PHOENIX — Prolonging the uncertainty over who will fill the late John McCain's U.S. Senate seat, the governor of Arizona on Tuesday announced the appointment of former Sen. Jon Kyl but said he has only committed to serve until the end of the year. "It's my hope that he serves...
GOP’s McCarthy Slams California Democrats, Faces Heckling
SACRAMENTO — House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy blasted his home state of California as out of touch Wednesday, criticizing leaders for increasing the gas tax and failing to get a handle on long lines at the Department of Motor Vehicles. At the same time, the Republican defended the Trump administration's...
Primary Night: Dems Go for Diversity, GOP for Trump Choices
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Democrats embraced diversity Tuesday in a primary night of firsts, while Republicans in Minnesota rejected a familiar face of the GOP old guard in favor of a rising newcomer aligned with President Donald Trump. In Vermont, Democrats rallied behind the nation's first transgender nominee for governor....
Indicted Trump Ally Chris Collins Ends Re-Election Bid
NEW YORK — In an about-face, U.S. Rep. Chris Collins is ending his re-election bid days after the Republican congressman from New York was charged with insider trading. su_pullquote align="right"]"I have decided that it is in the best interests of the constituents of NY-27, the Republican Party and President Donald...
Could Hard-Right Supreme Court Haunt GOP? History Says Maybe.
WASHINGTON — Be careful what you wish for. That's the history lesson for Republicans eagerly anticipating Brett Kavanaugh's ascension to the Supreme Court, which could cement conservative control of the court for a generation. The GOP may ultimately pay a political price. When and how steep? That depends on how...
Trump Says Koch Brothers Are 'a Total Joke' in GOP
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Tuesday lashed out at the Koch brothers, tweeting that the billionaire industrialists are a "total joke in real Republican circles" and that he is "a puppet for no one." It's the latest salvo between the president and Charles and David Koch, who did not...
Why Your Paycheck Isn't Keeping Pace With Inflation
The Republican Party trumpeted the $1,000 bonuses that some of America's largest companies said they were giving rank-and-file employees following the passage of the GOP tax cuts. The party's public relations effort made for good headlines. But the reality was a different story. People working for Walmart, Lowe's and Home...
GOP Won't Force Quick House Vote on Dem Bill Axing ICE
WASHINGTON — House Republican leaders won't hold a quick vote on a Democratic bill abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and instead will offer a non-binding GOP measure lauding the agency and ridiculing calls for its elimination. No. 3 House GOP leader Steve Scalise, R-La., and other Republicans had at first...
Valadao Among GOP Lawmakers Critical of Trump's Putin Summit
WASHINGTON (AP) — "Bizarre." ''Shameful." ''Disgraceful." That's the swift and sweeping condemnation directed at President Donald Trump on Monday after he sided with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a stunning appearance in Helsinki — and that's just from the Republicans. Lawmakers in both major parties and former intelligence officials appeared...
New GOP Plan: Hold Kids & Parents Together at Border
WASHINGTON — Republicans on Capitol Hill frantically searched on Tuesday for ways to end the Trump administration's policy of separating families after illegal border crossings, with the focus shifting on a new plan to keep children in detention longer than now permitted — but with their parents. House GOP leaders...