WEATHER ALERT
US Sen. Susan Collins says she will write in Haley, once again not vote for Donald Trump in 2024
Read full article: US Sen. Susan Collins says she will write in Haley, once again not vote for Donald Trump in 2024Sen. Susan Collins didn’t vote for Donald Trump for president in 2016 or 2020, and the third time will not be the charm.
Former Wisconsin Democratic Rep. Peter Barca announces new bid for Congress
Read full article: Former Wisconsin Democratic Rep. Peter Barca announces new bid for CongressA Democrat who served one term representing southeast Wisconsin in Congress in the 1990s before going on to become a leader in the Assembly and state revenue secretary announced Thursday that he’s running for Congress again.
Supreme Court signals it will uphold a tax on foreign income and leave a wealth tax for another day
Read full article: Supreme Court signals it will uphold a tax on foreign income and leave a wealth tax for another dayThe Supreme Court seems inclined to uphold a tax on foreign income while leaving broader questions about a never-enacted tax on wealth for another day.
Christian conservatives cheer one of their own as Mike Johnson assumes Congress' most powerful seat
Read full article: Christian conservatives cheer one of their own as Mike Johnson assumes Congress' most powerful seatEvangelical Christian conservatives have long had allies in top Republican leadership in Congress.
Republican Steve Scalise is seen as a fighter, but becoming the House speaker might require a brawl
Read full article: Republican Steve Scalise is seen as a fighter, but becoming the House speaker might require a brawlRepublican colleagues call Steve Scalise a fighter, but the nominee for House speaker may be in for a brawl.
Kevin McCarthy's ouster as House speaker could cost the GOP its best fundraiser heading into 2024
Read full article: Kevin McCarthy's ouster as House speaker could cost the GOP its best fundraiser heading into 2024Some members of the GOP are wondering if anyone can take Kevin McCarthy's place as a fundraising dynamo and party builder.
Kevin McCarthy was an early architect of the Republican majority that became his downfall
Read full article: Kevin McCarthy was an early architect of the Republican majority that became his downfallThe day before he was ousted, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy was doing what he loved — stopping to greet tourists at the Capitol and gushing over its place in American democracy.
Speaker McCarthy is giving hard-right Republicans what they want. But it never seems to be enough.
Read full article: Speaker McCarthy is giving hard-right Republicans what they want. But it never seems to be enough.Speaker Kevin McCarthy has turned to a strategy that so far has preserved his tenuous hold on House leadership, but also marked his tenure by chaos.
Biden warns of GOP plans for Medicare, Social Security cuts
Read full article: Biden warns of GOP plans for Medicare, Social Security cutsWhen President Joe Biden suggested that Republicans want to slash Medicare and Social Security it brought howls of protests from the GOP side of the aisle during the State of the Union address.
History-making Jackson set for Senate hearing for high court
Read full article: History-making Jackson set for Senate hearing for high courtJudge Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman nominated to the Supreme Court, is going before the Senate Judiciary Committee with the path to her historic confirmation seemingly clear.
Historic court pick brings rare criminal defense experience
Read full article: Historic court pick brings rare criminal defense experienceThe judge President Joe Biden has chosen to fulfill his historic pledge to name the first Black woman to the Supreme Court would also bring rare experience of defending poor people charged with crimes.
Jackson, in high court mix, traces law interest to preschool
Read full article: Jackson, in high court mix, traces law interest to preschoolWhen Ketanji Brown Jackson’s younger daughter was 11, she drafted a letter to President Barack Obama suggesting her federal-judge mom for a vacancy on the Supreme Court.
Reaction to Bob Dole's death from US dignitaries, veterans
Read full article: Reaction to Bob Dole's death from US dignitaries, veteransU.S. leaders and military veterans are mourning the loss of former Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole, a World War II veteran and former Republican presidential candidate who served in Congress for 36 years.
In Virginia, McAuliffe brings big names, Youngkin goes solo
Read full article: In Virginia, McAuliffe brings big names, Youngkin goes soloDemocrat Terry McAuliffe has brought out the biggest names in Democratic politics as he’s tried to maintain his edge in Virginia’s hotly contested gubernatorial race.
Former House Speaker Paul Ryan to GOP: Reject Trump and ‘second-rate imitations’
Read full article: Former House Speaker Paul Ryan to GOP: Reject Trump and ‘second-rate imitations’Former House Speaker Paul Ryan is joining the fight against Donald Trump, urging fellow conservatives to reject the former president's divisive politics and the Republican leaders who emulate him.
Are suit jackets oppression? Lawmakers fight own dress codes
Read full article: Are suit jackets oppression? Lawmakers fight own dress codes(AP Photo/Steven Senne)BOSTON – A sneaker-clad Latino state senator in Rhode Island is objecting to his chamber’s jacket and dress shirt edict as a form of white oppression. With women and people of color elected in larger numbers in many states, legislatures are being forced to confront longstanding dress codes that are increasingly viewed as sexist and racist. But the Denver-based organization said roughly half of all state legislatures had some sort of formalized dress code in 2019. The Democrat-controlled Rhode Island Senate approved its new dress code Tuesday, over objections from Acosta and other lawmakers. But he said the strong opposition to ending the dress code outright only underscores the uphill battle younger, progressive lawmakers face in trying to advance more pressing priorities.
