Planned Senate bill would counteract Mining Law ruling
April 25, 2023 GMTRENO, Nev. (AP) — A Nevada Democratic U.S. senator is looking to Congress to ensure mining companies can use established mineral claims to dump waste on neighboring federal lands as they always had before a federal appeals court adopted a stricter interpretation of a 150-year-old law.
Slotkin’s Senate run may complicate Dems bid to retake House
April 23, 2023 GMTLANSING, Mich. (AP) — When U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin announced plans to run for a critical Senate seat in Michigan, many Democrats were pleased.
New caucus in Congress condemns poisoning of Iranian girls
April 20, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — A new bipartisan caucus in Congress is condemning the Iranian government over the recent poisoning of school girls in the country, amplifying the growing criticism in Washington against the Islamic Republic and its disregard for human rights.
House Republicans push asylum restrictions, border security
April 20, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans for months have railed against the Biden administration’s handling of the U.S.
House passes bill to overturn DC police accountability law
April 19, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — The Republican-led House approved a resolution Wednesday that would block a District of Columbia police accountability bill, further escalating the feud over the right to self-government in the nation’s capital.
House committee hears testimony on DC health data breach
April 19, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — A top administrator with Washington's health insurance exchange apologized to House members on Wednesday for the data breach that resulted in the disclosure of personal information for thousands of users, including members of Congress.
Speaker McCarthy unveils $1.5T debt bill, pushes toward vote
April 19, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Kevin McCarthy unveiled a sweeping package Wednesday that would raise the nation's debt limit by $1.5 trillion into next year while imposing a long list of Republican priorities, including new spending caps, work requirements for recipients of government aid and others that are sure to be nonstarters for the White House.
DC Health Link data breach blamed on human error
April 18, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — The recent data breach of personal information for thousands of users of Washington D.C.'s health insurance exchange, including members of Congress, was caused by basic human error, according to a top administrator.
Ex-US Rep. Stutzman eyes Indiana congressional comeback
April 18, 2023 GMTAUBURN, Ind. (AP) — Former U.S. Rep. Marlin Stutzman has launched a political comeback bid in trying to regain the northeastern Indiana congressional seat he held until a failed 2016 campaign for the U.S.
Speaker McCarthy: 100 days in power and a tough road ahead
April 15, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — When Rep. Kevin McCarthy emerged from a messy 15-ballot election and ascended to House speaker, he was emboldened rather than chastened by the fight, declaring that his father taught him early on in life: “It’s not how you start; it's how you finish.”
China sanctions US Congress member for Taiwan visit
April 14, 2023 GMTTAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — China sanctioned a United States lawmaker Thursday for his visit to Taiwan, saying he violated the “One China” principle that says Beijing has sovereignty over the island.
The mainland’s ruling Communist Party says Taiwan, which split from the mainland in 1949 amid a civil war, must be reunited with China by force if necessary.
Ilhan Omar embarks on new path no longer defined by ‘firsts’
April 9, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden was winding up for a speech at a Minnesota clean energy facility when he spotted a lawmaker in the crowd whom he wanted to recognize.
“I want to thank you for being here,” Biden said, gesturing toward Democratic Rep.
South Korean president invited to address US Congress
April 6, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. congressional leaders have invited the president of South Korea to address a joint meeting during a visit to Washington later this month.
Student accused of making phone threat to member of Congress
April 3, 2023 GMTCONCORD, N.H. (AP) — A college student has been accused of making a threatening phone call to a member of Congress.
The Keene State College student is accused of making the cellphone call to the congressional office of a U.S.
After Nashville, Congress confronts limits of new gun law
April 1, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Nine months ago, President Joe Biden signed a sweeping bipartisan gun law, the most significant legislative response to gun violence in decades.
“Lives will be saved,” he said at the White House.
Why the debate over repealing Iraq War approval matters
March 29, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Congress is moving toward doing something it hasn't done since the Vietnam War — repealing authorizations for the president's use of military force. For lawmakers, that's an important gesture toward reclaiming a say over the wars America wages abroad.
