As Congress picks leaders, McConnell keeps top Senate post
Mitch McConnell and Chuck Schumer were re-elected on Wednesday to the top jobs in the U.S. Senate, as expected, with lawmakers still fresh from last week’s elections and choosing their party chieftains ahead of the start of a new Congress in January.
Top Senate Democrat: Trump should stay out of government funding
Top U.S. Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer said on Wednesday that President Donald Trump should not interfere in lawmakers’ negotiations if he wants a smooth government funding process.
Mattis defends Mexico border deployment in first troop visit
U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis defended the deployment of thousands of troops to the border with Mexico as he traveled there on Wednesday, saying the mission was “absolutely legal” and justified, and that it was improving military readiness.
U.S. senators introduce bill to rein-in proxy advisers
Six U.S. senators on Wednesday introduced a bill that would require the U.S. securities watchdog to directly regulate firms such as Glass, Lewis & Co and Institutional Shareholder Services, which advise investors on how to vote in corporate elections.
U.S. senators to defy Republican leader on Mueller protections
Two U.S. senators, defying opposition from top Republicans, vowed on Wednesday to push for action on a bipartisan measure that would protect a federal investigation into Russia’s role in the 2016 presidential election.
Justice Department says Trump has power to name Whitaker
The U.S. Justice Department on Wednesday defended the legality of President Donald Trump’s appointment of Matthew Whitaker as acting attorney general after critics called the move unlawful, asserting that he has the authority to replace the fired Jeff …
House Democrat to probe census citizenship question
The lawmaker expected to head the powerful House Oversight Committee in the new U.S. Congress says one of his first priorities will be investigating why President Donald Trump’s administration decided to ask about citizenship on the 2020 census questio…
U.S. lawmakers expect votes on steps to crack down on Saudi Arabia
U.S. lawmakers said on Tuesday the Senate could vote within weeks on legislation to punish Saudi Arabia over the war in Yemen and the death of a journalist at its consulate in Istanbul.
U.S. Senator Graham says supports Mueller bill, urges vote
Republican U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham said on Tuesday he supported a bill that would protect Special Counsel Robert Mueller from any politically motivated firings and would urge Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to allow a vote on it.
White House hit with staff upheavals – again
Another round of upheaval engulfed President Donald Trump’s White House on Tuesday, with the future of several senior aides in doubt just a week after U.S. congressional elections.
