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us senator dick durbin, democrat senate, said wednesday fellow democrat al franken resign light sexual misconduct allegations senator franken behavior wrong admitted resign senate, durbin said twitter durbin marked th democratic senator, including third ranking democrat patty murray, call wednesday franken step

us congress may able wrap tax negotiations dec send final bill president donald trump, republican senator john cornyn said wednesday senate vote wednesday whether go conference house representatives tax legislation house voted monday cornyn, senate republican, said thought tax negotiators able meet trump administration request iron differences two bills dec rewriting bills, trying reconcile differences hope done quickly need get president, cornyn told reporters

us democratic senator al franken make announcement thursday, office said, several democratic senators called step light allegations sexual misconduct office offered details brief statement wednesday

day president donald trump endorsed us senate candidate roy moore alabama, trump former chief strategist steve bannon campaigned state, telling crowd allegations sexual misconduct moore part smear campaign keep office want destroy judge roy moore know bannon asked rally fairhope, alabama want take voice away trump originally supported moore opponent republican primary, luther strange, favored senate majority leader mitch mcconnell members republican establishment moore defeated strange primary faces democrat doug jones dec special election replace jeff sessions, became us attorney general trump administration bannon, left white house august power struggle rejoined breitbart news network right wing website, major proponent trump america first agenda election campaign trump, bannon said, understands roy moore stands called alabama senate race referendum trump program moore, , accused sexual misconduct teenage girls moore denies allegations reuters independently verified reports allegations initially trump keeping distance moore, grown vocal support week, public opinion polls show moore holding slight lead jones bannon remained steadfast support moore bannon pledged back candidates senate primaries next year oppose retaining mcconnell senate leader, contending stalled trump policy agenda accusations moore first reported, mcconnell called moore drop race recently, however, mcconnell tempered view, saying alabama voters determine whether moore elected remarks, moore repeatedly mocked mcconnell folks alabama always going decide, mitch, said interest say republicans appear divided moore candidacy, trump endorsement prompted republican national committee reverse course expend resources back moore rnc cut ties moore last month accounts women said sexually abused reported washington post

us secretary state rex tillerson said truth reports white house plan fire replace cia chief mike pompeo directly addressing issue news conference nato, tillerson dismissed last week reports overshadowed week long trip europe, allies yearn stability us foreign policy narrative keeps coming every six weeks would say need get new sources story keeps wrong, told reporters asked whether white house pushing trump said last week leaving tillerson said reports laughable , trump also said alone determines us foreign policy, saying tweet friday call final shots trip also take vienna paris, tillerson, former exxon mobil corp chief executive odds trump issues north korea, sought reassure european governments us diplomats control brussels tuesday, tillerson said us state department, still top positions unmanned, much better position advance america interests around world months ago white house plan reported reuters media last week, tillerson would replaced within weeks cia director mike pompeo, trump loyalist foreign policy hard liner, white house plan carry significant staff shake far trump administration us republican senator tom cotton, one trump staunchest defenders congress, would tapped replace pompeo central intelligence agency, officials said tillerson, , spent much tenure trying smooth rough edges america first foreign policy alarmed trump allies, president publicly undercut secretary state diplomatic initiatives eu nato week, tillerson espoused traditional us foreign policy, defending iran nuclear deal agreed world powers , warning assertive russia saying become quite close germany foreign minister sigmar gabriel

us senate majority leader mitch mcconnell said senate vote later wednesday whether send tax legislation conference hammer differences us house representatives version plan speaking chamber floor, mcconnell also said congress later week would pass short term continuing resolution measure continue funding federal government lawmakers work longer term spending bill give dates

less hours donald trump took office, presidency started generating controversy photographs showing crowd trump swearing smaller barack obama first presidential inauguration caused first ruckus administration

democrats rare chance win major concessions us congress control taking advantage battle within republican party keeping government open friday deadline looming funding federal agencies runs out, democrats finally clout power strongest republicans congress remain fractured fighting showdown republicans could come head thursday democrats expected press demands president donald trump white house meeting trump, complex, public, battle shutdown also demonstration ability deliver central campaign promise adding billions dollars us military budget issue core republicans behind scenes negotiations democrats republicans want defense buildup many also want limit government spending many democrats also support bolstering defense, insist raising spending non defense programs democrats top two demands include passage legislation eluded years protecting deportation nearly , young people known dreamers, whose parents brought illegally united states children democrats also want shore obamacare reversing trump decision stop monthly subsidy payments insurance companies offering healthcare policies lower income people democrats enter white house meeting knowing support crucial senate republicans passing spending bills republicans control chamber , need vote passage spending measures partial government shutdown would keep emergency services military mainly operating, thousands operations would suspended, operation national parks republicans clear control house representatives core conservative republicans consistently vote funding bills drive smaller government could balk democrats history strongly supporting stopgap funding bills, providing cushion victory republican house conservative republicans said tuesday would try pass temporary spending bills without house democrats support so, unclear whether bill could clear senate, democratic votes necessary pass bills another wild card parties thursday meeting trump democrats test unpredictable president see whether willing go bipartisan route order keep federal agencies running smoothly whether confrontational mood may, angry win money build promised wall along border mexico, trump said united states needed good shutdown force agenda congress last week, wrote twitter spending bills see deal democrats counting bipartisan trump showing up, betting fellow republicans congress want leave immigration legislation, popularly known dreamers act, fester march deadline, close congressional election season chuck schumer, senate minority leader, nancy pelosi, house minority leader, calculating voters wrath would rain republicans government lights go republicans would blame democrats news conference last thursday, house speaker paul ryan said democrats vote temporary spending bill demands, chosen shut government republicans already trying exploit possible differences among democrats whether link support stopgap spending bill immigration measure democratic senator dianne feinstein said expected democrats vote government funding bill week, telling reuters interview important us take care dreamers, think shut government senator dick durbin, chamber democrat, told washington post last week would oppose spending bill congress first taken care dreamers tuesday, schumer noted good negotiations way immigration measure week vote keep government operating temporary funding likely first three step process could stretch jan second step would another short term funding bill, followed one fund government fiscal year ending sept

yesterday, thrilled many wonderful friends, utah magnificent capitol honor sign two presidential proclamations modify national monuments designations bears ears grand staircase escalante est

republicans us house representatives began staking positions final tax legislation tuesday, days ahead talks senate shape tax package lawmakers hope send president donald trump year end lawmakers expect smooth reconciliation rival house senate tax bills, house republicans taken issue several items senate legislation

republican party resume funding us senate campaign roy moore president donald trump endorsed alabama republican, accused sexual misconduct involving teenage girls republican national committee transferred , alabama republican party support moore, rnc official said tuesday rnc staff deployed state state party use money sees fit, official told reuters condition anonymity later tuesday, rnc official said second transfer sum , made alabama state republican party moore behalf, making total , rnc cut ties moore last month several women accused former alabama judge sexual assault misconduct teenagers moore early moore, , denied accusations reuters independently verified reports monday, white house said trump called moore give support tweet acknowledged president endorsement, moore quoted trump saying go get em, roy sign deep divide within republican party around allegations facing moore, former us presidential candidate mitt romney criticized trump endorsement, former rnc chairman michael steele roy moore us senate would stain gop nation, romney wrote twitter senate majority leader mitch mcconnell said last month believed moore accusers joined senators urging quit race sunday, republican mcconnell said alabama voters decide whether send moore washington moore face democratic candidate former us attorney doug jones special election dec said

us senate tuesday confirmed president donald trump choice lead department homeland security dhs , post opened john kelly became trump chief staff earlier year senators voted confirm kirstjen nielsen, formerly kelly deputy white house chief staff led dhs considered cyber security expert previously served administration republican president george w bush nielsen, , take reins department , employees responsible immigration enforcement, us border airport security, disaster response, protecting us infrastructure cyber attacks agency center trump efforts enact broad changes us immigration system elaine duke, civil servant dhs deputy secretary, serving acting secretary since kelly departure white house july last five months ha responsible several controversial dhs decisions, including end temporary protected status thousands immigrants living united states federal emergency management agency, dhs entity, came criticism response humanitarian disaster wrought hurricane maria struck puerto rico september statement, duke said looked forward working nielsen deputy, said nielsen deep understanding issues facing department eleven democrats voted nearly republicans confirm nielsen republican senator lamar alexander vote, republicans voted confirmation house judiciary chairman bob goodlatte, republican, said statement nielsen would bring expertise leadership needed successfully run department democratic representative bennie thompson said statement nielsen yet shown ability lead workforce , keeping country safe secure, said dhs far used political tool white house

us house representatives voted tuesday sharply reduce annual million us aid palestinian authority unless take steps stop making lawmakers described payments reward violent crime house backed voice vote taylor force act, named year old american military veteran fatally stabbed palestinian visiting israel last year measure intended stop palestinians paying stipends, referred martyr payments, families militants killed imprisoned israeli authorities payments reach , per month perverse pay slay system uses sliding scale longer jail sentence, greater reward highest payments go serving life sentences

us federal investigator probing alleged russian interference us presidential election asked deutsche bank dbkgnde data accounts held president donald trump family, person close matter said tuesday, trump lawyer denied subpoena issued germany largest bank received subpoena special counsel robert mueller several weeks ago provide information certain money credit transactions, person said, without giving details, adding key documents handed meantime deutsche bank lent trump organization hundreds millions dollars real estate ventures one major lenders given large amounts credit trump past decade string bankruptcies hotel casino businesses made wall street wary extending credit mueller investigating alleged russian attempts influence election, potential collusion trump aides russia denied us intelligence agencies conclusion meddled election trump said collusion moscow jay sekulow, one trump personal lawyers, said deutsche bank received subpoena financial records relating president part mueller probe confirmed news reports special counsel subpoenaed financial records relating president false, sekulow told reuters statement subpoena issued received confirmed bank sources later said bank question deutsche bank spokesman mueller declined comment deutsche bank spokesman new york immediate comment beyond statement bank issued earlier tuesday said bank takes legal obligations seriously remains committed cooperating authorized investigations matter us official knowledge mueller probe said one reason subpoenas find whether deutsche bank may sold trump mortgage loans russian state development bank veb russian banks us european union sanctions veb, well russian agricultural bank gazprombank gzprimm immediately reply emailed requests comment one vtb group vtbrmm representatives received subpoena absolutely grounds it, bank representative said response request reuters deutsche bank contact us regarding people connected trump administration would comment existence request, one received, responded representative sberbank sbermm holding trump debt, particularly coming due, could potentially give russian banks leverage trump, especially state owned, said second us official familiar russian intelligence methods one obvious question trump around expressed interest improving relations russia top foreign policy priority, whether personal considerations played part that, second official said, speaking condition anonymity source close deutsche bank said bank run checks trump financial dealings russia election campaign, trump said would seek improve ties russian president vladimir putin, strained president barack obama administration subpoena earlier reported german daily handelsblatt photo opportunity senators white house tuesday, trump declined answer shouted questions reporters whether mueller crossed line asking deutsche bank information july interview new york times, trump said mueller extend investigation trump finances directly related russia accusations asked delving family finances unrelated russia probe would cross red line, trump replied, would say yeah would say yes deutsche bank earlier year rebuffed efforts democratic us lawmakers get information dealings trump well information may whether republican, family advisers financial backing russia trump liabilities least million deutsche bank trust company americas, unit german bank, according federal financial disclosure form released june us office government ethics deutsche debts include loan exceeding million old post office, historic property redeveloped downtown washington, mortgages worth million golf course florida, million plus loan trump hotel condominium chicago, disclosure shows loans taken mature , according disclosure trump deutsche bank always good terms trump sued bank lenders , demanding billion damages, claiming broke agreements construction financing chicago hotel deutsche bank countersued two sides eventually settled internal deutsche bank documents seen reuters feature names trump former campaign manager paul manafort wife, kathleen, series client profiles immediately clear relationship bank according person familiar matter spoke condition anonymity, manafort wife deutsche bank accounts bank declined comment whether manafort ever client spokesman manafort declined comment october, manafort pleaded guilty charges including conspiracy launder money conspiracy united states charges brought part mueller investigation

us senate committee advanced legislation tuesday would ease financial rules banks first time since financial crisis banking committee advanced legislative package vote , heads full senate consideration bill would ease regulatory requirements banks billion assets, among changes rules imposed dodd frank financial reform law bill supported nearly every republican senate least democrats, making passage extremely likely high likelihood changes may become law led intense lobbying industry groups eager see legal changes included measure view beneficial amendments proposed bill, primarily democrats looking trim favorable provisions banks boosting consumer protections four moderate democrats committee joined panel republicans oppose changes compromise package, first announced november bill seems likely pass senate, path forward remains unclear lawmakers facing busy december schedule, including efforts finalize tax cut package need pass funding bill avert government shutdown financial regulation promote safety soundness enabling vibrant growing economy, said committee chairman mike crapo bill marking today product thorough, robust process, honest, bipartisan negotiations proponents argue bill would help spur economy encouraging lending critics argue increases risk future crises aiding banks already enjoy record profits bill helping banks, including largest largest, said senator sherrod brown legislation makes number changes heightened financial rules enacted part dodd frank financial reform law, relief aimed primarily smaller banks credit unions however, handful provisions beneficial larger banks, notably exempting larger banks heightened regulatory scrutiny systemically important financial institutions bill raises threshold banks face stricter rules billion assets billion banks assets billion billion would exempt bill enacted, assets billion billion would exempted months later federal reserve would flexibility release banks stricter rules sooner, reinstate scrutiny certain conditions part legislation bill also exempts banks less billion assets several regulatory requirements, including volcker rule ban proprietary trading

