WASHINGTON — Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said Monday that Senate rules would require him to take up any articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump if approved by the House, swatting down talk that that the GOP-controlled chamber could dodge the matter entirely. "I would have no choice but to...
There's No Place Like Home for 'The Brady Bunch'
BEVERLY HILLS — There's no place like home for "The Brady Bunch," even if was just a facade. An HGTV renovation of the Los Angeles house that was used for exterior shots of the TV sitcom reunited six cast members and rekindled the show's spirit. "We enjoy being together, doing...
Border Bill Exposes Democrats' Divisions on Fighting Trump
WASHINGTON — Congressional Democrats have convulsed into their deepest and most bitter rifts since taking House control in January, and it took a motherhood and apple pie issue like improving horrific conditions for children and other migrants seized crossing the southwest border to do it. Lawmakers overwhelmingly sent President Donald...
House OKs Elections Overhaul, but Senate Likely to Slam Door
WASHINGTON — Newly empowered House Democrats approved a centerpiece of their agenda Friday, a sweeping plan to reduce the role of big money in politics, ensure fair elections and strengthen ethics standards. But the leader of Republican-run Senate has pledged it will not come up for a vote and the...
In House’s Yemen Vote, Congress Reasserts War-Making Powers
WASHINGTON — Asserting congressional authority over war-making powers, the House passed a resolution Wednesday that would force the administration to withdraw U.S. troops from involvement in Yemen, in a rebuke of President Donald Trump's alliance with the Saudi-led coalition behind the military intervention. Lawmakers in both parties are increasingly uneasy...
Trump Says ‘Wall’ Must Be Part of Lawmakers’ Border Deal
WASHINGTON — Capitol Hill negotiators are hopeful of an agreement as they officially kick off talks Wednesday on a homeland security spending bill stalled over funding for President Donald Trump's proposed border wall. Left on their own, the seasoned House and Senate lawmakers say they could easily reach a border...
House Approves Resolution Calling Persecution of Myanmar Muslims a 'Genocide'
WASHINGTON - The House overwhelmingly approved a resolution Thursday to label the deadly persecution of a Muslim minority group in Myanmar by the country's military a "genocide," in sharp contrast to President Donald Trump's public silence on the matter. The bill, approved by a vote of 394-1, also calls on...
Top House Dems Raise Prospect of Impeachment, Jail for Trump
WASHINGTON — Top House Democrats have raised the prospect of impeachment or the real possibility of prison time for President Donald Trump if it's proved that he directed illegal hush money payments to women, adding to the legal pressure on the president over the Russia investigation and other scandals. "There's...
Commentary: New Water Deal Isn't a Political Certainty
Water supply is clearly the most important long-term issue affecting California’s future. It’s also the most politically complicated. Incremental changes in California water policy typically take years, if not decades, to work their way through seemingly infinite legal, regulatory and political processes at federal, state and local levels – and...
Bakersfield’s McCarthy Picked as House GOP Leader
WASHINGTON — Republican Kevin McCarthy easily won an internal party election Wednesday to take over the shrunken House GOP caucus, a familiar role for the underestimated scrapper whose top priority will be to protect President Donald Trump's agenda and try to build the party back to retake the majority. The...