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us congress allow deadline reimposing sanctions iran pass week, congressional white house aides said tuesday, leaving pact world powers tehran intact least temporarily october, trump declined certify iran complying nuclear agreement reached among tehran, united states others decision triggered day window congress decide whether bring back sanctions iran congressional leaders announced plans introduce resolution reimpose sanctions wednesday deadline aides say lawmakers let deadline pass without action that, congress passes ball back trump, must decide mid january wants continue waive energy sanctions iran trump failure would blow apart deal, course opposed european allies, russia china, parties accord, iran got sanctions relief return curbing nuclear ambitions iran says nuclear program peaceful purposes denies aimed build atomic bomb said stick accord long signatories respect it, shred deal washington pulls white house spokeswoman sarah sanders said administration asking sanctions reimposed administration continues make encouraging progress congress fix us iran deal address long term proliferation issues, told daily press briefing efforts find common ground europe iran deal complicated last week, trump announced washington would recognize jerusalem israel capital, breaking international consensus trump called iran pact worst deal ever threatened pull united states fellow republicans control chambers congress senate majority small need democratic support advance legislation senate democrats, even opposed two years ago, want tear nuclear accord republican senator bob corker, chairman senate foreign relations committee, declined say whether thought trump would carry threat tear nuclear pact january congress pass legislation clamp iran corker told reporters democratic senator ben cardin met national security adviser hr mcmaster last week see language fits bill within congress also keeps europeans table us feeling like gone different direction corker declined elaborate specifics discussions trump threatened withdraw nuclear agreement lawmakers toughen amending iran nuclear agreement review act, inara, us law opened possibility bringing sanctions back cardin, senior democrat senate foreign relations panel, said would support changes nuclear pact supported europe democrats also insist sanctions imposed iran ballistic missiles program human rights violations, must separate nuclear agreement

bipartisan push senate protect undocumented people immigrated united states children gaining momentum lawmakers try wrap negotiations, republican senator jeff flake said tuesday republican democratic senators said deal would include measures improve border security, something republicans repeatedly stressed priority democrats said would meet part deal president donald trump said september terminating deferred action childhood arrivals daca program, challenged congress come legislation protect around , dreamers threat deportation trump democratic predecessor, president barack obama, created daca executive order still working close agreement, flake, one republicans democrats republican controlled senate leading effort, told reporters senate democratic leader chuck schumer, speaking senate floor tuesday said, process negotiating republicans provide significant investment border security exchange daca talks continue progress, hopeful reach agreement trump said current program terminated march, already participants seen enrollments expire trump tone toward dreamers varied vowed great love youths, saturday referred criminal aliens president would sign legislation could become law democrats congress pushing attach legislation restoring immigration program must pass spending bill either later month sometime next month another republican active effort, senator thom tillis, also upbeat sit talk bipartisan groups senators see far apart, tillis said brief interview monday night tillis said additional law enforcement efforts interior country

us senate democratic leader chuck schumer said tuesday president donald trump tweeted attack senator kirsten gillibrand nasty, schumer join gillibrand call trump resign presidency sexual misconduct accusations tweet nasty, unbecoming president, schumer told reporters gillibrand, new york democrat, monday called trump resign sexual misconduct allegations dozen women accused trump unwanted sexual advances, denied trump lambasted gillibrand twitter tuesday writing, lightweight senator kirsten gillibrand, total flunky chuck schumer someone would come office begging campaign contributions long ago would anything , ring fighting trump

us house speaker paul ryan tuesday defended one page analysis treasury department asserted tax plan pushed republican led congress would pay years think estimate makes lot sense believe treasury say going unleash lot economic growth, accrue revenues, ryan told reporters chuck schumer, senate democratic leader, called estimate fake math monday

senate majority leader mitch mcconnell said monday confident us congress would able reach agreement fund government current spending bill ends dec would forced government shutdown chance going shut government discussions, cap deal, also way forward appropriations, mcconnell told reporters american people need worry going kind government shutdown us senate democratic leader chuck schumer said full year defense funding bill short term money programs would fail senate democrats oppose budget deal would allow defense spending increase holding domestic priorities, said reporters

white house host talks rival oil ethanol industries wednesday hopes brokering deal help refiners struggling meet country biofuels policy, according sources familiar matter meeting comes white house last week pressured midwest lawmakers take part talks possible tweaks renewable fuels standard, law requires refiners blend increasing amounts biofuels, mainly corn based ethanol, nation fuel supply year handful refiners say law threatening put business ethanol interests said refineries pass along costs pumps vehemently opposed changes regulation meeting wednesday include staff offices republican senators ted cruz texas pat toomey pennsylvania, representing oil refining industry, according sources corn side, staff present offices republican senators chuck grassley joni ernst iowa, along deb fischer nebraska, sources said staff environmental protection agency us department agriculture also expected attend spokesman grassley confirmed staff level dialogue meetings way provide details officials senators white house comment one source familiar matter said meeting would likely focus short term fixes help oil refiners us east coast say struggling costs meeting rfs requirements refining companies

us president donald trump announce new security strategy monday, white house national security adviser hr mcmaster said tuesday new security blueprint focus protecting us homeland, advancing us prosperity, preserving peace strength advancing american influence, mcmaster said appearance british counterpart, mark sedwill mcmaster condemned said russian involvement new generation warfare, including internal political subversion, well economic aggression china

president donald trump signed annual defense policy bill tuesday urged congress fully fund measure lift budget caps forced limits us defense spending several years trump signed national defense authorization act ceremony roosevelt room white house surrounded high ranking defense officials ndaa sets policy us military provide funding, approved legislation

president donald trump campaign shrink bloated federal bureaucracy far made small dent federal workforce, largely decline civilian defense jobs days jan inauguration, trump ordered hiring freeze later replaced order federal agencies cut staff immediately, march proposed budget sought shift billion military departments however, federal civilian jobs declined around , first nine months year, percent million jobs tracked office personnel management, according reuters calculations based latest opm data published late october white house office management budget declined comment overall drop federal employment mix job gains losses across agencies office issued april order agencies start near term staffing cuts submit plans longer term reductions september trump detailed much fat aims cut, spoke billions billions dollars government waste aim shrink bloated federal bureaucracy preparing budget proposals march independent watchdogs agree federal government could made efficient, congress government accountability office estimating april overlap duplication lead tens billions dollars unnecessary spending trump, democrats barack obama bill clinton republican george w bush spearheaded various efforts streamline government bureaucracy david lewis, political science professor vanderbilt university, said year numbers showed trump executive orders limited power reshape federal bureaucracy ultimately, congress controlled budgets biggest sway agencies staffing, said lewis, whose research largely focused executive branch politics public administration white house said agencies longer term workforce reduction plans serve develop trump budget proposal overall decline federal staffing year largely due roughly , drop department defense , , percent decline, even though trump budget proposal envisaged small increases employment measured hours worked pentagon spokesman dave eastburn said hiring slow white house ordered freeze, exemptions allowed recruitment mission critical positions military readiness never affected described decrease staffing year well within historical norms fact, number active duty service personnel, exempt hiring freeze, grew , months september, according defense department data still, cuts civilian staff could push work onto relatively expensive contractors military officers, potentially raising costs time, said scott amey, general counsel project government oversight, non partisan watchdog group cutting jobs cut jobs mistakes likely made, amey said reviewing reuters calculations opm data mallory barg bulman, researcher partnership public service, non partisan nonprofit, said targeting number jobs general best way improving bureaucracy works hiring freeze answer making government effective, said barg bulman instead, agencies invest training boost productivity, said opm figures, exclude postal service smaller independent agencies, showed declines part offset staffing gains

cuba told senior us officials talks migration havana monday us decision suspend visa processing embassy island seriously hampering family relations people exchanges relations former cold war foes became strained donald trump became us president, partially reversing thaw seen barack obama presidency september, allegations incidents affecting health diplomats havana, us administration reduced embassy skeleton staff, resulting suspension almost visa processing cuban delegation expressed deep concern negative impact unilateral, unfounded politically motivated decisions adopted us government migration relations countries, cuban foreign ministry said statement statement issued delegations led cuba foreign ministry chief us affairs josefina vidal us deputy assistant secretary state western hemisphere affairs john creamer met discuss migration issues many cubans said heartbroken could visit, with, loved ones cuba population million people, estimated million cuban americans united states trump administration also issued warning travel cuba october expelled cuban diplomats washington cuban foreign ministry said seriously affected functioning diplomatic mission, particularly consulate services offers cubans residing united states us decision cancel visits official delegations cuba also counterproductive effect cooperation fields like migration, ministry said positive side, us cuban delegations commented drop illegal cuban migration united states talks result past moves towards normalizing relations obama, announced detente cuba nearly three years ago, eliminated policy granting automatic residency virtually cubans arrived us turf january, leaving office cuba asked change years, saying policy encouraged dangerous journeys people trafficking apprehensions cuban migrants us ports entry decreased percent fiscal year , maritime interdictions cuban migrants decreased percent, us state department said statement trump said june canceling obama terrible misguided deal havana, returning cold war rhetoric, administration tightened trade travel restrictions however practise left place many obama changes including restored diplomatic relations resumed direct us cuba commercial flights cruise ship travel

dogged accusations sexual misconduct toward teenagers, republican us senate candidate roy moore cast staunch ally president donald trump rally eve tuesday election alabama despite trump endorsement moore, polls suggest democrat doug jones, , former us attorney, could pull upset victory becoming first non republican sent senate deeply conservative alabama two decades steve bannon, trump former chief strategist executive right wing breitbart news site, joined moore midland city monday night rally, labeled drain swamp event, echo trump campaign pledge get rid washington insiders want make america great president trump, moore said want america great, want america good, good go back god moore, year old conservative christian former alabama supreme court chief justice, accused several women pursuing teenagers s, including one woman said tried initiate sexual contact moore denied misconduct reuters independently verified accusations alabama race divided trump republican party sexual misconduct accusations prompted many senior republicans, including senate majority leader mitch mcconnell, distance moore special place hell republicans know better, bannon told rally, framing alabama election showdown establishment elites populist power fox news poll conducted thursday released monday put jones ahead moore, jones potentially taking percent vote moore percent fox said percent voters undecided percent supported another candidate average recent polls realclearpolitics website showed moore ahead slight margin percentage points trump taped robo call campaign rolled urging voters back republican candidate order help support president agenda democrats also made robo calls using two party big guns

three women accused us president donald trump sexual misconduct called monday congressional investigation behavior amid wave similar accusations prominent men hollywood, media politics past two years, dozen women accused trump making unwanted sexual advances years entered politics three accusers, jessica leeds, rachel crooks, samantha holvey said news conference monday accusations warranted new consideration given broader discussion sexual harassment us society brave new films, nonprofit filmmaker, produced video featuring trump accusers organized news conference new york monday film, women accused trump kissing without permission, grabbing private parts, putting hand skirts, making unwanted advances congress put aside party affiliations investigate mr trump history sexual misconduct, said crooks, former receptionist real estate firm, flanked leeds holvey women said think trump resign allegations held accountable trump white house officials denied allegations, date back false claims, totally disputed cases eyewitness accounts, addressed length last year campaign, american people voiced judgment delivering decisive victory, white house spokesperson said statement monday, questioning women timing political motives trump, republican, faces legal action one related case democratic senator kirsten gillibrand told cnn trump resign accusations allegations credible, gillibrand said interview monday cnn christiane amanpour numerous heard women testimony, many heartbreaking gillibrand recently said former president bill clinton, fellow democrat, stepped scandal led house representatives vote impeach monday, said trump immediately resign, congress appropriate investigations behavior hold accountable number powerful high profile men accused recent months sexual misconduct, including three members congress, hollywood film producer harvey weinstein former nbc news anchor matt lauer reuters independently verified accusations trump, weinstein, lauer three congressmen nikki haley, us ambassador united nations one high profile women trump administration, said sunday woman felt mistreated man right speak up, even accusing president democrat chris coons, member senate judiciary panel, said unlikely republican controlled congress would act accusations, known november presidential election hunch gets reviewed next election, coons told cnn sexual harassment accusations also made republican candidate roy moore running us senate race week alabama trump backed moore, former judge, even congressional republicans denounced candidate called pull race accusations trump emerged presidential campaign videotape surfaced conversation caught open microphone trump spoke vulgar terms trying sex women trump apologized remarks, called private locker room talk said done things talked

female democratic lawmakers us house representatives called monday congressional investigation allegations various women sexual misconduct president donald trump, denied accusations cannot ignore multitude women come forward accusations mr trump, lawmakers wrote letter, though formal inquiry unlikely result republicans control agenda congress letter, spearheaded democratic women working group, composed party female members house, signed lawmakers followed call earlier monday three women accused trump sexual misconduct congressional investigation behavior lawmakers request probe sent leaders oversight government reform committee, main investigative committee house past two years, dozen women accused trump making unwanted sexual advances years entered politics monday letter democrats said least accusers listed names president remarks appear back allegations, letter said, saying trump boasted feels liberty perpetrate conduct women president allowed present evidence defense, said lawmakers letter addressed oversight panel chairman trey gowdy, republican, top democrat elijah cummings trump last year apologized talking groping women tape recording surfaced weeks presidential election, said done things talked recently, trump told allies voice recording his, new york times reported recently trump white house officials denied sexual misconduct allegations him, date back false claims, totally disputed cases eyewitness accounts, addressed length last year campaign, american people voiced judgment delivering decisive victory, white house spokesperson said statement monday

