Dems, GOP Seem on Collision Course Over Gun, Terror Bills

House Democrats and Republicans seem just as destined for an election-season clash over guns as they did before a Democratic sit-in on the chamber's floor ushered in lawmakers' July 4 recess two weeks ago. Nearly a month after the Orlando mass-shooting catapulted the issue back onto the nation's radar, the two parties were meeting separately Wednesday to map strategy.

No charges recommended in Clinton email probe, FBI says

The FBI won't recommend criminal charges against Hillary Clinton for her use of a private email server while secretary of state, agency Director James Comey said Tuesday, lifting a major legal threat to her presidential campaign. But Comey called her actions "extremely careless" and faulted the agency she led for a lackadaisical approach to handling classified material.

NC Sen. Burr, suggested as possible VP, didna t go home for Trump rally

For one, North Carolina's senior Republican U.S. senator planned to skip Donald Trump's campaign rally in Raleigh on Tuesday, saying he needed to be in Washington to deal with national security matters in light of recent global terror attacks. And while Burr will attend his party's national convention later this month to greet North Carolina delegates, he'll be in Cleveland for only a short time.

Why ‘Dump Trump’ effort faces likely defeat at GOP convention

Despite a continuing effort and lots of noise by a band of insurgents, Donald Trump and the Republican Party are on track to defeat rebels trying to head off his nomination at this month's convention. Far from giving up, the "dump Trump" forces are seeking new supporters and spending money to run ads, hire staff and set up office space near the GOP convention site in Cleveland to try to prevent the real estate mogul from becoming the GOP presidential nominee.

Why Dump Trump effort faces likely defeat at GOP convention

Despite a continuing effort and lots of noise by a band of insurgents, Donald Trump and the Republican Party are on track to defeat rebels trying to head off his nomination at this month's convention. Far from giving up, the "dump Trump" forces are seeking new supporters and spending money to run ads, hire staff and set up office space near the GOP convention site in Cleveland to try to prevent the real estate mogul from becoming the GOP presidential nominee.

Washington flummoxed over federal displays of Confederate flags

A year after South Carolina removed the Confederate flag from its capitol grounds, official Washington is struggling with further restrictions on the flag's display on federal property, including in the U.S. Capitol complex. The National Park Service, the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Army have longstanding guidelines for its cemeteries that permit display of the Confederate flag one or two days a year.

House GOP gun measure not likely to get Dems’ support

U.S. House Democrats said Friday they won't support legislation Speaker Paul Ryan plans to bring to a vote next week that seeks to prevent terrorists from purchasing firearms. Following their dramatic 25-hour House chamber sit-in last week to demand votes on gun bills, Democrats contend the Republican proposal doesn't provide strong enough action and warn that renewed protests are possible after the House reconvenes Tuesday.

Washington flummoxed over federal Confederate flag displays

A year after South Carolina removed the Confederate flag from its capitol grounds, official Washington is struggling with further restrictions on the flag's display on federal property, including in the U.S. Capitol complex.

Obama vows to move quickly to sign Puerto Rico bill

As Puerto Rico faces a major debt payment, President Barack Obama is vowing to move quickly to sign a last-minute rescue package for the financially-strapped U.S. territory and its 3.5 million Americans. In a rare election-year feat, the White House-backed legislation passed with strong bipartisan support in Congress.

Dems demand gun votes, loudly, in 2-minute House session

" House Democrats continued their disruptive demands for votes on gun control Tuesday, though this time the commotion lasted less than two minutes. Less than a week after staging a near 26-hour sit-in on the House floor that garnered widespread attention, a half-dozen Democrats stood in the nearly empty chamber and loudly demanded recognition during a session held strictly for procedural business.

Study: Trump budget, tax plans add at least $10T to debt

A new Washington study says Donald Trump 's tax and budget plans would make the national debt skyrocket by $10 trillion or more over the coming decade, mostly because of his ambitious and expensive tax cuts. The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget says Democrat Hillary Clinton 's agenda - which relies on tax increases to pay for proposals such as making the Affordable Care Act more generous - would increase the debt by about $250 billion over 10 years.

Bipartisan action, not D.C. theatrics

Democratic House members, with some support from their colleagues in the Senate, staged a sit-in over 25 hours on Capitol Hill worthy of the civil- rights movement, publicizing their frustration over the lack of formulating meaningful gun-control legislation. Even after the Republican majority adjourned the session early Thursday morning until after the July 4th holiday, Democrats maintained their vigil, exploiting social media in an effort to gain popular -- if not congressional -- support.

U.S. Rep John Lewis leads sit-in on the floor of the hosue of Reps

Reps. John B. Larson and John Lewis led a group of more than 170 of their colleagues in an unprecedented sit-in on the floor of the House of Representatives. Backed by their Senate colleagues and hundreds of Americans inside and outside of the Capitol, they called for votes on commonsense background checks for all gun purchases and preventing potential terrorists from purchasing firearms.