Rising GOP figure Tom Cotton in Iowa as Trump faces turmoil

Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton was meeting Friday with Republican activists in the early presidential testing ground of Iowa, walking a delicate path by raising his national political profile at a time of turmoil for Donald Trump's White House. The 40-yer-old freshman Republican senator was scheduled to headline the Pottawattamie County Republican Party's annual fundraiser in Council Bluffs in conservative western Iowa.

Sen. Thom Tillis has seizure during race

North Carolina Republican Sen. Thom Tillis had a seizure Wednesday morning while running in the annual American Council of Life Capital Challenge race in Washington, a race organizer told CNN. Tillis was transported to George Washington University Hospital, event spokesperson Jeff Darman said, and his status remains uncertain at this time.

Lawmakers try to keep town halls from getting out of control

It was one of the most exclusive tickets in town: Only 800 were made available, and those lucky enough to score one had to show photo ID at the gate, where they were issued a wristband and a number. No signs bigger than a sheet of notebook paper were allowed, so as not to obscure anyone's view.

GOP Health-Care Bill: Will It Pass? The Whip Count

The first major legislative test of Donald Trump's presidency is slated for Thursday night, when the House holds its highly anticipated vote on the Republican health-care bill. There are no Democrats who are expected to support the bill, but it also has detractors within the GOP.

Sen. Cotton: GOP risks losing House majority if health bill approved

Republican Sen. Tom Cotton said GOP members of the House should not "walk the plank" by approving the Republican health care bill, warning that it could cost the party the House majority and put the entire GOP agenda at risk. "I would say to my friends in the House of Representatives with whom I serve, 'Do not walk the plank and vote for a bill that cannot pass the Senate and then have to face the consequences of that vote," Cotton told ABC News chief anchor George Stephanopoulos.

Washington news in brief

Until last week, Womack and U.S. Rep. Justin Amash, R-Mich., were the only four-term congressmen with perfect records. The Michigander was busy denouncing health care legislation supported by the White House, Politico reported, and didn't realize that the clock was running out.

Trump’s First Test Could Define TermBy Matt Laslo

Trump's first test takes him out of his comfort zone and into the front lines of the messy, complicated legislative process. While the White House is already trying to distance Trump from the House Republican bill to "fix" Obamacare , they're quietly working behind the scenes to help him deliver on the GOP 's main campaign promise from the past three election cycles.

White House: No Reason to Pretend POTUS Is Friendly With the Media

If the television-obsessed President Donald Trump watched Real Time with Bill Maher on Friday night on HBO, he got a jolt of reality from Congressman Darrell Issa, the slippery Republican conservative from California. Issa was asked by the host whether Attorney General Jefferson Beauregard Sessions III should recuse himself from the FBI investigation of Trump's campaign and its contacts with Russian operatives.

Arkansas delegation makes excuses for skipping town hall

Indivisible Central Arkansas drew several hundred people to a "Missing Persons" town hall Sunday afternoon at St. Michael's Episcopal Church attended only by photographs of Sens. John Boozman and Tom Cotton and U.S. Rep. French Hill. Here's a link to video of the event.

Vulnerable Dems lay low as town hall angst rages

From Montana to West Virginia, the nation's most vulnerable Senate Democrats are avoiding town hall meetings as their Republican counterparts get pummeled by an energized electorate frustrated with President Donald Trump's early agenda. Some Democrats prefer to connect with constituents over the telephone or using social media.

Angry Constituents Are Saving America From Trump And We Are Here For It

Across these United States, Americans young and old are confronting their representative Republican lawmakers face to face at town hall meetings , and opening up a powerful can of civic engagement whoop-ass. It's so beautiful.

Tensions erupt in Senate over Trump nominees

Tensions erupted in the Senate Tuesday as Democrats stalled several of President Donald Trump's Cabinet picks, frustrating Republicans who accused Democrats of playing politics to try to hurt Trump and make Senate Republicans look ineffective. Party leaders squared off after a fast-paced and chaotic morning when Democrats on one committee abruptly boycotted a hearing where two top administration officials were expected to clear votes to advance to the floor.

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Protesters assemble at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York on Jan. 28 after earlier in the day two Iraqi refugees were detained while trying to enter the country. A trio of Republican senators who occupy prominent positions on Capitol Hill expressed concern Sunday afternoon about President Trump's executive order banning refugees and barring citizens of seven mostly Muslim countries - commenting on Trump's move two days after the fact and in the wake of an explosive public outcry.

Cotton, Manchin praise Obama’s ‘dignity’

In the final days of President Barack Obama's second term, a couple of his critics took a moment to express some kind words. Sens. Tom Cotton, R-Arkansas, and Joe Manchin, D-West Virginia, told CNN's Wolf Blitzer in separate interviews Wednesday that Obama brought "dignity" to the nation's highest office.