us federal judge monday issued stern warning president donald trump former campaign manager paul manafort refrain making statements media could harm right fair trial us district judge amy berman jackson chided manafort ghost writing opinion piece published last week kyiv post, english language newspaper ukraine, lauding manafort political work ukraine jackson said would consider similar future behavior violation nov gag order discuss case media make public statements ways could affect case outcome jackson stopped short granting request special counsel robert mueller deny manafort proposal lenient bail terms, saying would take manafort proposal lift house arrest exchange posting four real estate properties collateral advisement rule later date prosecutors previously asked deny manafort request, saying behind scenes ghost writing violated order raised issues trust mr manafort, order applies you, lawyer, jackson said added op ed, published united states newspaper, could potentially taint local jury pool global nature media happen favorable article, going look face entirely independent, actually part message crafted shaped somebody know post facebook, twitter blog, accomplished goal, given power retweeting, said manafort business associate rick gates facing charges including conspiracy launder money failing register foreign agent working behalf former pro russian ukrainian president viktor yanukovych government jackson set next status conference hearing jan jackson said outstanding concerns manafort proposed bail package, including reliance real estate website zillow come property value estimates manafort earlier month pledged million real estate assets new york city elsewhere, well life insurance worth million security bond court filing monday, manafort provided information including real estate tax assessments, appraised market values comparable sales data properties new york, virginia florida many items cited zillow jackson also expressed frustration defendants always giving pre trial services ample notice whereabouts, saying, hour advance added gates repeatedly filed requests get house arrest weekends go children sporting events, urged lawyers reach bail agreement government court could get business monitoring soccer practice

transgender recruits able join us military jan federal judge monday denied request president donald trump administration enforce ban transgender troops government appeals order blocking ruling, pentagon said would comply, us district judge colleen kollar kotelly washington refused lift part oct order stopping ban taking effect case resolved, saying likely violated us constitution guarantees due process equal protection law white house said justice department reviewing options pentagon said statement would follow court orders begin processing transgender applicants jan added, however, us department justice actively pursuing relief court orders order allow ongoing policy review scheduled completed end march administration argued jan deadline problematic tens thousands personnel would trained medical standards needed process transgender applicants, military ready kollar kotelly rejected concerns, saying preparations accepting transgender troops way administration trump predecessor, barack obama directive secretary defense requiring military prepare begin allowing accession transgender individuals issued june ,

company promoting plan united states russia jointly build nuclear reactors middle east denied letter made public monday director received inauguration day text message incoming national security adviser michael flynn saying project good go citing confidential informant, top democrat house representatives oversight government reform committee last week said flynn alex copson, managing director acu strategic partners, communicated president donald trump inaugural address project, would required lifting us sanctions moscow thomas cochran, business partner copson, wrote letter lawmaker, representative elijah cummings, informant allegations patently false unfounded reuters unable identify confidential informant independently confirm informant information provided cummings copson responded numerous requests comment recent months cochran attached letter records copson cell phone which, said, show exchanged three text messages inauguration day, jan , none flynn since mr copson receive text message general flynn inauguration, allegations whistleblower equally false unfounded, wrote cochran, acu strategic partners senior scientist flynn retired army general reuters news organizations reported flynn continued promote version nuclear project began work white house part investigation possible collusion trump campaign russians us election campaign, special counsel robert mueller looking whether flynn trump aides tried influence us policy improve relations russia proponents reactors project argued would provide nuclear energy middle east without threat weapons proliferation, improve us russia relations revive us nuclear industry flynn served days trump national security adviser fired misleading vice president michael pence whether discussed us sanctions russia ambassador washington pleaded guilty dec lying fbi russia contacts reuters reported day documents reviewed showed acu strategic partners bragged trump nov , , election flynn backing cummings wrote back copson monday, requesting participate transcribed interview staff attorneys could ask questions relationship communications general flynn remains unclear colleague sent letter rather you, wrote cummings office released cochran letter attached phone records

us treasury department monday released one page analysis economic fiscal impact republican tax overhaul plan swiftly criticized number tax experts attacked fake math democrats treasury said tax plan would pay years, basing forecast percent annual economic growth assumption, level well economists expectations, well changes white house made little progress pleased release analysis demonstrating revenue impact administration economic agenda, treasury secretary steven mnuchin, former goldman sachs gsn banker, said statement committee responsible federal budget, conservative fiscal watchdog washington, said mnuchin analysis makes mockery dynamic scoring analysis, referring methods forecasting impact tax changes economy senate democratic leader chuck schumer said treasury analysis nothing one page fake math clear white house republicans grasping straws prove unprovable garner votes bill nearly every single independent analysis concluded blow deficit generate almost additional economic activity make it, said statement sparring economic forecasts came republicans resumed efforts reconcile two tax overhaul bills, one approved senate one house representatives president donald trump wants single tax bill desk soon sign law end year, would first major legislative achievement since taking office january republican president deliver speech wednesday american people tax reform lead brighter future families, white house said statement republicans driving toward approval debt financed package deep tax cuts businesses wealthy mixed bag results middle class americans although republicans see effort crucial prospects november congressional elections, nearly half americans oppose plan, according reuters ipsos polling treasury analysis meant help bolster long standing promises republicans, including mnuchin, proposed tax cuts would super charge already growing economy raise enough new tax revenue offset large federal deficit increase congressional researchers estimated republican plan would add trillion trillion national debt years, projected positive effects economy, trillion effects analysis, treasury said projected percent annual growth next decade would result tax cuts combination regulatory reform, infrastructure development, welfare reform proposed administration fiscal year budget trump administration sent budget congress earlier year lawmakers largely ignored white house rolled back regulations, made substantial progress infrastructure development welfare changes growth percent would produce trillion new tax revenues years, enough offset revenue tax plan would lose, department said acknowledge economists predict different growth rates, added statement accompanying analysis, focused tax plan approved three weeks ago senate finance committee full senate dec approved somewhat different plan, would boost gross domestic product percent little effect gdp decade ahead, said tax policy center, nonpartisan think tank, report monday wharton business school university pennsylvania also issued report monday finding plan approved full senate would add trillion national debt years, even assumptions favorable economic growth

us treasury secretary steven mnuchin monday announced cash management measures avoid us default letter house representatives speaker paul ryan, mnuchin said treasury would longer able fully invest two retirement funds federal workers civil service retirement disability fund postal service retiree health benefits fund, according letter funds would made whole debt limit increased, mnuchin said us treasury bumping cap much money borrow cover budget deficit results washington spending collects taxes congress raise limit temporary measure suspended debt limit expired dec , although treasury emergency means continue pay bills january, department said united states one nations requires legislature approve periodic increases legal limit much money federal government borrow

three women accused us president donald trump sexual misconduct called monday congressional probe behavior amid similar accusations powerful men hollywood, media politics past two years, dozen women accused trump making unwanted sexual advances long entered politics trump denied accusations, white house accused women lying among accusers miss utah beauty pageant winner, businesswoman, reporter receptionist following three women monday renewed call action jessica leeds recounted video interview posted new york times website october trump grabbed breasts tried put hand skirt flight traveling new york around year old businesswoman rachel crooks, formerly receptionist real estate firm trump tower, told new york times report published october trump kissed directly mouth trump tower manhattan samantha holvey, miss north carolina former contestant miss usa pageant, told nbc today program monday trump walked pageant dressing room contestants naked bathrobes told cnn october report trump personally inspected woman prior contest, eyeing us head toe like meat, sexual objects women made accusations trump summer zervos, contestant trump reality show apprentice , told october news conference trump tried get lie bed met discuss possible job zervos said complied request sit next trump and, grabbed shoulder began kissing aggressively placed hand breast trump denied allegation zervos sued trump january, contending denials accusations amounted false defamatory statements branded liar trump harmed business video posted washington post website october , kristin anderson accused trump putting hand skirt crowded new york nightclub early unwanted advance touched vagina underwear, absolutely, anderson said video interview lisa boyne said short film titled women donald trump met trump early dinner party hosted new york boyne said trump picked another person limousine, made inappropriate remarks famous actresses asked us rate , boyne said boyne said party, trump used table casting couch, instructing women attended model table looked dresses women made comments saw jessica drake, adult film actress, told news conference los angeles october trump pressured sex years ago met golf tournament trump campaign said accusations false jill harth, former trump beauty pageant business associate, filed million lawsuit trump alleging jan , , trump florida estate, mar lago, trump forcibly removed plaintiff bedroom, whereupon defendant subjected plaintiff defendant unwanted sexual advances trump spokesperson quoted new york times october saying, mr trump denies every statement made ms harth lawsuit dropped may cathy heller said trump tried kiss mother day brunch mar lago heller, husband, three children laws attended event introduced trump, took hand, grabbed me, went lips, told guardian newspaper october said turned head trump kissed side mouth ninni laaksonen, former miss finland, accused trump groping representing country miss universe beauty contest laaksonen told ilta sanomat newspaper october grabbed behind appeared television show new york contestants really grabbed butt think anybody saw flinched thought happening , quoted saying newspaper october mindy mcgillivray told palm beach post year old photographer assistant jan , , event mar lago trump grabbed buttocks natasha stoynoff, reporter, wrote first person account described trump kissing without consent december mar lago working article third wife, melania, people magazine account published people october , stoynoff said pushing wall forcing tongue throat temple taggart, former miss utah, said trump twice kissed lips contestant miss usa pageant years old made feel uncomfortable ended cutting trip short, bought plane ticket, flew home never spoke again, taggart said october press conference attorney, gloria allred october news conference, yoga instructor karena virginia said trump approached outside us open tennis tournament years old alleged trump commented legs touched breast able get car driven away

republicans us congress rush finish tax plan, legislation getting popular public, nearly half americans still opposed it, according reuters ipsos opinion poll released monday adults aware plan considered congress, percent said opposed it, sentiment changed much past weeks, poll showed addition percent said opposed republican tax bill, percent said supported percent said know, according online opinion poll , adults conducted dec , , adults saying aware tax legislation poll taken end november also showed percent opposed plan tax negotiators trying reconcile differences separate bills passed house representatives senate, send final bill president donald trump, want sign law year end accomplishing feat would represent republicans first major legislative victory since took control chamber congress white house january republican tax legislation would slash corporate tax rate, eliminate taxes paid rich americans offer mixed bag temporary cuts individuals families trump, expected give speech tax overhaul wednesday, praised tweet sunday saying end result important, special asked trump handling tax policy, percent polled said disapproved, percent approved percent said know, reuters ipsos poll showed asked stands benefit republican plan, half american adults surveyed selected either wealthy large us corporations twelve percent chose americans, percent picked middle class percent chose lower income americans reuters ipsos poll credibility interval, measure accuracy, percentage points usa today suffolk university poll released sunday showed percent americans support republican tax plan, half predicting would lower tax bills families help economy major way

white house monday said justice department reviewing options federal judge denied request president donald trump administration enforce ban transgender troops government appeals order blocking department justice currently reviewing legal options ensure president directive implemented, white house spokeswoman sarah sanders told reporters

nikki haley, us ambassador united nations, said sunday woman felt violated mistreated man every right speak up, even accusing president donald trump women accuse anyone heard, haley said cbs face nation heard, dealt washington roiled sexual misconduct scandals, accusations leading resignations last week three members congress growing wave women reporting abuse misconduct brought powerful men, movie producer harvey weinstein popular television personality matt lauer haley, discussing cultural shift, applauded women come forward proud strength proud courage asked people assess accusers president, haley said, thing women accused trump sexual misconduct president filming segment television program access hollywood, talked kissing groping women trump denied misconduct allegations, although apologized comments, called locker room talk white house spokeswoman sarah sanders said thursday sexual harassment allegations trump addressed american people voted office november asked whether trump election settled matter, haley said people decide know elected, women always feel comfortable coming forward, willing listen tuesday, voters heavily republican state alabama cast ballots race involving republican roy moore, former state judge, democrat doug jones, former us attorney moore accused sexual misconduct toward women teenagers one woman said tried initiate sexual contact reuters independently verified accusations, moore, conservative christian, denied many republicans, including alabama senior us senator, richard shelby, distanced moore trump endorsed him, saying wants see senate seat stay republicans hands

federal reserve bank new york soon narrow search candidates fill considered fed second powerful job scouted diverse field, local business school dean former fed governor new york fed president william dudley steps mid people contact directors leading search successor say far considered several economists, academics, investors, bankers policymakers looking beyond traditional mold expert banking, markets monetary policy, plan start trimming preliminary list candidates coming days, said one person contact directors new york fed president intersection us monetary policy financial markets, responsible policing wall street diplomacy central bank counterparts around world unlike top roles permanent vote policy, new york fed boss nominated regional bank board directors rather white house require congressional approval dudley successor could play even greater role guiding fed historic leadership change us president donald trump fill six seven seats fed board governors far named jerome powell randal quarles

us president donald trump deliver speech plan overhaul nation tax code wednesday, white house said monday work congress achieve historic tax cuts, president plans speak wednesday american people tax reform lead brighter future families, said lindsay walters, deputy press secretary