us president donald trump lawyers told new york state judge tuesday us constitution jurisdiction president therefore urged dismiss defamation lawsuit woman accused trump sexual harassment lawsuit summer zervos, former contestant trump reality show apprentice, contends trump denials accusations amounted false defamatory statements branded liar trump, lawsuit said, harmed business trump lawyers, led marc kasowitz, said constitution supremacy clause prevented judge letting zervos lawsuit proceed state court hour long hearing held new york state supreme court manhattan, zervos lawyers responded legal precedent preventing state court ruling conduct president outside official duties motion today nothing putting anyone law, kasowitz told justice jennifer schecter supremacy clause, said, state court may exercise jurisdiction president united states office schecter occasionally stopped kasowitz ask clarify views jurisdiction asked mattered would directing president official duties, potentially ruling whether comments candidate defamed zervos kasowitz said made difference means president haled court, president haled court innumerable obligations flow that, said, saying would amount inappropriate control president mariann wang, lead lawyer zervos, argued, case holds federal official cannot held account state court trump lawyers dispute wang acknowledged president holds unique position noted even president downtime could, example, meet trump one weekend visits mar lago resort florida record video deposition, suggested judge said would rule later trump lawyers said court filings zervos making false, self contradictory politically motivated accusations president remarks non actionable fiery rhetoric zervos accused trump groping meetings filed lawsuit january, three days trump inauguration march, subpoenaed trump presidential campaign documents concerning similar allegations trump said accusations zervos women last year accused sexual harassment false case went ahead, could lead trump compelled hand documents campaign related accusations sexual impropriety made zervos lawyers, including gloria allred, cited us supreme court ruling clinton v jones, allowed former arkansas state employee paula jones sexual harassment lawsuit bill clinton proceed still us president decision led clinton impeachment lied oath sexual relationship another woman, monica lewinsky trump lawyers said clinton v jones applies lawsuits federal courts, state courts zervos met trump becoming contestant nbc apprentice accused trump kissing new york office later groping hotel beverley hills met possible job one several women made accusations trump emergence last year conversation caught open microphone spoke vulgar terms trying sex women trump said comments amounted locker room banter, campaign issued statement apologized anyone offended since lawsuit filed, numerous accusations sexual misconduct made powerful men politics, media entertainment

us special counsel robert mueller office spent million first months investigation russian meddling presidential election, justice department revealed report tuesday addition, department said various offices also spent another million help assist probe, though expenditures would occurred irrespective existence special counsel office although expenditures took place mid may sept special counsel operations relatively low compared many anticipated, could provide additional fodder republicans critical mueller work money helped fund attorneys working probe, well federal bureau investigation agents, support staff, travel, rent, acquisitions equipment expenses bulk spending

federal credit union sued block president donald trump installing mick mulvaney preferred head us consumer financial protection bureau citing regulatory chaos caused fight legal leader regulator, lower east side people federal credit union called federal court remove mulvaney, trump budget director, affirm leandra english, cfpb deputy director, proper acting head bureau lawsuit, filed us district court manhattan, represents new legal front ongoing battle running regulator english insisted run agency named deputy director richard cordray, resigned november mulvaney named acting director trump, announced freeze new regulatory work reviews agency policies english lawsuit administration pending federal court, tuesday lawsuit marks first legal challenge administration entity regulated cfpb credit union know validly charge cfpb, authorized make rules, whose rules follow, credit union said complaint court must resolve regulatory chaos must determine charge bureau credit union, plain leandra english lawful acting director charge cfpb, lawsuit said mulvaney spokesman immediately respond request comment us district court judge last week sided trump ruled english, allowing mulvaney serve agency acting head english continued pursue case

democrat john conyers, longest serving member us house representatives, stepped tuesday multiple accusations sexual misconduct, first member congress leave seat wave high profile harassment allegations conyers, leading figure civil rights democratic politics represented detroit area half century, endorsed son take place process putting retirement plans together soon retiring today, conyers, , said radio interview hospital treated stress related illness great family especially oldest boy, john conyers iii, incidentally endorse replace seat congress, conyers said resignation letter later read house chamber, making departure official michigan republican governor, rick snyder, said would review dates special election conyers great nephew also announced would run growing number accusations conyers, founder congressional black caucus hired rosa parks aide winning first term , troubled party leaders house democratic leader nancy pelosi criticized calling conyers icon calling resignation others said issue clear, difficult recognize able hold dueling possibilities somebody great man done great things country civil rights, also done terrible things require accountability, said representative pramila jayapal house ethics committee opened investigation last week conyers repeated denial harassment allegations radio interview accurate true congress grappling harassment policy amid string cases involving prominent men, including republican president donald trump, democratic senator al franken republican senate candidate roy moore trump moore denied wrongdoing franken apologized conyers, risen chairman powerful house judiciary committee, stepped last month panel senior democrat several former women aides accused misdeeds inappropriate touching showing meeting underwear others issued statement defending him, saying see behave inappropriately

chief republican tax writer us house representatives said tuesday house republicans want tax legislation eliminate corporate individual alternative minimum taxes house members feel strongly house position repeal permanently individual corporate, us representative kevin brady told reporters spoke meeting republican lawmakers discuss upcoming negotiations senate aimed reconciling two chambers tax bills unified piece legislation republican president donald trump sign law

us congress worked reach agreement short term spending measure keep federal government open, white house spokeswoman sarah sanders said tuesday shutdown could still happen always possibility certainly hope for, said media briefing, adding top democrats congress, senator charles schumer representative nancy pelosi, would meet trump week

trump administration named career diplomat philip goldberg head abandoned us embassy havana, according three sources familiar matter, time heightened tensions united states cuba goldberg lengthy experience number countries, described us congressional aide monday career best best appointment may ruffle feathers havana expelled cuba socialist ally bolivia president evo morales claimed fomenting social unrest appointment publicly announced approved cuba, goldberg arrive low moment bilateral relations embassy reopened first time since , part fragile detente former democratic us president barack obama administration republican president donald trump returned cold war characterizations cuban government imposed new restrictions business cuba travel charged cuba responsibility health problems affecting two dozen diplomats family members, termed attacks cuba denies charges us embassy reduced skeleton staff suspended almost visa processing trump administration october pulled percent embassy personnel ordered similar reduction cuban embassy washington, expelling diplomats position ambassador role need approved us congress ambassador since embassy opened, republican controlled senate opposed obama pick instead, goldberg take jeffrey delaurentis, left july, charge affaires goldberg previous posts include chief mission kosovo recently us ambassador philippines appointing ambassador goldberg head us embassy cuba rather provocative since expelled bolivia, american university professor government william leogrande, cuba expert, said ambassador goldberg foreign service professional ably represent policies trump administration time tell instructed follow footsteps predecessor carry hostile policy, said embassy closed united states broke diplomatic relations countries maintained lower level interests sections capitals , auspices switzerland

lawyer us president donald trump said tuesday deutsche bank dbkgnde received subpoena financial records relating president family part special counsel russia probe confirmed news reports special counsel subpoenaed financial records relating president false, sekulow told reuters statement subpoena issued received confirmed bank sources confirmed bank question deutsche bank

us president donald trump said tuesday expected conference committee hammering tax legislation congress work well get job done fast think something going coming conference pretty quickly, trump told reporters white house meeting senate republicans page great spirit republican party like never seen before, like lot people said never seen never seen anything like this, unity

us president donald trump continued dominate twitter even though former president barack obama tweets liked blown away one man quest free chicken nuggets twitter revealed year liked retweeted tweets tuesday, reflecting nation bitterly divided republicans democrats likewise split social media trump, whose million followers realdonaldtrump rank st twitter, tweeted world leader us elected official likewise foxnews, conservative cable news channel, top tweeted news outlet, led seanhannity, host friend ally president obama also well represented former president, whose barackobama ranked third followed twitter account behind katyperry justinbieber, posted popular tweet nearly million likes nelson mandela quote, one born hating another person color skin background religion, picture obama greeting diverse group babies window also second retweeted item million times president could compete free nuggets, however year old named carter wilkerson, carterjwm, garnered million retweets campaign year supply nuggets wendy came short wendy target million retweets, wendy still gave nuggets , donation name wendy linked dave thomas foundation adoption top four new us political accounts trump forceful critics, led preetbharara, former federal prosecutor fired next came sallyqyates, former acting attorney general also fired trump third former obama adviser ben rhodes, brhodes, followed obama former official photographer, petesouza, tweeted flattering pictures obama trump criticized moments white house press secretary sarah sanders, shsanders , rounded top five results underscored punch counterpunch politics right behind foxnews top tweeted news outlet list cnn, trump derides fake news tweeted activist hashtag resist, resist trump, followed maga trump slogan make america great among national leaders, trump followed narendramodi india, nicolasmaduro venezuela rt erdogan turkey story corrects paragraphs show request one year free nuggets instead lifetime supply

nomination ambassador singapore kt mcfarland, former security adviser president donald trump, delayed due concerns testimony congress communications russia, chairman senate foreign relations committee said tuesday nomination frozen gets worked out, republican senator bob corker told reporters us capitol trump earlier year nominated mcfarland, former deputy national security adviser, us envoy singapore foreign relations committee approved nomination september despite opposition almost every democratic member, vote mcfarland scheduled full senate mcfarland said written response question democratic senator cory booker, foreign relations committee member, aware communications trump former national security adviser, michael flynn sergei kislyak, kislyak ambassador russia however, new york times reported monday obtained email mcfarland sent dec , , day former president barack obama administration authorized new sanctions russia, saying flynn would talk kislyak evening flynn pleaded guilty friday lying federal bureau investigation contacts russia, agreed cooperate prosecutors delving actions trump inner circle took office

republicans us house representatives discussions tuesday long fund federal government short term spending measure expected come vote early wednesday feel like going majority passing cr spending measure week, house speaker paul ryan told reporters closed door meeting fellow house republican members good conversation members timing date rest, added conservative house freedom caucus, enough members block legislation, pressed republican leaders consider spending measure expires dec , eight days later dec deadline house senate republicans discussing ryan said end date measure, known officially continuing resolution, cr, would become known reaches house floor house rules committee chairman pete sessions told reporters panel would consider continuing resolution expires dec committee later rescheduled hearing legislation pm gmt wednesday several house republicans, however, said members still debating whether funding would expire dec dec , dec christmas holiday still negotiated, said representative greg walden senate republican leadership aide sidestepped question senate leaders thought cr date house makes changes bill, sure let everyone know, aide said

republican leaders aiming send tax bill president donald trump signature end year that, negotiators us house representatives senate need iron differences two versions legislation main points need address senate bill repeals provision affordable care act, also known obamacare, levies penalty taxpayers purchase health insurance house bill repeal mandate penalty leaders indicated would open senate could pass house bill consolidates seven individual income tax rates four keeps top rate percent senate version keeps seven brackets sets top rate percent pass businesses house legislation capped percent tax rate percent pass business income, remaining percent taxed individual wage rates house excluded taxpayers professional services, would continue paying individual tax rates income senate bill leaves pass income individual system establishes deduction percent pass income senate version allows services professions use deduction income less , per year, , married couple pass businesses include partnerships companies organized public corporations, encompassing american business enterprises mom pop concerns large financial real estate organizations house bill repeals deduction medical expenses exceed percent taxpayer annual income senate version retains deduction two years drops threshold percent income house bill repeals individual corporate alternative minimum taxes, amt, intended make sure high income taxpayers unduly lower tax liabilities combining numerous credits deductions senate bill repeals individual amt keeps percent corporate amt also cutting corporate tax rate percent percent, corporations said means would able use popular tax breaks research development credit house bill limited popular individual tax deduction interest home mortgages , less senate bill would allow taxpayers deduct interest mortgages , , less house bill would allow companies fully deduct value machinery equipment costs five years senate bill allows businesses phases five years

us secretary state rex tillerson delivered message support european allies brussels tuesday concerns president donald trump foreign policy created rift host issues european allies troubled trump america first rhetoric, decision certify iran compliance nuclear deal, withdrawal paris climate accord plans move us embassy israel jerusalem tillerson told europe foreign ministers european union nato us government remains committed transatlantic ties trump previously questioned tillerson also sought reassure us diplomats posted abroad ideas revamp country foreign service bearing fruit, saying would reveal modernization plan us state department soon tillerson, former chief executive exxon mobil, said visit showed strong commitment us european alliance, important role european alliance plays shared security objectives lunch eu foreign ministers, tillerson stressed shared values, shared objectives security prosperity sides atlantic trump visited us led nato alliance may admonish european leaders low defense spending visit tuesday, tillerson offered generous appraisal gave unwavering us commitment nato mutual defense clause, considers attack one ally attack tillerson ignored questions reporters whether would ousted white house, senior adviser rc hammond said eu nato foreign ministers raised issue whether tillerson job secure first substantive public comments since reports last week white house plan cia director mike pompeo replace him, tillerson said despite little criticism , top job wins board yet, tell much better position advance america interests around world months ago, told senior us diplomats us embassy staff us mission belgium brussels tillerson trip also take vienna paris trump said last week leaving tillerson said reports untrue,, trump also said alone determines us foreign policy, saying tweet friday call final shots tillerson told us diplomats gathered embassy belgium bit shock meet trump first time approached possible secretary state late last year diplomats said eu governments face dilemma tillerson views closely aligned may reflect trump foreign ministers open sharing disagreements united states various issues, hammond said one eu diplomat said fairly predictable given tensions issues, including trump handling north korea nuclear crisis threat totally destroy secretive country allies frank today sharing views, hammond said, although said important honest, adding dialogues work go two ways speech berlin flying brussels, german foreign minister sigmar gabriel warned european union could longer rely united states closest ally withdrawal united states donald trump reliable role guarantor western led multilateralism accelerates change world order immediate consequences german european interests, gabriel said standing next tillerson podium eu headquarters brussels, eu foreign policy chief federica mogherini also warned trump administration possible plan us embassy israel jerusalem trump considering recognizing jerusalem capital israel, gabriel also said could unleash turmoil lot member states, including us, concerned recognition jerusalem capital israel calm conflict rather inflame it, gabriel said nato eu ministers lunch tillerson european union, palestinians biggest aid donor israel top trade partner, says right make voice heard us initiatives middle east

