republicans plan to repeal President Barack Obama's health care law at the same time they approve a GOP replacement plan. "We want to do this at the same time, and in some cases in the same bill," Ryan said during a town hall in Washington sponsored by CNN and moderated by Jake Tapper.