Federal Reserve raises interest rates for third time in 2017
With the labor market strengthening and economic activity rising at a solid rate, the Federal Reserve on Wednesday announced the third rate-hike of the year.
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Republicans strike deal on tax package
Republican negotiators on Wednesday said they’ve managed to strike a deal on a $1.4 trillion tax-cut package and that they’ll be prepared to send it to President Trump’s desk next week.
Democrat Doug Jones defeats Roy Moore in Alabama race upset
In a stunning victory aided by scandal, Democrat Doug Jones won Alabama’s special Senate election on Tuesday, beating back history, an embattled Republican opponent and President Donald Trump, who urgently endorsed GOP rebel Roy Moore despite a litany of sexual misconduct allegations.
Firefighters wrestle to control massive California wildfire
An out-of-control California wildfire that has already destroyed nearly 700 homes in its path of destruction crept closer to the upscale hillside community of Montecito on Tuesday despite calmer winds that slowed its progress.
Trump wants Congress to fix ‘lax’ immigration after NY attack
US President Donald Trump said Monday that a bomb attack by a 27-year-old from Bangladesh on New York’s subway system underscored the ‘urgent need’ for Congress to enact immigration reform.
House Republicans urge repeal of Obamacare individual mandate penalties in tax bill
House Republicans on Monday urged congressional leaders to include the repeal of Obamacare’s individual mandate penalty in the final version of the tax bill.
House, Senate conferees to meet publicly Wednesday on tax legislation
The House-Senate conference committee working to finalize a tax bill will meet publicly Wednesday to work on the final version of the legislation, chairman Kevin Brady of Texas announced Friday, and GOP members are also expected to work through the weekend to reach an agreement.
Thomas Fire Now the 5th Largest Fire in California History as It Burns 359 Square Miles; Containment Drops to 10%
The Thomas Fire became the fifth largest fire in California history on Sunday as it scorched over 230,000 acres, or 359 square miles, prompting evacuations in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, authorities said.
Justice Department Launches Planned Parenthood Investigation for Sale of Baby Body Parts
The Justice Department has launched a federal investigation into Planned Parenthood’s practices and the sale of fetal tissue.
California wildfires: Nearly 200,000 flee amid new blaze
Nearly 200,000 residents have now been evacuated due to California wildfires as crews pivot to fight a new blaze.
Congress passes short-term spending bill, avoids shutdown
Congress passed a short-term spending bill Thursday to prevent a government shutdown, as Republicans attempt to reach a budget bill with Democrats by the end of the year.
LA fires: Why 2017’s record wildfire season keeps getting worse
Even before the dramatic Southern California wildfires began their harrowing path this week, California was already experiencing its deadliest and most destructive fire season ever.
House votes to allow concealed carry across state lines
The House passed legislation Wednesday that would allow concealed carry permit holders from one state to legally carry their guns in other states.
SCOTUS Justices Divided in Case of Christian Baker Who Refused to Make Same-Sex Wedding Cake
The Supreme Court heard oral arguments Tuesday in the major religious freedom case of Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission which began when Colorado Christian baker Jack Phillips refused to create a wedding cake for a gay couple’s wedding because he disagrees with same-sex marriage.
House to vote on controversial Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act
House lawmakers are set to vote Wednesday on a bill that would force states to recognize concealed carry permits issued in other states, effectively undercutting restrictive local laws that require gun owners to prove a good reason in order to carry a firearm in public.
Supreme Court Lets Trump’s Latest Travel Ban Go Into Full Effect
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday handed a victory to President Donald Trump by allowing his latest travel ban targeting people from six Muslim-majority countries to go into full effect even as legal challenges continue in lower courts.
Trump reignites feud with FBI after Flynn’s guilty plea in Russia probe
President Trump is renewing his feud with former FBI Director James B. Comey as House Republicans consider holding his successor, Christopher Wray, in contempt of Congress for failing to turn over records related to the Russia probe that secured its first high-profile conviction Friday.
Republicans push for final version of tax cut bill to meet year-end goal
Congressional Republicans say they are pressing forward after the Senate passed its $1.4 trillion tax cut bill late last week and that its differences with the House version shouldn’t create major roadblocks in the process as they look to send a bill to President Trump’s desk before year’s end.
Pentagon evaluating U.S. West Coast missile defense sites
The U.S. agency tasked with protecting the country from missile attacks is scouting the West Coast for places to deploy new anti-missile defenses, two Congressmen said on Saturday, as North Korea’s missile tests raise concerns about how the United States would defend itself from an attack.
GOP scrambles for plan B tax increase after floor drama over Senate tax bill
Senate Republicans are considering a tax increase as a plan B to raise revenue to get their party’s deficit hawks to support their tax bill, Republican Whip John Cornyn said Thursday evening, as the ‘debt trigger’ idea the party had been working on ran afoul of Senate rules.