head us house representatives tax writing panel tuesday said would push make tax rate cuts individuals permanent house senate reconcile two versions sweeping tax overhaul house ways means committee chairman kevin brady, speaking reporters, also said concerned senate tax bill restoration corporate alternative minimum tax

republican party resume funding embattled us senate campaign roy moore president donald trump endorsed alabama republican, accused sexual misconduct teenage girls republican national committee return alabama race support moore, official said tuesday political arm president stand president, official said, speaking condition anonymity rnc cut ties moore last month several women accused former alabama judge sexual assault misconduct teenagers moore early moore, , denied accusations reuters independently verified reports monday, white house said trump called moore give support tweet acknowledged president endorsement, moore quoted trump saying, go get em, roy sign deep divide within republican party around allegations facing moore, former us presidential candidate mitt romney voiced strong opposition trump endorsement roy moore us senate would stain gop nation, romney wrote twitter leigh corfman victims courageous heroes vote, majority worth losing honor, integrity senate majority leader mitch mcconnell last month said believed moore accusers joined senators urging quit race sunday, republican mcconnell said alabama voters decide whether send moore washington moore face democratic candidate former us attorney doug jones special election dec trump former white house strategist steve bannon campaign moore alabama tuesday, breitbart news reported

us secretary state rex tillerson tuesday said united states remains committed europe, offering public statement support european allies worried foreign policy president donald trump partnership america european union based upon shared values, shared objectives security prosperity sides atlantic remain committed that, tillerson said lunch eu foreign ministers tillerson, brief statements eu foreign policy chief federica mogherini two took questions, said visit showed strong commitment us european alliance, important role european alliance plays shared security objectives

european union top diplomat, federica mogherini, said tuesday action would undermine peace efforts create two separate states israelis palestinians must absolutely avoided mogherini speaking alongside us secretary state rex tillerson, visit brussels, us president donald trump considering recognizing jerusalem capital israel way must found negotiations resolve status jerusalem future capital states, mogherini said, stressing eu support unlocking meaningful peace talks said eu foreign ministers jointly discuss matter israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu brussels next monday, followed similar meeting palestinian president mahmoud abbas early next year

us supreme court monday handed victory president donald trump allowing latest travel ban targeting people six muslim majority countries go full effect even legal challenges continue lower courts nine member court, two liberal justices dissenting, granted administration request lift two injunctions imposed lower courts partially blocked ban, third version contentious policy trump first sought implement week taking office january high court action means ban go fully effect people chad, iran, libya, somalia, syria yemen seeking enter united states republican president said travel ban needed protect united states terrorism islamic militants statement, attorney general jeff sessions called supreme court action substantial victory safety security american people sessions said trump administration heartened clear majority justices allowed president lawful proclamation protecting country national security go full effect ban challenged separate lawsuits state hawaii american civil liberties union sets challengers said latest ban, like earlier ones, discriminates muslims violation us constitution permissible immigration laws trump promised candidate impose total complete shutdown muslims entering united states last week shared twitter anti muslim videos posted far right british party leader president trump anti muslim prejudice secret

republican controlled us house representatives voted monday go conference tax legislation senate, moving congress another step closer final bill house voted go conference senate, setting formal negotiations legislation could take weeks complete seven republicans voted republican led senate expected hold similar conference vote later week house speaker paul ryan named nine fellow republican house members conference committee, including kevin brady, head tax writing ways means committee, chair republican representatives ryan appointed rob bishop, diane black, kristi noem, devin nunes, peter roskam, john shimkus, greg walden young house democratic leader nancy pelosi appointed five members party kathy castor, lloyd doggett, ra l grijalva, sander levin, richard neal senate narrowly approved version tax overhaul early saturday, moving president donald trump step closer realizing one main campaign promises house passed bill last month overhaul would largest change us tax laws since republicans want add trillion years trillion national debt finance changes say would boost already growing economy

democratic leaders congress monday accepted invitation meet us president donald trump republicans talks avert government shutdown week, even democrats pressed demands funding priorities protecting young immigrants house representatives democratic leader nancy pelosi senate democratic leader chuck schumer, canceled meeting trump last week posted disparaging note twitter, said monday hoped president would remain open minded reaching deal democrats need reach budget agreement equally boosts funds military key priorities home, pelosi schumer said statement bipartisan path forward items meeting scheduled thursday, day funding federal government due run house republicans weekend introduced stopgap measure would fund government current levels dec give lawmakers time reach deal longer term bill congress expected vote measure week conservative members house freedom caucus asked house republican leaders extend duration stopgap measure dec exchange votes house go conference senate tax legislation, moved congress closer final bill major tax overhaul better chance going th nd, commitment, representative mark meadows, chairman freedom caucus, told reporters house republican leadership agreed consider dec date talk senate leadership it, house republican leadership aide said trump scheduled lunch republican members senate white house tuesday republicans majority house senate need democratic support get spending bill past senate procedural hurdles require votes, since republicans member chamber schumer said monday everyone working avoid shutdown, believe republican congressional leaders wanted one one moment flirted shutdown president trump, tweeted earlier year could use good shutdown fix mess, schumer said republican bill provide short term help states running money finance health insurance program lower income children, republican aides said schumer pelosi monday listed program among priorities, also included opioid crisis, pension plans, rural infrastructure protection young immigrants brought united states illegally children, known dreamers young immigrants must taken care now, senate democratic whip dick durbin declared senate floor said democrats offered return toughen border security, republican priority good conscience pass spending bill giving authority resources administration go arrest deport young people

special counsel investigating russian meddling us presidential election monday accused president donald trump former campaign manager, paul manafort, working russian colleague draft opinion piece political work ukraine court filings, prosecutor working special counsel robert mueller team said manafort working article recently nov published, prosecutors say would violated nov court order discuss case publicly russian colleague working manafort allegedly shape public opinion work ukrainian political party ties russian intelligence agencies, according filing manafort ultimately never published opinion piece, prosecutors reached attorneys alert them, said filing due manafort actions, prosecutors said judge reject request modify bail conditions manafort proposed million bail package exchange lifting house arrest electronic monitoring part deal, would forfeit four real estate properties violated bail conditions even ghost written op ed entirely accurate, fair balanced, would violation court november order published, wrote prosecutor andrew weissmann spokesman manafort immediate comment manafort business associate rick gates indicted october count indictment federal grand jury face charges including conspiracy launder money, conspiracy united states failing register foreign agents ukraine former pro russian government initially, manafort lawyers said court filing special counsel office willing accept proposed terms release prosecutors wrote longer trust manafort, cannot accept proposed terms manafort taken actions reflect intention violate circumvent court existing orders, time one would expect particularly scrupulous adherence, government submits proposed bail package insufficient, filing said

president donald trump eldest son former business associate president due testify us house representatives intelligence committee, continues investigation possible russian involvement election, sources familiar schedule said donald trump jr appear committee wednesday felix sater, russian american former trump business associate claimed deep ties moscow, soon thursday, sources said neither session public donald trump jr attorney declined request comment wednesday appearance, first reported cnn attorney sater, robert wolf, respond request comment another source said session panel set thursday might rescheduled committee aides declined comment intelligence committee policy comment schedule closed meetings panel one three main congressional committees, well justice department special counsel robert mueller, investigating russia us presidential election, possibility collusion trump associates moscow separately, senator dianne feinstein, top democrat senate judiciary committee, said monday made requests three people information related russia investigation feinstein, made public similar requests, said wrote rick dearborn, deputy white house chief staff maria butina, former assistant alexander torshin, deputy governor russian central bank rick clay, advocate conservative christian causes asked three interviews documents related described efforts torshin arrange meeting putin trump presidential candidate russian government denied effort affect election trump dismissed talk collusion range trump associates called testify investigation last week, us attorney general jeff sessions spoke house panel behind closed doors, erik prince, founded military contractor blackwater supporter trump campaign transcript prince testimony could released soon monday plans release sessions testimony among people ties trump expected appear congress jared kushner, president close adviser son law, testified house committee behind closed doors july representative adam schiff, top democrat house panel, said last week would likely necessary kushner testify led trump fellow republicans, congressional committees also called testify aides former democratic president barack obama former secretary state hillary clinton, trump opponent monday, clinton former campaign manager john podesta testified committee, hill reported, citing republican representative mike conaway, republican leading investigation conaway spokeswoman response request comment

president donald trump said monday wants us senator orrin hatch utah run election next year, putting trump collision course republican rival mitt romney, wants run hatch seat hatch, , made noises retiring senate seat held since republican officials say romney, utah resident republican presidential nominee, preparing run hatch seat next year trump, clashed romney past, said wants hatch run election true fighter, orrin, say, trump said event salt lake city, utah capital hope continue serve state country senate long time come asked going seek election, hatch told reporters see called trump endorsement certainly nice thing, say whether would influence decision romney, , former governor massachusetts spends great deal time utah, expecting run hatch seat state republicans typically win romney made clear took dim view trump endorsement monday republican roy moore us senate seat alabama decided special election next week moore accused least seven women sexual improprieties said occurred decades ago several teenagers time moore denied accusations said victim witch hunt roy moore us senate would stain gop nation, romney wrote twitter leigh corfman victims courageous heroes vote, majority worth losing honor, integrity trump considered picking romney secretary state year ago opted instead rex tillerson august, romney demanded trump apologize saying sides blame violence white supremacist rally charlottesville, virginia trump apologize trump demurred monday asked whether trying send romney message encouraging hatch run good man mitt good man, trump said

president donald trump personal lawyer legal arguments defense president tweets former us national security advisor michael flynn greeted skepticism legal experts seeking explain trump tweet saturday lawyer john dowd told reuters sunday wrote bollixed president tweet trump said fired michael flynn lying fbi misleading us vice president mike pence observers said tweet showed trump knew flynn committed crime sought obstruct justice by, among actions, firing fbi director james comey dowd denied trump knew flynn lied fbi, raised new questions also providing account january meetings former acting us attorney general sally yates warned white house counsel mcgahn flynn security risk lied conversations former russian ambassador sergey kislyak according dowd, yates told mcgahn flynn said thing fbi pence yates convey flynn facing criminal prosecution dowd said mcgahn reported conversation trump manner may conclude lie, department justice, power charge, not, dowd said first time president knows fact guy lies charged several lawyers said, regardless whether yates explicitly said flynn lied fbi, white house counsel seen possibility communicated president every day acting attorney general comes white house sort message, said alex whiting, former federal prosecutor teaching harvard law school obvious mcgahn flynn probably lied fbi whether yates said michael gerhardt, law professor university north carolina, called dowd argument stretch said might bit credibility idea mcgahn might waiting clarity informing president flynn criminal liability neither yates mcgahn could reached comment monday dowd also declined requests comment monday yates testimony may senate committee, said declined answer mcgahn asked flynn fbi interview, appears conflict dowd account according person familiar matter, yates never said flynn told fbi agents thing told pence dowd said stood version events flynn pleaded guilty last friday charge lying fbi brought special counsel robert mueller, leading probe alleged russian interference election possible obstruction justice trump administration russia denied meddling us election trump denied collusion took place russia election campaign dowd also argued sunday trump could commit crime obstruction justice chief law enforcement officer us former prosecutor robert ray said merit argument trump could obstruct justice firing comey power several lawyers took issue dowd comments, noting president richard nixon faced impeachment obstruction justice prior resignation watergate scandal patently absurd argument, said andrew wright, former white house lawyer president barack obama president chief executive sits top org chart, take care see law followed

democratic us senator backing away proposed legislative tweak would helped big banks lessen capital burden, according statement provided reuters monday senator christopher van hollen, maryland, submitted amendment financial regulatory reform bill would give banks partial reprieve rule known supplemental leverage ratio, according document reuters reported earlier monday however, van hollen changes offering amendment senate banking committee written, spokeswoman bridgett frey told reuters attributed difference error drafting amendment, whose changes consisted two paragraphs drafting error, said frey clear, senator van hollen opposes changing capital requirements non custodial banks, fighting ensure federal reserve writes strong rule governs supplementary leverage ratio rules custodial banks avoid misinterpretation intent, offering amendment written, added wall street bankers complained supplemental leverage ratio years, changes rule high big lenders wish list financial reform bill works way congress rule requires big banks subject us federal reserve annual stress test hold additional capital reflect risks pose broader system van hollen abandoned amendment would changed part rule requires lenders hold capital certain assets held central banks change one sought banks including jpmorgan chase co jpmn , citigroup inc cn goldman sachs group inc gsn , lobbyists said bill drafted senate banking committee proposed republican senate banking committee chairman mike crapo due formally discussed lawmakers week van hollen one lawmakers democratic minority sit committee stated intention bill reduce regulatory burdens small mid sized financial companies however, stopped large institutions lobbying hard secure regulatory relief hoping since republican donald trump elected president last year