incoming federal reserve chair jerome powell, chosen us president donald trump keep recovery humming, appears set let expected trillion dollar tax cut run course economy weak wage growth inflation buttress view economy remains underpowered powell statements throughout year, culminating recent senate confirmation hearing, clear sees little risk inflation would prompt fed raise rates faster expected, takes weak wage growth sign sidelined workers remain drawn jobs new data added evidence view friday employment november grew faster expected, wage growth remained muted share working age adults jobs continued steady, six year recovery approaching pre crisis peak even unemployment rate year low percent, sense overheating economy particularly tight labor market, powell told members senate banking committee, saying fed raise rates gradually debate among powell colleagues, meanwhile, highlighted risks fed speeds pace rate increases policymakers feel central bank already undercut credibility raising interest rates inflation remains weak others noted fed continues raising short term rates long term rates remain stalled, could turn shape bond yield curve upside down, typical signal recession fed gets paradigm wrong sees inflation ultimately materialize, take rates far, markets would feel aggrieved, said carl tannenbaum, chief economist northern trust chicago, former senior risk official fed board analysts starting see potential dovish surprise powell takes february, tax cuts could kick in, fed stands aside background investment banker rather economist rooted particular analytical framework, powell lead data driven fed, current juncture means dovish fed, inflation recovers, said robin brooks, chief economist institute international finance expects fed powell raise rates twice next year policymakers give initial reading impact republican tax plan meet next week expected raise interest rates third time year also update economic interest rate projections beyond, first forecasts since outlines tax overhaul became clear top republicans house senate rushing complete negotiations push tax plan law though janet yellen remains fed chair february, final scheduled press conference wednesday afternoon set policy backdrop powell inherits year old lawyer attend meeting sitting governor, help shape statement issued day federal open market committee group struggling fundamental issue economy arguably much half percentage point full employment, condition prices wages rising yet remain weak mix, tax cut legislation would put tens billions dollars back hands corporations households still slack economy, could produce faster real growth spending investment increase, workers hired however, economy near potential, measures indicate, may merely cause faster desired price increases, jump stock asset values raise concerns bubble tax plan advanced congress, forecasting shops goldman sachs, jp morgan others penciled faster pace fed rate increases

campaign roy moore, republican candidate us senator alabama accused sexual misconduct, appealed sunday president donald trump supporters, saying vote moore would vote trump agenda final days tuesday special election, opinion polls show tight race moore, year old conservative christian former state judge, democrat doug jones, year old former us attorney dean young, chief political strategist moore, cast jones liberal would vote trump priorities building wall us mexico border cutting taxes people alabama vote liberal democrat doug jones, voting president put office highest level, young told abc week important donald trump beat him, beat agenda, judge moore stands donald trump agenda moore accused sexual misconduct toward women teenagers s, including one woman said tried initiate sexual contact moore denied misconduct allegations said result dirty politics said never met women involved reuters independently verified accusations race tightens, jones cranked attacks moore allegations made charges central argument moore unsuitable choice effort moore campaign align closely possible trump raises stakes president alabama race trump endorsed moore praised friday rally pensacola, florida, near alabama state line president support moore came despite efforts senior republicans, including senate majority leader mitch mcconnell, distance moore alabama voters went strongly trump last year presidential election, favoring percent percent democrat hillary clinton washington roiled sexual misconduct scandals, accusations leading resignations last week three members congress growing wave women reporting abuse misconduct brought powerful men, movie producer harvey weinstein popular television personality matt lauer republican leaders said moore wins, could face immediate investigation senate ethics committee republican richard shelby, senior us senator alabama, said cnn state union vote moore instead backed write candidate editorial board alcom website, covers alabama news, endorsed jones editorial sunday, website urged conservative voters alabama follow shelby lead consider write candidate want vote jones

pennsylvania state senator daylin leach bid win seat vital democratic party chances elections taking control us congress, opponents may biggest obstacle leach running one country gerrymandered congressional districts, one twisting, winding shape earned derisive nickname goofy kicking donald duck th congressional district become national poster child critics gerrymandering, process one party draws district boundaries ensure advantage among voters democrats say lines helped republicans like us representative patrick meehan, four term incumbent leach seeks unseat, stay office could soon change, however monday state court harrisburg, one three lawsuits challenging boundaries heads trial outcome could shift several battleground districts pennsylvania turn boost democrats us house representatives, last held majority january january th district precisely engineered one point narrows width single seafood restaurant, snaking past two congressional districts link two far flung republican leaning areas three congressional districts converge spot, leach said parking lot creed seafood steaks last week, cars whizzed overhead pennsylvania turnpike sixth seventh road th, said, pointing several directions gerrymandering looks like ground leach least four opponents defeat democratic primary would run meehan spokesman republican respond requests comment trial gerrymandering critics gerrymandering say helps explain pennsylvania sent republicans five democrats us house since redistricting, despite closely divided swing state republican legislators counter lines drawn accordance law candidates prevailed elections thanks superior policy ideas democrats targeted six republican held districts state part quest pick house seats need overturn republicans, also senate majority president donald trump white house democrats need win nationwide popular vote least points so, part gerrymandered lines, according michael li, redistricting expert lawyer new york university brennan center justice pennsylvania probably aggressive gerrymanders, said look maps philadelphia suburbs, looks like year old slapped paint around non partisan league women voters pennsylvania sued state june, arguing maps violate state constitution depriving residents meaningful vote litigation part growing set legal challenges partisan redistricting, including us supreme court case wisconsin could first time establish constitutional standard measure legality map making high court scheduled decide case june , five months midterm elections politicians supposed pick voters voters supposed elect leaders, said mimi mckenzie, attorney public interest law center represents league women voters pennsylvania voters spokesmen state republican legislative leaders, defendants case, said redistricting followed process laid state constitution us supreme court said political considerations play role understand republicans actually beat candidates, stephen miskin, spokesman pennsylvania house speaker mike turzai, said legal challengers addition state case, two pending federal lawsuits also challenge district lines unconstitutional legal observers consider state lawsuit likely succeed time voting next november democratic majority state supreme court ordered presiding judge render decision dec high court determine whether accept ruling issue conclusions state lawsuit asserts redistricting included numerous examples blatantly partisan lines democrat dominated reading, one economically depressed cities state, carved th district placed reliably democratic th, move plaintiffs said intended render city votes meaningless montgomery county, state senator leach lives, approximately , residents, slightly , needed single congressional district, sliced five separate districts leach said would make gerrymandering campaign issue theft democracy, leach said horribly destructive story refiled correct paragraph say democrats held majority us house representatives ,

us president donald trump friday voiced support roy moore, alabama republican senate candidate dogged accusations sexual misconduct, rally foreshadowed themes next year midterm elections trump, speaking stadium supporters pensacola, florida, near alabama state line, touted work quit renegotiate trade deals called democrats support measure would avert government shutdown trump highlighted familiar themes political rallies criticism violence chicago, suggested less safe afghanistan, well commitment improving us border security crack immigration made point using rally note desire get moore elected get vote roy moore, trump said ahead tuesday election race heavily republican state heated last month accusations moore sexually assaulted behaved inappropriately several women teenagers moore, conservative christian former state judge, denies allegations, trump formally endorsed monday cannot afford

republican us senator susan collins, whose support crucial passing senate tax reform bill earlier month, said sunday yet decided whether back final measure negotiated house senate leaders moderate republican maine laid conditions support final conference committee version tax proposal include assurances federal medicare payments cut republicans support two separate health care bills aimed reducing premium costs republican senate leaders worked hard get collins support legislation, largest change us tax laws since would slash corporate tax rate bill would lower rate low percent, republican leaders say would encourage us companies invest boost economic growth democrats say proposed cuts giveaway businesses rich, financed billions dollars taxpayer debt collins vote important since senate approved bill vote th hour scramble republican senator bob corker voting bill, little margin losing support going look comes conference committee meeting reconcile differences senate house bill make final decision see package is, said cbs face nation program sunday collins corker vote final tax bill, leading tie, republican vice president mike pence would cast winning vote two republican senators vote no, would fail house senate conference hold open meeting wednesday afternoon starts reconcile differences collins voted senate tax reform legislation republican leaders, including senate majority leader mitch mcconnell, promised support legislation prop us health insurance markets last week hill newspaper reported house speaker paul ryan told staff part deal collins brokered senate leaders collins said absolutely confident leaders support mcconnell ryan put writing allow percent cut medicare payments take effect read correspondence memorializes agreement percent cut medicare could go effect go effect, said added support president donald trump, discussed issue three times reason believe commitment kept, said

us president donald trump flew mississippi saturday attend opening civil rights museum, visit marred absence top african american leaders stayed away protest policies record race relations trump toured mississippi civil rights museum delivered brief remarks, paying tribute african americans fought institutionalized racism, including medgar evers, civil rights activist murdered outside home jackson want country place every child every background grow free fear, innocent hatred surrounded love, opportunity hope, trump said prepared remarks referring evers civil rights leaders showcased museum, trump said today strive worthy sacrifice pray inspiration example trump acknowledged evers wife myrlie brother charles audience us representative john lewis georgia, democrat marched martin luther king jr s, said thursday would go museum opening trump presence president trump attendance hurtful policies insult people portrayed civil rights museum, lewis said statement mississippi democratic us representative bennie thompson, also declined attend two men also cited trump disparaging comments women, disabled, immigrants national football league players said president shown disrespect fought civil rights mississippi national association advancement colored people also took issue trump attendance however, us housing urban development secretary ben carson, black ran trump early republican presidential primaries dropping out, accompanied president tour museum trump, republican, complicated record race relations leading proponent false theory democratic president barack obama, first black us president, born united states obama born hawaii, us state august, trump unleashed firestorm criticism, including republicans top adviser administration, saying left right wing protesters fault violence white supremacist led rally charlottesville, virginia, one woman died white house spokesman raj shah said friday ahead visit civil rights movement fighting intolerance, hatred bigotry trump intended honor leaders struggle white house called decision lewis thompson attend unfortunate trump concluded remarks saying today pay solemn tribute heroes past dedicate building future freedom, equality justice peace

author article us special counsel robert mueller believes trump former campaign manager paul manafort ghost wrote violation gag order said saturday sought input op ed publishing avoid errors friday, mueller unveiled evidence manafort convince judge wrote article improve public image manafort facing charges part investigation accusations russian meddling us election possible collusion russia trump campaign op ed published thursday english language kyiv post byline oleg voloshyn, former spokesman ukraine foreign affairs ministry telephone call reuters, voloshyn said wrote article, publishing shown konstantin kilimnik, ukrainian mueller alluded filing earlier week ties russian intelligence voloshyn said decided write article correct misrepresentations manafort media without prejudicing us trial consulted kilimnik, close manafort, make sure text accurate want write stupid things would worsen manafort already difficult position, voloshyn said sent text kilimnik kilimnik idea send paul manafort look kilimnik sent back comments suggestions whether comments suggestions paul suggestions question answer, said voloshyn said allegations kilimnik ties russia groundless kilimnik, reuters able reach, want talk news media voloshyn said prepared testify direct contact manafort run publication article, praised manafort work promoting european union ukraine relations said lobbied pro western values, russian interests september summer, started problems, sent letter support respond, voloshyn said monday, mueller team said court filing assured manafort counsel taken steps prevent article published voloshyn told reuters contacted manafort lawyers attempt stop publishing could forbid said right mueller forbid something manafort attorney acknowledged client helped edit voloshyn article denies violated gag order, saying article published ukrainian newspaper would substantially prejudice case united states charges manafort include conspiracy launder money failing register foreign agent working behalf former pro russian ukrainian president viktor yanukovych government, ousted parties ordered judge nov discuss case public media way could substantially prejudice fair trial earlier week, mueller team discovered draft op ed works ordered manafort lawyers shut

us special counsel robert mueller late friday unveiled trove evidence president donald trump former campaign manager paul manafort convince judge violated gag order ghost writing article bolster public image evidence mueller revealed filing, fraction said earlier friday collected, first clear indication depth investigation nature investigators found page filing, prosecutors mueller office produced emails, drafts tracked edits records showing computer user named paul manafort created version op ed made numerous changes november pm pm , last saved pm also produced records indicating op ed, published thursday english language kyiv post mueller objections, tracked talking points manafort business associate richard gates wrote august manafort forced resign trump campaign political work done pro russian figures including former ukrainian president viktor yanukovych mueller also claimed filing manafort collaborated piece konstantin kilimnik, russian mueller alluded filing earlier week ties russian intelligence filing disclose mueller team acquired data, jason maloni, spokesman manafort, declined comment filing, mueller team argued us district court district columbia judge amy berman jackson deny request manafort lift house arrest, saying op ed violated gag order demonstrated cannot trusted bail fundamentally trust, filing said even taken light favorable manafort, conduct shows little respect court penchant skirting breaking rules manafort attorney kevin downing thursday denied client violated gag order, saying article published ukrainian newspaper would substantially prejudice case united states l n h downing acknowledged filing thursday manafort helped edit piece, said client first amendment right defend immediately respond emailed request comment mueller second filing mueller team responded downing first amendment argument citing supreme court case found free speech disable district court taking steps protect cases could harmed creation carnival atmosphere high profile cases federal grand jury indicted manafort business associate rick gates october part mueller investigation accusations russian meddling us presidential election possible collusion russia trump campaign russia denied meddling trump dismissed suggestions collusion charges manafort include conspiracy launder money failing register foreign agent working behalf former pro russian ukrainian president viktor yanukovych government, ousted manafort gates house arrest electronic monitoring, negotiating conditions lifted parties ordered judge nov discuss case public media way could substantially prejudice fair trial earlier week, mueller team discovered draft op ed works ordered manafort lawyers shut published thursday byline oleg voloshyn, former spokesman ukraine foreign affairs ministry l n rk december , voloshyn emailed us embassy claiming credit writing piece accusing mueller deliberately twist ing reality, according email filing article praised manafort work helping ukraine secure better relations european union said lobbied pro western values, russian interests documents mueller filed court showed gates manafort worked together august september craft narratives deflect negative press manafort resignation campaign need beat back idea nefarious work, document said efforts support promotion pro democratic values around world narratives also claimed manafort never worked russia russians, work centered pro ukraine efforts enter eu, never took cash payments manafort gates scheduled appear court monday status conference hearing, judge likely address dispute earlier friday, mueller revealed another filing office turned , emails, financial records documents manafort lawyers demonstrate evidence government ahead trial addition, provided imaged copies electronic devices laptops, telephones thumb drives, copies search seizure warrants, , called hot documents, contain potentially crucial evidence

