The Latest: McConnell says no to select panel on Russia

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is rejecting calls for a special Senate investigative committee focused on possible interference in U.S. elections by Russia and other countries. McConnell says a finding by U.S. intelligence officials that Moscow hacked Democratic emails in a bid to elevate Donald Trump "is a serious issue, but it doesn't require a select committee."

McConnell rejects calls for select panel on Russian meddling

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is rejecting bipartisan calls for a special committee to investigate Russian interference in the U.S. election, which American intelligence says was aimed in part at helping Republican Donald Trump defeat Democrat Hillary Clinton. The likely meddling by Russia "is a serious issue, but it doesn't require a select committee," said McConnell, R-Ky.

Trumpa s infrastructure splurge would collide with U.S. skilled labor crunch

President-elect Donald Trump's drive to rebuild U.S. roads, bridges, ports and other public works projects with a $1 trillion infrastructure investment plan would come as the country faces a shortage of skilled laborers. Before any dirt can be moved, Trump would have to get approval from Congress.

Who in the GOP will stand up to Trump?

President-elect Donald Trump's victory tour was more than just an opportunity to strut and preen around the country like a peacock. Who in the GOP will stand up to Trump? President-elect Donald Trump's victory tour was more than just an opportunity to strut and preen around the country like a peacock.

John McCain at odds with Trump over Russia

McCain, chairman of the Armed Services Committee, on Sunday joined Democrats in calling for a special select committee to investigate foreign cyberattacks, putting him at odds not only with the incoming GOP president but with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., who favors allowing the Intelligence committee to take the lead on the inquiry. "We need a select committee.

How Fast Could GOP Congress Get Obamacare Repeal To Trump’s Desk?

House Majority Leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., is part of the Republican leadership working to repeal the Affordable Care Act as quickly as possible in January. Republicans in Congress are so eager to repeal the Affordable Care Act that some have vowed to get a bill to President-elect Donald Trump's desk on the day he takes the oath of office.

The Latest: Brazil’s Temer and Trump discuss economic growth

In this June 15, 2012, file photo, Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson shake hands at a signing ceremony of an agreement between state-controlled Russian oil company Rosneft and ExxonMobil at the Black Sea port of Tuapse, southern Russia.

Trump’s criticism of Russia hacking claim could haunt him

Donald Trump held firm Monday to his skepticism of the huge intelligence apparatus he's about to inherit, doubting anew the CIA conclusion that Russia tried to hack its way into tipping the U.S. election his way. Trump emphasized that he does not accept the conclusion that the Kremlin tried to disrupt the election in his favour, an idea he dismissed as "ridiculous" over the weekend.

Senate pushes to avert gov’t shutdown over miners’ benefits

The Senate pushed to avert a government shutdown at midnight Friday as coal-state Democrats evoked President-elect Donald Trump in pleading for a more generous extension of health care benefits for retired miners. A key Democrat in the rancorous fight over benefits for retired miners facing a loss of coverage at year's end suggested he would beat a tactical retreat and resume the battle next year.

Joe Biden, on valedictory tour, mixes emotional farewell with lingering ambition

In this image from Senate Television, Vice President Biden presides over the Senate at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Dec. 5. Vice President Biden's tribute tour reached a crescendo Wednesday in the rarest possible fashion: He barely said a word on the Senate floor. Biden, who for 36 years filled the chamber with voluble oratory, sat in the presiding officer's chair serving in his other capacity, president of the Senate, as a bipartisan collection of colleagues poured out tributes for the outgoing vice president.

Senate advances bill to speed drug OKs

A bipartisan bill to speed government drug approvals and bolster biomedical research cleared its last procedural hurdle in the Senate on Monday. The 85-13 vote for cloture, or closing debate and preventing a filibuster on the bill, puts the measure on track for final legislative approval by the Senate as early as today.

The Latest: Trump’s daughter, Ivanka, to meet with Al Gore

Ivanka Trump is meeting with former Vice President Al Gore, who is an aggressive advocate on the idea that humans are causing climate change. Ivanka Trump is a member of her father's transition team, and aides told reporters Monday that the session would take place later in the day.

McConnell cautions replacement to health law to take time

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says Congress will act early next year to repeal President Barack Obama's health care law but delay the changes as Republicans try to come up with an alternative. The Kentucky Republican insisted Saturday that some 20 million Americans who have health care through the six-year-old law will not lose coverage, though the likely upheaval in the insurance industry suggests otherwise.