us republicans congress grappling thorny question corporate taxes work reconcile competing tax bills senate house representatives unified measure hope president donald trump sign law end year senate bill squeaked vote last week jettisoned long held republican goal repealing corporate alternative minimum tax amt help pay last minute deals secured republican votes passage puts senate republicans collision course republicans house representatives, whose tax bill repeals corporate amt already calling tax eliminated final legislation house senate republicans also face potential sticking points bills treat called pass enterprises, top earners, estate tax inheritances international tax policy corporations corporate amt could biggest challenge, removing could require lawmakers cover billion revenue loss decade, possibly scaling back plan cut corporate income tax rate percent percent percent corporate amt alternative regular corporate income tax computing taxes owed designed limit ability corporations reduce tax bills various deductions credits, credit research development especially popular silicon valley technology companies corporations must compute taxes using methods pay whichever rate higher top corporate rate percent, wind paying amt house senate bills would reduce corporate tax rate percent, corporate amt, concern corporations would able use r credit think eliminated, house republican leader kevin mccarthy california said corporate amt cnbc interview monday house voted monday go conference senate tax legislation, setting formal negotiations could take weeks complete similar senate vote could come later week decision retain corporate amt senate bill helped keep legislation overall revenue loss within agreed upon limit trillion would need sort alternative raise revenue lot latitude make trades, said jared walczak, senior policy analyst nonpartisan tax foundation, washington think tank senator john cornyn, republican senate called , question money got come somewhere, cornyn said one things explore house republicans want make changes trump already signaled flexibility corporate tax rate, saying saturday could end percent rather percent bills comments could help justify bump corporate taxes cover cost eliminating corporate amt republicans worry increasing corporate income tax rate percent could make us economy less attractive global marketplace national tax rates fallen would hope would change corporate rate, cornyn said hope undermine message

us president donald trump intends nominate michael griffin, former administrator national aeronautics space administration nasa , undersecretary defense research engineering, white house said monday white house said october trump intended tap griffin principal deputy undersecretary defense acquisition, technology, logistics monday announcement give reason change griffin recently served chairman chief executive officer schafer corporation, provider scientific, engineering, technical services products national security sector, white house said held top nasa job

president donald trump said monday former national security adviser, michael flynn, treated unfairly, implicitly criticizing us special counsel charges even though flynn pleaded guilty feel badly general flynn, trump told reporters white house, went accuse democratic rival presidential campaign, hillary clinton, lied last year flynn, retired army general senior adviser trump election campaign, pleaded guilty friday lied federal bureau investigation contacts russian ambassador charged part special counsel robert mueller investigation alleged russian meddling presidential election possible collusion trump campaign aides trump provide evidence detail accusation clinton clinton answered questions july use private server government emails secretary state never indication fbi clinton tell truth hillary clinton th july weekend went fbi oath incredible thing anyone ever seen, trump said lied many times, nothing happened flynn lied like, ruined life unfair moscow denied interfering election trump denied collusion campaign

president donald trump announce decision monday whether delay moving us embassy israel jerusalem, white house spokesman said, despite monday deadline announcement decision made coming days, white house spokesman hogan gidley told reporters aboard air force one trump returning trip utah trump due decide whether sign waiver would hold relocating embassy tel aviv another six months, every us president done since congress passed law issue senior us officials said trump expected issue temporary order, second since took office, delay moving embassy despite campaign pledge go ahead controversial action officials said trump likely give speech wednesday unilaterally recognizing jerusalem israel capital, step would break decades us policy could fuel violence middle east said, however, final decisions made president clear issue get go matter if, matter when, gidley said palestinians want east jerusalem capital future state, international community recognize israel claim city, home sites holy jewish, muslim christian religions

mick mulvaney, white house budget chief acting director consumer financial protection bureau cfpb , said monday intention firing leandra english, attempted block taking control agency former cfpb head richard cordray named english lead bureau following resignation last month, appointment mired turmoil us president donald trump assigned mulvaney role us district court judge last week sided trump, saying law gave mulvaney right lead consumer finance watchdog, english challenging decision news briefing cfpb monday, mulvaney told reporters would absolutely consider firing english would like continue serve deputy director direct contact english could immediately reached comment lawyer, deepak gupta since arriving cfpb, mulvaney implemented hiring freeze suspended new regulations days monday, said also reviewing pending enforcement actions, including litigation well private settlement talks investigations declined comment specific cases, said two litigation actions asked delay separately cited cfpb case mortgage company phh corp phhn one issues without elaborating budget chief said data security also top priority instructed bureau stop collecting personally identifiable information data security problems highlighted bureau independent audit office addressed mulvaney week brought republican congressional lawyer brian johnson senior adviser plans quickly bring board political hires help review bureau existing pending regulations, budget chief said going get weeds something enjoy budget, agency funded, structured, personnel, types things, added trump wants move expeditiously naming permanent replacement senate confirmation process likely take time mulvaney expects interim role seven months, said interview reuters english expected formally file preliminary injunction mulvaney trump week, according court filings

richard cordray, democrat whose resignation head us consumer bureau last month triggered political battle replace him, plans run governor ohio, advisor said monday cordray make announcement event tuesday restaurant home town grove city, ohio, said advisor, asked remain anonymous cordray later tour ohio, meeting democratic activists, community leaders voters, advisor said resigned last month, cordray named deputy head consumer financial protection bureau appointment mired turmoil president donald trump assigned white house budget chief mick mulvaney role federal judge last week sided trump, deputy, leandra english, challenging decision election replace ohio governor john kasich, republican cannot seek third term term limits pivotal election battleground state kasich ran unsuccessfully president many democrats said cordray, reputation tough banks defending consumers, best hope taking ohio governor mansion chipping away republicans dominance state government several candidates republican democratic parties announced would run ohio governor, according local media cordray delivered campaign style speech labor day celebration cincinnnati september, time stopped short saying whether intended run governor ohio native first director consumer financial protection bureau, consumer watchdog agency created former president barack obama aftermath financial crisis washington, mulvaney monday said intention firing english

john anderson, former republican congressman challenged party conservative drift taking chief symbol, ronald reagan, ran president independent , died sunday anderson ill time, family friend dan johnson told reuters telephone interview anderson wife, keke, daughter diane side died washington, diane anderson said phone anderson finished distant third almost percent vote presidential election gave almost million voters alternative conservative reagan

us defense secretary jim mattis met pakistan civilian military leaders monday urged redouble efforts rein militants accused using country base carry attacks neighboring afghanistan mattis, one day visit pakistan, said south asian nation made progress fight militancy inside borders needed make days since us president donald trump announced south asia strategy calls firmer line toward islamabad, us officials analysts say limited success clear progress made us officials long frustrated see pakistan reluctance act groups afghan taliban haqqani network believe exploit safe pakistani soil launch attacks afghanistan secretary reiterated pakistan must redouble efforts confront militants terrorists operating within country, pentagon said statement mattis, visited pakistan first time defense secretary, said trip goal meetings pakistani officials would find common ground discussion mattis, pakistani prime minister shahid khaqan abbasi said two allies shared objectives committed war terror, said nobody wants peace afghanistan pakistan mattis also met high ranking officials pakistan powerful military, including army chief general qamar javed bajwa lieutenant general naveed mukhtar, head inter services intelligence spy agency us officials say links haqqani taliban militants us defense official, speaking condition anonymity, said mattis conversations straightforward specific official said one topics conversation getting pakistan help bring taliban negotiating table august, trump outlined new strategy war afghanistan, chastising pakistan alleged support afghan militants beyond that, trump administration done little articulate strategy, experts say us officials say seen change pakistan support militants, despite visits senior us officials, including secretary state rex tillerson direct clear pakistanis seen changes implemented yet, general john nicholson, top us general afghanistan, said last week pakistani officials pushed back us accusations say done great deal help united states tracking militants us official expressed hope relations could improve us canadian couple kidnapped afghanistan freed pakistan october three children trump administration used tougher words pakistan, yet change islamabad calculus experts say united states loses clout pakistan seen bullying mattis traveled region earlier year, stop pakistan, visited arch rival, india, relationship grown trump administration effective stick anymore pakistan really care us aid, dwindling anyway getting money needs elsewhere treat respect actually reward something good, said madiha afzal, brookings institution mattis brief visit islamabad comes week hardline pakistani islamist group called nationwide protests government met demand minister accused blasphemy resign separately, pakistani islamist accused masterminding bloody assault indian city mumbai freed house arrest white house said release could repercussions us pakistan relations think pakistan, timing bad talk progress made extremists situation religious hardliners basically handed everything wanted silver platter, said michael kugelman, woodrow wilson think tank washington

president donald trump endorsed us senate candidate roy moore monday, throwing weight behind embattled alabama republican special election next week rocked allegations sexual misconduct moore white house said trump endorsed campaign call moore post twitter, president said republicans needed former alabama supreme court justice win secure votes key issues taxes immigration democrats refusal give even one vote massive tax cuts need republican roy moore win alabama, trump wrote moore thanked president backing look forward fighting alongside president maga moore said twitter, using trump hashtag slogan make america great tweet, moore quoted trump saying, go get em, roy trump supported moore rival, us senator luther strange, republican primary september, line senate republicans slammed democratic candidate, former us attorney doug jones, soft crime potential puppet democratic leaders congress monday, trump said democrat win dec election would hurt great republican agenda white house said trump would campaign moore scheduled hold rally friday pensacola, florida, adjacent alabama alabama republican party also backed moore even republicans congress remained distant given sexual misconduct allegations surfaced last month moore denied allegations senate majority leader mitch mcconnell last month said believed moore accusers joined senators urging quit race sunday mcconnell said alabama voters decide whether send moore washington real hard time voting roy moore, republican us representative matt gaetz told cnn, calling allegations serious alabama voters well may hold nose vote rather democrat moore led jones six percentage points cbs news poll sunday, alabama republicans saying allegations false washington post poll last week showed moore ahead three percentage points, lead within survey point margin error several women accused moore sexual assault misconduct teenagers moore early reuters independently verified reports moore, , returned campaign trail last week calling allegations dirty politics

us state department certified honduran government fighting corruption supporting human rights, clearing way honduras receive millions dollars us aid, document seen reuters showed document, dated nov , seen reuters monday, showed secretary state rex tillerson certified honduras assistance, two days controversial presidential election claimed ally washington honduras faced violent protests disputed results election, still produced clear winner week vote ended decision issue certification prompted concern congressional democrats republican president donald trump administration could seen taking sides kind message send one congressional aide asked state department officials immediate response questioned timing certification honduras required fulfill dozen requirements order receive share million appropriated us congress program assist central american governments among requirements combating corruption

president donald trump monday said supports utah senator orrin hatch running election next year, speculation mounts fellow republican frequent trump critic mitt romney hopes take seat asked whether encouraging hatch, senate president pro tempore chairs powerful finance committee, run election, trump said yes hatch toured salt lake city food pantry alongside leaders church latter day saints, trump sidestepped questions whether trying block romney running, saying good man romney hatch mormons

federal appeals courts states washington virginia set hear arguments week legality president donald trump recent travel ban, sharply limits visitors immigrants eight countries, six muslim majority challengers, including state hawaii immigrant advocacy organizations american civil liberties union aclu , argue ban discriminatory violates us constitution trump administration says necessary protect united states terrorist attacks th us circuit court appeals, based san francisco, hold hearing seattle, washington dec richmond, virginia based th us circuit court appeals hearing dec soon taking office january, trump signed order temporarily barring refugees visitors seven predominately muslim countries decision led chaos airports numerous legal challenges administration eventually replaced second, somewhat narrower order second ban expired september, trump replaced presidential proclamation indefinitely restricting travel iran, libya, syria, yemen, somalia, chad, north korea barring certain government officials venezuela administration said restrictions put place worldwide review country ability issue reliable passports share data united states recent order issued, challengers sued stop earlier bans went back court said new version still discriminated muslims violation us constitution lawsuits dispute restrictions placed venezuela north korea refugees temporarily barred part trump first order addressed latest ban instead, separate directive issued oct , refugees countries mostly middle east africa face additional security screening th circuit appeals court nov ruled ban could go partially effect everyone without close family relationships people united states white house asked us supreme court lift partial restrictions cases moving forward lower courts ban would apply everyone government argues president broad authority decide come united states, detractors say expanded ban violates law forbidding government discriminating based nationality issuing immigrant visas administration repeatedly said ban discriminatory pointed many muslim majority countries unaffected trump made statements, however, legal opponents say reinforce contention actions based anti muslim sentiments last week, example, president shared twitter anti muslim videos posted far right british party leader response tweet, neal katyal, attorney state hawaii tweeted thanks see court next week aclu said letter sent supreme court monday group planned file motion would expand record include recent statements president

democratic leaders congress said monday accepted invitation president donald trump meet republican leaders discuss year end legislative priorities, including efforts fund government avoid shutdown house democratic leader nancy pelosi senate democratic leader chuck schumer, canceled previous meeting trump issued disparaging note twitter, said statement hoped president would remain open minded reaching deal democrats need reach budget agreement equally boosts funds military key priorities home, said, listing series political priorities bipartisan path forward items

president donald trump spoke us senate candidate roy moore alabama monday endorsed campaign, white house said president positive call judge roy moore discussed state alabama senate race president endorsed judge moore campaign, white house spokesman raj shah said statement