late october, president donald trump lifted temporary ban refugee admissions, move cleared way people fleeing persecution violence come united states instead, number refugees admitted country plummeted five weeks ban lifted, percent fewer people allowed last five weeks place, according reuters analysis state department data plunge gone almost unnoticed lifted ban, trump instituted new rules tougher vetting applicants also effectively halted, least now, entry refugees countries deemed high risk latter move contributed significantly precipitous drop number refugees admitted data shows trump administration new restrictions proven far greater barrier refugees even temporary ban, limited scope supreme court state department data shows kind refugees allowed also changed far smaller portion muslim ban place made quarter refugees lifted represent percent admissions five weeks limited sample draw broad conclusions, resettlement numbers often pick later fiscal year, began october sharp drop alarmed refugee advocates pretty much shutting refugee program without say doing, said eric schwartz, president refugees international gotten better using bureaucratic methods national security arguments achieve nefarious unjustifiable objectives trump administration officials say temporary ban refugees, new security procedures followed, served protect americans potential terrorist attacks supporters administration move also argue refugee program needed reform making stringent ultimately strengthen program needed tightened up, said joshua meservey, senior policy analyst heritage foundation, conservative think tank, formerly worked refugee resettlement africa strengthening vetting, cracking fraud, really intentional select this, think protects program ultimately state department official attributed drop refugee admissions increased vetting, reviews aimed identifying potential threats, smaller annual refugee quota year , , lowest level decades refugee admissions rarely happen steady pace many years start low increase throughout year would premature assess fiscal year pace point, official said, speaking condition anonymity trump made controlling immigration centerpiece presidency, citing desire protect american jobs national security presidential campaign said syrian refugees could aligned islamist militants promised extreme vetting applicants white house respond request comment ban lifted new rules imposed included requirement refugees provide years biographical information, rather five years, pause program allows family reunification, detailed threat analysis review refugees countries department homeland security spokesman said day review began oct , day trump lifted ban officials said review period, refugees egypt, iran, iraq, libya, mali, north korea, somalia, south sudan, sudan, syria yemen allowed case case basis, also said priority given applicants last three years, refugees countries made percent us admissions nine countries majority muslim, often religious minorities, including christians jews, seek asylum united states practice, countries iran, iraq, somalia, south sudan, sudan syria produce refugees resettle united states meaningful numbers trump administration officials said day review amount bar refugees countries review launched, number refugees coming countries ceased almost entirely five weeks ban lifted, refugees countries allowed in, despite tough eligibility rules, according reuters review state department data five weeks trump lifted ban, refugees countries allowed countries, , refugees admitted united states five weeks oct nov , according state department data percent lower final five weeks ban, nearly , refugees gained entry percent refugees admitted united states oct nov muslim, percent christian five weeks prior, percent muslim percent christian refugees allowed period temporary refugee ban place supreme court, okaying ban june, required refugees bona fide ties united states exempted new rules challenged court, rulings yet issued twist us refugee policy left alireza, gay iranian refugee living turkey, confused, desperate information, less hopeful ever make united states alireza, , already interviewed us officials track resettlement trump issued first refugee ban january declined share last name family know gay, shared documents reuters case confirm identity refugee status trump ban initially blocked federal courts, alireza able continue vetting process close point resettled came supreme court ruling reinstating ban, new restrictions replacing ban refugee one countries targeted additional scrutiny, limbo alireza questions national security logic new review boyfriend years fled turkey facing harassment, beatings extortion iran human rights groups say discriminatory laws iran sexual minorities put risk harassment violence turkey, said, scrape unstable part time work feel threatened see rise anti gay sentiment turkish society hurt islamist system iran, said recent telephone interview eskisehir, northwestern turkey would suffer three years turkey could come america commit terrorism

tonight, flotus melania thrilled welcome many wonderful friends whitehouse wish happyhanukkah bitly b eo q est

federal appeals court judges friday asked president donald trump sharing anti muslim videos twitter account, grilled us government lawyer legality president latest travel ban judge pamela harris asked government lawyer hashim mooppan trump nov online sharing three anti muslim videos posted twitter far right british party leader lawyers say earlier statements trump prove policy aimed blocking entry muslims, rather president stated goal preserving national security even deference, construing light favorable president, little tricky find national security rationale twitter posts, harris said th us circuit court appeals hearing richmond, virginia, monitored reuters audio feed week, us supreme court allowed ban take effect litigation ultimate validity unfolds certain categories people chad, iran, libya, somalia, syria yemen barred entering united states, well people north korea government officials venezuela republican president said ban needed protect united states terrorism however, judge james wynn jr said trump tweets thing opponents claim behind ban wednesday, th us circuit court appeals held hearing ban, separate case brought state hawaii lawyer american civil liberties union argued ban behalf several refugee groups, civil rights groups individual american muslims say harmed ban mooppan argued behalf government latest travel ban considered merits, separately statements trump made social media elsewhere could construed anti muslim noted latest iteration ban came review government agencies need explain review process subordinate executive branch officials independent act cure taint presidential statements, harris, obama appointee, said mooppan judge barbara milano keenan, also obama appointee, asked nationality relevant factors gender considering potential terrorist acts could ban entry men evidence showed men ordinary customary perpetrators terrorist activity keenan asked percent terrorist acts committed men, really protecting country keep men mooppan pointed previous bans entry iranians democratic president jimmy carter cubans republican president ronald reagan examples presidents barred people based nationality aclu attorney cecillia wang faced tough questioning judge paul niemeyer, asked would justified courts question national security determinations president foreign policy black box be, said niemeyer, george hw bush appointee trump issued first travel ban january order, targeted several muslim majority countries, caused chaos airports blocked courts revised march, ban expired september long court fight replaced current version us supreme court expected ultimately decide issue coming months

us congressional committee members warned friday washington funding world health organization cancer research agency could halted unless open operations letter france based international agency research cancer iarc

us president donald trump deputy national security adviser strategy, dina powell, plans resign early next year continue role middle east diplomacy, white house said friday white house spokeswoman sarah sanders said powell, key player us diplomatic efforts middle east, always planned stay one year trump white house return home new york powell could one several administration officials leave one year mark trump presidency speculation centered secretary state rex tillerson, officials say could replaced cia director mike pompeo, top economic adviser gary cohn may possibly leave also powell replacement likely nadia schadlow, national security council aide working powell new us national security strategy expected released next couple weeks, senior administration official said powell one trump inner circle key aide national security adviser hr mcmaster engaged diplomacy throughout middle east trump senior adviser son law, jared kushner dina done great job administration valued member israeli palestinian peace team continue play key role peace efforts share details future, kushner said statement trump move united states officially recognize jerusalem capital israel denounced across much arab world team working framework potential israeli palestinian peace deal aides say could released early next year

us special counsel robert mueller unveiled trove documents friday showing said irrefutable evidence president donald trump former campaign manager paul manafort violated court gag order ghost writing opinion piece designed improve public image page court filing, prosecutors provided emails, copies documents tracking edits draft, materials said proved manafort wrote positive article political work ukraine opinion article, published thursday english language ukrainian newspaper, also closely tracked talking points manafort business associate rick gates created far back august , manafort forced resign trump campaign

us supreme court friday added second case docket contentious issue could major consequences american elections, agreeing decide whether democratic lawmakers maryland unlawfully drew congressional district way would prevent republican candidate winning court agreement take appeal republican voters maryland regarding us house representatives district came two months justices heard arguments high profile challenge democratic voters republican drawn state legislative districts wisconsin cases target practice known partisan gerrymandering aims entrench one party power critics called distortion democratic process justices yet issued ruling wisconsin case case presents different legal theory limits placed partisan gerrymandering, court decision take second case issue hints least nine justices seriously considering cracking gerrymandering, practice dating back two centuries american politics, involves manipulating boundaries legislative districts benefit one party diminish another legislative districts around united states redrawn every decade national census reflect population changes redistricting states done party power though states assign task independent commissions supreme court decades willing invalidate state electoral maps grounds racial discrimination never drawn simply partisan advantage maryland case, republican voters targeting democratic drawn electoral map appealed ruling august panel three federal judges sitting baltimore rejecting challenge maryland sixth congressional district, focus case, previously held republican held democrat john delaney supreme court heard arguments wisconsin case oct , justices appeared closely divided, conservative justice anthony kennedy likely cast deciding vote republican challengers maryland take aim single electoral district, whole state wisconsin case argue district struck drawn democrats form retaliation basis past party affiliation based constitution guaranteed rights free association free speech challengers wisconsin case argued republican electoral map violated democratic voters rights equal protection law well free speech association wisconsin case, legal argument advanced democratic challengers electoral map would unlawful intent discriminate minority party voters, map sizable effect accomplishing goal justification map theory based part measuring number wasted votes district cast losing candidate comparing party total wasted votes statewide basis results, plaintiffs said, show whether one party votes likely wasted party s, would show evidence unconstitutional extreme partisan gerrymandering

president donald trump administration called two lawmakers us corn belt convince join talks potential changes biofuels policy ease burden oil refineries, according spokesman one lawmakers source briefed matter effort clearest sign yet trump seeking mediate long running dispute us oil industry corn growers renewable fuel standard rfs , law requiring refiners blend increasing volumes biofuels like corn based ethanol every year nation fuels refiners say law putting business, ethanol interests vehemently opposed changes white house chief staff general john kelly thursday called republican senator chuck grassley corn growing state iowa

walid phares, former campaign adviser president donald trump, testified us house representatives intelligence committee friday investigation possible russian efforts influence us election phares speak reporters entered committee classified meeting room around edt gmt left four hours later response request comment phares assistant told reuters dr phares making comments house intelligence panel discuss details dozens interviews conducted behind closed doors months long investigation, disclosed publicly phares come congressional scrutiny connections russia senator dianne feinstein, top democrat senate judiciary committee, wrote last month phares, trump campaign foreign policy adviser, asking turn documents related russian contacts republican party position ukraine letter phares, feinstein said interested meeting two trump advisers allegedly held republican national convention cleveland sergei kislyak, russia ambassador united states nov , feinstein announced request, phares aide said maintains kislyak one many foreign diplomats present panel discussion, could fairly described meeting russian officials senate judiciary senate intelligence panels also investigating russia last year election possible collusion trump associates moscow, department justice special counsel robert mueller us intelligence agencies concluded russia sought influence us election help trump win white house russia denies effort trump dismissed talk collusion

us representative cathy mcmorris rodgers, fourth ranking republican house representatives, friday told fox news channel fellow republican representative blake farenthold resign ethics investigation finds sexual misconduct accusations merit allegations proven true would hope would step aside, said mcmorris rodgers, chair house republican conference farenthold office immediately available comment remarks house ethics committee said thursday investigating farenthold, , allegations sexual harassment, discrimination retaliation involving former female staff member said also looking whether corpus christi, texas, congressman made inappropriate statements members staff farenthold said thursday relieved ethics panel going look accusations facts released, confident matter settled resolved, said politico reported last week congressional office compliance paid , public fund behalf farenthold sexual harassment claim , farenthold former communications director lauren greene sued him, alleging hostile work environment, gender discrimination retaliation, court documents showed farenthold greene reached mediated agreement avoid costly litigation, settlement details confidential, according statement released time farenthold denied engaging wrongdoing number lawmakers accused sexual misconduct week, democratic representative john conyers republican representative trent franks resigned, democratic senator al franken said would stepping coming weeks

us representative trent franks said friday would resign congress effective immediately, instead jan date previously set following announcement probe accusations sexual harassment last night, wife admitted hospital washington, dc, due ongoing ailment discussing options family, came conclusion best thing family would tender previous resignation effective today, december th, , franks said emailed statement late thursday, franks, represented district phoenix, arizona, area since , issued statement saying two women staff complained discussed efforts find surrogate mother, denied ever physically intimidated, coerced, had, attempted have, sexual contact member congressional staff news website politico friday quoted unnamed sources clear women whether asking impregnating sexual intercourse vitro fertilization associated press reported former aide franks said congressman offered million carry child reuters confirmed either report house representatives ethics committee said thursday opened investigation accusations sexual harassment franks year old lawmaker also said wife long struggled infertility franks departure comes days democratic representative john conyers michigan announced immediate retirement amid sexual harassment allegations denied thursday, democratic senator al franken announced senate floor would resign minnesota seat amid harassment claims

