By MARK SHERMAN and LISA MASCARO , Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh touted the importance of an independent judiciary as his confirmation hearings began with strident Democratic criticism that he would be President Donald Trump’s man on the high court. On Wednesday, Kavanaugh can expect to spend most of the…
By KEVIN FREKING and MATTHEW DALY , Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Keep the government running and confirm Brett Kavanaugh as the next Supreme Court justice. Those are the big-ticket items that Republican leaders in Congress hope to accomplish as lawmakers look to wrap up their work and head home to campaign for the November…
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley, the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate, wants to do away with a provision in the federal tax code that bars religious organizations from endorsing or opposing political candidates. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch obtained audio of an Aug. 21 speech to religious leaders in St. Louis…
By JOHN O’CONNOR , AP Political Writer SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois Republicans, led by Gov. Bruce Rauner, rallied the faithful Wednesday by pledging to make the GOP the state’s majority party in the November election. Republicans at the annual Governor’s Day at the Illinois State Fair were buoyed by predicted thunderstorms that failed to…
By JILL COLVIN , Associated Press BRIDGEWATER, N.J. (AP) — Former presidential adviser Omarosa Manigault Newman is drawing fire from President Donald Trump’s allies and national security experts for secret recordings she made at the White House, including her firing by chief of staff John Kelly in the high-security Situation Room. Manigault Newman said Sunday…
By LOLITA C. BALDOR , Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Pointing to growing threats and competition from Russia and China, the White House on Thursday announced ambitious plans to create the U.S. Space Force as a sixth, separate military warfighting service by 2020. The proposal taps into the American public’s long fascination with space —…
By DARLENE SUPERVILLE , Associated Press BRIDGEWATER, N.J. (AP) — President Donald Trump said Sunday that he would consider shutting down the government if Democrats refuse to vote for his immigration proposals, including a U.S.-Mexico border wall. Republicans, trying to protect their majority in Congress, are playing down the chance of a shutdown as the…
By STEVE PEOPLES Associated Press AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — There was no sign of shock or outrage in the hotel hallways and conference rooms where Republican officials gathered to discuss party business even as politicians on both sides and foreign policy experts fretted about President Donald Trump’s cozy relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The…
St. Louis, MO (KTRS) Vice-President Mike Pence visited St. Louis on Thursday to promote the Administration’s tax cuts. The event was hosted by the non-profit group America First Policies at the St. Louis Marriott Grand Hotel in downtown St. Louis.This was the 18th such event called “Tax Cuts To Put America First.” “More than six…
WASHINGTON (AP) —Two senators will try to force a vote Thursday on their resolution backing the U.S. intelligence community’s finding that Russia intervened in the 2016 election and commending the Justice Department for bringing charges against Russian officials. Arizona Republican Jeff Flake and Delaware Democrat Chris Coons introduced the bipartisan resolution amid fallout from President…