UPDATE 1-Health secretary nominee Azar says drug pricing a top priority

Alex Azar, a former drug industry executive who Republicans have nominated to run the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, on Wednesday promised to lower drug prices that he said are too high, saying he would look at abuse of patent laws that delays generic competition. Azar, who worked at Eli Lilly & Co, said his top priorities would be drug pricing, affordable healthcare, Medicare innovation and the opioid crisis that has killed tens of thousands of Americans.

The Latest: Yellen enjoys warm reception as tenure nears end

Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen, who has endured numerous contentious hearings before Congress, is enjoying a warmer atmosphere in what's likely her final testimony as Fed leader. Lawmakers from both parties are taking turns offering praise, congratulations and gratitude for her stewardship of the Fed for the past four years.

Rep. Conyers faces new charge of sexual misconduct

The former staffer, Deanna Maher, 77, said she decided to come forward with the allegations after Conyers, D-Mich., the longest-serving member of the House of Representatives and the ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, agreed to step down from the committee as Congress looked into separate sexual misconduct claims against him. The House Ethics Committee announced this month that it will investigate allegations against him of sexual harassment and age discrimination involving his staff.

Republicans had a big idea to give tax relief to the poor. Then it disappeared.

Ivanka Trump walks with Sen. Marco Rubio after a meeting with other senators on Capitol Hill in June. The Senate Republicans' tax bill would leave millions of poor families with only partial access to a tax credit that conservatives have touted as a critical policy tool for alleviating poverty.

Price of bitcoin over $10,000 as rally gains pace

This year's Grammy nominations sent a clear message: The Recording Academy wants to see a black or Latino act have a better shot at winning in the major categories. This year's Grammy nominations sent a clear message: The Recording Academy wants to see a black or Latino act have a better shot at winning in the major categories.

Democrats skip Trump meeting, raising risk of government shutdown

Democratic leaders in Congress skipped a meeting with President Donald Trump on Tuesday that was to have focused on the budget, raising the risk of a government shutdown next month with both sides far apart on the terms of an agreement. After Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi informed Trump they would not attend the meeting at the White House, the president and Republican congressional leaders went ahead with the talks without them.

Mulvaney Can Lead Consumer Watchdog, But the Legal Battle Over the…

When the Trump administration's actions are challenged in court, it's not uncommon to see judges put a stop to its behavior. President Trump tends to respond with troubling attacks on the judicial branch, such as dismissing the decision of the "so-called judge," or declaring that he wants to break up the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Three Candidates In The Race Against Cong. Collins Hear Them Here

Tom Casey, a retired wastewater plant engineer announced his candidacy for Congress Tuesday evening, joining Erie County Asst. Dist Attorney Sean Bunny and Nicholas Stankevich of Monroe County in a crowded field that could get even larger before someone is selected by Democrats to challenge incumbent Republican Chris Collins in the 27th district.

Pence: Trump ‘actively considering’ relocation of US Embassy to Jerusalem

President Donald Trump is "actively considering" how to follow through on his pledge to move the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, Vice President Mike Pence said Tuesday, reopening a divisive question that puts the president at odds with military and diplomatic advisers and close allies. Pence drew whoops and applause at an event marking 70 years since the United Nations vote that led to creation of the state of Israel when he contrasted the Trump administration stance on the embassy to that of past U.S. administrations.

Merkel wants to help Africa curb illegal migration flow

This year's Grammy nominations sent a clear message: The Recording Academy wants to see a black or Latino act have a better shot at winning in the major categories. This year's Grammy nominations sent a clear message: The Recording Academy wants to see a black or Latino act have a better shot at winning in the major categories.

Growing pressure on Conyers to resign after new accusations

Pressure grew from fellow Democrats for Michigan Rep. John Conyers to resign after a former staffer said the longest-serving member of the House made unwanted sexual advances that included partially undressing in front of her in a hotel room and inappropriate touching. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi pressured the 88-year-old Conyers behind the scenes to leave the chamber, said a senior House aide, who spoke late Tuesday on condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations.

Mulvaney heads consumer agency

By JESSICA GRESKO and KEN SWEET Associated Press WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump scored a victory Tuesday when a federal judge refused to block the president's choice to temporarily run the nation's top consumer financial watchdog and, for the moment, ended a two-way battle for leadership of the agency.