Pentagon: Budget readies US for possible China confrontation
March 23, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military must be ready for possible confrontation with China, the Pentagon's leaders said Thursday, pushing Congress to approve the Defense Department's proposed $842 billion budget, which would modernize the force in Asia and around the world.
TikTok sends influencers to Washington as its troubles grow
March 22, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — TikTok is ramping up a public relations campaign to fend off the possibility of a nationwide ban by the Biden administration, and it’s bringing some unconventional advocates to help: online influencers.
Biden calls for tougher penalties for execs of failed banks
March 17, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Friday called on Congress to allow regulators to impose tougher penalties on the executives of failed banks, including clawing back compensation and making it easier to bar them from working in the industry.
Santos refuses to quit, brazenly says ‘truth still matters’
March 17, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Besieged Republican Rep. George Santos arrives on the House floor most days to deliver short speeches — celebrating women-owned small businesses, a special high school in his district or raising concern about various countries in crises.
Health data breach hitting Congress ‘could be extraordinary’
March 9, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — House leaders say the impact of a hack of a health insurance marketplace used by members of Congress “could be extraordinary,” exposing sensitive personal data of lawmakers, their employees and families.
Biden to seek more than $2.8B from Congress for cancer fight
March 9, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is asking Congress for more than $2.8 billion in the federal budget he's sending to Capitol Hill on Thursday to help advance his cancer-fighting goals.
Congress members warned of significant health data breach
March 9, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Members of the House and Senate were informed Wednesday that hackers may have gained access to their sensitive personal data in a breach of a Washington, D.C., health insurance marketplace.
Inflation pressures put Powell in spotlight before Congress
March 6, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — When Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell last appeared before Congress, in June 2022, inflation had reached a four-decade high of nearly 9% and showed no sign of easing.
Biden rallies Senate Democrats, endorses Republican measure
March 2, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden visited the Senate on Thursday to demonstrate unity among Democrats — but he ended up endorsing a Republican priority instead.
With Democrats acknowledging they cannot get much done in the closely divided Congress, Biden has pledged to try to find areas where the two parties can agree.
Ohio senators introduce rail safety bill after fiery crash
March 1, 2023 GMTCOLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Railroads including the one whose train derailed and caught fire in Ohio would have to follow new safety rules under bipartisan legislation introduced Wednesday by the state’s two U.S.
Railroad CEO to testify in Congress about Ohio derailment
March 1, 2023 GMTOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The CEO of Norfolk Southern railroad will testify in Congress next week about last month's fiery Ohio derailment and the precautions the railroad takes to prevent similar crashes.
Congress delegation visits Taiwan in tense US-China moment
February 20, 2023 GMTTAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — A delegation of U.S. lawmakers met with the head of Taiwan's legislature on Monday as part of a five-day visit to the self-ruled island that comes as U.S.-China relations remain tense after weeks of trading accusations over a spy balloon.
State of the Union? Congress doesn’t fully reflect diversity
February 7, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — When lawmakers gather for President Joe Biden's State of the Union address, the Republican side of the aisle will look slightly different than it did a few years ago.
Questions persist on source of George Santos campaign funds
January 26, 2023 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Of all the questions swirling around U.S. Rep. George Santos, one of the most serious has been how he amassed the personal fortune he claimed to have used to finance his campaign. The Republican fabulist filed new campaign finance reports this week that only elevated the confusion over whether that money was all his, or came from some other source.
Santos probe sought by Democrats over House ethics
January 10, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — The House Ethics Committee was asked Tuesday to investigate Rep. George Santos, the newly-elected Republican from New York who has admitted to lying about his job experience, college education and even family heritage, and now faces questions about his campaign financial disclosures.
As speaker bid falters, mixed views of McCarthy in hometown
January 6, 2023 GMTBAKERSFIELD, Calif. (AP) — House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy’s political troubles don’t stop at the Washington Beltway.
