AG Jeff Sessions recuses himself from Russia investigation

Attorney General Jeff Sessions will recuse himself from any investigations of ties between Trump campaign officials and Russia, he announced in a hastily organized press conference on Thursday. "I never had meetings with Russian operatives or Russian intermediaries as part of the Trump campaign," he said, seeking to stop the bleeding after a brutal day.

Maine’s congressional delegation sees hope in Trump’s speech

From compromise on immigration to a renewed focus on economic growth, lawmakers latched onto presidential comments that lined up with their own political agendas. Democratic U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree said she felt "encouraged to hear President Trump touch on several things tonight where we can find agreement, including rebuilding our country's infrastructure, lowering the cost of prescription drugs, strengthening trade, and finding compromise on comprehensive immigration reform."

FILE- In this Feb. 7, 2017, file photo, Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine,…

U.S. Sen. Susan Collins said on Wednesday she's open to using a subpoena to investigate President Donald Trump's tax returns for potential connections to Russia. Collins, a Republican who has served as a U.S. senator from Maine since 1997, sits on the Senate Intelligence Committee, which is investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election.

Pruitt Confirmed to Lead EPA, Alarming Environmentalists

Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt was confirmed as the new administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency, in a vote by the Senate Friday. The move is seen by many as a key step by the Trump administration to roll back the Obama administration's rules to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from power plants and other sources.

Labor nominee Puzder faces uncertainty as confirmation hearing looms

Four Republican U.S. senators have not yet said whether they will support labor secretary nominee Andrew Puzder, raising suspense about whether he will survive an initial confirmation hearing this week. The four senators - Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Tim Scott of South Carolina and Johnny Isakson of Georgia - all sit on the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, which will on Thursday hold the first confirmation hearing for Puzder, President Donald Trump's pick to head the Labor Department.

Trump ‘evaluating the situation’ involving Flynn, Russia

President Donald Trump is "evaluating the situation" regarding his embattled national security adviser Michael Flynn's conversations with Russia's ambassador to the U.S., the White House said Monday, deepening the uncertainty surrounding Flynn's future in the new administration. Flynn apologized privately for the controversy to Vice President Mike Pence, according to a White House official.

The Latest: Senate confirms Shulkin as VA secretary

Supporters of Puzder are launching a campaign ... . FILE - In this Jan. 19, 2017 file photo, Treasury Secretary-designate Steven Mnuchin testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Finance Committee.

The Latest: Another GOP senator undecided about labor pick

Ohio Sen. Rob Portman isn't ready to say he's supporting fast food executive Andrew Puzder as President Donald Trump's secretary of labor. A spokesman for Portman confirms he is one of at least six GOP senators who are waiting to hear Puzder answer questions Thursday at his confirmation hearing.

How to cure the very sick healthcare system from its deadly disease: Obamacare

Secretary of Health and Human Services Tom Price has officially taken the helm of his department. The former congressman and orthopedic surgeon will soon find that our healthcare system today is a very sick patient.

Trump tries to woo senators

Judge Neil Gorsuch, President Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee, speaks with reporters on his way to meet Sen. Susan Collins on Capitol Hill in Washington, Feb. 9, 2017. ORG XMIT: XNYT171 less Judge Neil Gorsuch, President Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee, speaks with reporters on his way to meet Sen. Susan Collins on Capitol Hill in Washington, Feb. 9, 2017.

The Latest: DeVos sworn in as education secretary

Betsy DeVos has been sworn in as the U.S. education secretary, hours after her nomination was approved by the Senate in a vote that required Vice President Mike Pence to break the tie. DeVos was sworn in by Pence in a ceremony at the vice president's ceremonial office.

DeVos ekes out confirmation win as Pence casts historic vote

Charter school advocate Betsy DeVos won confirmation as U.S. Education secretary Tuesday by the slimmest of margins, pushed to approval only by the historic tie-breaking vote of Vice President Mike Pence. Two Republicans, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, joined Democrats in a marathon effort to derail the nomination of the wealthy Republican donor.