Bill expanding private care for veterans goes to Trump

Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., left, and Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, arrive to vote on a bill to expand private care for military veterans as an alternative to the troubled Veterans Affairs health system, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, May 23, 2018. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and other senators arrive to vote on a bill to expand private care for military veterans as an alternative to the troubled Veterans Affairs health system, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, May 23, 2018.

Twitter jokes sinkhole on White House lawn is Melania’s ‘escape route’

'Melania's escape tunnel has caved in!' Twitter erupts with jokes and memes after sinkhole opens up on White House lawn Memes and jokes ran wild on the social media site as users joked that it was Melania Trump's escape route or 'hell opening up to welcome back it's children'. The White House covered up the sinkhole on the North Lawn on Tuesday with a large green board - but that didn't stop the quips from flying.

Mueller investigation enters 2nd year, where is it headed?

On the anniversary of Robert Mueller taking over the investigation into possible Russian collusion in the 2016 election, AP Reporter Eric Tucker reflects on the case: who has been questioned, who has been charged and what is yet to come. WASHINGTON - It was one year ago Thursday when Robert Mueller, the former FBI director, was appointed as special counsel to take over the Justice Department's investigation into possible coordination between Russia and Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign.

The year of Mueller: 12 months in, here’s what we’ve learned

In this June 21, 2017, file photo, former FBI Director Robert Mueller, the special counsel probing Russian interference in the 2016 election, departs Capitol Hill following a closed door meeting in Washington. It was one year ago Thursday when Robert Mueller, the former FBI director, was appointed as special counsel to take over the Justice Department's investigation into possible coordination between Russia and Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign.

Ethics director questions Trump’s reimbursement to lawyer

President Donald Trump speaks during the 37th annual National Peace Officers Memorial Service on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, May 15, 2018, in Washington. President Donald Trump speaks during the 37th annual National Peace Officers Memorial Service on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, May 15, 2018, in Washington.

Trump disclosure of Cohen payment raises new legal questions

President Donald Trump revealed in his financial disclosure Wednesday that he reimbursed personal attorney Michael Cohen as much as $250,000 for unspecified "expenses," with no mention of a $130,000 payment to porn actress Stormy Daniels to keep quiet about a sexual tryst she said they had. The head of the nation's ethics office questioned why Trump didn't include this in his previous year's sworn disclosure and passed along his concerns to federal prosecutors.

Altagas LTD.AltaGas Ltd. and WGL Holdings, Inc. Announce a Settlement …

Today , AltaGas Ltd. and WGL Holdings, Inc. announced that they have reached a settlement in principle with key stakeholders in Washington D.C., including the Government of the District of Columbia, the Office of the People's Counsel, the Laborers' International Union of North America, its affiliated District Council, and Local Unions serving or located in Washington D.C. , the United States Department of Defense, the National Consumer Law Center/National Housing Trust-Enterprise Preservation Corporation , and the Apartment and Office Building Association. All key parties have now reached an understanding on settlement terms, clearing a path for review and approval by the Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia .

White House: Jackson allegations not backed up by records

In this April 24, 2018, file photo, Rear Adm. Ronny Jackson, President Donald Trump's choice to be secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, leaves a Senate office building after meeting individually with some members of the committee that would vet him for the post, on Capitol Hill in Washington.

EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt heads to Capitol Hill to defend his conduct and management

As calls for his ouster rise, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt heads to Capitol Hill Thursday were he's expected to face scrutiny for misconduct allegations EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt heads to Capitol Hill to defend his conduct and management As calls for his ouster rise, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt heads to Capitol Hill Thursday were he's expected to face scrutiny for misconduct allegations Check out this story on USATODAY.com: https://usat.ly/2Hs06yU President Trump is defending Environmental Protection Agency administrator Scott Pruitt who is under fire for allegedly spending a lot of taxpayer money.

Judge orders reopening of DACA, after 90-day delay

Another federal judge has overruled the Trump administration's efforts to end a popular immigration program - this time saying the government has to accept new applications. The ruling on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, however, won't take immediate effect, with the judge delaying the ruling for 90 days to allow the administration to make its case in a new memo justifying the end of the program.

Mike Pompeo, director of the Central Intelligence Agency and U.S….

Mike Pompeo, director of the Central Intelligence Agency and U.S. secretary of state nominee for President Donald Trump, listens during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearing in Washington, D.C., on April 12, 2018. less Mike Pompeo, director of the Central Intelligence Agency and U.S. secretary of state nominee for President Donald Trump, listens during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearing in Washington, ... more WASHINGTON - The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has set a vote for Monday on Mike Pompeo's nomination as President Donald Trump's secretary of state.

U.S. Seeks to Send American ISIS Suspect to Another Country’s Custody

The United States military intends to transfer an American citizen who has been detained in Iraq for more than seven months to the custody of another country in several days, the Justice Department told a judge on Tuesday. But the man, whose name has not been made public, does not want to go to that country and intends to fight the proposed transfer in court, according to his lead lawyer, Jonathan Hafetz of the American Civil Liberties Union.

Democratic leader announces new acceptance of marijuana

The top Senate Democrat is using marijuana's informal holiday to announce a change of heart about the drug, another sign of the growing political acceptance of pot. New York Sen. Chuck Schumer said Friday he'll introduce a bill taking marijuana off the federal list of controlled substances - in effect decriminalizing its use.

US Senators Offer Legislation Covering Military Action Against Militants

U.S. senators announced long-awaited legislation on Monday to provide congressional authorization for campaigns against militant groups in Iraq, Syria and elsewhere, as lawmakers push to take back authority over the military from the White House. A group led by Senators Bob Corker, the Republican chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, and Tim Kaine, a committee Democrat, proposed an Authorization for the Use of Military Force that would authorize "all necessary and appropriate force" against al-Qaida, the Taliban, Islamic State and associated forces.

Analysis: Zuckerberg isn’t the sweaty mess he once was

With the eyes of Silicon Valley, Washington and Wall Street focused on him, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg on Tuesday successfully stood up to sometimes tricky questions from senators on topics from privacy scandals to foreign election interference to the tech industry's political leanings. Zuckerberg remained confident and prepared - far from the sweaty, nervous mess he became during another public appearance about privacy issues eight years ago - during several hours of testimony before a joint session of the Senate's Judiciary and Commerce, Science and Transportation committees.

Headlines for April 10, 2018

During the Monday morning raid, the seized a slew of business records, emails and documents, including documents related to a $130,000 payment to adult film star Stephanie Clifford, also known as Stormy Daniels. Cohen has admitted to personally paying Clifford to keep her quiet about an alleged 2007 affair she had with Donald Trump.

Esty scheduled to return to work

Rep. Elizabeth Esty, D-Conn., announced on April 2 that she will not seek re-election amid calls for her resignation over her handling of the firing of a former chief of staff accused of harassment, threats and violence against female staffers in her congressional office. less Rep. Elizabeth Esty, D-Conn., announced on April 2 that she will not seek re-election amid calls for her resignation over her handling of the firing of a former chief of staff accused of harassment, threats and ... more Rep. Elizabeth Esty, D-Conn., speaks during a press conference to announce a bipartisan bill to expand the gun purchasing background check system in Washington, D.C. in march 2015.