China blasts US defense bill while Taiwan welcomes it
December 24, 2022 GMTBEIJING (AP) — China blasted an annual U.S. defense spending bill for hyping up the “China threat" while Taiwan welcomed the legislation, saying it demonstrated U.S. support for the self-governing island that China says must come under its rule.
Speedier drug approvals hit slowdown as FDA faces scrutiny
December 7, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Expedited drug approvals slowed this year as the Food and Drug Administration's controversial accelerated pathway came under new scrutiny from Congress, government watchdogs and some of the agency’s own leaders.
Why AP called the Georgia Senate runoff for Warnock
December 7, 2022 GMTThere weren't enough uncounted votes in Republican-leaning areas for GOP challenger Herschel Walker to make up his runoff election night gap with incumbent Democratic Sen.
Congress set to rescind COVID-19 vaccine mandate for troops
December 7, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — The COVID-19 vaccine mandate for members of the U.S. military would be rescinded under the annual defense bill heading for a vote this week in Congress, ending a directive that helped ensure the vast majority of troops were vaccinated but also raised concerns that it harmed recruitment and retention.
Trump’s Constitution remarks put McConnell, GOP on defense
December 7, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell delivered another rebuke of former President Donald Trump on Tuesday, saying that anyone who thinks the Constitution can be suspended would have a “very hard time” becoming president in the United States.
Cawthorn broke rules over ‘meme’ crypto, told to pay $14K
December 6, 2022 GMTRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Departing U.S. Rep. Madison Cawthorn of North Carolina has been told to pay over $14,000 to charity after the House Ethics Committee found he financially benefited while purchasing a cryptocurrency that he was promoting and violated conflict of interest rules.
Jan. 6 committee to issue criminal referrals, chairman says
December 6, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — The House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol will make criminal referrals to the Justice Department as it wraps up its probe and looks to publish a final report by the end of the year, the panel's chairman said Tuesday.
Facebook parent Meta threatens to remove news from platform
December 6, 2022 GMTFacebook parent Meta Platforms Inc. said Tuesday it will be “forced to consider” removing news content from its platform if Congress passes legislation requiring tech companies to pay news outlets for their material.
Jan. 6 ‘heroes’ honored for defending Capitol from Trump mob
December 6, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Hailed as heroes, the law enforcement officers who defended the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, were honored Tuesday with Congressional Gold Medals and praised for securing democracy when they fought off a brutal and bloody attack by supporters of then-President Donald Trump.
Nebraska Gov. Ricketts seeks appointment to US Senate seat
December 6, 2022 GMTOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Outgoing Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts announced his intention Tuesday to seek appointment to the state’s U.S. Senate seat being vacated by fellow Republican Ben Sasse, who is leaving Congress to become president of the University of Florida.
EXPLAINER: How Supreme Court case could alter US House seats
December 6, 2022 GMTPartisan gerrymandering is back before the U.S. Supreme Court in a case stemming from the latest attempt by North Carolina's Republican-led legislature to draw U.S. House districts favoring GOP candidates.
Farmers of color sue government for promised federal aid
December 6, 2022 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The federal government has illegally broken a promise to pay off the debts of a group of Black farmers, according to a class-action lawsuit. The group hopes to put pressure on officials to keep their word and to restore funding that was dropped after a group of white farmers filed legal challenges arguing their exclusion was a violation of their constitutional rights.
Ex-Miami US Rep. David Rivera arrested in Venezuela probe
December 6, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — A former Miami congressman who signed a $50 million consulting contract with Venezuela’s socialist government was arrested Monday on charges of money laundering and representing a foreign government without registering.
Bill named for U.S. Rep. Andy Barr’s wife heads to president
December 6, 2022 GMTLOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A bill named in honor of Kentucky U.S. Rep. Andy Barr's late wife and focused on increasing research into a little-understood heart disease is heading to U.S.
