Category: Mitch McConnell

Tensions erupt in Senate over Trump nominees

Tensions erupted in the Senate Tuesday as Democrats stalled several of President Donald Trump’s Cabinet picks, frustrating Republicans who accused Democrats of playing politics to try to hurt Trump and make Senate Republicans look ineffective. Party leaders squared off after a fast-paced and chaotic morning when Democrats on one committee abruptly boycotted a hearing where two top administration officials were expected to clear votes to advance to the floor.

Sen. Mitch McConnell: Dems Need to ‘Get Over’ Loss, Approve Nominees

Senate Democrats’ delaying tactics on President Donald Trump’s Cabinet nominees are fueled by nothing more than rancor over losing the election, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell charged Tuesday. The Kentucky Republican’s blast came in response to Democrats’ boycott of committee votes Tuesday on Treasury Secretary nominee Steven Mnuchin and Health and Human Services Secretary nominee, Georgia Rep. Tom Price – as well as filibustering over Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions’s nomination as attorney general, The Hill reported .

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Trump signed an executive order Friday that bans lega… . People opposed to President Donald Trump’s executive order banning travel from seven Muslim-majority countries continue to demonstrate at Los Angeles International Airport Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017.

Analysis: Trump’s border wall faces reality check

President Donald Trump’s vow to accelerate construction of a “contiguous, physical wall” along the Mexican border is slamming into a Washington reality – who’s going to pay for it and how? Instead, U.S. taxpayers will foot the bill, starting with money already in the Department of Homeland Security account that amounts to a small down payment. Then it’s up to the Republican-led Congress to come up with $12 billion to $15 billion more, according to an estimate offered by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., on Thursday from a GOP issues retreat in Philadelphia.

Analysis: Trumpa s border wall faces reality check

WASHINGTON >> President Donald Trump’s vow to accelerate construction of a “contiguous, physical wall” along the Mexican border is slamming into a Washington reality – who’s going to pay for it and how? Instead, U.S. taxpayers will foot the bill, starting with money already in the Department of Homeland Security account that amounts to a small down payment. Then it’s up to the Republican-led Congress to come up with $12 billion to $15 billion more, according to an estimate offered by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., on Thursday from a GOP issues retreat in Philadelphia.

Trump budget pick Mulvaney faces Senate hearing

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., left, meets with Budget Director-nominee Rep. Mick Mulvaney, R-S.C. on Capitol Hill in Washington. Mulvaney, President Donald Trump’s staunchly conservative choice to lead the White House budget office, is headed before the Senate Budget Committee, where panel members will probe for clues on the new administration’s plans for tackling intractable budget deficits.

Trump signs executive order to ease ‘burden’ of Obamacare

President Donald Trump is joined by the Congressional leadership and his family as he formally signs his cabinet nominations into law, in the President’s Room of the Senate, at the Capitol in Washington, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017. From left behind Trump are, Ivanka Trump, Melania Trump, their son Barron Trump, Eric Trump, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, , Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, , and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, .

In opening act, Trump’s light side on display with lawmakers

Seated at a desk in an ornate room steps from the Senate floor, Trump the showman emerged, giving running commentary as he went. He joshed about his proposed repeal of President Barack Obama’s health care law as he signed legislation granting a special waiver so James Mattis can become Pentagon chief despite having recently served as a general in the Marines.

CBO: 18 million more Americans would be uninsured under 2016 GOP repeal

Insurance premiums would soar and some 18 million Americans would lose health coverage if Republicans partially repeal President Barack Obama’s health care law without a replacement, Congress’ nonpartisan budget office estimated Tuesday. The Congressional Budget Office analyzed a GOP 2016 repeal measure, which Republicans have cited as a starting point for their 2017 drive to dismantle and replace Obama’s health overhaul.

UKa s Johnson woos Trump after May signals clean break with EU

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson will meet with key congressional leaders in Washington on Monday as the U.K. seeks to strengthen ties with Donald Trump’s incoming administration a day after Prime Minister Theresa May signaled Britain may quit the European Union single market. The pound fell to a 10-week low after May said in a Sky News television interview on Sunday that leaving the EU will be about “getting the right relationship, not about keeping bits of membership,” suggesting Britain may opt for a so-called hard Brexit.

Questions about hacking swirl as Trump enters crucial week

President-elect Donald Trump and his aides are entering a crucial week in his presidential transition as he and his Cabinet nominees undergo public questioning about their approach to Russia and potential conflicts of interests. Most pressing during the upcoming days of confirmation hearings and Trump’s first press conference in six months likely will be whether he accepts the conclusion of U.S. intelligence officials that Russia meddled in the U.S. election to help him win the White House.

Questions about hacking swirl as Trump enters crucial week

President-elect Donald Trump and his aides are entering a crucial week in his presidential transition as he and his Cabinet nominees undergo public questioning about their approach to Russia and potential conflicts of interests. Most pressing during the upcoming days of confirmation hearings and Trump’s first press conference in six months likely will be whether he accepts the conclusion of U.S. intelligence officials that Russia meddled in the U.S. election to help him win the White House.