massachusetts senate president stan rosenberg taking temporary leave absence husband faces allegations used political connections sexually harass men rosenberg, democrat, step aside immediately remain away investigation senate, said statement monday want ensure investigation fully independent credible, anyone wishes come forward feel confident retaliation, rosenberg wrote last week, rosenberg, , said supported investigation husband, bryon hefner, , planning enter inpatient treatment center alcohol dependency boston globe reported four unnamed men said hefner, groped made unwanted sexual contact newspaper said men asked remain anonymous fear speaking powerful lawmaker spouse would endanger work political advocates reuters could confirm allegations, newspaper said stemmed incidents accusations latest wave sexual assault sexual harassment claims levied powerful men us politics, entertainment journalism

series tweets us president donald trump investigation contacts campaign russia prompted concerns sunday among democratic republican lawmakers, republican senator lindsey graham saying trump could wading peril commenting probe would say president ongoing criminal investigation, graham said cbs program face nation tweet comment regarding ongoing criminal investigations peril, added sunday morning, trump wrote twitter never asked former fbi director james comey stop investigating michael flynn, president former national security adviser

former national security adviser michael flynn pleaded guilty friday lying fbi contacts russia, agreed cooperate prosecutors delving actions president donald trump inner circle took office dramatic turn events also raised new questions whether trump son law, jared kushner, role russia contacts flynn first member trump administration plead guilty crime uncovered special counsel robert mueller wide ranging investigation russian attempts influence us election potential collusion trump aides plea bargain deal, flynn admitted washington court lied asked fbi investigators conversations last december russia ambassador, sergei kislyak, weeks trump took office prosecutors said two men discussed us sanctions russia flynn also asked kislyak help delay un vote seen damaging israel occasions, appeared undermining policies outgoing president barack obama also said senior member trump transition team told flynn contact russia foreign governments try influence ahead un vote sources told reuters senior official kushner, key member trump transition team president senior adviser kushner lawyer, abbe lowell, respond multiple requests comment previously said kushner voluntarily cooperated relevant inquiries would continue flynn decision cooperate mueller team marked major escalation probe dogged president since took office january nothing court hearing pointed evidence trump, white house said flynn guilty plea implicated alone nothing guilty plea charge implicates anyone mr flynn, said ty cobb, white house attorney flynn, retired army lieutenant general, served trump national security adviser days forced resign found misled vice president mike pence discussions kislyak flynn enthusiastic supporter trump election campaign president continued praise even left administration, saying flynn treated very, unfairly news media small group protesters yelled lock flynn left courthouse friday, echoing lock chant flynn led trump democratic rival, hillary clinton, vitriolic appearances campaign trail mueller team also looking whether members trump campaign may sought ease sanctions russia return financial gain russian officials held leverage them, people familiar probe say prosecutors said flynn kislyak last december discussed economic sanctions obama administration imposed moscow allegedly interfering election flynn asked kislyak refrain escalating diplomatic dispute washington sanctions, later falsely told fbi officials make request, court documents showed prosecutors said flynn earlier consulted senior member trump presidential transition team communicate russian ambassador flynn called russian ambassador requested russia escalate situation respond us sanctions reciprocal manner, prosecutors said court documents, adding flynn called trump official recount conversation kislyak name senior official trump team us media reports identified former adviser kt mcfarland person reuters unable verify reports dec , , day prosecutors say call trump aides took place, trump publicly played need sanction russia allegedly hacking us democratic operatives think ought get lives think computers complicated lives greatly, trump told reporters mar lago florida resort ryan goodman, professor new york university law school, said flynn plea deal shows mueller scrutinizing truthfulness testimony given investigators kushner potentially liable making false statements testimony contradicted flynn, goodman said earlier friday, abc news cited flynn confidant saying flynn ready testify trump directed make contact russians became president, initially way work together fight islamic state group syria reuters could immediately verify abc news report us stocks, dollar treasury yields fell sharply abc report, although partially rebounded optimism republican bill cut taxes approved us senate trump directed flynn contact russian officials, might necessarily amount crime would crime proven trump directed flynn lie fbi moscow denied us intelligence agencies say meddling election campaign try sway vote trump favor trump called mueller probe witch hunt may, president fired fbi director james comey, later accused trump trying hinder investigation russia allegations comey also said believed trump asked drop fbi probe flynn comey friday tweeted cryptic message justice let justice roll like waters righteousness like ever flowing stream, amos , wrote, quoting biblical book amos paul manafort, ran trump presidential campaign several months last year, charged october conspiring launder money, conspiracy united states failing register foreign agent ukraine former pro russian government manafort, join trump administration, business associate charged pleaded guilty

michael flynn plea guilty friday lying federal bureau investigation made fourth person known charged us justice department investigation ties president donald trump election campaign russia three known charged special counsel robert mueller probe former trump campaign manager paul manafort richard gates grand jury october indicted manafort, longtime republican political consultant, gates, business associate two men pleaded guilty oct count indictment, whose charges include conspiracy launder money, conspiracy united states failing register foreign agents ukraine former pro russian government manafort agreed million bail deal would result release house arrest electronic monitoring former trump campaign adviser george papadopoulos papadopoulos, chicago based international energy lawyer, pleaded guilty oct lying fbi agents contacts people claimed ties top russian officials first criminal charge alleging links trump campaign russia white house spokeswoman sarah sanders played papadopoulos campaign role, saying extremely limited actions took would

us senate republican leader mitch mcconnell said sunday optimistic senate house representatives reach conference agreement tax legislation signed law president donald trump able get agreement conference optimistic it, kentucky republican told abc week program

us senate republicans made last minute changes tax bill secure enough votes pass sweeping legislation saturday move negotiations week final measure republicans house representatives deals enabled leadership get four wavering republican senators board legislation addressing issues deductions state local property taxes tax treatment called pass enterprises republicans also agreed changes help pay deals, including higher tax rates repatriation us corporate profits held overseas following changes state local property taxes senator susan collins got senate republican leaders include federal deduction , state local property taxes legislation, eliminates similar deduction state local income sales taxes nonpartisan joint committee taxation, jct, estimates change mean loss additional billion federal revenue next decade, compared legislative proposal approved earlier senate budget committee pass throughs pressure senators ron johnson steve daines, senate republican leaders increased percent percent deduction owners pass enterprises including small businesses, corporations, partnerships sole proprietorships jct estimated revenue loss versus earlier legislative proposal billion full expensing senator jeff flake, holdout deficit concerns, agreed vote yes republican leaders away abrupt end full business expensing capital investments five years instead, bill phases full expensing percent increments four years, beginning year six flake said congress would able suddenly eliminate full expensing benefit would left bleed red ink years come jct revenue loss estimate versus earlier legislative proposal billion medical expenses collins also added language reduce threshold deducting unreimbursed medical expenses two years percent household income percent jct estimated revenue loss versus earlier legislative proposal billion retirement savings collins persuaded republican leaders retain catch contributions retirement accounts church, charity, school public employees immediate jct revenue impact estimate individual alternative minimum tax republicans rescinded earlier provision repeal individual amt increased exemption amounts phase thresholds make tax less onerous jct estimated revenue gain versus earlier legislative proposal billion decade repatriation senate republicans increased tax rates repatriation us corporate profits held overseas percent liquid assets percent illiquid holdings, percent percent, respectively jct estimated revenue gain versus earlier legislative proposal billion corporate alternative minimum tax republicans decided retain tax, initially proposing repeal jct estimated revenue gain versus earlier legislative proposal billion

alternative minimum tax corporations, included us senate tax bill, eliminated final legislation, kevin mccarthy, republican house representatives, said monday think eliminated would destroy r d, mccarthy said interview cnbc especially look california, engine actually creates lot entrepreneurs others, eliminated sure

democrats refusal give even one vote massive tax cuts need republican roy moore win alabama need vote stopping crime, illegal immigration, border wall, military, pro life, va, judges nd amendment jones, pelosi schumer puppet est

us embassy russia said monday would restart visa services us consulates previously canceled due diplomatic expulsions left short staffed united states began scale back visa services russia august, drawing angry reaction moscow three weeks president vladimir putin ordered washington halve embassy consular staff us step meant russian citizens wanting visit united states business, tourism educational reasons longer able apply via us consulates outside moscow travel russian capital instead embassy said statement monday visa services would resume dec december , us consulates st petersburg, yekaterinburg, vladivostok begin offer limited interviews non immigrant visas, said

kremlin said monday russian president vladimir putin taken decision hold responding new us sanctions last year independently influenced former us national security adviser michael flynn flynn pleaded guilty friday lying fbi contacts russia agreed cooperate prosecutors delving actions president donald trump inner circle took office us prosecutors said flynn sergei kislyak, russian ambassador us, last december discussed economic sanctions obama administration imposed moscow allegedly interfering us presidential election, something moscow denies obama time expelled russian diplomats us authorities seized two russian diplomatic compounds united states putin said would wait see relations developed new trump administration responding russia went ahead took retaliatory measures summer kremlin spokesman dmitry peskov said putin taken decision hold retaliating independently known flynn alleged request russia refrain immediate response flynn position ask kislyak, russian ambassador us, anything, said peskov, calling idea absurd course putin took decision, decision, peskov told conference call reporters decision could connected requests recommendations president takes decisions absolutely independently

former nbc television host billy bush accused us president donald trump indulging revisionist history reportedly telling allies voice making lewd remarks men waited film segment access hollywood said grab em pussy, bush wrote editorial published new york times sunday new york times reported last month trump privately telling aides allies, including least one us senator, voice recording would reversal immediate acknowledgement responsibility tape surfaced weeks ahead presidential election trump said said it, wrong, apologize reuters able verify times report privately telling allies different story white house immediately respond request comment bush remarks white house spokeswoman sarah sanders played times report white house briefing nov president changed position think anything president questions, media reporting accuracy, sanders said bush laughed video trump spoke lost job host nbc flagship morning today show tape leaked media october, upending trump campaign become president

embattled republican us senate candidate roy moore led democratic opponent six percentage points cbs news poll released sunday, alabama republicans saying allegations sexual misconduct false moore leading democrat doug jones percent among voters likely cast ballots dec special election, cbs said contest even among registered voters, said republican lawmakers washington, including senate republican leader mitch mcconnell, distanced moore called step race accused several women sexual assault misconduct teenagers early reuters able independently verify allegations mcconnell said sunday moore elected, senate swear senate ethics committee would decide whether investigate allegations swear whoever elected see point, mcconnell said cbs face nation stop seated, said republican senator lindsey graham, also interviewed cbs ethics investigation six members committee said believe child molester, would problem according cbs poll, percent alabama republicans say allegations moore false, believe democrats media behind accusations another poll day earlier jones barely ahead washington post schar school poll said jones support among likely voters stood percent, versus moore percent president donald trump originally backed moore opponent republican primary, senator luther strange trump since defended moore, noting moore denied allegations sexual misconduct president says want moore democratic opponent win trump slated travel rally pensacola, florida friday city across state line alabama days ahead alabama election timing location gives trump opportunity express support moore republicans hold slim majority senate eager maintain advantage advance trump legislative agenda taxes, healthcare priorities

eve trip europe, rex tillerson gave speech last week european allies waited months hear ironclad promise us support oldest allies relief european capitals lasted barely day reports surfaced white house plan oust us secretary state, plunging america friends back confusion president donald trump foreign policy uncertainty particularly acute given washington leading role crises north korea syria tillerson comes brussels give public statement support eu nato wanted along, seems mandate, guillotine hanging head, said eu official involved diplomacy white house officials leaves europe doubtful trump us officials said thursday white house plan cia director mike pompeo replace tillerson trump said friday leaving secretary state said saturday reports untrue european leaders yearn stability us foreign policy troubled trump america first rhetoric inconsistent statements nato european union addition, trump decision pull paris climate change accord decision certify iran compliance nuclear deal undermine european priorities chaos administration help current geopolitical climate, said senior french diplomat early last week, tillerson, former exxon mobil chief executive, delivered long address support europe washington akin traditional us policy united states remains committed enduring relationship europe security commitments european allies ironclad, told think tank said would convey message european union nato set visit brussels tuesday wednesday, organization security cooperation europe vienna thursday paris friday question whether european officials believe him, given tensions april visit europe, reuters reported tillerson initially planned skip nato meeting brussels attended pressure allies expectations tillerson might evolve counterweight trump, someone could pass messages partners exert moderating influence american foreign policy expectations disappointed, said niels annen, foreign policy spokesman germany social democrats parliament watch, state department become non actor despite tillerson pledge reform us foreign service, european governments take dim view sought cut costs state department, top diplomatic posts unfilled almost year administration french gone around tillerson develop contacts us secretary defense jim mattis, white house national security adviser hr mcmaster white house chief staff john kelly, eu top diplomat federica mogherini gone directly vice president mike pence berlin focused capitol hill, well kelly, mcmaster mattis yet unclear access translates direct impact trump foreign policy, diplomats said hope pompeo appointed could rejuvenate state department tillerson, seen ineffective, diplomats said pompeo unknown quantity europe viewed closer trump may looking larger dose trump state department, pompeo get job, said thomas kleine brockhoff, head german marshall fund berlin office one european diplomat said tillerson difficult position outset trump administration hostile iran brought team generals took hard line, never left tillerson much room addition, trump son law jared kushner taken leading role formulating policy middle east peace europeans see trump blizzard conflicting signals nato summit brussels may, president publicly admonished european leaders low defense spending threatened reduce support, announce jump us military spending europe months later things may become unpredictable, diplomats say european diplomats see tillerson mattis instrumental talking trump making rash decisions north korea nuclear program, given administration comments utterly destroying country

