No Resignation, but Pressure Forces Jeff Sessions to Recuse Himself

Responding to growing pressure both from his colleagues and the public at large, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced Thursday that he is recusing himself from federal investigations into possible Russian interference in the 2016 election. Though he continued to deny the accusation that he lied under oath as “totally false,” he said he spoke with his staff and they recommended recusal.

Read a Transcript of Paul Ryan’s Press Conference on Jeff Sessions

House Speaker Paul Ryan said that Attorney General Jeff Sessions should only recuse himself from investigations into Russia if “he himself” is the subject of the investigation. Speaking at a brief press conference on Capitol Hill, the Wisconsin Republican said he “hadn't read” the transcripts of what Sessions told the Senate Judiciary Committee at his confirmation hearing about whether he met with Russia and could not speak to whether it was accurate.

U.S. House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, other GOP leaders discuss ‘Obamacare’ plans with President Donald Trump

President Donald Trump dines with several Republican congressional leaders, including U.S. Majority Whip Steve Scalise on Wednesday, March 1. U.S. Majority Whip Steve Scalise, R-Jefferson, was one of several Republican Congressional leaders who met over lunch with President Donald Trump on Wednesday to discuss plans for the repeal and replacement of the federal Affordable Care Act. “We are here to start the process.

The Latest: WH says Conway promo of Ivanka line inadvertent

The top White House ethics attorney says counsellor Kellyanne Conway “acted inadvertently” and “without nefarious motive” when she promoted Ivanka Trump’s fashion line during a television interview at the White House. Stefan Passantino, deputy counsel to the president on compliance and ethics, wrote in a letter to the Office of Government Ethics that he met with Conway and resolved the matter.

Was Trump tribute to fallen soldier fitting or calculated?

Carryn Owens, widow of widow of Chief Special Warfare Operator William “Ryan” Owens, is applauded on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017, as she was acknowledged by President Donald Trump during his address to a joint session of Congress. less Carryn Owens, widow of widow of Chief Special Warfare Operator William “Ryan” Owens, is applauded on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017, as she was acknowledged by President Donald Trump … more An emotional Carryn Owens, widow of widow of Chief Special Warfare Operator William “Ryan” Owens, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017, as she was acknowledged by President Donald Trump during his address to a joint session of Congress.

Former Montana Rep. Zinke takes helm of Interior Department

In his first address to a joint session of Congress, Trump said largely what GOP leaders were hoping to hear Tuesday night, staying on-message and talking in optimistic tones In his first address to a joint session of Congress, Trump said largely what GOP leaders were hoping to hear Tuesday night, staying on-message and talking in optimistic tones The initial reaction signaled that Trump faces a fight with the GOP on the $1 trillion-plus portion of the federal budget that is passed each year by Congress. The initial reaction signaled that Trump faces a fight with the GOP on the $1 trillion-plus portion of the federal budget that is passed each year by Congress.

GOPa s Obamacare replacement plans provide less financial help, analyses show

As congressional Republicans move to solidify their Obamacare repeal-and-replace legislation, concern is mounting that their strategies will leave millions of Americans with less financial assistance and more expensive coverage. A new analysis on Wednesday from the Kaiser Family Foundation projects that the HealthCare.gov insurance marketplace’s average premium subsidy – which people use to help purchase coverage – would shrink by at least 36 percent in 2020 under GOP proposals being considered.

Trump lays out his vision for America in speech to Congress

President Donald Trump sought to repackage his hard-line campaign promises with a moderate sheen Tuesday night, declaring what he termed “a new chapter of American greatness” of economic renewal and military might in his first joint address to Congress. Seeking to steady his presidency after a tumultuous first 40 days, Trump had an air of seriousness and revealed flashes of compassion as he broadly outlined a sweeping agenda to rebuild a country he described as ravaged by crime and drugs, deteriorating infrastructure, and failing bureaucracies.

Twitter mocks Democrat response

Twitter lit up late Tuesday night to mock former Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear, who delivered a stilted response to President Trump’s speech from a coffeehouse. Beshear appeared to be picked to respond because he’s from a working-class state that Democrats are now desperately looking to win back.

Tennessee lawmakers respond to Trumpa s speech to Congress

The storms could produce damaging winds, hail, and tornadoes in the northwest area of the region in Tuesday and all across the mid-state on President Donald Trump addresses a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017, as Vice President Mike Pence and House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wis., listen. “An effective speech.

California water bills are starting to trickle out on Capitol Hill

The lead author in the House of Representatives of a big and controversial California water bill that passed last year is back for more. With a Republican in the White House and the GOP controlling Congress, Rep. David Valadao, R-Calif., said Tuesday that he was hoping to build on last year’s legislation that was loved by farmers and loathed by environmentalists.

Conservatives rebel on health care, and GOP looks to Trump

House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wis., followed by Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., and House Majority Whip Steve Scalise of La., leaves a closed-door strategy session on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017, to meet with reporters before President Donald Trump’s speech to the nation. A month into the new administration, the GOP is discovering the difficulties of making good on its promises on repealing Obama’s health care law, and other issues.

