WASHINGTON (AP) — Lawmakers pressed to enact a massive budget deal Thursday along with a temporary funding measure to prevent a government shutdown at midnight. GOP leaders moved to shore up support among conservatives for a plan to shower the Pentagon and domestic programs with an extra $300 billion over the next two years. “It’s […]
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New budget barrier: Nancy Pelosi opposes pact if no 'Dreamer' help
WASHINGTON (AP) — The House’s top Democrat swung out against a bipartisan budget deal taking shape in the Senate on Wednesday, splashing cold water on a two-year plan packed with almost $400 billion worth of additional funding for the Pentagon, domestic programs and disaster aid. That raises anew the possibility of a government shutdown at […]
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U.S. government shuts down; Dems, GOP blame each other
WASHINGTON (AP) — The federal government shut down at the stroke of midnight Friday, halting all but the most essential operations and marring the one-year anniversary of President Donald Trump’s inauguration in a striking display of Washington dysfunction. Last-minute negotiations crumbled as Senate Democrats blocked a four-week stopgap extension in a late-night vote, causing the […]
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Portland Democrat Benjamin Pollard to challenge Angus King for Senate seat
AUGUSTA — Portland builder Benjamin Pollard announced Thursday that he plans to run for the U.S. Senate next year on the Democratic ticket. Pollard, 45, is the second Democrat to join the race against U.S. Sen. Angus King, an independent who is seeking his second term representing Maine on Capitol Hill. Pollard also sought the […]
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Sen. John McCain says he's feeling well, vows return in January
WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican Sen. John McCain on Monday expressed thanks for the overwhelming support as he battles brain cancer, saying he is feeling well and looks forward to being back on the job in January. The 81-year senator returned home to Arizona after being treated for a viral infection at Walter Reed Medical Center […]
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Collins in pressure cooker on tax reform
Sen. Susan Collins is in the pressure cooker heading into a crucial vote on tax reform next week, targeted by protesters in Maine and Washington, lobbyists both for and against the bill, Republican leadership and health care advocates. Progressive activists were arrested at Collins’ Bangor office on Dec. 4 and clergy were arrested at her […]
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Marco Rubio's demand on child tax credit endangers GOP tax plan
WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican Marco Rubio’s potential defection over a tax credit for low-income parents put a speed bump into GOP leaders’ drive to push their big tax package through the Senate, but it’s a complication that’s likely to be resolved. The Florida senator declared Thursday that he’ll vote against the $1.5 trillion bill unless […]
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Turbulent Senate race now in hands of Alabama voters
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Depending on who is making the case, Alabama’s special Senate election Tuesday is about either continuing the “Trump miracle” in Washington or allowing “decency” to prevail back home. At the center is Roy Moore — “Judge Moore,” to his supporters. The 70-year-old Republican was twice ousted as state Supreme Court chief […]
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Donald Trump won't campaign for Roy Moore in Alabama Senate race
Updated 11:20 a.m.: A White House official says President Donald Trump will not campaign for Republican Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore before the Dec. 12 special election. The official was not authorized to discuss the president’s plans publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on Monday on condition of anonymity. The official says Trump will […]
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Second woman accuses Sen. Al Franken of inappropriate touching
WASHINGTON (AP) — A second woman has accused Minnesota Sen. Al Franken of improper conduct, saying he put his hand on her bottom as they posed for a picture at the Minnesota State Fair in 2010 — after he had begun his career in the Senate. Lindsay Menz told CNN last week for a report […]