us senate republican leader mitch mcconnell said sunday would ridiculous fight democrats immigration issues result standoff year end spending bill prompt shutdown federal government going government shutdown, mcconnell told abc week program going happen tensions rise two parties spending bill, mcconnell called democrats position untenable, saying congress march address status called dreamers, young immigrants brought united states illegally children funding federal government due run friday, republican leaders need put together votes spending bill democrats said insist protections dreamers price support spending bill, setting stage potential showdown ridiculous position, mcconnell told abc although republicans control chambers us congress, least democratic votes needed pass spending bill september, trump ended deferred action childhood arrivals, daca, program, shields young illegal immigrants deportation gave congress six months find solution think democrats would smart say want shut government non emergency address anytime march, mcconnell said untenable position trump republican leaders want measures strengthening border enforcement accompany relief dreamers, stance democrats reject mcconnell said also optimistic house senate republicans could agree unified tax legislation send president donald trump senate approved bill saturday

us president donald trump said tweet sunday never asked former fbi director james comey stop investigating former national security adviser michael flynn flynn first member trump administration plead guilty crime uncovered special counsel robert mueller investigation russian attempts influence last year us presidential election trump fired comey post may never asked comey stop investigating flynn fake news covering another comey lie trump tweeted

us president donald trump personal lawyer took responsibility sunday tweet firing former national security adviser michael flynn, central figure probe russian meddling us presidential election interview axios, john dowd said tweet mistake drafted tweet raised questions whether attempts obstruct russia investigation tweeting business, dowd told axios mean break news

white house willing consider small increase corporate tax rate needed finalize bill us congress, white house budget chief mick mulvaney said sunday mulvaney made comments president donald trump suggested saturday corporate tax rate could end percent senate house representatives reconcile conference respective versions legislation, even though bills currently stand percent understanding senate bill percent rate house percent rate happy numbers, mulvaney said interview cbs face nation something small happens conference gets us across finish line, look case case basis think see significant change position corporate taxes, mulvaney said

us president donald trump said saturday actions former national security adviser michael flynn presidential transition lawful, fire flynn lied fbi vice president president comment suggested may known flynn lied fbi urged fbi director investigate former adviser, legal experts said noted unclear tweeted comment exactly president knew flynn first member trump administration plead guilty crime uncovered special counsel robert mueller wide ranging investigation russian attempts influence last year us presidential election possible collusion trump aides fire general flynn lied vice president fbi pled guilty lies, trump said twitter new york fundraising trip shame actions transition lawful nothing hide flynn, friday pleaded guilty lying fbi contacts russia, former defense intelligence agency director trump national security adviser days forced resign found misled vice president mike pence discussions russia ambassador united states sergei kislyak shown collusion, collusion, trump told reporters departed white house new york trip absolutely collusion, happy establishing trump told flynn lied fbi agents could key determining president acted improperly according person familiar matter, conversation white house counsel mcgahn acting attorney general sally yates january, yates told mcgahn flynn told fbi agents thing told pence conversation reported earlier year yates told mcgahn flynn misled vice president conversations russian ambassador might compromised, person said however, yates give mcgahn impression fbi actively pursuing flynn lying, source said mcgahn believe fbi investigating flynn lying bureau revoked security clearance, person said mcgahn shared information yates president, person said lawyer mcgahn immediately respond request comment yates immediately respond email seeking comment legal experts said trump knew flynn lied fbi pressured fbi director james comey investigate him, would problematic case trump tweet absolutely bolsters obstruction justice charge, said jimmy gurule, former federal prosecutor law professor notre dame university evidence crucial question whether trump acted corrupt intent may, president fired comey, later accused trump trying hinder investigation russia allegations comey also said believed trump asked drop fbi probe flynn andrew wright, professor savannah law school, said tweet open interpretation trump lawyer would downplay significance white house attorney ty cobb referred questions president tweet trump personal attorney, john dowd, described paraphrase statement cobb made friday reacting flynn guilty plea according person familiar matter, dowd composed tweet tweet bizarre helpful mueller hurtful president, said renato mariotti, former federal prosecutor chicago law firm thompson coburn one piece evidence helps show president intent fired comey part plea friday, flynn agreed cooperate investigation retired us army lieutenant general admitted washington court lied fbi investigators discussions last december kislyak appeared moves undermining policies outgoing president barack obama, pair discussed us sanctions russia, flynn asked kislyak help delay united nations vote seen damaging israel, according prosecutors flynn also told senior member trump transition team contact russia foreign governments try influence ahead un vote, prosecutors said sources told reuters senior transition official jared kushner, trump son law senior advisor kushner lawyer respond multiple requests comment separately, speaking defense conference california saturday, trump current national security advisor hr mcmaster said saw evidence indictment flynn, immediate predecessor, hurting us national security tremendous confidence, think confidence united states frankly think sense engaging areas largely disengaged, said

special counsel examining alleged russian interference us presidential election removed top fbi investigator team exchanging text messages colleague expressed anti trump views, two us newspapers reported saturday new york times washington post identified investigator fbi agent peter strzok, deputy head fbi counter intelligence reassigned last summer fbi human resources department justice department inspector general began looking text messages, papers said, quoting several unidentified people familiar matter source familiar matter confirmed reports strzok transferred human resources department politically charged text messages strzok played key role fbi investigation former secretary state hillary clinton use private email server, papers said probe presidential election, strzok fbi colleague exchanged texts disparaged republican candidate donald trump favored clinton, democratic rival, washington post said newspapers disclose details text messages reuters unable reach strzok comment new york times said lawyer strzok declined comment, washington post said repeatedly sought comment strzok, received response mueller office confirmed strzok removal, elaborate cause immediately upon learning allegations, special counsel office removed peter strzok investigation, spokesman peter carr said apparent reference case, justice department inspector general office said statement saturday reviewing allegations involving communications certain individuals matter came review justice department launched fbi decision announce inquiry clinton emails shortly november presidential election statement provided details mention individuals name department justice respond request comment fbi immediately available comment according newspapers, federal law enforcement officials became concerned trump supporters could use exposure text messages attack credibility mueller investigation mueller, former fbi director, looking possible collusion trump campaign russia, ran influence operation aimed swinging vote trump clinton, according three us intelligence agencies trump criticized fbi handling clinton email investigation, initially citing reason firing former fbi director james comey may lawmakers called mueller resign

us secretary state rex tillerson saturday denied leaving post replaced cia director mike pompeo asked truth multiple reports week, tillerson told reuters none people need get better sources, said brief interview state department ahead dinner celebrate recipients year kennedy center honors awards tillerson said hoped reception year going long effective get something done, said getting lot done senior administration officials thursday said president donald trump mulling plan oust top us diplomat, whose relationship president strained tillerson softer line north korea policy differences trump denied reports friday, saying tweet worked well tillerson diplomat going anywhere

abc news said saturday suspended brian ross, chief investigative correspondent, error reporting former national security adviser michael flynn sent us stocks, dollar treasury yields lower friday deeply regret apologize serious error made yesterday result continued reporting next several hours ultimately determined information wrong corrected mistake air online, abc news said statement effective immediately, brian ross suspended four weeks without pay, added abc news, owned walt disney co flynn pleaded guilty friday lying fbi contacts russia, agreed cooperate prosecutors delving actions president donald trump inner circle took office soon after, abc news reported flynn, citing confidant, prepared testify trump directed make contact russians presidential candidate wall street main indexes fell percent report abc news later issued correction source clarified trump assigned flynn small circle senior advisers find ways improve relations russia hotspots presidential campaign shortly election, president elect trump directed flynn contact russian officials topics included working jointly isis, abc news said

sweeping tax overhaul passed us senate saturday contains republicans biggest blow yet former president barack obama healthcare law, repealing requirement americans obtain health insurance individual mandate meant ensure viable health insurance market forcing younger healthier americans buy coverage help offset cost sicker patients helps uphold popular provision law, requires insurers charge sick healthy people rates removing keeping rest obama affordable care act intact expected cause insurance premiums rise lead millions people losing coverage, policy experts say going take bunch healthy people insurance market, said craig garthwaite, director healthcare program northwestern university kellogg school management obamacare going collapse even now, said republican lawmakers failed several times year scrap mandate part broader repeal obamacare, blocked opposition party senators, including susan collins maine collins, still opposed removing mandate, said voted tax bill saturday assured republican leaders support legislation prop us health insurance markets tax bill yet final us house representatives senate must reconcile differences respective versions legislation repealing individual mandate simply restores people freedom choose, republican senator lisa murkowski, opposed previous obamacare repeal efforts, wrote opinion piece alaska fairbanks daily news miner instead taxing people able afford coverage, working reduce costs provide options one obamacare stabilization bills, co authored republican senator lamar alexander democratic senator patty murray, would restore billions dollars subsidies health insurers use reduce pocket costs low income americans second, co authored collins democratic senator bill nelson, would create additional billion fund compensate insurers covering health care sickest patients still, health policy experts said measures would needed without mandate repeal would make expected premium increases rise numbers uninsured americans neither bills would anything offset increase uninsured resulting mandate repeal, said larry levitt, health economist kaiser family foundation marketplaces would limp along without mandate probably stable place without mandate, health insurance premiums would rise percent years next decade individual market million people would lose coverage , nonpartisan congressional budget office said report last month levitt said insurers would need around billion per year offset lost revenue individual mandate rather raise premiums republicans, control white house, us house representatives senate, failed months make good top campaign pledge president donald trump trump said congress return repeal replace efforts next year past several months taken regulatory executive actions steadily undermine obamacare law insurers leading medical groups already urged congress preserve individual mandate warned serious consequences rising premiums rise number uninsured repealed

us senate narrowly approved tax overhaul saturday, moving republicans president donald trump big step closer goal slashing taxes businesses rich offering everyday americans mixed bag changes would largest change us tax laws since s, republicans want add trillion years trillion national debt finance changes say would boost already growing economy trump, speaking reporters left white house new york hours pre dawn vote, praised senate passing tremendous tax reform said people going very, happy senate house representatives reconcile respective versions legislation, said, resulting bill could cut corporate tax rate percent percent could percent comes could also percent us stock markets rallied months hopes washington would provide significant tax cuts corporations celebrating senate victory, republican leaders predicted tax cuts would encourage us companies invest boost economic growth opportunity make america competitive, keep jobs shipped offshore provide substantial relief middle class, said mitch mcconnell, republican leader senate senate approved bill vote, democrats complaining last minute amendments win skeptical republicans poorly drafted vulnerable gamed later republicans managed take bad bill make worse, said senate democratic leader chuck schumer cover darkness aid haste, flurry last minute changes stuff even money pockets wealthy biggest corporations democrats voted bill, unable block republicans hold senate majority talks begin, likely next week, senate house, already approved version legislation, reconcile respective bills trump, predicted negotiations would produce something beautiful, wants happen end year would allow republicans score first major legislative achievement controlled white house, senate house since took office january republicans failed efforts repeal obamacare healthcare law summer trump presidency hit white house fighting federal investigation possible collusion last year election campaign team russian officials tax overhaul seen trump republicans crucial prospects mid term elections november , defend majorities congress legislative battle moved fast final draft bill unavailable public hours vote, democrats slammed proposed tax cuts give away businesses rich financed billions dollars taxpayer debt framework senate house bills developed secret months half dozen republican congressional leaders trump advisers, little input party rank file none democrats six republican senators, wanted got last minute amendments whose votes doubt, said friday would back bill senator bob corker, one remaining republican fiscal hawks pledged early oppose bill expanded federal deficit, lone republican dissenter able cast aside fiscal concerns vote legislation could deepen debt burden future generations, said corker, running election numerous last minute changes made bill friday early morning hours saturday one make state local property tax deductible , , mirroring house bill senate previously proposed entirely ending state local tax deductibility tax reform measure passed senate negative overall state local government finances lower federal tax rates businesses individuals could result modest boost hiring consumption, positively affecting state local revenues, nick samuels, vice president moody investors service, said statement however, change state local tax salt deduction would reduce disposable income many taxpayers, likely outweighing positive effect lower federal rates consumption many communities states another change, alternative minimum tax amt , individuals corporations, would repealed full instead, individual amt would adjusted corporate amt would maintained is, lobbyists said another change would put five year limit letting businesses immediately write full value new capital investments would phase four years starting year six, rather permanent initially proposed bill, corporate tax rate would permanently slashed percent percent, future foreign profits us based firms would largely exempt, changes pursued corporate lobbyists years individual side, top tax rate paid highest income earners would cut slightly tax policy center, nonpartisan think tank, analyzed earlier broadly similar version bill passed senate tax committee nov found would reduce taxes income groups , largest average tax cuts going highest income americans two republican senators announced support bill friday winning tax relief non corporate pass businesses include partnerships companies organized public corporations, ranging mom pop concerns large financial real estate groups bill features percent tax deduction business owners, original percent senate bill would gut section obamacare repealing fee paid americans buy health insurance, step critics said would undermine obamacare system raise insurance premiums sick old senator susan collins, moderate republican, said obtained commitments republican leaders steps would taken later separate legislation minimize impact repeal individual mandate fee

us representative sander levin michigan said saturday would run reelection next year, stepping three decades congress year old democrat member house representatives powerful ways means committee, deals tax economic policies well spending programs social security unemployment house democratic leader nancy pelosi praised levin statement acknowledging decision step since days student activist, congressman levin fearless dedicated voice justice progress, pelosi said

us president donald trump said saturday actions former national security adviser michael flynn election lawful flynn friday pleaded guilty lying fbi agreed cooperate special counsel robert mueller investigation possible collusion russia trump presidential election campaign fire general flynn lied vice president fbi pled guilty lies shame actions transition lawful nothing hide trump said tweet