Trump looks to reset his presidency, again, with speech to Congress

Donald Trump will use his first prime-time address to Congress Tuesday to refocus his presidency on series of policy priorities, including the economy and health care, and away from the infighting and allegations of corruption that have plagued his young administration. In the speech whose theme is dubbed the “renewal of the American spirit,” Trump will tout his campaign promises and offer a vision for the country in a more optimistic tone than he did at his inaugural address , after weeks of taking credit, often without merit, for the surge in the stock market and creating jobs, his aides say.

Paul Ryan: ‘We are hosed’ if we don’t tackle entitlements like Medicare

President Donald Trump ran on a vow to not cut benefits for Medicare, but House Speaker Paul Ryan said he thinks that is still an “open question.” “From all my conversations with the President, he says ‘I don’t want to change Medicare benefits for people in or near retirement,’ and we agree with that,” the Wisconsin Republican told reporters in his Capitol suite Tuesday morning.

President’s first joint Congressional talk tonight

With Vice President Mike Pence stuck in the middle, President Donald Trump shakes hands with House Speaker Paul Ryan on Jan. 26. Trump will speak to Congress at 8 p.m. today. President Donald Trump is addressing a joint session of Congress at 8 p.m. today and the usual outlets will be on hand live until 9:30.

Mitch McConnell

Congress returns to Washington this week to confront dramatic decisions on health care and the Supreme Court that may help determine the course of Donald Trump’s presidency. First, the president will have his say, in his maiden speech to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night.

AP sources: Trump to propose boosting defense spending

The White House will propose boosting defense spending and slashing funding for longtime Republican targets like the Environmental Protection Agency in a set of marching orders to agencies as it prepares its budget for the upcoming fiscal year. President Donald Trump’s proposal for the 2018 budget year, which will be sent to agencies Monday, won’t make significant changes to Social Security or Medicare, according to an administration official.

Trump’s speech could be marked by disruption or decorum

The sergeant-at-arms will stand at the rear of the House of Representatives on Tuesday night and announce, in a booming voice, the arrival of Donald Trump before a joint session of Congress by intoning: “Mister Speaker, the President of the United States,” just like always. Trump will stride down the centre aisle to lusty cheers and hearty handshakes from his Republican supporters.

Congress to address big issues

Congress returns to Washington this week to confront dramatic decisions on health care and the Supreme Court that may help determine the course of Donald Trump’s presidency. First, the president will have his say, in his maiden speech to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night.

AP Sources: White House To Propose Boosting Defense Spending

The White House will propose boosting defense spending and slashing funding for longtime Republican targets like the Environmental Protection Agency in a set of marching orders to agencies as it prepares its budget for the upcoming fiscal year. President Donald Trump’s proposal for the 2018 budget year, which will be sent to agencies Monday, won’t make significant changes to Social Security or Medicare, according to an administration official.

Democrats: GOP Medicaid reform plan is really about tax cuts

Tensions emerged Saturday between Democratic and Republican U.S. governors over a GOP-led proposal for a major overhaul to Medicaid, with Democrats saying the changes would take away people’s health coverage to finance tax cuts for the wealthy. GOP governors intend to present Congress with a plan that they say would give states more flexibility to administer health coverage for poorer residents while protecting states from absorbing the costs of repealing the Affordable Care Act.

In Trump’s first speech to Congress, will decorum hold? NEW

The House sergeant-at-arms will stand at the rear of the House of Representatives on Tuesday night and announce the arrival of Donald Trump before a joint session of Congress by intoning: “Mister Speaker, the President of the United States” just like always. Trump will stride down the center aisle to lusty cheers and hearty handshakes from his Republican supporters.

GOP proposal aims to end insurance mandate in ‘Obamacare’

A draft Republican bill replacing President Barack Obama ‘s health care law would end its Medicaid expansion, scrap fines on people not buying insurance and eliminate taxes on the medical industry and higher earners. Instead, it would create tax credits worth up to $4,000, allow bigger contributions to personal health savings accounts and impose a new levy on expensive health coverage some employees get at work.

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According to George Clooney, Donald Trump is part of the Hollywood elite he has regularly criticized on the campaign trail and after taking office, calling him a “Hollywood elitist” because of the money he receives because of his previous film and television roles. In an interview with Canal+, the actor claimed that Trump benefits from his membership of the Screen Actors Guild and makes a substantial sum each year from it.

Unfazed: GOP senators insist on keeping Obamacare option

Two Republican senators aren’t deterred by conservative pushback to their Obamacare replacement plan, saying if President Trump is serious about giving insurance to everybody, their idea is the best way to go. Sens. Bill Cassidy, of Louisiana, and Susan Collins, of Maine, are working with lawmakers in both chambers to whip up support for their replacement plan.

Hill staff craves direction from Trump White House

Republican congressional aides charged with speaking for their bosses are hopeful that President Trump ‘s new communications director will help keep the Hill better informed about White House policy decisions, after a month of what many described as an almost total lack of coordination. After catching Republican lawmakers off guard with a controversial weekend immigration order that has since been struck down by a panel of federal judges, the Trump administration is trying to give key lawmakers a heads up about executive orders now, the press secretary said.