WASHINGTON — Democrats in Congress and the White House rejected a Republican pitch to split President Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion COVID-19 rescue plan into smaller chunks on Thursday, with lawmakers appearing primed to muscle the sweeping economic and virus aid forward without GOP help. Despite Biden's calls for unity, Democrats said the...
‘Just Move On’: Republicans Grapple With Post-Trump Future
For the first time in more than a decade, Republicans are waking up to a Washington where Democrats control the White House and Congress, adjusting to an era of diminished power, deep uncertainty and internal feuding. The shift to minority status is always difficult, prompting debates over who is to...
Democrats Gain Senate Control as New Members Take Oath
WASHINGTON — Three new senators were sworn into office Wednesday after President Joe Biden's inauguration, securing the majority for Democrats in the Senate and across a unified government to tackle the new president's agenda at a time of unprecedented national challenges. Vice President Kamala Harris drew applause as she entered...
Walters: Democrats Overreach on Recall, Miss Valid Point
Last week, the California Democratic Party attempted to link the Republican-backed drive to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom to the riotous invasion of the U.S. Capitol building by supporters of soon-to-be ex-President Donald Trump. “This recall effort, which really ought to be called ‘the California coup,’ is being led by right-wing...
Democrats Liken Newsom Recall Effort — a Legal Option in California — to Extremist ‘Coup’
When is a constitutionally outlined petition campaign to remove an elected leader actually a “treasonous” effort to subvert the democratic process? According to the California Democratic Party, when Republicans are on one side of the campaign and Gov. Gavin Newsom is on the other. In a press conference Tuesday afternoon,...
House Democrats Discussing Swift Action to Impeach Trump
WASHINGTON — Democrats are discussing Friday whether to move forward with the quick impeachment of President Donald Trump if his Cabinet doesn’t try to remove him first, acting swiftly two days after the U.S. Capitol was ransacked by a pro-Trump mob. House Democrats are set to hold a caucus meeting...
Democrats Tighten Control With House Rules Changes
WASHINGTON — Democrats controlling the House moved aggressively Monday to tighten their hold over the chamber despite their narrow margin, ramming through a rules package that limits the potential for embarrassing votes and caters to the party’s progressive wing by weakening deficit-neutrality requirements for legislation such as a “Green New...
Pelosi Narrowly Reelected Speaker, Faces Difficult Two Years
WASHINGTON — Nancy Pelosi was narrowly reelected Sunday as speaker, giving her the reins of Democrats’ slender House majority as she and President-elect Joe Biden set a challenging course of producing legislation to tackle the pandemic, revive the economy and address other party priorities. “We accept a responsibility as daunting...
House Dems Nominate Pelosi as Speaker to Lead Into Biden Era
WASHINGTON — House Democrats nominated Nancy Pelosi on Wednesday as the speaker to lead them into Joe Biden's presidency, but she'd be guiding a smaller and ideologically divided majority as she tries shepherding his agenda toward enactment. Democrats used a voice vote to make Pelosi, D-Calif., their choice to serve two...
Hardening Partisan Map Steepens Democrats’ Climb to Retake Senate
WASHINGTON — Pinned six years in the minority, Democrats have an uphill but real shot at wresting Senate control in January, with more opportunities in 2022. Yet as states increasingly sort themselves along hardening partisan lines, it's complicating Democrats' drive to win the majority and keep it. Thanks to this...