Ford: FBI should investigate Kavanaugh claim before hearing

Christine Blasey Ford wants the FBI to investigate her allegation that she was sexually assaulted by Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh before she testifies at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing next week, her lawyers said in a letter to the panel. The lawyers wrote that Ford, who is now a college professor in California, wants to cooperate with the committee.

Senate committee to hold public hearing with Kavanaugh and accuser after sexual assault allegation

Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh and the woman who has accused him of sexually assaulting her decades ago will testify publicly before the Senate next Monday, setting up a potentially dramatic and politically perilous hearing that could determine the fate of his nomination. Republicans, including President Donald Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., remained defiant as they scrambled to protect Kavanaugh's nomination in the wake of the allegation by Christine Blasey Ford, who told The Washington Post in an interview published Sunday that Kavanaugh pinned her to a bed on her back, groped her and put his hand over her mouth at a house party in the early 1980s.

Hearing sets up showdown between Kavanaugh and his accuser

Republicans on Monday abruptly called Brett Kavanaugh and the woman accusing him of sexual assault decades ago to testify publicly next week, grudgingly setting up a dramatic showdown they hoped would prevent the allegation from sinking his nomination to the Supreme Court. Senate leaders announced the move under pressure from fellow Republicans who wanted a fuller, open examination of the allegations from Christine Blasey Ford, a college professor in California.

‘He put country before self’: The nation’s leaders react to John McCain’s death

A showing of support and condolences poured out by both Republicans and Democrats Saturday evening as the nation grasped with the news of the respect Arizona senator's passing. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R- Ky : "Today is a deeply sad day for the Senate and for our nation.

After Cohen’s plea deal, the fate of Trump’s presidency lies with US Congress

Washington: As he pleaded guilty in a Manhattan courthouse to violating United States federal campaign finance laws, Michael Cohen, US President Donald Trump's longtime fixer, put his future in the hands of the American legal system . But the fate of Trump, the man who Cohen said directed him to break the law by making payments to a pornographic film actress and a former Playboy model, rests, in all likelihood, in the political arena and in the halls of Congress.

In the Senate, the August recess will be missed

If you thought Congress was already polarized , wait and see what happens when dozens of senators are stuck in Washington together for most of swampy August. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, canceled the usual monthlong recess this year for his chamber, a tradition that spans decades and was born out of lawmakers' efforts to ensure they'd have a set time they could travel home every legislative calendar.

Mayfield Messenger: Parties fight it out at Fancy Farm

Mayfield Messenger: Parties fight it out at Fancy Farm Original URL: By Shelley Byrne The Mayfield Messenger Although the political speeches had their usual share of zingers and one-liners, the crowds at the 138th St. Jerome Catholic Church's Fancy Farm Picnic were loudest when candidates spoke about pension reform for state workers, including teachers. A vocal group of protesters wearing red shirts labeled with #120Strong, including many teachers, booed and cheered candidates in turn.

McConnell announces re-elect campaign at Fancy Farm picnic

Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes, left, speaks with Calloway County Democratic Party leader Zee Enix at the Graves County Democratic Breakfast, Saturday, Aug. 4, 2018, in Mayfield, Ky. Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes waives to supporters at the Fancy Farm Picnic, Saturday, Aug. 4, 2018, in Fancy Farm, Ky.

At Netroots Nation, Democratic White House hopefuls balance…

At Netroots Nation, the largest annual gathering of liberal activists, the Democratic Party's leading left-wing voices lashed out at the political centrists. "We tried it their way and we lost to a racist extremist," Cynthia Nixon, who is waging a primary challenge against New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, D, said Friday.

The GOP Is Preparing to Ram Kavanaugh Down Our Throats

I am going to quote this Politico piece on the Republicans' plan to ram Brett Kavanaugh down our throats at length because I think condensing it would lessen the impact. Senate Republicans are pressing ahead on confirming Brett Kavanaugh before the midterm elections even after National Archives said Thursday that it can't meet the GOP's request for records until the end of October, days before the midterm elections.

Sente Votes To Begin Farm Bill Conference, Names Conferees

SENTE VOTES TO BEGIN FARM BILL CONFERENCE, NAMES CONFEREES Aug. 2, 2018 Source: U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry news release U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., are pleased the Senate has voted to move forward with the 2018 Farm Bill Conference Committee. The Senators also applauded the announcement of the Senators who will serve on the 2018 Farm Bill Conference Committee.

Trump shutdown threat falls flat in Congress fixated on avoiding budget battle

Hours after Trump threatened to shut down the government over border security, lawmakers were proceeding with a plan to fund federal agencies anyway. Trump shutdown threat falls flat in Congress fixated on avoiding budget battle Hours after Trump threatened to shut down the government over border security, lawmakers were proceeding with a plan to fund federal agencies anyway.

This idea to defend abortion rights from Brett Kavanaugh could backfire big time

JULY 10: Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, left, and Vice President Mike Pence meet with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., left, in McConnell's office in the Capitol on Tuesday, July 10, 2018, the day after President Donald Trump nominated Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. Sometime in the next few months, the Senate will vote on whether or not to kill Roe v.