even completing overhaul us tax code, republicans washington begun turning attention changes possible cuts social safety net government programs poor, children, elderly disabled americans president donald trump, house representatives speaker paul ryan republican officials recent remarks made clear welfare entitlement reform, often call it, top priority next year, going get back entitlement reform, ryan said radio talk show wednesday republican parlance, entitlement programs mean food stamps, housing assistance, medicare medicaid health insurance elderly, poor disabled, well programs created assist needy democrats washington seized ryan remarks, saying show republicans attempt pay tax overhaul, still incomplete friday nearing finish line, pivoting seeking cuts entitlement spending republican plans slash taxes corporations rich would raise federal budget deficit us debt trillion years months, republicans

michigan governor rick snyder said friday state would hold special election nov , , replace representative john conyers, democrat resigned week amid accusations sexual misconduct ample time candidates make decision running office file paperwork gives people options, snyder said statement

us president donald trump friday signed legislation fund federal government two weeks, giving congressional negotiators time work budget priorities next september thorny policy matters white house spokeswoman sarah sanders said post twitter trump, expected, signed stop gap funding bill averts shutdown federal agencies midnight existing money runs months, republican democratic leaders congress working behind scenes hammer deal fund government fiscal , began oct absent deal, washington operating temporary spending bills much negotiation centers around republican demands increased military spending democrats say pentagon need money, argue array domestic programs also face shortfalls senior senate democratic aide said friday negotiators trying figure divide billion two years additional funding much spending increase setting alarms among conservative republicans representative mark meadows, heads house freedom caucus comprised three dozen conservative members congress, said billion billion added spending would reasonable caucus pushing pentagon increases without money domestic programs besides spending levels, democratic aide said negotiators hoping come deal protecting around , undocumented immigrants, brought united states children, possible deportation elements negotiations include new disaster relief funds puerto rico us states hard hit hurricanes wildfires, well funding children health insurance program low income families money community health centers many congress hope negotiations issues wrapped dec , current funding expires lawmakers hope leave washington winter break

investors looking us republican tax bill prompt multinational companies convert foreign profits dollars end worst slide greenback decade may temper hopes prolonged rebound plan, designed part give us multinationals reason repatriate roughly trillion profits held foreign subsidiaries, would slash tax rates previously accumulated earnings companies slow recognize profits balance sheets avoid paying us corporate taxes, stand rate percent graphic overseas cash stash

president donald trump weekend remark scaled back tax cut corporations sparked behind scenes debate us congress, white house aide trying thursday minimize impact president comment two rival tax bills, passed separately senate house representatives, propose cutting us corporate tax rate percent, differ areas republicans trying merge final legislation speaking reporters senate approved tax bill saturday, trump said corporate tax rate final legislation, expected soon lawmakers, could percent could also percent remark whetted interest republicans see slight upward bump proposed corporate tax rate capturing needed federal revenue would help solve problems legislation, according lobbyists percent rate ought goal, said house ways means committee chairman kevin brady, expected head bicameral house senate negotiating committee view president giving us flexibility area needed decision made needed, texas republican told reporters white house legislative affairs director marc short told reuters thursday trump voicing support higher proposed corporate rate instead, may expressing views conveyed republican senators think reflecting conversations heard them, intended signal endorsement raising corporate rate, short said believe percent right number percent high feel comfortable going, said interview trump republican allies plenty riding happens next weeks sweeping us tax overhaul, achieved since , would give republicans first major legislative victory , failure overturn former president barack obama healthcare law without win, republicans fear could lose control house senate congressional elections may late avoid confusion priorities tax debate moves forward congress lobbyists said many perceive trump advisers would accept corporate rate higher percent white house economic adviser kevin hassett said thursday percent corporate rate would undermine economic boost republicans say tax cuts create analysts say corporate income tax rate could ready source revenue lawmakers, move toward final bill lose trillion revenue next decade senate rules republicans considering costly deduction state local taxes , property tax deduction contained house senate bills one version would allow taxpayers choose , deduction either property income taxes house lawmakers also want adopt house bill repeal corporate alternative minimum tax, would cost billion revenue decade, according joint committee taxation senate retained tax house limit amount debt interest payments businesses deduct income would also cost billion senate version, jct said analysts say one percentage point change corporate rate equals billion revenues decade

us democratic senator al franken announced resignation thursday facing series sexual misconduct allegations, republican representative trent franks also said stepping hit ethics charges franken, buffeted weeks sexual harassment charges pressure party colleagues, said senate floor would leave weeks, although denied allegations questioned others year old former comedian minnesota seen rising star democratic party know heart nothing done senator

republican us representative trent franks said thursday would resign two female staffers complained discussed surrogacy franks, , member congress arizona since , said statement would step jan house representatives ethics committee said thursday opened investigation accusations sexual harassment franks congressman said resigning coverage committee investigation current cultural media climate would damage things love franks said wife struggled infertility sought surrogate order another child twins surrogate recently learned ethics committee reviewing inquiry regarding discussion surrogacy two previous female subordinates, making feel uncomfortable, franks said deeply regret discussion option process workplace caused distress, said franks denied ever physically intimidated, coerced, had, attempted have, sexual contact member congressional staff us house speaker paul ryan briefed allegations nov urged franks resign conversation following day, ryan office said statement speaker takes seriously obligation ensure safe workplace house, statement said franks, member conservative house freedom caucus, represents arizona th congressional district, mainly suburban area phoenix election percent vote republican president donald trump carried district points last year republican arizona governor doug ducey call special election fill seat nominating primary must held days vacancy general election must conducted days primary, according state law numerous prominent men us politics, media entertainment accused recent months sexual harassment misconduct earlier thursday, democratic senator al franken minnesota said would resign weeks following allegations sexual misconduct us democratic representative john conyers michigan resigned tuesday accusations sexual harassment leveled conyers denied allegations, franken said accusations untrue remembered incidents differently accusers reuters verified allegations either man

president donald trump weekend remark scaled back tax cut corporations sparked behind scenes debate us congress, white house aide trying thursday minimize impact president comment two rival tax bills, passed separately senate house representatives, propose cutting us corporate tax rate percent, differ areas republicans trying merge final legislation speaking reporters senate approved tax bill saturday, trump said corporate tax rate final legislation, expected soon lawmakers, could percent could also percent remark whetted interest republicans see slight upward bump proposed corporate tax rate capturing needed federal revenue would help solve problems legislation, according lobbyists percent rate ought goal, said house ways means committee chairman kevin brady, expected head bicameral house senate negotiating committee view president giving us flexibility area needed decision made needed, texas republican told reporters white house legislative affairs director marc short told reuters thursday trump voicing support higher proposed corporate rate instead, may expressing views conveyed republican senators think reflecting conversations heard them, intended signal endorsement raising corporate rate, short said believe percent right number percent high feel comfortable going, said interview trump republican allies plenty riding happens next weeks sweeping us tax overhaul, achieved since , would give republicans first major legislative victory , failure overturn former president barack obama healthcare law without win, republicans fear could lose control house senate congressional elections may late avoid confusion priorities tax debate moves forward congress lobbyists said many perceive trump advisers would accept corporate rate higher percent white house economic adviser kevin hassett said thursday percent corporate rate would undermine economic boost republicans say tax cuts create analysts say corporate income tax rate could ready source revenue lawmakers, move toward final bill lose trillion revenue next decade senate rules republicans considering costly deduction state local taxes , property tax deduction contained house senate bills one version would allow taxpayers choose , deduction either property income taxes house lawmakers also want adopt house bill repeal corporate alternative minimum tax, would cost billion revenue decade, according joint committee taxation senate retained tax house limit amount debt interest payments businesses deduct income would also cost billion senate version, jct said analysts say one percentage point change corporate rate equals billion revenues decade

millions households would longer benefit federal tax deductions charity donations, mortgage interest payments property tax republican tax plans debated us congress, think tank said thursday left leaning institute taxation economic policy said million us households writing donations, home loan interest state local property tax payments would longer able either two plans three deductions maintained form one rival senate house representatives bills, far fewer taxpayers could take advantage proposed changes, said washington based group house senate voted fundamentally transform write offs ways people understand, said carl davis, research director institute bills, mortgage interest charitable deductions would worthless people , davis said less one people going able write donations churches local nonprofits legislation signed law president donald trump congressional republicans racing complete sweeping tax code overhaul end can, would represent first major legislative achievement since trump took power january trump promised simplify tax code, part involves ending tax breaks special interests goal encountering resistance interests would hurt senate house approved separate tax bills trying craft one unified bill send trump signature drafted, two bills call roughly doubling standard deduction, key part tax code, , individuals , married couples filing jointly standard deduction fixed dollar amount, claimed two thirds taxpayers, reduces taxable income instead claiming standard deduction, one third taxpayers, mostly high earning americans, itemize deductions worthwhile, cases, total itemized deductions exceeds standard deduction senate house bills also curtail deduction state local tax salt payments, house preserving state local property taxes , tax experts estimate combination doubling standard deduction curtailing salt deduction would mean far fewer americans would itemize since itemizing way claim deductions charity, mortgage interest state local tax payments, claims deductions also expected plummet, especially among middle class americans institute estimated percentage us households writing charitable donations, republican plans, would fall percent percent similar decline would seen households claiming mortgage interest deduction, said mortgage interest deduction would left place precisely families least likely need deduction become homeowners three fourths middle income families claiming mortgage interest deduction today would longer receive deduction, said good reasons consider reforming itemized deductions improve effectiveness fairness house senate approach task leave much desired, institute said story refiled correct last name second reference davis david fifth paragraph

erik prince, founder military contractor blackwater supporter president donald trump, told us lawmakers discussed us russia relations meeting seychelles russian business executive ties kremlin, insisted discuss sanctions transcript released wednesday prince testimony last week us house representatives intelligence committee, prince said kirill dmitriev, chief executive russian direct investment fund, rdif, met half hour bar suggestion officials united arab emirates rdif put us sanctions list time subsidiary veb, russian state development bank longer owned bank, remains subject limited sanctions americans prohibited providing extended debt equity financing sanctioned entities subsidiaries, rdif however, fund raise debt equity financing third parties, according lawyer represents fund house intelligence panel one three congressional committees special counsel investigating us allegations russian interference us election, possibility collusion trump associates moscow russia denies attempting influence us campaign trump denies collusion prince called testify seychelles meeting jan , , washington post later described effort connect incoming trump administration moscow met committee voluntarily, attorney prince said traveled seychelles business meeting uae officials, included crown prince mohammed bin zayed, suggested talk dmitriev meeting, mentioned guy meet also town see them, kirill dmitriev russia, prince told members house committee, according transcript fly meet russian guy, prince said prince told reporters interview panel wasted time taxpayer money fishing expedition prince donated trump campaign, made multiple visits trump tower new york said wrote foreign policy memos republican candidate, delivered trump campaign manager steve bannon democratic committee members noted prince said bannon told secret meeting trump tower december uae officials, shortly january seychelles meeting prince said met trump once, fundraiser, elected president november prince sister, betsy devos, trump secretary education prince said discussed us russia relations dmitriev, broadest terms franklin roosevelt work joseph stalin ukraine terror famine, killing tens millions citizens, certainly least cooperate russians productive way defeat islamic state, prince said told dmitriev representative adam schiff, top democrat committee, said testimony released prince less forthcoming sought represent meeting dmitriev coincidental prince also could adequately explain traveled halfway around world meet uae officials and, ultimately, head russian fund, schiff said statement

us congress moved rapidly thursday send president donald trump short term funding bill avert government shutdown weekend, leaving fights budget priorities range controversial issues coming weeks house representatives, working friday midnight deadline, approved legislation vote fund wide range federal programs dec senate followed approving bill white house said trump sign law measure creates time reckoning republicans democrats budget differences, trump discussed meeting leading lawmakers white house earlier day hope going make great progress country think happen, trump said white house said negotiations would resume friday leaders two weeks find common ground host thorny issues next government funding bill order prevent partial government shutdown dec sides want avoid parts government close, particularly holidays, fear public backlash, leaders parties preemptively blamed potential outcome political blame game likely continue next two weeks while, behind scenes, leaders hammer compromise republicans mainly want big increase defense spending fiscal year ending sept , democrats insisting added pentagon funding accompanied increases domestic programs democrats also want enact law protections nearly , undocumented immigrants children brought united states republicans want much wider series immigration law changes clamp foreign arrivals, want immigration negotiations held separate track government funding bill democrats also want shore affordable care act, known obamacare, reviving federal subsidies low income people program house democratic leader nancy pelosi senate democratic leader chuck schumer joined trump republican congressional leaders talks canceling similarly planned meeting last week president posted note twitter attacking policy positions two democrats said statement meeting thursday productive nothing specific agreed defense secretary jim mattis joined group discuss military matters white house foresees compromise lawmakers include increases defense non defense spending, white house legislative affairs director marc short told reuters said white house wants deal covers spending fiscal years earlier thursday, schumer said trump seemed rooting shutdown warned that, one occurs, fall shoulders party controls senate, house presidency, said nobody wants see shutdown democrats interested one pelosi said democrats willing shut government deferred action child arrivals daca immigration program, also said leave without daca fix

