Senate panel: Russia intervened in 2016 election to help Trump, hurt Clinton

Donald Trump Jr. told the Senate Judiciary Committee last year he did not recall ever discussing the Russia investigation with his father and said he didn't think there was anything wrong with meeting a Russian lawyer at Trump Tower ahead of the 2016 presidential election, according to transcripts released today of his interview with the panel. The committee released more than 1,800 pages of transcripts of interviews with Trump's son and others who attended a June 9, 2016, meeting at which they expected to receive dirt about Trump's opponent, Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Consumers brace for premium hikes while lawmakers grasp at remedies

As some insurers angle for hefty premium hikes and concerns grow that more Americans will wind up uninsured, the federal health law is likely - once again - to play big in both parties' strategies for the contentious 2018 election. Candidates are already honing talking points: Is the current dysfunction the result of the law or of GOP attempts to dismantle it? The impact of changes to the law made by Republicans over the past year - modifications short of the "repeal and replace" they promised - is becoming clear.

Email challenges Pruitt account on motorcade lights, siren

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt appears before a Senate Appropriations subcommittee on the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies on budget on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, May 16, 2018. Pruitt goes before a Senate panel Wednesday as he faces a growing number of federal ethics investigations over his lavish spending on travel and security.

Trump Tower Meeting’s Organizer First Dangled Putin Meeting

Donald Trump's bid for the U.S. presidency was just weeks old in 2015 when the offers for Russian meetings and calls started. A British-American publicist emerged with a swift invitation to visit Moscow, and possibly even to meet with Vladimir Putin.

Senate backs effort to restore ‘net neutrality’

Senate Democrats, joined by three Republicans, pushed through a measure Wednesday intended to revive Obama-era internet rules that ensured equal treatment for all web traffic, though opposition in the House and the White House seems insurmountable. Republicans on the short end of the 52-47 vote described the effort to reinstate "net neutrality" rules as "political theater" because the GOP-controlled House is not expected to take up the issue and the Senate's margin could not overcome a presidential veto.

Senate backs effort to restore ‘net neutrality’ rules

From left, Rep. Mike Doyle, D-Pa., Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., Senate Minority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer of N.Y., and Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., leave a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, May 16, 2018, after the Senate passed a resolution to reverse the FCC decision to end net neutrality.

Mueller Turns His Focus to Longtime Trump Adviser Roger Stone

Special Counsel Robert Mueller appears to be turning his focus to President Donald Trump's longtime adviser Roger Stone, bringing in a string of Stone's associates in recent weeks for questioning about his activities during the 2016 campaign. Mueller issued a subpoena last week to Jason Sullivan, a former social media aide and assistant to Stone, for documents and to testify before a grand jury, according to Knut Johnson, Sullivan's lawyer.

Congressman Lewis to hold three town halls

Congressman Jason Lewis, who has been criticized for ducking the public by not having town hall meetings, plans to hold three town halls this Saturday, including one in Jordan. The conservative Republican represents Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District, and his race is expected to be among the toughest in the mid-terms.

Looking for Louisiana women to join a nationwide conversation across divides

Are you a woman in Louisiana interested in joining a respectful online conversation with women from around the country who have different political opinions, experiences and backgrounds? The Times-Picayune and Spaceship Media are hosting a moderated conversation in a closed Facebook group that will bring together women of all political stripes, from conservative to libertarian to liberal. The conversation, The Many: A Conversation Across Divides , is supported by journalists and librarians who supply research to inform the group's discussions.

Gina Haspel, Trump’s pick to lead CIA, wins support of Senate Intelligence Committee

The Senate Intelligence Committee moved Wednesday to recommend Gina Haspel for CIA director, setting up a floor vote that her opponents say will signal to the world whether the United States condemns or condones torture. With two of 51 Republicans committed to voting against Haspel, and five Democrats already indicating they will support her, it appears she is set to become the agency's first female director.

Democrats stick with flawed governor candidate Lupe Valdez in…

Texas Democrats are faced with a vexing choice: pick a candidate for governor that on paper matches up better against incumbent Republican Greg Abbott, or stick with a rebuilding plan and nominate the progressive candidate that could better appeal to the Hispanic voters seen as the key to sustainable success? That's the backdrop of Tuesday's Democratic runoff for governor between former Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez and Houston investor Andrew White, the son of former governor Mark White. White is telling Democrats that he's the best hope of beating Abbott, but many progressive primary voters see Valdez as more reflective of their liberal leanings.

GOP Senator Trusts That Trump Won’t Let Jeff Sessions Stop Colorado Pot

Of the 33 state legislators from Colorado who signed a recent letter to U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions calling for congressional action "to protect the sovereignty of states like Colorado and ensure that marijuana businesses and consumers will be free from undue federal interference," none were Republicans. Given that Republican U.S. Senator Cory Gardner was among the document's original signatories and is currently working with the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws , aka NORML, to prepare legislation on the subject, the reticence of GOP state reps and senators seems surprising.

Virginia Republicans at odds – and throats – in Trump era

The vicious tenor of the 2016 GOP presidential primary - which included attacks on a spouse's looks, demeaning nicknames and veiled talk of a candidate's ... ahem ... hand size - is being matched by Virginia's raucous congressional primaries. A GOP House candidate said he's been the target of fake stories about his advocacy for penis enlargement techniques.

Trump Jr: Can’t recall discussing Russia probe with father

Donald Trump Jr. told the Senate Judiciary Committee last year he did not recall ever discussing the Russia investigation with his father and said he didn't think there was anything wrong with meeting a Russian lawyer at Trump Tower ahead of the 2016 presidential election, according to transcripts released Wednesday of his interview with the panel. The committee released more than 1,800 pages of transcripts of interviews with Trump's son and others who attended a June 9, 2016, meeting at which they expected to receive dirt about Trump's opponent, Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Panel set to release report on judges and sexual harassment

As the U.S. judiciary confronts its #MeToo moment, officials plan to release a highly anticipated report this month addressing potential sexual harassment in the nation's courthouses and how complaints are handled. Officials began examining problems after former law clerks and other staffers went public with sexual harassment claims against U.S. Appeals Court Judge Alex Kozinski, a nationally prominent jurist who had served for more than 30 years in California.

Nancy Pelosi to take questions in CNN town hall

Less than six months before the midterm elections, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi will address the most pressing issues facing the nation, in a live, internationally telecast town hall, CNN announced Wednesday. The one-hour event, moderated by CNN's Chris Cuomo, will air Wednesday, May 23 at 9 p.m. ET, and feature audience questions.