republicans tried repeal replace obamacare summer, acted like bunch free range chickens , said republican senator john kennedy everybody upset, tired, mad, people drawing lines dirt time republican leader mitch mcconnell rest party senate leadership brought party members line week finally passage sweeping tax overhaul early saturday late arm twisting deal sweeteners wavering lawmakers allowed push legislation aims slash corporate taxes cut personal taxes democrats complained bad deal middle class poor americans would irresponsibly raise national debt trillion next decade outnumbered republicans discipline, short supply much year, saw bill debate revealed republican party undergoing transformation president donald trump republicans fight balanced budget longer wield power feel somewhat like dinosaur, deficit hawk bob corker admitted friday afternoon hours later, republican vote bill fear also played role risk backlash wealthy donors conservative supporters party failed deliver another campaign promise ahead mid term elections next year helped party leaders get legislation approved vote think failing twice healthcare, folks went back home talked real people america, said kennedy told, look, sent fix problems fix find somebody mcconnell needed republicans senate back tax bill, knowing vice president mike pence hand provide tie breaking vote needed mcconnell could count votes wednesday night nine republican members wobbly support senate democrats mcconnell allies went work, offering wide range late concessions holdouts get political victory months frustration bill still needs reconciled different version approved house representatives, senate bill expected remain largely intact led corker jeff flake, small group fiscal conservatives first upset senate bill going increase fiscal deficits national debt early efforts get support went slowly pretty hard make happy far going keep working it, always have, get finish line, senator orrin hatch said thursday night flake came around able win two concessions first, got commitment senate leadership trump administration put time limit allowing companies write full value new capital investments second, pence assured flake administration would work fair permanent protections illegal immigrants came united states children two fiscal conservatives, james lankford jerry moran, also came board although corker refused yield, others votes enough ensure victory senator ron johnson demanded amendments ease tax burden pass businesses kind biding time senator portman came said , johnson said thursday night vote even moderate senator susan collins, helped scuttle obamacare repeal efforts earlier year, agreed vote favor tax bill representing voters high state tax burden maine, collins party plan end deduction state local property taxes amendment pushed, taxpayers would allowed deduct , year collins also said assured republican leaders would take steps soon mitigate damage caused repeal fee linked obamacare individual mandate , requires americans buy health insurance mcconnell also got lucky trump make job harder unlike conduct obamacare debate, trump largely stayed message, proclaiming tax bill would help middle class businesses although incorrect, also claimed would biggest tax cut ever trump met republican senators capitol hill lunch week, gathering described thoughtful positive nobody called anybody names talked anybody native american heritage, anything, said kennedy, referring trump habit picking fights perceived enemies democrats furious, saying republicans throwing money rich bill handled fast economy grows shrinks creates jobs loses knows certainly one one could know, even read, let alone thoughtfully considered, said senate democratic leader chuck shumer

six us senators signed support sweeping republican tax bill friday, leaving one known republican opponent

us senate republicans considering raft last minute changes sweeping tax bill friday, edged toward final vote could move congress year end enactment tax cuts businesses individuals deals include higher tax deduction owners pass businesses phase full expensing business capital investments pay changes, republicans say longer repeal alternative minimum taxes corporations individuals raise tax rates repatriation corporate profits held overseas senate republicans yet unveil final bill adoption unofficial list anticipated changes, according lawmakers lobbyists pass throughs senators ron johnson steve daines announced support tax bill securing agreement bigger tax break owners pass enterprises, including small businesses, corporations, partnerships sole proprietorships original percent deduction would rise percent full expensing senator jeff flake, holdout deficit concerns, agreed vote yes republican leaders agreed change provision allowing full expensing business capital investments sunset five years flake worried congress would unable eliminate benefit cold turkey, allowing bleed red ink years come arizona republican says change would instead phase full expensing three years beginning year six retirement savings senator susan collins said persuaded republican leaders retain catch contributions retirement accounts church, charity, school public employees medical expenses collins also said able include language reduce threshold deducting unreimbursed medical expenses two years percent household income percent state local property taxes collins proposed amendment would retain federal deduction , state local property taxes individual alternative minimum tax rescinding proposed repeal amt instead increase exemption levels phase thresholds also table corporate alternative minimum tax rescinding proposed repeal corporate amt repatriation another change could increase tax rates us corporate profits held overseas percent liquid assets percent illiquid holdings, percent percent, respectively

backers us russian plan build nuclear reactors across middle east bragged us election backing donald trump national security adviser michael flynn project required lifting sanctions russia, documents reviewed reuters show documents, previously made public, reveal new aspects plan, including proposed involvement russian company currently us sanctions manufacture nuclear equipment company, major engineering construction firm omz oao, declined comment documents show whether flynn, retired army lieutenant general, took concrete steps push proposal trump aides show washington based nuclear power consultancy acu strategic partners believed flynn, worked adviser firm late mid , trump firmly corner donald trump election president game changer trump highest foreign policy priority stabilize us relations russia historical low point, acu managing director, alex copson, wrote nov , email potential business partners, eight days election white house officials immediately respond email seeking comment acu declined comment also declined make copson available interview previously told congressional committee dealings flynn since may , trump became republican party presidential candidate flynn lawyer, robert kelner, respond request comment flynn pleaded guilty friday lying fbi discussion former russian ambassador washington, sergey kislyak, late december regarding sanctions documents also show acu proposed ending ukraine opposition lifting sanctions russia giving ukrainian company billion contract provide turbine generators reactors built saudi arabia mideast nations contract state owned turboatom, loans ukraine gulf arab states, would require ukraine support lifting us eu sanctions russia, copson wrote nov email turboatom spokeswoman said immediate comment matter email titled trump putin marshall plan concept stands middle east title, evoking post world war two plan rebuild western european economies, reflected hopes plan backers trump russian president vladimir putin could cooperate project would boost middle east economies email seen tmsnrtrs aldocy acu documents reviewed reuters include emails, business presentations financial estimates date late autumn part investigation trump election campaign ties russia, special counsel robert mueller democrats house representatives oversight committee probing whether flynn promoted middle east nuclear power project national security adviser trump white house flynn resigned days national security adviser became known lied vice president mike pence telling discussed us sanctions russia kislyak late december response questions emails documents, acu referred reuters letters written june september acu scientist thomas cochran house oversight committee letters, cochran laid project strategy, describing ready go consortium included french, russian, israeli ukrainian interests, without naming specific companies representative elijah cummings, committee top democrat, said panel republican chairman, trey gowdy, months rejected democrats requests ask white house documents pertaining acu proposal gowdy blocked efforts allow committee members vote issuing subpoenas, cummings told reuters gowdy respond requests comment acu nuclear reactor plan aimed provide washington middle east allies nuclear power way risk nuclear weapons proliferation also helped counter iranian influence, improve dismal us russian relations, revive moribund us nuclear industry, according documents seen reuters wall street journal washington post reported week flynn pushed version nuclear project within white house instructing staff rework memo written former business associate policy trump sign two us officials familiar issue told reuters policy document flynn prepared trump approval proposed working russia nuclear reactor project specifically mention acu officials, spoke condition anonymity, said know trump read memo acted upon nov , , days trump presidential election, acu copson received email nuclear non proliferation expert reuben sorensen saying updated flynn nuclear project status sorensen role project clear emails flynn getting closer named national security advisor expect announcement soon big win acu project, sorensen wrote spoke via backchannels earlier week always believed vision acu effort need let get settled new position, update shortly thereafter, sorensen added email seen tmsnrtrs ztqxcz reuters could independently confirm briefing took place sorensen reply email seeking comment nov , , copson briefed us representative ed royce, republican chairman house foreign affairs committee, nuclear project, email shows copson joined jim hamel, senior official curtiss wright corp, nuclear division based royce california district eager role multi billion dollar project follow email dec royce aide, hamel wrote, hope chairman follow alex suggestion reach general flynn discuss project royce spokesman, cory fritz, confirmed briefing reuters action ever taken chairman committee, said email hamel curtiss wright declined comment flynn adviser acu april june , according amended financial disclosure forms filed august office government ethics democrats house oversight committee say flynn applied last year renew government security clearance, failed disclose june trip made egypt israel promote reactor project flynn commented trips

kate steinle killer came back back weakly protected obama border, always committing crimes violent, yet info used court exoneration complete travesty justice build wall est

disputed acting director consumer financial protection bureau said court filing friday plans seek preliminary injunction rival acting director mick mulvaney trump administration dec president donald trump named mulvaney, white house budget director, acting director cfpb nov following departure director, named agency deputy director, leandra english, temporarily succeed federal judge week refused block trump appointment mulvaney lead consumer watchdog agency, english continuing pursue issue indicated court filing would file motion preliminary injunction mulvaney trump administration dec

former us national security adviser michael flynn admitted friday asked russia delay un vote seen damaging israel, diplomats said country presidential adviser jared kushner lobbied hours vote member united nations security council dec , flynn also phoned un missions uruguay malaysia, kushner spoke kim darroch, british ambassador united states, according diplomats familiar conversations, spoke condition anonymity lobbying took place republican president donald trump, known pro israel campaign rhetoric, took office jan failed, security council adopting resolution demanding end israeli settlement building land palestinians want independent state vote favor one abstention united states efforts made israel behalf capped several days unusual diplomacy surprise dec move, egypt called vote next day draft resolution, prompting trump israel urge washington veto text senior israeli official told reuters israeli officials contacted trump transition team high level ask help failing persuade democratic president barack obama administration veto draft un resolution according court documents made public friday, member trump presidential transition team, later identified sources trump son law kushner, told flynn dec contact officials foreign governments, including russia, convince delay vote veto resolution flynn spoke russian ambassador united states sergei kislyak day, following day, according court documents also dec , trump discussed resolution egyptian president abdel fattah al sisi egypt withdrew text council vote day logan act bars unauthorized private us citizens, trump, flynn, kushner time, negotiating foreign governments however, two americans ever indicted allegedly violating neither convicted abbe lowell, lawyer kushner, respond multiple requests comment friday israel issues second go round egypt withdrew resolution, co sponsors, new zealand, malaysia, venezuela, senegal, put forward dec vote washington, kushner contact britain darroch, flynn spoke kislyak

question whether us representative john conyers may resign face sexual harassment allegations addressed next day so, attorney congressman said friday make another announcement coming days whether congressman continue whether step aside, decision made today, attorney arnold reed told reporters outside conyers home discussed allegations conyers, facing investigation house ethics committee, one numerous prominent men us politics, media entertainment accused recent months sexual harassment misconduct others include former hollywood executive harvey weinstein, democratic senator al franken republican senate candidate roy moore conyers acknowledged settling one former staffer claims harassment, denied wrongdoing relinquished post senior democrat house judiciary committee said cooperate ethics probe representative nancy pelosi, leading democrat house representatives, top deputies thursday called conyers step aside house speaker paul ryan, top ranking republican congress, also said conyers resign reed said spoken conyers future congressman went hospital wednesday experiencing dizziness, shortness breath lightheadedness, conyers reached definitive decision decision made juncture, reed said know, health best, said meet next couple days, gets stronger, anticipate will, discuss issues

senate intelligence panel top democrat friday said lawmakers want interview us president donald trump son law turned white house adviser jared kushner wake former adviser michael flynn guilty plea part us special counsel investigation number, like mr kushner others, going want invite back, senator mark warner told reporters declined say whether would include us vice president mike pence added remained confident panel republican chairman, richard burr burr, new york times report thursday, said trump told eager see committee probe end

former us national security agency employee pleaded guilty friday illegally taking classified information outside spy agency intelligence official said later stolen home computer russian hackers nghia hoang pho, worked nsa elite hacking unit, retained us government documents containing top secret national defense information march , justice department said pho, year old us citizen born vietnam, faces years prison held authorities awaits sentencing, scheduled april , , us district court baltimore us intelligence official, speaking condition anonymity, said pho nsa employee identified media reports using kaspersky lab antivirus software home computer us officials said software moscow based company allowed russian intelligence agencies pilfer sensitive secrets united states pho computer department homeland security september ordered federal agencies start removing kaspersky software computers us officials said firm either ties russian intelligence forced share information held servers russian officials kaspersky repeatedly denied allegations acknowledged software took nsa code hacking tool customer computer chief executive, eugene kaspersky, ordered code destroyed court documents appear make mention russian intelligence agencies kaspersky lab connection first reported new york times intelligence official declined comment whether pho knew software using home vulnerable pho least third nsa employee contractor charged within past two years counts improperly taking classified information agency, breaches prompted criticism secretive nsa federal grand jury indicted former nsa contractor harold martin february charges alleging spent years stealing terabytes highly sensitive government material us intelligence community, hoarded home june another nsa contractor, reality winner, , charged leaking classified material russian interference us presidential election news outlet pleaded guilty , former contractor edward snowden pilfered secrets nsa surveillance programs shared journalists lives moscow pho, ellicott city, maryland, took physical digital documents contained highly classified information united states, including information labeled top secret, according court records unsealed friday aware documents contained sensitive information kept residence maryland, records said asked comment, pho attorney, robert bonsib, said, conversations regarding case made courtroom sentencing declined comment officials nsa us intelligence agencies immediately respond requests comment nsa, whose main mission gathering analyzing foreign communications potential security threats, based fort meade, maryland

president donald trump son law jared kushner former adviser kt mcfarland trump transition officials spoke former us national security adviser michael flynn contacts russian officials, cnn reported friday mcfarland went serve trump white house nominated us ambassador singapore cnn also reported met investigators special counsel robert mueller, looking contacts russians trump administration