longtime us congressman georgia john lewis, marched martin luther king jr s, said thursday would attend opening mississippi civil rights museum weekend president donald trump planned attend president trump attendance hurtful policies insult people portrayed civil rights museum, lewis said statement statement georgia democrat, served congress years, mississippi democratic us representative bennie thompson mentioned trump disparaging comments women, disabled, immigrants, national football league players trump said earlier week would attend opening museum jackson, state capital national association advancement colored people naacp denounced trump planned attendance lewis thompson said statement trump shown disrespect people fought civil rights mississippi white house press secretary sarah sanders, responding lewis thompson statement, said, think unfortunate members congress join president honoring incredible sacrifice civil rights leaders made right injustices history president hopes others join recognizing movement removing barriers unifying americans backgrounds

us district court district columbia judge presiding criminal case president donald trump former national security adviser michael flynn recused handling case, court spokeswoman said thursday according court filing, us district court judge rudolph contreras, presided dec hearing flynn pleaded guilty lying federal bureau investigation contacts russia, longer handle case court spokeswoman lisa klem say contreras recused, added case randomly reassigned reuters could immediately learn reason recusal, reach contreras attorney flynn declined comment now, flynn sentencing overseen us district court judge emmet sullivan sullivan appointed former democratic president bill clinton flynn first member trump administration plead guilty crime uncovered special counsel robert mueller wide ranging probe russian attempts influence us presidential election potential collusion trump aides russia denied meddling election trump dismissed suggestion collusion flynn agreed cooperate mueller ongoing investigation sentencing date yet set, parties due return court february status report hearing contreras appointed bench former democratic president barack obama also appointed foreign intelligence surveillance court may term lasting court issues warrants allow justice department officials wiretap individuals, process thrown spotlight amid investigation alleged russian interference us election recent controversy related fisa warrants involves peter strzok, senior fbi agent removed russia investigation exchanging text messages colleague expressed anti trump views hearing thursday house judiciary committee, republican lawmaker jim jordan pressed fbi director christopher wray whether former british spy dossier allegations russian financial personal links trump campaign associates used strzok obtain fisa warrant surveil trump transition team judge sullivan previously served superior court district columbia district columbia court appeals appointments republican presidents ronald reagan george hw bush, respectively

us house representatives ethics committee said thursday investigating republican representative blake farenthold allegations sexual harassment, discrimination retaliation involving former female staff member panel said statement also looking whether corpus christi, texas, congressman made inappropriate statements members official staff farenthold, , said statement relieved ethics panel going look allegations facts released, confident matter settled resolved, said politico reported last week us congress office compliance paid , public fund behalf farenthold sexual harassment claim , farenthold former communications director lauren greene sued him, alleging hostile work environment, gender discrimination retaliation, court documents showed farenthold greene reached mediated agreement avoid costly litigation, settlement details confidential, according statement released time, farenthold denied engaging wrongdoing farenthold told kris tv corpus christi monday would return sum capitol hill rocked recent weeks allegations sexual misconduct lawmakers, outrage public money may paid settle harassment suits members congress three lawmakers said week would resign amid sexual harassment allegations democratic senator al franken, democratic representative john conyers republican representative trent franks

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us house representatives ethics committee thursday cleared chairman house intelligence committee charges disclosed classified information, potentially clearing way resume leadership panel russia investigation republican representative devin nunes, consistently denied wrongdoing, thanked committee finding, said probe taken long accusations politically motivated nunes stepped aside leading intelligence committee investigation russia us presidential election april ethics panel said investigating allegations disclosed classified information accusations nunes arose president donald trump tweeted march, without giving evidence, former president barack obama, democrat, wiretapped competed presidency two half weeks later, nunes, trump ally, told reporters unidentified source shown intelligence reports containing unmasked names trump associates swept foreign surveillance, prompting accusations nunes disclosed classified information provide cover trump trump fellow republicans congress frequently raised unmasking issue investigation allegations russia sought influence us election boost trump chances defeating democrat hillary clinton whether trump associates colluded russia russia denied accusations, trump dismissed talk collusion republicans contend potential surveillance americans release names, possibly political purposes, addressed investigators former obama administration officials denied accusations labeled issue distraction serious investigations us election integrity nunes criticized ethics panel taking unbelievable eight months dismiss matter, called panel publicly release transcripts related case ethics committee staff could immediately reached comment statement, panel said intelligence experts concluded information nunes disclosed classified, would take action matter closed clear whether nunes would formally resume leadership house intelligence committee investigation spokesman immediately respond request comment republican representative mike conaway leading since april nunes remained chairman intelligence panel

president donald trump former campaign manager paul manafort violate court gag order helped edit opinion piece political work ukraine, defense lawyer kevin downing argued court filing thursday federal grand jury indicted manafort business associate rick gates october part special counsel robert mueller investigation accusations russian meddling us presidential election charges manafort include conspiracy launder money failing register foreign agent working behalf former pro russian ukrainian president viktor yanukovych government, ousted thursday filing came prosecutors working mueller said earlier week longer could agree lenient bail terms manafort discovering working colleague tied russian intelligence agencies opinion piece cast work favorable light mueller office argued efforts work behind scenes piece recently november ran afoul judge november order instructing parties refrain making statements media public settings could prejudice case jason maloni, spokesman manafort, declined comment joshua stueve, spokesman mueller, also declined comment downing said thursday filing client involved editing piece ensure accuracy, would prejudice case ultimately published ukrainian newspaper, american one defense not, not, understand court meant impose gag order precluding mr manafort addressing matters, pose substantial likelihood material prejudice case, downing wrote earlier week, prosecutors said filing reached manafort lawyers discovered draft assured would published piece appeared online english language kyiv post thursday article, authored oleg voloshyn, former spokesman ukraine foreign affairs ministry, praised manafort political work helping ukraine secure better relations european union wonder american media dare falsely claim paul manafort lobbied russian interests ukraine, piece said without input ukraine would command focus reforms required nation candidate eu brian bonner, chief editor kyiv post, told reuters article submitted monday bonner said voloshyn claimed written article sent manafort american longtime russian colleague, konstantin kilimnik, fact checking submission bonner said immediately publish article suspicious contents wanted confirm voloshyn written blatantly pro manafort opinion activities people share record ukraine support, bonner wrote email voloshyn told reuters immediately position comment clear us district judge amy berman jackson would decide issue, manafort gates due appear monday us district court district columbia status hearing

us congress, rushing beat friday midnight deadline, thursday passed legislation funding government dec vote , house representatives passed bill rapidly sent senate, approved , sending president donald trump signing law saturday shutdown government agencies averted, congress trump come deal keep government operating beyond dec

us president donald trump open reforming country biofuels policy done way protects jobs refining agriculture industries, senators said thursday meeting trump issue nine lawmakers requested meeting argue renewable fuel standard, rfs, law requiring refiners blend increasing amounts biofuels like corn based ethanol fuel supply every year, threatening put refineries districts business trump administration ruled favor big corn refining industry series decisions year, senators sides using parliamentary procedures like holds administrative appointments punish rivals senator ted cruz texas, led lawmaker delegation, said trump open win win solution group whole agreed president reconvene next week expand group work together find solution win blue collar workers, win jobs, also win farmers time, told fox news meeting republican senators bill cassidy louisiana james lankford oklahoma also said trump expressed desire help refiners way protected interests farmers, discussions needed recognition complicated problem going get everybody together sides, lankford told reporters white house said meeting productive trump remained committed rfs, farmers energy workers understands differing views issue, administration looks forward working stakeholders toward mutually agreeable path forward, white house spokesman hogan gidley said statement rfs introduced decade ago president george w bush way boost us agriculture, slash energy imports cut emissions, since fostered market ethanol amounting billion gallons year refiners oppose rfs say costs hundreds millions dollars year blending regulatory expenses propping demand rival fuels refiners facilities blend biofuels must purchase credits, called rins, hand epa year refining lobbyist briefed thursday meeting said one possible solution discussed capping rins

us house representatives, working friday midnight deadline, approved legislation thursday fund wide range federal programs dec avoid partial government shutdown existing money expires vote , house approved stop gap spending bill, sending senate passage, expected friday

president donald trump former campaign manager paul manafort violate court gag order helped edit opinion piece political work ukraine, defense lawyer kevin downing said court filing thursday filing comes prosecutors working special counsel robert mueller earlier week said could longer agree lenient bail terms manafort, discovering working colleague tied russian intelligence agencies ghost write opinion piece cast political work favorable light downing said thursday filing client involved editing piece ensure accuracy, would prejudice case ultimately published ukrainian newspaper, american one

white house confident craft deal avoid government shutdown foresees compromise lawmakers include increases defense non defense spending, white house legislative affairs director marc short said thursday interview reuters, short also said trump wanted corporate tax rate percent tax cut package debated congress despite president saying recently could end higher trump held meeting democratic republican leaders congress thursday work bridging differences us budget avoid stop government services willing go along additional spending non defense side, short said potential compromise deal government spending hopeful find pathway get two year budget cap deal enables budget writers put together bill fiscal year boundaries fiscal year well, said short said white house stood firmly behind goal percent corporate tax rate part planned tax overhaul currently congress trump recent reference possible percent corporate tax rate product conversations lawmakers, short said think reflecting conversations heard them, intended signal endorsement raising corporate rate, said seeing countries like great britain go , seeing ireland percent, potentially going single digits, percent high feel comfortable going short said expected congress approve republicans tax effort year, though trump may sign said white house supported deal agreed senator susan collins would restore billions dollars subsidy payments, called cost sharing reductions, csrs, health insurers, exchange support tax bill reduction corporate tax rates, delivery tax rates middle income families, simplification tax code price csr payments transaction willing make susan collins, said short said president eager find legislative solution immigrants brought united states illegally children previously received protection deferred action child arrivals daca program anxious solve problem, feel like funding military funding government held hostage that, short said democrats made solution daca key priority, house representatives democratic leader nancy pelosi said thursday would shut government issue short said confident shutdown would avoided markets, americans worry going make sure government stays open funded priority, said short said administration planned outline priorities welfare reform next year that, along infrastructure bill, would top legislative priorities , though timing would depend congressional calendar, said short also said white house would support legislation lays address sexual misconduct lawmakers white house supportive, also think recognize ability congress self regulate, said short, top interlocutor white house congress become frequent guest television explain trump policies, suggested staying put despite recent report saying could leave administration plans go anywhere, said

libya internationally recognized government appealed united states drop ease travel ban imposed citizens us president donald trump, foreign ministry said thursday libyan foreign ministry, embassy washington, begun take measures lift libya list countries ease restrictions libyan citizens, ministry said statement libya one six muslim majority countries subject travel ban week us supreme court allowed ban take full effect litigation ultimate validity continues ban also discussed meeting libyan foreign minister mohamed siyala us deputy secretary homeland security elaine duke monday, statement said

us house representatives democratic leader nancy pelosi said thursday party would support short term funding bill brought vote later day include key democratic priorities pelosi said democrats seeking funding fighting opioid addiction, veterans, children health program, community health centers, disaster funding solution young undocumented immigrants united states statement suggested republicans would find votes need pass bill among members short term funding measure approved republican led congress signed republican president donald trump, essential parts federal government shut pelosi told news briefing democrats willing shut government down, also said members leave holidays without fix problem illegal immigrants arrived united states children, sometimes referred dreamers pelosi said temporary spending measure house thursday waste time nothing opioid epidemic nothing veterans funding, nothing chip chip children health insurance, community health centers, nothing about, well, dream act, among things, said short term spending bill provide short term help states running money finance children health insurance program lower income children, stops short renewing program, congress allowed expire end september pelosi, discussing immigration issue, said democrats willing accept new funding border security, border wall going turn country reign terror domestic enforcement dreamers pay price, said republicans majority house senate need democratic support get temporary spending bill past senate procedural hurdles require votes, since republicans member chamber

pentagon acquisition chief said wednesday wants cut time major procurements months average years, speaking congressional hearing reorganization defense department procurement system pentagon typically takes months often years make procurement decisions, especially major weapons programs rapid procurement process could accelerate pace orders weapons makers like lockheed martin corp northrop grumman corp hearing us senate armed services committee, panel chairman senator john mccain called pentagon buying program system organized irresponsibility pentagon chief weapons buyer, undersecretary defense acquisition, technology, logistics ellen lord, asked goal cutting back time weapons procurement responded months major programs lord, began working pentagon august, formerly chief executive defense contractor textron systems, aerospace defense company makes drones missiles acquisition process shortened would good larger weapons makers time money, byron callan, defense analyst capital alpha partners, said interview move could also increase competition smaller companies often lack financial resources wait lengthy pentagon procurements, said pentagon weapons procurement process generally begins soliciting proposals industry, often includes competitive process find vendor, well product testing delivery final payment critics say decision making part current procurement process takes long could reduced mark esper, secretary army, said office examining way reduce requirements development process, military articulates concept needs, months five years national defense authorization act ndaa changed structure pentagon office acquisition splitting two new positions, undersecretary research engineering focusing innovation, undersecretary acquisition sustainment focusing program management process still unfolding, hearing testimony showed initial effect decision making procurement processes moved individual branches us military