Dividing party, Republicans poised to challenge Biden win
Read full article: Dividing party, Republicans poised to challenge Biden winEleven Republican senators saying they will not be voting Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, to confirm President-elect Joe Biden's victory include Wyoming's newly sworn in Sen. Cynthia Lummis, a Cheyenne-area rancher and former congresswoman. It is unclear just what the Republican senators will do, but the process could drag into the night as the two chambers will have to consider each objection individually. And more than a dozen Republican senators have said they will not support the effort. Facing the criticism from many in his own party, Cruz has attempted to put a finer point on his challenge. The commission remains his focus, he has said, not to undo the election results, even though that would be the practical effect of a successful objection.
Trump says he'll 'fight like hell' to hold on to presidency
Read full article: Trump says he'll 'fight like hell' to hold on to presidencyThough he got nothing but cheers Monday night, Trump's attempt to overturn the presidential election i s splitting the Republican Party. Trump himself is whipping up crowds for a Wednesday rally near the White House. Trump said in Georgia: “I hope that our great vice president comes through for us. Two current Republican senators, Rob Portman of Ohio and Mike Lee of Utah, joined the growing number who now oppose the legislators' challenge. Larry Hogan of Maryland; Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming, the third-ranking House GOP leader; and former House Speaker Paul Ryan — have criticized the GOP efforts to overturn the election.
The Latest: Nancy Pelosi reelected speaker of the House
Read full article: The Latest: Nancy Pelosi reelected speaker of the HouseHouse Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., speaks to the media, Wednesday Dec. 30, 2020, on Capitol Hill in Washington. The group of House and Senate Republicans are echoing President Donald Trump’s baseless claims of widespread voter fraud. Democrat Nancy Pelosi was set to be reelected as House speaker by her party, which retains the majority in the House but with the slimmest margin in 20 years. Hawley specifically defended himself against criticism from GOP Sen. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania as he challenges that state’s election results. Rep. Nancy Pelosi is set to be reelected as House speaker by fellow Democrats, who retain the House majority but with the slimmest margin in 20 years.
Trump headed to Georgia as runoff boost, but also a threat
Read full article: Trump headed to Georgia as runoff boost, but also a threatPresident Donald Trump participates in a video teleconference call with members of the military on Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov. 26, 2020, at the White House in Washington. Republicans acknowledge Trump as the GOP’s biggest turnout driver, including in Georgia, where Biden won by fewer than 13,000 votes out of about 5 million cast. “Followers of Trump will follow Trump, but they’re not blind to the huge stakes. Before November, Democrats dreaded a second Trump term more than Republicans feared Trump losing, Robinson reasoned. “I couldn’t be more excited to welcome” the president “back to Georgia,” Loeffler wrote on Twitter after Trump confirmed his plans.
President Trump ally Kevin McCarthy is reelected leader of House Republicans
Read full article: President Trump ally Kevin McCarthy is reelected leader of House RepublicansHouse Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., talks about House Republicans and the election, during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020. House Republicans are “the most united and energized” he's ever seen after their “historic political upset." McCarthy and his team are now among the remaining leaders from the tea party era, when House Republicans last controlled Congress. In the Trump era, House Republicans’ role receded as the White House often dominated the discussion and Republicans held the majority in the Senate. The House Republicans had to seek a waiver from the District of Columbia, which has restrictions on large gatherings.
Trump ally McCarthy is reelected leader of House Republicans
Read full article: Trump ally McCarthy is reelected leader of House RepublicansHouse Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., talks about House Republicans and the election, during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020. House Republicans are “the most united and energized” he's ever seen after their “historic political upset." McCarthy and his team are now among the remaining leaders from the tea party era, when House Republicans last controlled Congress. In the Trump era, House Republicans’ role receded as the White House often dominated the discussion and Republicans held the majority in the Senate. The House Republicans had to seek a waiver from the District of Columbia, which has restrictions on large gatherings.
Biden has room on health care, though limited by Congress
Read full article: Biden has room on health care, though limited by CongressAnd just like the Trump administration, Biden is expected to aggressively wield the rule-making powers of the executive branch to address health insurance coverage and prescription drug costs. With COVID-19 surging across the country, Biden's top health care priority is whipping the federal government’s response into shape. “We’re going to work quickly with the Congress to dramatically ramp up health care protections, get Americans universal coverage, lower health care costs, as soon as humanly possible,” the president-elect said earlier this week. A factor that may work in Biden's favor is that many Republicans want to change the subject on health care. Coronavirus relief legislation could provide an early vehicle for some broader health care changes.
