WASHINGTON (AP) — Lawmakers have scattered for their summer recess, leaving behind a slim record of achievements and a steaming President Donald Trump. The president is angry about what the Republican-led Congress couldn’t do — repeal Obamacare — as well as one of the few things it did: approve a Russia sanctions bill he detests. […]
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Pentagon, border wall covered in $788B House spending bill
WASHINGTON (AP) — The House has passed a $788 billion spending bill that combines a $1.6 billion down payment for President Donald Trump’s controversial border wall with Mexico with a whopping budget increase for the Pentagon. The 235-192 vote both eases a large backlog of unfinished spending bills and gives Trump and his House GOP […]
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A Gray fifth grader tells the Senate that diabetes won't curb his dreams
Charlie Albair, a 10-year-old from Gray, told U.S. senators Wednesday that he is “just like a lot of other kids” who love sports and hope to play for the Boston Red Sox someday. Testifying before the Senate Special Committee on Aging, the fifth grader said there is, however, “one big difference” between him and most […]
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House set to pass Russia sanctions bill limiting Trump's authority
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Republican-led House pushed toward approval of a sweeping Russia sanctions bill that bars President Donald Trump from easing the penalties without first getting permission from Congress, a demand that could imperil his bid for better relations with Moscow. Lawmakers on Tuesday are expected to overwhelmingly pass the popular bill, which aims […]
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Jared Kushner denies collusion with Russia, says he has 'nothing to hide'
WASHINGTON (AP) — Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner is denying that President Donald Trump’s campaign colluded with Russia, saying in a statement ahead of congressional interviews that he has “nothing to hide.” The 11-page statement provided to The Associated Press by a representative Monday details four contacts with Russians during Trump’s campaign and transition. […]
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GOP health bill still a mystery before planned vote
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate will move forward with a key vote this week on a Republican health bill but it’s not yet known whether the legislation will seek to replace President Barack Obama’s health care law or simply repeal it. Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, the third-ranking Republican, said Senate Majority Leader Mitch […]
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Republican leaders plan to vote Tuesday on health care bill
WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican leaders pushed toward a Senate vote next Tuesday on resurrecting their nearly flat-lined health care bill. Their uphill drive was further complicated by the ailing GOP Sen. John McCain’s potential absence and a dreary report envisioning that the number of uninsured Americans would soar. The White House and GOP leaders fished […]
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House budget blueprint boosts military, cuts benefits
WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans on Tuesday unveiled a 10-year budget blueprint that would dramatically increase military spending while putting the GOP on record favoring Medicare cuts opposed by President Donald Trump. The GOP plan, authored by Budget Chairman Diane Black, R-Tenn., would also pave the way for overhauling the U.S. tax code this fall, […]
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Maine lawmakers praise Capitol Police for response to shooter
Nobody from Maine’s congressional offices attended the early morning baseball practice disrupted by a gunman in northern Virginia Wednesday. But all of the state’s lawmakers reacted quickly to the shooting of a lawmaker, staffer, lobbyist and police officers by offering support to the wounded and uniformly praising the officers at the scene. U.S. Sen. Susan […]
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Senate women score legislative wins as influence grows
WASHINGTON — After decades of trying to amass power, several woman have vaulted to the top of influential congressional committees, putting them in charge of some of the most consequential legislation being considered on Capitol Hill. The $1.1 trillion spending plan Congress approved this week was the handiwork of Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Barbara Mikulski, […]