director federal bureau investigation defended employees thursday growing chorus accusations republicans, including president donald trump, agents allowing political bias seep investigations testimony house representatives judiciary committee, christopher wray said believed reputation fbi not, trump recently wrote twitter, tatters agents, analysts staff fbi big boys girls understand take criticism corners, wray said experience reputation quite good republicans recent weeks stepped criticism fbi special counsel robert mueller, investigating whether trump campaign aides colluded russia influence us presidential election move widely seen tactic undermine mueller investigation, far led criminal charges four people trump inner circle comes republicans prepare head potentially challenging midterm congressional election cycle republicans sought litigate questions relating fbi handling investigation hillary clinton use private email server, questioned whether justice department officials gave preferential treatment decision charge crime criticized former fbi director james comey publicly announcing decision refer clinton prosecution asked whether decision making politically tainted wray took helm fbi trump abruptly fired comey earlier year recently, republicans got fresh ammunition mueller fbi, media reports said fbi agent peter strzok removed russia probe exchanged private text messages disparaged trump supported clinton strzok involved clinton email russia investigations wray acknowledged thursday strzok removed mueller investigation, said reassigned, disciplined cannot afford fbi

white house said thursday donald trump jr solid legal ground refused answer questions congressional committee conversation father, president donald trump, emails relating meeting attended trump associates russians spokeswoman sarah sanders said white house believed legitimate reason basis answering questions declined provide details

senate thursday confirmed environmental protection agency third high level official administrator scott pruitt, approving susan bodine become agency top enforcement official bodine serve assistant administrator epa office enforcement compliance assurance, leading agency enforcement actions polluters september, two senators threatened hold confirmation concern serving special counsel pruitt waited confirmation process, possible violation federal law, slow respond senate democrats oversight queries democratic senator tom carper delaware said thursday satisfied responses epa officials sent, clearing way confirmation

legislation extend funding us government dec avert agency shutdowns saturday cleared procedural hurdle house representatives thursday, paving way vote passage later day vote , house approved rules debating stop gap funding bill

us regulators said open revising restrictions leveraged lending, offering olive branch gop controlled congress keen roll back banking regulations three main us bank regulatory agencies, recent letters seen reuters, said could revisit guidelines put place critics say guidelines hampered business, members congress started pressing rollback shortly donald trump inauguration president theory, guidelines prevent banks loaning money would put borrower leverage six times higher, companies could quickly pay debt broadly intended prevent kind egregious wanton lending widely seen contributing last global financial crisis us senator pat toomey asked government accountability office

white house said thursday focusing getting lowest corporate rate possible tax reform legislation considered capitol hill fifteen percent better , better better have, white house spokeswoman sarah sanders told reporters

bipartisan group us lawmakers introduced bill would ban agreements keep sexual harassment discrimination claims court, amid wave sexual misconduct allegations powerful men members us senate house representatives unveiled bill wednesday, saying mandatory arbitration agreements forced women privately arbitrate misconduct claims, effectively silencing victims enabling serial harassers arbitration case similar lawsuit, proceedings typically confidential dozens prominent american men politics, media entertainment accused recent months sexual harassment misconduct cases, accusers required sign agreements employers keep work related legal claims arbitration bill would make agreements unenforceable sexual harassment discrimination cases brought federal law lawmakers said estimated million us workers mandatory arbitration agreements issue sexual harassment focus washington thursday senator al franken, democrat minnesota, announced would step several women accused unwanted touching franken denied claims apologized accusers tuesday, representative john conyers, democrat michigan, resigned allegations sexually harassed staffers conyers, longest serving member congress, denied claims business groups including us chamber commerce national federation independent business said past arbitration benefit employers workers want keep claims confidential bill sponsored senate democrats kirsten gillibrand new york kamala harris california, republicans lindsey graham south carolina lisa murkowski alaska also two sponsors party house lawmakers joined news conference washington former fox news anchor gretchen carlson, sued former network chief roger ailes harassment last year claims led ailes resignation million settlement carlson ailes fox denied wrongdoing carlson said arbitration agreements like one signed fox allow harassers stay jobs, even victims pushed fired

house representatives speaker paul ryan said felt good vote count government spending bill coming house thursday afternoon aimed keeping government shutting week feel good are, ryan told reporters also said republicans want talk trump congressional leaders budget caps would nice get back table start negotiating caps things do, said

us democratic senator al franken announce resignation thursday, day majority democratic senate colleagues called step following string sexual misconduct allegations him, cnn reported thursday, citing unnamed sources

department interior, us government second largest revenue generator behind irs, trying better business partner oil companies curb falling revenues, vincent devito, energy advisory secretary interior, said thursday department plans expedite permitting drilling arctic national wildlife refuge anwr alaska, devito said p global platts energy outlook new york expediting process would expense environmental stewardship, said

us democratic senator al franken, facing intense pressure step following allegations sexual misconduct, make announcement gmt thursday, office said franken spokesman michael dale stein said franken would make statement senate floor elaborate

democrat al franken faced intense pressure members party wednesday resign us senate accusations sexual misconduct minnesota public radio reported franken would resign thursday franken office said email final decision made senator still discussing issue family accusations began surfacing three weeks ago, franken said would remain office work regain trust voters minnesota, state represents wednesday, calls resign came majority democratic colleagues senate, including democratic leader chuck schumer almost democratic women chamber, putting great pressure quit consider senator franken dear friend greatly respect accomplishments, higher obligation constituents senate, step immediately, schumer said statement franken said twitter would make announcement thursday, offered details report, minnesota public radio cited democratic official spoken senator aides late wednesday, news website politico reported minnesota governor mark dayton expected appoint democratic lieutenant governor tina smith take franken seat resigned would hold seat special election move would leave minnesota race wide open smith would run special election finish franken term, goes , politico said, citing people familiar dayton thinking franken one number prominent american men politics, media entertainment accused recent months sexual harassment misconduct another accusation franken surfaced wednesday politico reported congressional aide said franken tried forcibly kiss , first elected senator franken denied allegations, politico reported franken office reply request comment report calls wednesday marked first time franken democratic colleagues publicly pressed step since accusations surfaced party chairman, tom perez, also pressed resign schumer called franken immediately politico story published told needed relinquish senate seat, according person familiar situation struggled decision good senator consider friend, senator mazie hirono hawaii wrote twitter cannot excuse behavior mistreatment women franken apologized behavior earlier accusations said would cooperate senate ethics committee investigation reuters independently verified claims democrats seeking moral high ground wake sexual misconduct accusations numerous public figures, including republican roy moore alabama, running senate, democratic representative john conyers, resigned tuesday men denied accusations several republican lawmakers initially called moore step race, since said decision ultimately alabama voters president donald trump endorsed candidate election tuesday franken, former comedian rose national prominence cast member long running television program saturday night live, considered rising star democratic party since first elected democratic senator kirsten gillibrand, among saying franken resign, told reporters democrats conversations franken senate republican leader mitch mcconnell joined groundswell franken, saying statement, believe effectively serve people minnesota us senate longer franken minnesota colleague, senator amy klobuchar, wrote twitter, sexual harassment unacceptable morning spoke senator franken and, know, making announcement future tomorrow morning confident make right decision

trump administration wednesday said would oppose public sector unions major case currently us supreme court, reversing view taken obama administration identical dispute justice department filed friend court brief unions case brought non union government employee illinois targets fees state many others compel workers pay unions lieu dues fund collective bargaining organized labor activities arguing fees violate free speech rights non union members high court heard similar challenge california january appeared headed toward ruling fees unconstitutional conservative justice antonin scalia died month later short handed court ended split april left law intact set nationwide precedent case, obama administration filed brief backing unions addressing change position, solicitor general noel francisco said court filing supreme court agreed hear new case government reconsidered question reached opposite conclusion trump administration already adopted opposing positions taken obama administration major cases pending supreme court, including another labor case whether employers able require workers sign contracts prevent making class action claims administration also reversed obama administration stance supporting ohio bid revive state policy purging people voter registration lists regularly cast ballots

president donald trump eldest son, donald trump jr, declined discuss lawmakers wednesday conversation father emails related june meeting attended trump associates russians, congressional panel member said representative adam schiff, top democrat us house representatives intelligence committee investigating allegations russian interference last year us election, said trump jr answered overwhelming majority questions committee members hours testimony trump jr claimed attorney client privilege declining respond queries discussion father lawyer room took place discussion republican candidate trump son took place emails became public, schiff said trump jr released emails july view attorney client privilege protects discussion father son, schiff told reporters closed door testimony ended following counsel, schiff said representative mike conaway, republican leading investigation, said trump jr answered questions mr trump cooperative times, conaway said trump jr arrived left without seen reporters lawmakers said want question meeting russian lawyer june trump tower new york said hoped get information fitness, character qualifications former secretary state hillary clinton, democrat father presidential election opponent least second time trump jr testified congressional committee investigating russian meddling election possible collusion moscow trump campaign arrived shortly est gmt questioned next eight hours members intelligence panel person familiar knowledge trump jr testimony said trump said repeatedly remember things asked about, including details information provided russians trump tower meeting department justice special counsel robert mueller also investigating announced first charges trump associates, trump former national security adviser, michael flynn, pleaded guilty lying federal bureau investigation agents house intelligence panel also released wednesday transcript testimony last week erik prince, trump supporter founder blackwater military contractor focus testimony report prince tried set back channel communications trump associates russia prince denied plan trump jr appearance coincided criticism russia probes father fellow republicans, control houses congress accuse investigators bias trump lawmakers, republicans well democrats, say goal investigations guarantee integrity us elections, target trump associates trump jr, like father, denies collusion russia us intelligence agencies concluded russia attempted influence campaign boost trump chances defeating clinton moscow denies effort republicans criticized mueller, fbi department justice news conference wednesday, ahead congressional testimony thursday director fbi, christopher wray republican house members accused justice department fbi bias president easy clinton investigation use private email server leading state department however, clinton made secret belief fbi director james comey announcement election bureau investigating potential new evidence lengthy email probe cost white house also wednesday, representative bob goodlatte, republican chairman house judiciary committee, announced hearing next week deputy attorney general rod rosenstein, citing serious concerns reports political motives staff mueller team

group democratic lawmakers wednesday wrote jared kushner, us president donald trump son law adviser, asking whether talks foreign officials ever discussed financing deeply indebted kushner companies property manhattan property fifth avenue billion mortgage due less two years, raised concerns among lawmakers could pose conflict interest kushner kushner headed kushner companies sold interest family trust earlier year senior adviser president involved middle east policymaking democratic lawmakers, two page letter kushner seen reuters, said concerned may leveraging white house position seek financial assistance fifth avenue, according various reports least billion debt, half owned kushner companies white house spokesman declined comment letter referred matter kushner lawyer, abbe lowell lowell could immediately reached comment special counsel robert mueller, probing possible collusion russia trump presidential campaign, questioned kushner known whether mueller team looking issues involving fifth avenue trump denied collusion campaign moscow officials letter lawmakers, led rep ted lieu california, asked whether, since trump election nov , , kushner discussed property foreign nationals entities saudi arabia, united arab emirates, qatar, china, israel, france countries so, asked, discuss anything related helping finance, purchase, assist debt fifth avenue lawmakers asked kushner respond dec

president donald trump delivered inaugural address capitol hill january, incoming national security adviser michael flynn, sitting yards away, texted former business partner nuclear power project would require lifting sanctions russia good go, senior house democrat said letter released wednesday quoting confidential informant, representative elijah cummings, top democrat house oversight government reform committee, wrote alex copson, managing partner acu strategic partners, told informant flynn would see sanctions moscow ripped letter representative trey gowdy, panel republican chairman, cummings demanded gowdy subpoena documents nuclear power plan white house, flynn, copson, partners associates cummings said found unnamed informant authentic, credible, reliable, offered produce individual gowdy reuters unable identify informant independently confirm information cummings letter, seen tmsnrtrs avwkex gowdy told reporters later wednesday going oversight committee look issues raised cummings letter, falls outside scope committee responsibilities suggested house intelligence committee, investigating russia role us election, take matter copson acu immediately respond detailed requests comment, attorney flynn declined comment white house referred inquiries trump personal white house attorney, ty cobb, declined comment true, informant story adds new evidence project promoters believed flynn trump backed plan consortium us, russian french firms build operate nuclear power plants saudi arabia arab countries reuters last week published documents showed copson plan proponents believed flynn trump corner documents also revealed previously unreported aspects acu proposal, including involvement russian nuclear equipment manufacturer currently us sanctions flynn consultant acu april june , according amended financial disclosure forms filed august flynn, served days trump national security adviser, pleaded guilty last week lying fbi agents working special counsel robert mueller contacts senior russian diplomat mueller investigating whether trump campaign colluded russia elections cummings wrote delayed releasing letter mueller request special counsel completed certain investigative steps informed us done cummings said informant, contacted staff june, met copson jan inaugural event washington two known other, cummings said copson described nuclear project told informant got text message flynn saying plan good go copson contact colleagues let know put things place, cummings wrote copson showed informant text message, according cummings informant read message, saw time stamp pm, minutes trump inaugural address mike putting everything place us, copson told informant, cummings wrote going make lot wealthy people whistleblower extremely uncomfortable conversation, cummings wrote event, whistleblower made brief notes mr copson name discussion whistleblower left event shortly thereafter