Investors press railroads to add sick time for workers
December 6, 2022 GMTOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Major freight railroads are facing pressure to add sick days for their workers from a new front: An influential investment group says some of its members are now pushing the measure that Congress declined to as part of the contracts they imposed last week to avert a potentially devastating nationwide rail strike.
Senate confirms Indiana judge’s appointment to appeals bench
December 6, 2022 GMTINDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The U.S. Senate on Monday confirmed the appointment of a federal magistrate from southern Indiana to the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
Ex-consultant for ex-U.S. Rep Scott Taylor takes plea deal
December 5, 2022 GMTVIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (AP) — A former campaign consultant for ex-U.S. Rep. Scott Taylor pleaded no contest Monday to three election-related misdemeanor charges in a case involving fraudulent petition signatures.
Warnock, Walker: Starkly different choices for Black voters
December 5, 2022 GMTATLANTA (AP) — Raphael Warnock is the first Black U.S. senator from Georgia, having broken the color barrier for one of the original 13 states with a special election victory in January 2021, almost 245 years after the nation’s founding.
Same-sex couples wary despite federal marriage rights bill
December 5, 2022 GMTMary and Sharon Bishop-Baldwin were jubilant after winning a decadelong fight for the right to wed in Oklahoma.
But eight years after tying the knot — on the day they won their lawsuit challenging a state ban on gay marriage — and seven years after the U.S.
New high in spending by outside groups in Wisconsin election
December 5, 2022 GMTMADISON, Wis. (AP) — Outside special interest groups spent at least 50% more than the previous record high in the midterm election in Wisconsin this year, pouring more than $93 million into races for governor and other state offices, the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign reported Monday.
NH’s congressional delegation asks for sex ed program funds
December 5, 2022 GMTCONCORD, N.H. (AP) — New Hampshire's four-member Democratic congressional delegation is asking for federal funds for a sexual education program offered in counties with higher-than-average teen pregnancy rates.
EXPLAINER: Congress is acting on gay, interracial marriage
December 5, 2022 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — Legislation that ensures same-sex and interracial marriages are recognized as legal unions appears headed for final approval and President Joe Biden's signature, a bipartisan agreement that reflects a wider acceptance of gay rights in both Congress and the country.
What to watch in Tuesday’s Georgia Senate runoff election
December 5, 2022 GMTATLANTA (AP) — The extended Senate campaign in Georgia gives Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock and Republican challenger Herschel Walker a second chance to persuade voters to send them to Washington.
Supreme Court weighs ‘most important case’ on democracy
December 4, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court is about to confront a new elections case, a Republican-led challenge asking the justices for a novel ruling that could significantly increase the power of state lawmakers over elections for Congress and the presidency.
In Georgia, how sports explain a political battleground
December 4, 2022 GMTSMYRNA, Ga. (AP) — The reception area of a metro Atlanta office suite is a veritable museum of Herschel Walker’s football success for the University of Georgia Bulldogs and the NFL. The office is part of the Atlanta Braves' real estate development in the Major League Baseball franchise's new suburban home.
Longtime Arizona GOP Rep. Jim Kolbe dies at 80
December 4, 2022 GMTPHOENIX (AP) — Jim Kolbe, a Republican congressman who represented a heavily Democratic region of Arizona for more than two decades and was a proponent of gay rights, has died. He was 80.
Former Congressman Pearce reelected as NM GOP chairman
December 3, 2022 GMTALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Former U.S. Congressman Steve Pearce was elected Saturday to a third consecutive term as chairman of the Republican Party of New Mexico after the GOP failed to make significant gains in the midterm election.
Rail workers say deal won’t resolve quality-of-life concerns
December 3, 2022 GMTOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — When BNSF railroad conductor Justin Schaaf needed to take time off from work this summer, he had to make a choice: go to the dentist to get a cavity in his molar filled or attend a party for his son's 7th birthday.