WASHINGTON — Democrats went into Election Day hoping to reclaim the White House and majorities in both chambers of Congress in a victory that would demonstrate an unmistakable repudiation of President Donald Trump and a Republican Party remade in his image. It didn't work out that way. More than 12...
Democrats Push to Extend Control of House for Two More Years
WASHINGTON — Democrats pushed to seal control of the House for two more years Tuesday as they banked on their health care focus, dominant fundraising and broad suburban indignation with President Donald Trump to make their majority in the chamber even larger. Republicans were hoping to oust some of the 29 Democrats...
Democrats Press Ahead on Partisan COVID Bill as Talks Drag
WASHINGTON — With top Washington negotiators significantly apart on a huge COVID-19 relief bill, Democrats controlling the House are plunging ahead with a partisan debate on their next option — a $2.2 trillion measure that's anathema to the White House and Capitol Hill Republicans. Thursday's vote was chiefly sought by...
A Second $1,200 Stimulus Check Likely in Revised Virus Relief Bill Under Discussion
WASHINGTON — House Democrats are going back to the drawing board on a huge COVID-19 relief bill, paring back the measure in an attempt to jump-start negotiations with the Trump administration. The Democratic-controlled chamber could also pass the $2 trillion-plus measure next week if talks fall through to demonstrate that...
As Democrats Balk, Trump to Make High Court Pick by Saturday
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Monday he expects to announce his pick for the Supreme Court on Friday or Saturday, after funeral services for Ruth Bader Ginsburg and just days before the first presidential election debate. Trump told “Fox & Friends” that he had a list of five finalists, “probably four,”...
Pelosi: House To Stay in Session Until COVID-19 Rescue Pact
WASHINGTON — Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Tuesday the House will remain in session until lawmakers deliver another round of COVID-19 relief, a move that came as Democrats from swing districts signaled discontent with a standoff that could force them to face voters without delivering more aid. “We are committed to...
Virus Bill Blocked in Senate as Prospects Dim for New Relief
WASHINGTON — Senate Democrats scuttled a scaled-back GOP coronavirus rescue package on Thursday as the parties argued to a standstill over the size and scope of the aid, likely ending hopes for coronavirus relief before the November election. The mostly party-line vote capped weeks of wrangling that gave way to...
Walters: Capitol’s Dominant Democrats Still Bickering
One might think that when Democrats captured overwhelming control of the California Legislature — roughly three-fourths of its 120 seats — harmony would prevail. Nope. As the Legislature’s just-concluded, pandemic-truncated 2020 session demonstrated, one-party dominance is no panacea. While Republican legislators may be largely irrelevant these days — although they...
Valley Dems Excited by Harris Pick. Local GOP Leader Says It Helps Trump.
Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden's pick of Kamala Harris as his running mate is eliciting the expected fervor among local Democrats, as well as doubts from Republicans. Harris has made several stops in the Valley over the years, as both the state's attorney general and as a U.S. senator....
Last-Ditch Virus Aid Talks Collapse; No Help for Jobless Now
WASHINGTON — A last-ditch effort by Democrats to revive Capitol Hill talks on vital COVID-19 rescue money collapsed in disappointment Friday, making it increasingly likely that Washington gridlock will mean more hardship for millions of people who are losing enhanced jobless benefits and further damage for an economy pummeled by...