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us appeals court wednesday wrestled bid president donald trump show latest travel ban targeting people six muslim majority countries legal th us circuit court appeals hearing seattle came two days us supreme court allowed trump travel ban take effect litigation ultimate validity unfolds ban targets people chad, iran, libya, somalia, syria yemen seeking enter united states republican president said travel ban needed protect united states terrorism state hawaii, however, challenged court, honolulu federal judge said exceeded trump powers immigration law trump ban also covers people north korea certain government officials venezuela, lower courts already allowed provisions go effect three judge th circuit panel limited previous version trump ban heard arguments wednesday judges appeared cautious toward idea blocking president policy judge michael daly hawkins asked hawaii lawyers whether trump latest proclamation sound prior versions current one, said, based specific findings foreign governments share enough information properly vet immigrants would trust kim jong un say person person, gotta let hawkins said judge ronald gould said court would issue ruling soon practicable trump issued first travel ban targeting several muslim majority countries january, caused chaos airports mass protests issued revised one march first blocked federal courts expired september long court fight, replaced current version ban exceptions certain people targeted country still apply visa tourism, business education purposes, applicant ask individual waiver th us circuit court appeals set hear separate challenge ban friday, us supreme court expected ultimately decide issue coming months

president donald trump wednesday raised possibility us government shutdown

us president donald trump would sign stop gap spending measure funding government dec considered house representatives, white house said statement wednesday trump congress facing deadline friday midnight pass fresh spending legislation cannot agree terms, parts federal government could shut

us senate republicans agreed talks house representatives sweeping tax legislation wednesday, amid early signs lawmakers could bridge differences agree final bill ahead self imposed dec deadline republican led senate voted , along party lines democrats opposed, begin formal conference negotiations reconcile rival house senate tax bills passed last week move, follows similar house action week, brings congress step closer sending president donald trump tax overhaul sign law house senate negotiators need work differences issues ranging business taxes repeal obamacare mandate americans obtain health insurance face penalty lawmakers pass final version john cornyn, senate republican, said optimistic house senate tax negotiators would able work agreement within next two weeks given similarities house senate bills, think obvious targets need focus attention obviously rewriting bills, cornyn said republican negotiators must careful agree changes could diminish support senate, afford lose support two party members major tax overhaul since , republican ronald reagan president significant differences house senate bills, would cut us corporate tax rate percent percent, provide tax relief pass enterprises including small businesses earnings taxed individual rates, benefit wealthiest americans reduce tax burden middle class taxpayers republicans claim legislation spur enough economic growth pay tax cuts new revenue, nonpartisan joint committee taxation estimates senate bill would still add trillion federal budget deficit decade, even economic upswing us stock prices rallied growing optimism tax legislation become law wednesday, head sovereign credit ratings p global told reuters rising deficit looser fiscal policy could prompt negative action us credit ratings unless washington addressed long term budgetary issues us tax reform approved, seems certain increase federal budget deficit, moritz kraemer, p sovereign global chief rating officer, said interview meaningful relaxation fiscal policy without countervailing measures address longer term fiscal challenges us could lead negative rating action senate republicans later voted democratic motion instructing tax negotiators produce deficit neutral bill passage tax bill would provide badly needed legislative victory trump republicans failure earlier year enact legislation repealing president barack obama signature healthcare law trump republican allies see enacting tax overhaul promised voters crucial strategy us congressional elections, seats house representatives seats member senate election democrats united bill, calling handout corporations rich would drive federal deficit early sign progress reconciling house senate versions, senator orrin hatch, chairman tax writing finance committee, said think final bill would retain corporate alternative minimum tax amt house bill calls repeal corporate amt, designed limit ability corporations reduce payments tax breaks credits corporate amt repeal part senate version getting rid corporate amt would popular many businesses would also concession toward house bill repeal would also require lawmakers replace billion revenues retaining corporate amt would raise decade increasing corporate income tax target percent seen one way pay amt repeal potential changes keep can, drive get want money, why, hatch told reporters

people would able bring legal, concealed guns us state legislation house representatives approved wednesday would also bolster national background check system require study bump stocks used october las vegas mass shooting country long standing fight gun ownership grown heated since single person killed people injured music festival las vegas, nevada, deadliest mass shooting carried individual us history stephen paddock boosted firearms bump stocks shoot thousands bullets minutes vote , republican led house approved concealed carry reciprocity act, would require states recognize others permits carrying hidden loaded firearms public states requirements concealed guns vary widely states deny permits people committed domestic violence crimes eight require permits supporters bill, still must approved senate, say states recognize others drivers licenses permits, making concealed carry permits exception detractors say bill tramples states rights gun permits differ drivers licenses, generally uniform across country also say that, legislation, gun owners abide requirements lenient states bill passed eight days fifth anniversary sandy hook shooting children six adults perished far year, , people died , injured firearm related incidents united states, according gun violence archive percent children teenagers bill supporters also pointed last month texas shooting, man fired rifle fleeing gunman killed worshippers church gunman later found dead car know citizens carry concealed firearm better prepared act self defense, also defense others, said house judiciary committee chairman bob goodlatte, republican legislation also included bipartisan measure strengthen national instant criminal background check system meanwhile, justice department already begun studying bump stocks, could soon ban

us democratic senator al franken, facing allegations sexual misconduct, resign thursday, minnesota public radio reported wednesday, citing unnamed democratic official franken staff member told democratic official minnesota senator gone home washington discuss plans family, minnesota public radio said franken said twitter earlier wednesday would make announcement thursday

tax overhaul legislation passed us senate jettisoned long held republican goal repealing corporate alternative minimum tax amt , move seen hurting companies invest heavily research development senate inclusion amt puts bill, passed narrowly last saturday, collision course republicans house representatives, whose version would repeal corporate amt house republicans calling tax eliminated final legislation hammered house senate conference committee orrin hatch, chairman tax writing senate finance committee, said wednesday final tax bill congressional republicans hope get president donald trump signature dec christmas holiday likely retain amt details impact amt companies industries invest r percent corporate amt alternative regular corporate income tax computing taxes owed, designed limit benefit deductions tax credits, including credits r popular silicon valley top corporate rate percent, wind paying amt since congressional republicans want cut tax rate percent, amt could affect many companies retaining amt reform even harmful present form, us chamber commerce business lobby group said website cannot intended impact congress worked years enact globally competitive tax code companies us pharmaceutical medical research industry plowed percent total revenue r recent fiscal year, according thomson reuters data software industry services invested percent revenue r technology equipment companies invested percent revenue r healthcare services equipment sector spent percent revenue r recent fiscal year manufacturers also invest significantly r d, boeing ban investing percent revenue r last year research development lifeblood manufacturing nam supports pro growth tax reform, working key policymakers ensure final bill inadvertently harm manufacturing, said chris netram, vice president tax domestic economic policy national association manufacturers lobby group

us president donald trump hopes find way avert government shutdown later week thursday meeting republican democratic lawmakers, white house said wednesday congressional republican leaders well us house representatives minority leader nancy pelosi senate minority leader chuck schumer scheduled meet trump thursday pelosi schumer attend previously scheduled meeting trump last week said twitter expect reach deal democratic leaders

us senate voted wednesday go conference committee resolve differences tax legislation rival version passed house representatives, moving republican led congress step closer final bill republican leaders aiming finalize tax legislation pass send president donald trump end year

name calling unusual us politics child abuser usually one names final stretch bruising us senate race alabama, democrat doug jones cranked attacks republican roy moore allegations sexual misconduct made charges central argument moore unsuitable choice jones, avoided directly addressing sexual allegations surfaced early november, begun cite attack moore character tuesday, one week dec special election day republican president donald trump endorsed moore, jones said women allege moore assaulted pursued teenagers deserved believed believe women rising political party right alabama, country, jones told voters speech birmingham moore, year old christian conservative, denied misconduct allegations said result dirty politics said last week never met women involved reuters independently verified accusations moore, twice removed state supreme court refusing abide federal law, source embarrassment people alabama, jones said raw tone become typical race transformed moore allegations, opening door possible democratic upset conservative southern state would deal blow trump agenda dramatically improve democratic chances regaining senate control next year congressional elections jones cranked attacks initial wave voter outrage allegations shown signs fading, enabling moore regain slight lead several recent opinion polls state went trump percentage points last year alabama elected democrat senate since jones, holds fundraising advantage moore accumulated four times much cash hand stretch drive, launched advertising blitz focusing misconduct allegations girls roy moore immorally pursued women, narrator says one ad pictures accusers flash make abuser us senator campaign trail, jones, former us attorney prosecuted ku klux klan members convicted church bombing birmingham killed four young girls, cited background draw contrast moore damn sure believe done part ensure men hurt little girls go jail

chairman us senate finance committee said wednesday final tax bill republicans hope get president donald trump christmas likely retain corporate alternative minimum tax right look like never know, republican senator orrin hatch told reporters asked corporate amt would survive final bill republicans house representatives want get rid amt, designed limit ability corporations reduce payments tax breaks credits

us attorney general jeff sessions wednesday called nation immigration courts decide cases efficiently, amid burgeoning backlog hampering trump administration efforts deport illegal immigrants sessions memo executive office immigration review, agency department justice conducts immigration court proceedings, called judges staff consistent law increase productivity, enhance efficiencies, ensure timely proper administration justice president donald trump administration far brought new immigration judges, sessions said, effort pare back backlog , cases sessions said memo justice department plans hire judges next six months cut pending case load half statistics released department homeland security tuesday showed although government arrested far people suspected united states illegally last year, deported fewer illegal immigrants us immigration customs enforcement removed approximately , people country fiscal year, percent previous year lower time obama administration trump made strict immigration enforcement major priority administration slowdown part fewer people appear trying cross us border illegally another reason although immigration arrests up, court backlog slowed removal immigrants claim harmed deported home countries justifications staying united states us policy, many claims must adjudicated immigration judge memo, sessions touted surge immigration judges us border said agency completed , cases projected april, reuters reported two eight immigration judges deployed us border mexico process asylum requests migrant women children recalled cases hear department also said february november, removal orders percent time last year, percentage final decisions cases nearly percent compared last year

utah republicans wednesday rallied around mitt romney, party former presidential nominee, day former senior white house aide steve bannon accused used mormon religion avoid military service bannon attack romney character came fiery speech alabama former chief strategist president donald trump campaigning republican senate candidate roy moore avoided service, brother hid behind religion, bannon said rally, adding romney sons also served military pointing moore service vietnam war war words latest episode highlighting schism republican party establishment conservatives rise trump one time strategist bannon romney, , former governor massachusetts later moved utah, mulled run seat utah republican us senator orrin hatch, , deciding whether retire hatch among utah republicans came romney defense bannon attacks disappointing unjustified, said hatch, fellow mormon like many state utah governor gary herbert, tweet, praised romney family honorable said utahns reject ugly politics tactics stevekbannon stayout credibly call question patriotism moral character especially basis religious beliefs outstanding service missionary, us senator mike lee also said, calling romney good man romney, lost election democratic former president barack obama, vocal critic trump well bannon politics trump fired back criticized romney failed presidential run tensions trump romney lingered even though trump considered secretary state monday, trump told reporters wanted hatch seek election day later, called romney, according white house officials good positive conversation, white house spokeswoman sarah sanders said source close romney confirmed conversation, describing courtesy call

laura russo kind voter republicans need, party proposed tax overhaul, includes limits deductions mortgage interest, state taxes property taxes, pushing away would dramatically affected, said airline pilot single mother two, says like many affluent loudoun county, virginia, neighborhood stretched buy home fears become harder sell house pay tax bills president donald trump signs plan law russo, , said voted republican every presidential race since last year picked hillary clinton still voted barbara comstock, republican represents district congress again, said tax bill straw broke camel back russo one thousands homeowners republican leaning areas could hit elimination reduction tax breaks homeowners, reuters analysis federal mortgage tax data shows, potentially opening districts democratic challenge november mid term elections plans expected affect mainly democratic leaning blue states california, new jersey new york homes expensive, mortgages huge state local taxes tend high blue states hardest hit, county level data also shows significant number republican enclaves districts expected hotly contested next year polls feel pain republican leaning pockets blue swing states, orange county, california, loudoun county, virginia, tend high property values thus higher mortgages many areas also tend higher state local income taxes larry sabato, director non partisan center politics university virginia, estimates counties races toss ups republican incumbents democratic challengers reuters data shows almost half counties average share new mortgages worth , , proposed cap tax deductions results similar districts selected ones cook political report, non partisan newsletter analyzes us elections among cook list district harris county deep red state texas even though state income tax, thousands residents district, includes houston, deduct taxes owed states work business done there, property taxes

us justice department said wednesday seeking warrant seize ancient ring believed trafficked islamic state iraq syria, militant organization also known isis department also said amending year old forfeiture complaint filed us district court district columbia add three antiquities ancient ring sought us government believed hands turkish law enforcement, confiscated syrian antiquities trafficker