The Wall Street Journal: McConnell says GOP will have new health plan soon after Obamacare repeal

Congress will quickly devise a new health-insurance system after moving to repeal the Obama administration’s signature health-care law in coming days, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Sunday, despite growing questions within the Republican Party over the GOP’s strategy. “We will be replacing it rapidly after repealing it,” the Kentucky Republican said Sunday on CBS.

Ethics reviews incomplete for several Trump Cabinet choices

In this Dec. 12, 2016, file photo, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington. The government’s ethics office says several of President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet choices have not completed a review to avoid conflicts of interest even as Senate Republicans move rapidly to hold at least nine confirmation hearings next week.

Trump builds out White House policy team

NEW YORKa S-a SThe Trump-Pence Presidential transition team on Thursday announced the build out of the White House policy team. NEW YORKa S-a SThe Trump-Pence Presidential transition team on Thursday announced the build out of the White House policy team.

Top Senate Dem warns Trump on Supreme Court pick

The top Democrat in the Senate is warning President-elect Donald Trump about his eventual Supreme Court choice: Name a “mainstream” nominee or Democrats will oppose the individual “with everything we have.” “My worry is, with the hard right running the show, that the likelihood of the nominee being mainstream is decreasing every day,” New York Sen. Chuck Schumer said Wednesday in an interview.

GOP Congress feels it has mandate to undo Obama’s agenda

In this Dec. 8, 2016 file photo, House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wis., and others, listen as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington. Republicans’ grip on all levers of power stands as a mandate to the GOP-led Congress, which will move swiftly to try to undo eight years of outgoing President Barack Obama’s agenda.

GOP Congress feels it has mandate to undo Obama’s agenda

In this Dec. 8, 2016 file photo, House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wis., and others, listen as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington. Republicans’ grip on all levers of power stands as a mandate to the GOP-led Congress, which will move swiftly to try to undo eight years of outgoing President Barack Obama’s agenda.

Democrats Will Target 8 of Trump’s Cabinet Picks

Washington Post : “Incoming Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer has told Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell that Democrats will home in especially on Rex Tillerson, Trump’s choice for secretary of state; Sen. Jeff Sessions , his pick for attorney general; Rep. Mick Mulvaney , tapped to lead the Office of Management and Budget; and Betsy DeVos, selected to serve as education secretary.” “There’s also Rep. Tom Price , Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services and oversee changes to Obamacare, who is expected to be attacked by Democrats for his support for privatizing Medicare.

Trump on Putina s response to U.S. sanctions: a I always knew he was very smarta

After President Barack Obama on Thursday announced retaliatory measures against the Russian government for what the U.S. has concluded were efforts to interfere in the election, President-elect Donald Trump’s response was terse and dismissive, saying it was time to “move on to bigger and better things.” But after Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday that he would not respond in kind to the U.S. actions – preferring to wait until the new administration takes office – Trump weighed in with high praise.

GOP plans to cut tax rates and brackets

Congressional Republicans are planning to simplify a complicated tax code that rewards wealthy people with smart accountants, as well as corporations that can easily shift profits and jobs overseas. Overhauling the nation’s tax system is a heavy political lift that could ultimately affect families at every income level and businesses of every size.

Could have defeated Trump, Obama says

President Barack Obama, seen Sunday in Hawaii, had some criticism of Hillary Clinton’s campaign in an interview released Monday. President Barack Obama said in an interview released Monday that he could have beaten Republican President-elect Donald Trump if they had faced off in last month’s election.

Republicans on taxes: Cut rates, brackets but what about deficit

Congressional Republicans are planning a massive overhaul of the nation’s tax system next year, a heavy political lift that could ultimately affect families at every income level and businesses of every size. Their goal is to simplify a complicated tax code that rewards wealthy people with smart accountants, and corporations that can easily shift profits – and jobs – overseas.

Eugene Robinson: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 with a comb-over. It was a warning to Republican leaders in Congress that Trump intends to be in charge — and that there will be consequences if the party establishment does not fall in line.

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.”

Coal mine rule draws GOP’s ire

The Obama administration Monday unveiled a new rule designed to protect streams and groundwater from coal mining, but the threat of a Republican-led challenge of the measure looms large after President-elect Donald Trump takes office. The Interior Department said in a news release that the rule “updates 33-year-old regulations and establishes clear requirements for responsible surface coal mining that will protect 6,000 miles of streams and 52,000 acres of forests over the next two decades, preserving community health and economic opportunities while meeting the nation’s energy needs.”

Senators push to widen inquiry into Russian election hacking

Pressure mounted Sunday for a broader congressional investigation of Russian cyberattacks aimed at influencing the U.S. election, even as a top aide to President-elect Donald Trump said there was no conclusive evidence of foreign interference. The effort was being led by a bipartisan group of senators, including John McCain, R-Ariz., and Chuck Schumer of New York, the Senate Democratic leader, who called on Sunday for the creation of a Senate select committee on cyberactivity to take the investigative lead on Capitol Hill.

Democrats plan lengthy hearings for Trump Cabinet nominees

Democratic senators plan to aggressively target eight of Donald Trump’s Cabinet nominees in the coming weeks and are pushing to stretch their confirmation votes into March – an unprecedented break with Senate tradition. Such delays would upend Republican hopes of quickly holding hearings and confirming most of Trump’s top picks on Inauguration Day.