Congressmen want answers after Ryan asks House chaplain to resign Source: Cox Media Group

Democratic congressmen are seeking answers after House Speaker Paul Ryan asked the House chaplain to resign earlier this month, CNN reported. Democratic Rep. Gerry Connolly said he wasn't sure why Ryan asked for the Jesuit priest's resignation, and wants the Wisconsin Republican to answer questions over "this breach that he created."

DC Newsjunkie | Blumenthal, Murphy Seek Relief For Crumbling Concrete

Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy introduced legislation this week aimed at providing up to $100 million in federal assistance to help homeowners and businesses whose homes and buildings suffer from crumbling foundations. The Connecticut tandem put two bills into the hopper that provide two separate ways for the $100 million to be authorized over a five year period.

Ben Carson’s war on the poor puts Republicans in a bind

President Donald Trump's choice for Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Dr. Ben Carson, delivered on the president's command to move people "out of poverty" by proposing to raise the rent on some of America's most vulnerable communities. On Wednesday Carson released legislative text that would raise rent for tenants in government-subsidized housing to equal 35 percent of gross income .

Despite Lawsuit Setback, Dallas County GOP Chairwoman Ready to Fight to November Finish

Monday wasn't a great day for the Dallas County Republican Party. Already down to one countywide officeholder and a single spot on the commissioner's court, the Dallas GOP and its new chairwoman, Missy Shorey, had its lawsuit against the Dallas County Democratic Party - the one that would've wiped dozens of Democratic candidates off November ballots - dismissed.

Republicans avoid confronting Trump over whether he can fire special counsel

President Trump congratulates Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky on tax legislation on Dec. 20, 2017. The Senate Judiciary Committee appeared an island of civility Thursday as Democrats and Republicans politely debated and voted 14 to 7 to approve bipartisan legislation intended to prevent President Trump from firing special counsel Robert S. Mueller III without cause.

Ag groups express opposition to amendments to Farm Bill

INSURANCE ARGUMENT: A monster hail storm that hit Kansas on the night of May 14 provides an illustration of why farmers so strongly support crop insurance. This field in Scott County was just one of many that were wiped out in the storm, which destroyed thousands of acres of wheat.

Trump pledges hands off Russia probe, may – change my mind’

From left, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., the ranking member, confer before considering a bipartisan bill to protect the special counsel from being fired, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, April 26, 2018. They voted 14 to 7 to send the Special Counsel Independence and Integrity Act to the full Senate, but Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has insisted he will not hold a full Senate vote on the legislation which would seek expedited judicial review of a firing.

EPA’s Pruitt admits role in aide’s pay raise but calls attacks on him politically motivated

EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt during an interview in his office at the EPA headquarters in Washington on Oct. 25, 2017. EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt during an interview in his office at the EPA headquarters in Washington on Oct. 25, 2017.

EPA chief gets congressional scolding over ethical lapses

Democratic lawmakers assailed EPA chief Scott Pruitt on Thursday for the ethics and spending scandals that have prompted multiple calls for his ouster. The chairman of the panel that is questioning Pruitt called the allegations a "distraction but one this committee cannot ignore."

The Latest: Australia says Pompeo prioritizes naming envoy

Australia's foreign minister says new Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has told her appointing an ambassador to Australia is "one of his highest priorities." Foreign Minister Julie Bishop told reporters Pompeo phoned her during a flight to a NATO meeting within hours of being confirmed in his new role.

Sen. Bob Menendez ‘severely admonished’ by Senate Ethics Committee

The Senate Ethics Committee issued a blistering letter Thursday admonishing Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey for accepting gifts without proper approval from a wealthy ophthalmologist and returning in kind with political favors. The report comes nearly three months after the Justice Department filed to dismiss charges against the New Jersey Democrat and bring a years-long legal case -- including an 11-week trial last fall that resulted in a hung jury -- to an end.

Senate panel-OK’d bill to protect special counsel Robert Mueller now in reluctant GOP chief’s hands

Bipartisan legislation to protect special counsel Robert Mueller now lies in the hands of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell after the GOP-led Senate Judiciary Committee voted Thursday to advance it. McConnell, R-Ky., has said the bill is unnecessary and he won't let it reach the Senate floor.

Congress Takes a Back Seat on Iran Deal

French President Emmanuel Macron took his fight to save the 2015 Iran nuclear accord to Washington this week, saying in an address to a joint meeting of Congress that he hoped the United States could agree to a "more comprehensive deal" ahead of a critical mid-May deadline rather than scrap it all together. After reluctantly extending waivers on sanctions against Tehran in January, Trump warned that he would pull the U.S. out of the agreement unless Congress and European allies could "fix" it.

Trump pledges hands off Russia probe, may ‘change my mind’

President Donald Trump insisted Thursday he "won't be involved" in any attempt to interfere with the investigation into Russian election meddling - unless he changes his mind - as a Senate panel moved to safeguard special counsel Robert Mueller from any attempt to fire him. Trump also laced into James Comey, the FBI director he fired last year, accusing him of lying about Trump's trip to Moscow in 2013 that has received fresh scrutiny.