Area’s new congressmen get sworn in

Associated Press Rep. Jim Banks, R-3rd, joined by his wife, Amanda, and their three daughters, is sworn in Tuesday as a member of the House of Representatives by Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., during a ceremonial swearing-in on Capitol Hill in Washington.

Editorial, Jan. 4, 2017: When @realDonaldTrump tweets, the swamp drains

Despite the hue and cry over President-elect Donald J. Trump and his use of social media to make pronouncements that might be, or might not be, new public policy, DJT's use of 140 characters or less is getting the kind of attention that customary and longwinded political orations rarely attract. “With all that Congress has to work on, do they really have to make the weakening of the Independent Ethics Watchdog, as unfair as it may be, their number one act and priority ...” - @realDonaldTrump.

Darrell Delamaide’s Political Capital: Trump will play Congress like a fiddle

The full scope of Hillary Clinton's loss and Donald Trump's victory will become apparent this week as the newly elected Congress convenes. We all know the Republicans swept the elections, winning the White House and retaining control of both houses of Congress.

Top StoryHouse GOP votes to gut independent ethics office

House Republicans have voted to eviscerate the Office of Congressional Ethics, the independent body created in 2008 to investigate allegations of misconduct by lawmakers after several bribery and corruption scandals sent members to prison. The ethics change, which prompted an outcry from Democrats and government watchdog groups, is part of a rules package that the full House will vote on Tuesday.

U.S. House Republicans vote to gut independent ethics office against wishes of top GOP leaders

House Republicans on Monday voted to eviscerate the Office of Congressional Ethics, the independent body created in 2008 to investigate allegations of misconduct by lawmakers after several bribery and corruption scandals sent members to prison. The ethics change, which prompted an outcry from Democrats and government watchdog groups, is part of a rules package that the full House will vote on Tuesday.

In 2017, GOP Congress sees mandate to undo Obamaa s agenda

Republicans' grip on all levers of power stands as a mandate to the GOP-led Congress, which will move swiftly to try to undo eight years of outgoing President Barack Obama's agenda. With Republican President-elect Donald Trump weeks away from assuming office, GOP lawmakers plan to open the 115th Congress on Tuesday and immediately take steps to repeal Obama's health care law.

In 2017, GOP Congress sees mandate to undo Obama’s agenda

" Republicans' grip on all levers of power stands as a mandate to the GOP-led Congress, which will move swiftly to try to undo eight years of outgoing President Barack Obama's agenda. With Republican President-elect Donald Trump weeks away from assuming office, GOP lawmakers plan to open the 115th Congress on Tuesday and immediately take steps to repeal Obama's health care law.

Gazette chooses 2016 top stories

Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump greets supporters as he exits the Holiday Inn Express in Janesville following a rally on Tuesday, March 29. Trump's stop in Janesville marked his first visit to Wisconsin ahead of the April 5 primary. Jessica Warner-Reed wipes her eyes during her sentencing Wednesday, August 10, 2016, at the Rock County Courthouse in Janesville.

Surprise! Republicans Could Be on the Verge of Dismantling Medicare

House Speaker Paul Ryan and other Republican leaders have big plans to save Medicare that would involve a major overhaul to the program, including privatization. Even though most Republicans are on board, Ryan and others in favor of his plans are likely to face significant opposition to such a sweeping overhaul.

With Trumpa s victory, GOP hopes to overhaul Medicaid

House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., left, joined by Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga., heads to a meeting of House Republicans on Capitol Hill in Washington. When President-elect Donald Trump takes office in January, Republicans will have the opportunity to do something they have desired for years - overhaul Medicaid, the program that provides health care to millions of lower-income and disabled Americans.

Montana Lawmakers Unite To Denounce Neo-Nazi Rally Plans

Top Montana Democratic and Republican lawmakers on Tuesday warned neo-Nazis they would find "no safe haven" for a rally that could include guns planned for next month in a mountain town where white nationalists have threatened Jewish residents. The lawmakers include both Democrats and U.S. Representative Ryan Zinke, recently picked by Republican President-elect Donald Trump to be interior secretary.

Trump’s Election Has Led to Massive Wave of Donations to Progressive Groups

Many Americans are turning their despair over Trump's win into action, supporting a range of organizations that fight for equality and civil rights. If there is any upside to the U.S. presidential election, it could be that progressive causes around the country are reporting an "unprecedented" surge in donations, the Guardian wrote on Sunday.