It still isn’t clear whether U.S. Sen. Susan Collins is willing to vote for President Donald Trump’s nominee to run the U.S. Department of Education. Collins agreed Tuesday to support sending Betsy DeVos’ name to the full Senate for consideration but specifically mentioned that she had yet to make up her mind which way to […]
us senate
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Republican lawmakers fret about how to repeal Obamacare
PHILADELPHIA — Republican lawmakers aired sharp concerns about their party’s quick push to repeal the Affordable Care Act inside a closed-door meeting Thursday, according to a recording of the session obtained by The Washington Post. The recording reveals a GOP that appears to be filled with doubts about how to make good on a long-standing […]
advertisement
Posted inMaine
Rep. Bruce Poliquin leads the charge against Senate filibusters
In a surprising move for one of the more mainstream House Republicans, U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin took the lead this week in an assault on Senate filibuster rules during a private GOP conclave in Philadelphia. He cited growing impatience “to get things done” among House members and the electorate as a reason for dumping the […]
Posted inMaine
Sen. Angus King won’t vote to confirm Scott Pruitt as EPA head
On the eve of Donald Trump’s inauguration as president, U.S. Sen. Angus King said he will oppose the Republican leader’s choice to head the Environmental Protection Agency. “I just can’t, in good conscience, as somebody who’s taken seriously environmental protection all my life, approve the appointment of someone who is so manifestly opposed to the […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
EPA nominee Scott Pruitt testifies climate change isn’t hoax
WASHINGTON — Donald Trump’s choice to head the Environmental Protection Agency said Wednesday that climate change is real, breaking with both the president-elect and his own past statements. In response to questions from Democrats during his Senate confirmation hearing, Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt said he disagreed with Trump’s earlier claims that global warming is […]
Posted inMaine
Susan Collins backs health care plan that allows Obamacare to survive
A week after casting a vote that may spell doom for the Affordable Care Act, U.S. Sen. Susan Collins proposed a replacement plan that would allow states to keep President Barack Obama’s signature program alive. Collins said she will introduce legislation soon with a Louisiana colleague that “would allow states to have more choices” than […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Cabinet picks differ from Donald Trump on some issues
WASHINGTON — The lack of fireworks surrounding Senate consideration of President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet picks may reflect a slew of statements his choices have made contradicting the billionaire businessman’s position on key issues. Trump acknowledged the differences early Friday, posting a message on his Twitter account saying: “All my Cabinet nominee are looking good and […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Jeff Sessions promises to be fair, defy Trump if needed
WASHINGTON — Sen. Jeff Sessions cast himself as a strong protector of law and order at his confirmation hearing Tuesday, promising that as attorney general he would crack down on illegal immigration, gun violence and the “scourge of radical Islamic terrorism.” Sessions, echoing rhetoric used on the campaign trail by President-elect Donald Trump, warned of […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Maine
Sen. Angus King presses James Clapper about Russian hacking
U.S. Sen. Angus King told federal intelligence officials at a congressional hearing Thursday looking into allegations of Russian interference with this year’s presidential election that “people in Maine are skeptical” about the charges. Though the independent senator from Maine has expressed few doubts about the role played by Russia in hacking Democratic computers and spreading […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Mitch McConnell to lead Senate GOP; Charles Schumer new Democratic leader
The chamber’s Democrats replaced their departing leader with Sen. Chuck Schumer, meaning the New Yorker will be Washington’s most powerful Democrat as the party confronts a Republican-dominated government. “Where we can work together we will,” Schumer told reporters about his expected relationship with Trump, a fellow New Yorker with whom he shares a fondness for […]