U.S. Gulf Coast groups concerned as Trump picks BP lawyer to top DOJ post
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump’s selection of Jeffrey Bossert Clark to be the Justice Department’s top environmental lawyer has raised concerns by Gulf coast environmental groups as he was the lawyer for international oil company BP…
U.S. Senate advances Iran sanctions bill, eyes new Russia sanctions
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Senate voted overwhelmingly on Wednesday to advance a bill that would impose new sanctions on Iran, the same day at least 12 people were killed in attacks in Tehran, as lawmakers planned to add a package of sanctions on …
Labor Department rescinds Obama-era rule on ‘joint employment’
(Reuters) – The U.S. Labor Department on Wednesday said it was rescinding the Obama administration’s standard for determining when companies are “joint employers” of contract and franchise workers, in the agency’s first major shift in labor policy unde…
Trump says Obamacare in ‘death spiral,’ urges Congress to act
CINCINNATI (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the Obamacare healthcare system is in a “death spiral” and must be reformed soon, a day after insurer Anthem Inc announced it would withdraw from the Ohio healthcare insurance ex…
Trump pushes infrastructure plan as Russia probe heats up
CINCINNATI, Ohio (Reuters) – President Donald Trump on Wednesday trumpeted plans for $1 trillion in U.S. infrastructure spending as he struggles to gain momentum for his economic agenda amid growing attention on the probe into alleged ties between his …
Senators challenge Trump plan to privatize air traffic control
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States’ top transportation official on Wednesday promoted the Trump administration’s proposed privatization of the air traffic control system in the face of criticism from Democratic lawmakers and some Republicans.
U.S. spy agencies probe another flank in Russian hacking
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – Russian hacking of the 2016 U.S. election included sophisticated targeting of state officials responsible for voter rolls and voting procedures, according to a top secret U.S. intelligence document that was leaked and publishe…
Taking a tough stance on summer: conservatives in U.S. House
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Conservative Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives have taken a hard-line stance on yet another issue: the August recess.
White House, intel chiefs want to make digital spying law permanent
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The White House and U.S. intelligence chiefs Wednesday backed making permanent a law that allows for the collection of digital communications of foreigners overseas, escalating a fight in Congress over privacy and security.
Senate tax chief says scope for tax cuts still unclear
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch said on Wednesday it is not yet clear how big a tax cut Congress can deliver through tax reform, despite calls by President Donald Trump and other Republicans for steep reduction…