Two Democratic senators line up behind Pompeo

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says he's looking forward to voting to confirm President Donald Trump's nominee for secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, later this week in the Senate. McConnell is making the upbeat assessment after two more Democratic senators announced support for Pompeo, now the CIA director, despite steep opposition expected Monday evening at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Panel Approves Pompeo for Secretary of State

President Donald Trump's choice for secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, has cleared the Senate Foreign Relations Committee with a favorable recommendation, narrowly avoiding a rare rebuke as his confirmation heads to the full Senate. Democrats put up stiff resistance and voted against Pompeo, who is now the CIA director.

Pompeo nomination narrowly clears panel, goes to full Senate

Mike Pompeo, President Donald Trump's choice for secretary of state, avoided a rare rebuke Monday as the Senate Foreign Relations Committee narrowly recommended him, but the vote served as a warning shot to the White House as nominees to lead the CIA and Veterans Affairs are hitting stiff resistance. Pompeo, who's now CIA director, received the panel's approval only after Trump's last-minute overtures to Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky.

Sen. Bob Corker Not That Excited About The Leading Republican To Replace Him

After Sen. Bob Corker said he was retiring, former Gov. Phil Bredesen -- a top Democratic recruit -- jumped into the race. Retiring Sen. Bob Corker could muster up only lukewarm praise for his party's leading contender to replace him in November's election, and again offered kind words for the main Democratic candidate.

Retiring Sen. Bob Corker offers lukewarm praise for Marsha Blackburn

Retiring Sen. Bob Corker of Tennessee on Sunday said that former Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen, a Democrat running to replace him, is "my friend" but that he will vote for fellow Republican Marsha Blackburn this fall. Yet Mr. Corker, a Republican, had little to say in support of Ms.

Pittsburgh police warn officers to bring ‘riot gear’ to work in event Trump fires Mueller

A bipartisan group of lawmakers proposed legislation that would ensure a special counsel can only be fired for good cause; reaction from Rep. Matt Gaetz, member of the House Judiciary Committee. Rumors spread by left-leaning groups alleging President Trump will fire special counsel Robert Mueller have begun prompting official action, with Pittsburgh's police department preparing for an eventuality the commander-in-chief has said will never come.

Grassley ‘moving ahead’ with Mueller bill despite McConnell’s opposition

Senate Judiciary Committee Republicans are plowing ahead with their plan to pass a bill out of the committee that would protect special counsel Robert Mueller , despite Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's vow not to put the measure on the Senate floor. Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley, an Iowa Republican, told CNN on Wednesday that he was "moving ahead" with the bipartisan legislation, which is expected to be marked up next week.

The Russia Investigations: How Solid Is Trump’s Support From The Hill’s GOP Leaders?

The U.S. Capitol is seen at dusk in Washington, D.C. on February 6, 2018. Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images hide caption This week in the Russia investigations: How different is the congressional situation now, really? How much might Moscow have depended on straw donors in the United States? After another head-spinning week in Donald Trump's Washington, an important new question is about the strength of the foundation under the support the president has enjoyed from another iconic edifice: The United States Capitol.

The Latest: Kentucky lawmakers finish tax hike veto override

In this April 2, 2018 file photo, teachers from across Kentucky fill the state Capitol to rally for increased funding and to protest last minute changes to their state funded pension system in Frankfort, Ky. A public employee pension crisis for state governments has deepened to a record level even after nearly nine years of economic recovery for the nation, according to a study released Thursday, April 12, 2018, leaving many states especially vulnerable if the economy hits a downturn.

DC Buzz: Esty interview, Part II

Rep. Elizabeth Esty's meteoric rise in Congress flamed out after Hearst Connecticut Media and other outlets broke the story of her self-described errors in handing the 2016 exit of her abusive former chief of staff. But between the story bombshell and her decision not to seek a fourth term in Congress came the self-imposed weekend from hell at her home in Cheshire.

Schumer Warns of ‘Constitutional Crisis’ 6 Times in 3 Minutes

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on Tuesday warned President Trump not to fire Special Counsel Robert Mueller or Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, the man who appointed Mueller to lead the FBI's long-running Trump-Russia probe. A short time earlier, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told a news conference he thinks Mueller should be allowed to finish his investigation.

As Trump fumes, senators craft a bill to protect Mueller Source: AP

A bipartisan group of four senators is moving to protect special counsel Robert Mueller's job as President Donald Trump publicly muses about firing him. Republican Sens. Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Democratic Sens. Chris Coons of Delaware and Cory Booker of New Jersey plan to introduce legislation Wednesday that would give any special counsel a 10-day window in which he or she could seek expedited judicial review of a firing, according to two people familiar with the legislation.

Trump looks to pack the courts with conservatives

President Donald Trump, finding it harder than expected to get his legislative agenda accomplished on Capitol Hill, is looking to pack the courts with conservative jurists. The latest step in the process came on Tuesday, when the White House unveiled its 12th wave of judicial nominees, US attorneys and US Marshals, a package of 30 people who will now face confirmation battles in the Senate.

Senators move to protect Mueller as Trump criticizes probe

A bipartisan group of four senators is moving to protect special counsel Robert Mueller 's job as President Donald Trump publicly muses about firing him. Republican Sens. Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Democratic Sens. Chris Coons of Delaware and Cory Booker of New Jersey plan to introduce legislation Wednesday that would give any special counsel a 10-day window in which he or she could seek expedited judicial review of a firing, according to two people familiar with the legislation.

Congress Returns, With Eyes Off the Floors

Senate GOP leadership likely did not anticipate reserving chunks of time ahead of the midterms this year for Cabinet-level posts that were already filled. Pictured above, from left: Sens. Cory Gardner, John Barrasso and Roy Blunt, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn.