Military 1 mins ago 10:58 p.m.Bill would rein in mortgage companies targeting veterans

Backers of a bill aimed at cracking down on mortgage lending companies targeting veterans say the measure is gaining support. The bill's sponsors - U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Thom Tillis - said Thursday the goal is to protect veterans, particularly those who purchase homes through a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs home loan program.

Sen. Lankford: Trump’s reported ‘s—hole’ comments ‘disappointing’

Senator James Lankford takes part in a panel discussion during the Oklahoma Press Association 2017 Convention at the Hilton Skirvin Hotel on Saturday, June 10, 2017 in Oklahoma City, Okla. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman Sen. James Lankford said Thursday that President Trump's reported comment that many U.S. immigrants come from "s---hole countries" was "disappointing," adding to the massive backlash Trump has faced over the remarks.

Trump: Why allow immigrants from ‘shithole countries’?

In bluntly vulgar language, President Donald Trump questioned Thursday why the U.S. would accept more immigrants from Haiti and "shithole countries" in Africa rather than places like Norway, as he rejected a bipartisan immigration deal, according to people briefed on the extraordinary Oval Office conversation. Trump's contemptuous description of an entire continent startled lawmakers in the meeting and immediately revived charges that the president is racist.

Trump Decides on Extending Iran Sanctions Relief Again

President Donald Trump has decided to extend sanctions relief for Iran, leaving the 2015 nuclear accord intact and giving the White House and Congress more time to forge legislation imposing new restrictions on the Islamic Republic, according to a person familiar with the matter. Trump's decision, which wasn't set until late in the day Thursday, follows the advice of his entire national security team, including National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.

Civil libertarian(ish) groups cry foul over FISA reauthorization

Civil libertarian groups on both sides of the aisle aren't happy with the House's approval of the new FISA authorization. FreedomWorks heaped loads of criticism on the House, with Vice President of Legislative Affairs Jason Pye saying the Constitution doesn't matter to supporters.

NAFTA supporters use stock market to try to dissuade Trump from withdrawing from trade deal

When President Donald Trump met with six Republican senators last week to talk about trade, the lawmakers issued a stark warning: Implementing an unrestrained "America First" agenda - such as withdrawing from the North American Free Trade Agreement - would endanger stock prices that have soared since his election. Just steps from the Oval Office, the president listened as GOP Sens. Cory Gardner of Colorado and Pat Roberts of Kansas depicted the potential fallout if Trump follows through on his threats to quit NAFTA.

Environmentalists urge Feds to launch another operation to seize Bundy cattle

It's hard to imagine how the 2014 federal effort to impound Cliven Bundy 's cattle could have gone any worse, but environmentalists are demanding that the Bureau of Land Management go back and try it again. Days after a federal judge threw out the case against Mr. Bundy and two of his sons, environmental groups urged Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke to remove the family's cattle from the property near Bunkerville, Nevada.

Illustration on union dues used to support Democrat causes by Linas Garsys/The Washington Times

Like other individuals and organizations, unions are free to spend money engaging in the political and public policy process, with one key difference: While others give voluntarily, unions can force members to fund their advocacy regardless of whether workers support the causes. According to new research from the Center for Union Facts, a nonprofit transparency organization, from 2010 through 2016 unions gave more than $1.1 billion to left-wing special interest groups not from the unions' PACs - where worker contributions are voluntary in all 50 states - but from workers' representational dues, which are mandatory in the 22 states that have not passed a right-to-work law.

Trump Is Expected to Stop Short of Reimposing Strict Sanctions on Iran

President Trump has again stopped short of reimposing draconian sanctions on Iran that could break up its nuclear deal with world powers, two people briefed on his decision said on Thursday, but he is expected to give Congress and European allies a deadline to improve the deal or the United States will pull out of it. He also approved targeted sanctions against several Iranian government officials for corruption and human rights abuses, some of it related to the antigovernment protests that have convulsed Iranian cities this month, these people said.

Former chief: Walthourville mayor wanted c…

Former Walthourville Police Chief Bernie Quarterman claims the city's mayor tried to pressure him into planting drugs to frame a city council member Larry Baker, according to a letter to Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal from Georgia NAACP President Phyllis Blake. Quarterman has repeatedly said he and his department were the subject of harassment and retaliation from the Walthourville Mayor Daisy Pray and Jones.

One Liberal Democrat Is Willing To Vote For Trump’s Border Compromise

With a government shutdown looming, President Trump met with Republicans and Democrats about hashing out a deal on immigration, which seems to be the biggest obstacle and a top action item for both the White House and congressional leaders. As Michael Wolff has magnified rumors of Trump's mental instability thanks to an error-ridden book, the president allowed the cameras to roll, as the commander-in-chief went around the room getting the views that different members of Congress have on this issue.

At bill-signing, Tsongas urges Trump to focus on opioids, not marijuana

As questions swirl about the future of recreational marijuana in Massachusetts amid the threat of a new federal crackdown, U.S. Rep. Niki Tsongas used a public event alongside President Donald Trump to urge the administration to focus instead on opioids. Tsongas and more than a dozen other members of Congress were gathered around the president's desk in the Oval Office for the signing of the INTERDICT Act, which Tsongas and Sen. Ed Markey helped introduce.

Report: Trump uses crude term while attacking protections for immigrants

During immigration talks in the Oval Office, President Trump reportedly grew frustrated, using a crude description of Haiti, El Salvador and African countries, according to a report from the Washington Post . The president then suggested that the U.S. try to increase immigration from countries like Norway, whose prime minister he met with this week.

GOP, Dem senators have immigration deal; White House says no

Three Republican and three Democratic senators said Thursday they'd reached an election-year accord to protect hundreds of thousands of young immigrants from deportation and to bolster border security. But the White House and several GOP lawmakers said they'd not accepted the proposal, plunging the issue back into uncertainty just eight days before a deadline that threatens a government shutdown.

New budget estimate opens door to CHIP extension

House and Senate lawmakers could renew the federal Childrens Health Insurance Program as early as next week since the Congressional Budget Office now estimates a 10-year extension could save taxpayers $6 billion. CHIP provides insurance to 9 million young people nationally, including 1,800 in Pueblo County.

The Latest: Trump uses profanity to disparage Africans

President Donald Trump used profane language to disparage African nations in a meeting with lawmakers about a proposed bipartisan deal on immigration. Trump made the remark after Democratic Sen. Richard Durbin told Trump that under the proposal, a lottery for visas would be ended.