Biden's plea for cooperation confronts a polarized Congress
Read full article: Biden's plea for cooperation confronts a polarized CongressWASHINGTON – President-elect Joe Biden feels at home on Capitol Hill, but the place sure has changed since he left. The clubby atmosphere that Biden knew so well during his 36-year Senate career is gone, probably forever. Republicans are favored to retain control of the Senate heading into two runoff elections in Georgia in January. And some lawmakers say voters made clear in the election that governance from the middle is exactly what they want. “He has a remarkable record of shape-shifting to run his conference in a unique manner determined by the political imperative of the moment," said former Senate Democratic leadership aide Mike Spahn.
Biden's plea for cooperation confronts a polarized Congress
Read full article: Biden's plea for cooperation confronts a polarized CongressWASHINGTON – President-elect Joe Biden feels at home on Capitol Hill, but the place sure has changed since he left. The clubby atmosphere that Biden knew so well during his 36-year Senate career is gone, probably forever. Republicans are favored to retain control of the Senate heading into two runoff elections in Georgia in January. And some lawmakers say voters made clear in the election that governance from the middle is exactly what they want. “He has a remarkable record of shape-shifting to run his conference in a unique manner determined by the political imperative of the moment," said former Senate Democratic leadership aide Mike Spahn.
Analysis: GOP lets doubts about Biden's legitimacy flourish
Read full article: Analysis: GOP lets doubts about Biden's legitimacy flourish“Their intent is to delegitimize this election and thereby delegitimize President-elect Biden’s presidency,” said Valerie Jarrett, who was a White House senior adviser to President Barack Obama. He has cleared the 270 Electoral College votes needed to win the White House. Still, Republicans have allowed Trump's misinformation to flourish, pushed along by conservative media and on the internet. The turmoil surrounding the transition, he added, said more about the person leaving the White House than the one who will soon enter. Those lies helped fuel some of the hard-line opposition to Obama within the party, making it difficult for more mainstream GOP leaders to work with the White House.
US Senate high stakes spur astronomical spending in Montana
Read full article: US Senate high stakes spur astronomical spending in Montana– Political groups fighting for control of the U.S. Senate have poured more than $118 million into the contest between Montana's Democratic Gov. And the Montana political ad spending is almost 10 times as much per voter being spent on ads in Colorado's Senate contest between former Democratic Gov. But the main driver is the race's competitive nature and the high stakes in the Senate. “These groups that are spending, they're spending big," Bullock told The AP. The Annenberg center's Jamieson, whose grandmother homesteaded in Montana, noted that political ads have a long history in the state.
Frenemies: Romney, GOP reunite on plan for Ginsburg seat
Read full article: Frenemies: Romney, GOP reunite on plan for Ginsburg seatThe Utah Republican and 2012 GOP presidential nominee incensed President Donald Trump and Republicans with his impeachment vote. No court nominee in U.S. history has been considered so close to a presidential election. Without speaking to anyone at the White House, Romney then made his decision official, clearing the way for the Senate to move ahead. Romney would not, for example, voice an opinion on any specific potential Trump nominee. Supporting the GOP effort to replace Ginsburg, Romney said, represented his “intention” — for now.
'Ballot harvesting' targeted amid fight over voting rules
Read full article: 'Ballot harvesting' targeted amid fight over voting rulesLAS VEGAS As President Donald Trump's reelection campaign challenged Nevada's new voting law in court, the president and Republicans argued the rules would facilitate fraud and illegal voting. Trump and the GOP contend ballot harvesting opens the door for fraud and have fought to restrict it. This has escalated as states prepare for greater reliance on absentee voting or vote-by-mail amid COVID-19. In Nevada, an easing of ballot collection rules was included in a new law that calls for automatically sending ballots to all active voters this November. Nevada is among 26 other states allowing voters to more broadly designate someone to drop off their ballot.
Trump faces rare rebuke from GOP for floating election delay
Read full article: Trump faces rare rebuke from GOP for floating election delayIt was a rare rebuke for Trump from his fellow Republicans but one that might not last. Reeves said he opposes any plan to change the election date: I dont personally think a delay in the election at this point in time is necessary." Trump cannot change the election date without the approval of Congress, and policymakers in both parties made clear they would oppose such a move. Trump's ultimate goal, however, may have less to do with the election date than undermining the results of the election if he loses. The Republican president did not deny that he was trying to cast doubt about the election results when asked directly during Thursday's press briefing.
Congress stalls out again dealing with national trauma
Read full article: Congress stalls out again dealing with national trauma(AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)WASHINGTON For a moment, Congress had a chance to act on policing reform, mobilized by a national trauma and overwhelming public support. There are other high-profile examples where public support has been unable to overcome hyper-partisanship in Congress most notably on gun control. The parties have also failed to make progress in overhauling the nations fractured immigration laws, despite broad public support. Murray said in an interview that there was little attempt to do that kind of behind-the-scenes work on policing reform. The feeling that you want to accomplish something, that you want to get something done ... is a very different feeling than we saw with policing reform."