pennsylvania attorney general leading charge among democratic peers preparing shore protections borrowers savers president donald trump follows pledge defang powerful consumer finance watchdog since sworn january, democrat josh shapiro built consumer finance unit preparation republican trump officials take consumer financial protection bureau cfpb unit staffed dozen people led former senior cfpb attorney shapiro team already filed cases navient navio , student loan servicer, accused deceiving borrowers order drive profits, leading state investigation hacking equifax efxn , consumer credit bureau demonstrating capacity handle big, complex consumer financial protection cases, shapiro told reuters, adding attorneys general parties asked mimic efforts navient said operates within federal laws rules student loans, contested similar charges brought cfpb court equifax spokesperson said company cannot comment pending litigation, remain focused helping customers, well employees consumers, navigate situation shapiro expects case load grow, particularly trump installed budget director fierce cfpb critic, mick mulvaney, temporary chief agency press office office management budget, currently handling public relations cfpb, said early comment democratic attorneys plans however, course carry statutorily obliged enforce, spokesman john czwartacki said created wake financial crisis crack predatory financial practices, cfbp long criticized republicans, including trump, say far powerful burdens lenders red tape shapiro part group democratic attorneys general powerful large states california new york disagree trump call financial deregulation since trump inauguration january, top law enforcement officials sued administration least times crackdown immigration dismantling regulations across range areas energy education comes financial consumer protection state attorneys general wield additional potentially powerful weapon little known provision dodd frank law, created cfpb, gives authority enforce agency rules broad ban unfair, deceptive abusive practices beyond state lines states rarely used provisions richard cordray, appointed president barack obama known aggressively pursuing financial firms, charge watchdog departure last week, mulvaney freezing new rulemakings hiring permanent successor expected loosen watchdog regulation enforcement, top attorneys states pennsylvania california say preparing get active states makes difficult make impossible, said california attorney general xavier becerra, democrat one difficulty states wanting pursue federal enforcement cases go financial firms across state lines, that, law, must notify cfpb, said ori lev, consumer financial services partner law firm mayer brown proceed without cfpb blessing agency changes mind case, agency could challenge federal court, would likely defer cfpb, said c boyden gray, founding partner boyden gray associates, works conservative federalist society tracking regulation still, attorneys general jurisdiction sue institutions operating states state consumer protection laws could join forces pursue cases nationally attorneys general contacted reuters democratic attorneys general association, representing officials, nearly half top state attorneys country, said prepared take cases washington attorney general bob ferguson said office consumer finance division attorneys, compared four years ago consequently, well positioned use tools available us protect washingtonians new leader cfpb share director cordray vigor protecting consumers, democrat said consumer watchdog created, states often took lead cases involving consumer lenders ohio attorney general, cordray, example, led investigation financial firms precipitated financial crisis, winning billion settlements state pension funds consumer advocacy groups generally applauded work cfpb states consumer protections, republican attorneys general sided trump need rein federal watchdog nov letter trump, republican attorneys west virginia, texas, alabama, arkansas oklahoma said mulvaney would help curb cfpb practice overreaching regulation harms interests consumers small financial institutions anticipating state activity, maria earley, partner law firm reed smith, advising clients facing cfpb charges stalling hopes watchdog become lenient trump may want litigate run clock, going six, seven, eight states start looking you, earley said, adding settled three cfpb cases clients since trump took office reuters could independently verify number michelle rogers, partner buckley sandler, said wall street may end increased regulatory complexity rather relief state attorneys step nimble big federal agency staff, agenda, send subpoena whim broader set issues, said story corrects th paragraph attribute idea c boyden gray, instead ori lev

half registered lobbyists washington worked tax issues , report showed friday, lawmakers us capital scramble conclude year long effort pass tax reform bill christmas , lobbyists, percent reported activity , listed disclosure forms working issues involving tax year, advocacy group public citizen said report twenty companies trade groups hired lobbyists work tax issues, report said, us chamber commerce hiring business roundtable, association chief executives big us companies, employing lobbyists republican bill would biggest overhaul us tax system since ultimate shape success crucial us corporate profits next years drafted, senate bill would cut us corporate tax rate percent percent one year delay reduce taxes businesses individuals, ending many tax breaks democrats united opposition bill, calling giveaway wealthy corporations us companies vested interest nearly every aspect republican tax plan, saying would use tax reform windfall buy back shares, retire debt invest back business nl n nq c five large us companies hired least lobbying firms tax issues , report said comcast corp cmcsao hired firms, anheuser busch brought companies, verizon communications vzn hired , microsoft msfto hired altria group mon engaged lobbying firms

us republican senator bob corker said friday cannot support sweeping tax bill senate republican leaders said enough votes pass end day, able cast aside fiscal concerns vote legislation believe, based information currently have, could deepen debt burden future generations, corker said statement issued office

proposal driven president donald trump overhaul country tax system moving us congress, lifting overall stock market raising hopes corporate earnings get boost p spx rallied week drive push sweeping tax legislation us senate gained momentum, although gains tempered report former national security adviser michael flynn prepared testify taking office trump directed make contact russians senate republicans said friday gathered votes needed pass sweeping tax overhaul negotiations ongoing, legislation could cut corporate tax rate low percent percent ubs strategists project overall p earnings would rise percent corporate tax rate fall percent increase percent rate go percent certain stocks could benefit others republican led plans favorable companies primarily domestic business paying close full tax rate, said john carey, portfolio manager amundi pioneer asset management boston investors appear already rotated tax sensitive areas market watchers caution generalizing winners, noting big differences effective rates companies sectors strategists point industries concentration companies poised benefit, particularly lower corporate tax rate graphic industries stand win corporate tax cuts, click reutrs zvjls graphic sector benefits corporate tax cut, click reutrs amn au high tax stocks underperform reutrs amdrp major p sectors, financials pay highest effective tax rate percent, according wells fargo analysis historical tax rates brian klock, managing director equity research keefe, bruyette woods covers large regional banks, expects tax cuts add percent median bank earnings percent assuming whatever benefit drop right bottom line, klock said give loan pricing put big investments increased capital return shareholders among large regional banks, zions bancorp ziono , bank corp mtbn comerica inc cman stand benefit most, klock said transportation ranks among top industries expected receive big earnings boost lower corporate tax rate, according ubs us railroads union pacific corp unpn csx corp csxo almost entirely exposed us statutory rates, said morningstar analyst keith schoonmaker railroads would benefit provisions allowing expense capital expenditures one year opposed time, lowering taxable income, schoonmaker said see comes far ability depreciate immediately, certainly would beneficial big capital spenders, schoonmaker said, noting railroads spend percent percent revenue capital expenditures airlines stand gain lower tax rates, analysts said, ubs pointing alaska air group inc alkn southwest airlines co luvn possible winners domestically geared healthcare companies focus services would likely benefit tax rate reductions pharmaceutical medical device companies sell products overseas healthcare services one taxed industries would big beneficiary reductions corporate tax rates, lance wilkes, analyst bernstein, said recent note p healthcare providers services index splrchcps, includes health insurers anthem inc antmn , drug wholesalers like amerisourcebergen corp abcn , hospital operators hca healthcare inc hcan , gained percent week according leerink analyst ana gupte, corporate tax rate cut percent could boost health insurer earnings percent percent, gains would expected passed employer individual customers potential big winners include home health services company almost family inc afamo , lab testing company quest diagnostics inc dgxn pharmacy benefit manger express scripts holding esrxo , according jefferies analyst brian tanquilut department stores head list retailers benefit among heaviest us exposure, said bridget weishaar, senior equity analyst morningstar weishaar points macy inc mn , nordstrom inc jwnn kohls corp kssn potential winners among department stores, well victoria secret owner l brands lbn apparel retailer ross stores rosto retail companies benefit paying lower tax rate, weishaar said consumers hopefully additional cash, help consumer discretionary spending telecom companies, including inc tn verizon communications inc vzn , also stand gain domestically focused companies high percentage employee base us significant amounts investments us infrastructure, said amir rozwadowski, telecom equity analyst barclays therefore predisposed benefit tax reform climbed percent week, verizon surged percent

legal document charging michael flynn lying federal bureau investigation lays chronology events connected offense former us national security adviser pleaded guilty friday timeline based document, known statement offense, events time document drafted prosecutors working special counsel robert mueller investigation ties president donald trump election campaign russia period covered includes presidential transition followed trump election victory nov , , first months presidency dec , egypt submits united nations security council resolution demanding end israeli settlement building dec senior member trump transition team directs flynn contact officials foreign governments, including russia, learn country stands resolution influence delay vote defeat resolution day, flynn contacts russia ambassador united states pending vote flynn informs ambassador incoming administration opposition resolution asks russia vote delay statement offense name ambassador russia envoy time sergei kislyak dec flynn speaks ambassador, informs flynn came ballot, russia would vote resolution russia among countries member council approves resolution day united states abstains, making passage possible, despite heavy pressure israel president elect trump dec president barack obama signs executive order, take effect next day, imposing sanctions russia response moscow actions intended interfere presidential election russian ambassador united states contacts flynn asked reporters united states sanction russia, trump suggests two countries lay rest controversy moscow interference election, saying, think ought get lives trump, mar lago resort palm beach, florida, cast doubt us intelligence agencies findings russian hackers took information democratic party computers posted online help trump defeat democratic rival hillary clinton dec flynn calls senior transition team official, senior transition team members mar lago discuss what, anything, communicate russian ambassador sanctions discussion flynn official touches potential impact sanctions incoming trump administration foreign policy goals officials flynn also talk transition team members desire russia escalate situation immediately conversation, flynn calls ambassador asks russia escalate respond sanctions reciprocally shortly afterwards, flynn discusses substance call ambassador transition official, including discussion us sanctions dec russian president vladimir putin releases statement indicating russia retaliate response sanctions time dec ambassador calls flynn informs russia chosen retaliate response flynn request call, flynn speaks senior transition team members conversations ambassador regarding sanctions russia decision escalate jan , interview wall street journal, trump suggests might away sanctions russia proves helpful battling terrorists reaching goals important washington jan times london publishes interview trump president elect says propose offering end sanctions russia annexation crimea return nuclear arms reduction deal jan trump takes office, flynn becomes national security adviser jan flynn agrees interviewed fbi agents interview, falsely states ask russian ambassador refrain escalation responding us sanctions flynn also falsely states remember follow conversation ambassador said russia chosen moderate response sanctions due flynn request flynn makes additional false statements phone calls russia several countries un security council resolution israeli settlements specifically, flynn falsely says asked countries positions vote ask countries take particular action resolution flynn also falsely states russian ambassador never told russia response request regarding resolution jan joint news conference visiting british prime minister theresa may, trump says early stages considering whether lift sanctions russia jan first conversation since trump inauguration, trump putin agree try rebuild us russia ties cooperate syria, kremlin says kremlin spokesman says two days later sanctions discussed feb us treasury department adjusts sanctions russia fsb intelligence agency, making limited exceptions measures obama put place feb flynn fired following disclosures discussed us sanctions russia kislyak, moscow us ambassador, misled vice president mike pence conversations feb trump says direct flynn talk russia ambassador sanctions taking office march flynn files multiple documents justice department involving foreign agents registration act pertaining project conducted company, flynn intel group inc, benefit turkey filings, flynn makes false statements omissions

republican senator susan collins vote senate tax bill, office said friday collins, considered possible vote sweeping tax overhaul, said would support legislation securing significant changes, office said statement senate passes law, must work house representatives, already approved tax bill, craft single measure pass chambers sent white house president donald trump signature

us secretary state rex tillerson leaving, president donald trump tweeted friday, us officials thursday said white house plan cia director mike pompeo replace media speculating fired rex tillerson would leaving soon

us house panel friday approved legislation would renew national security agency warrantless internet surveillance program, despite objections technology sector civil liberties groups inadequate privacy protection house intelligence committee passed measure reauthorize section foreign intelligence surveillance act four years act due expire dec absence congressional action bill passage signaled congress remained far consensus renew section , several rival bills various new privacy provisions circulated house senate, clear path forward measure intelligence agencies say section vital national security protecting american allies, trump administration wants minimal changes privacy advocates criticized intelligence panel bill requiring warrant access collected data belonging americans reform government surveillance, group representing major tech companies including facebook fbo , alphabet google googlo apple aaplo presses governments around world bolster digital privacy protections, issued lengthy statement thursday denouncing measure, said may expand government surveillance republicans intelligence panel supported measure, democrats opposed due mix concerns, including language would revise government officials unmask identity americans names typically redacted intelligence intercepts republicans, including president donald trump, accused without evidence previous administration president barack obama, democrat, improperly unmasking names political reasons, charge democrats rejected section allows nsa collect vast amounts digital communications foreign suspects living outside united states program, classified details exposed former nsa contractor edward snowden, incidentally gathers communications americans variety technical reasons, including communicate foreign target living overseas communications subject searches without warrant, including federal bureau investigation house judiciary committee last month passed another measure partially restricts fbi ability review american data collected section requiring agency obtain warrant seeking evidence crime, cases data related counterterrorism

massachusetts state senate friday prepared open independent probe accusations majority leader stanley rosenberg husband used political connections sexually harass men, following boston globe report claims rosenberg, democrat, told reporters friday supported investigation husband, bryon hefner, going enter inpatient treatment center alcohol dependency came day newspaper quoted four unnamed men said hefner, , groped unwanted sexual contact hefner statement issued attorney expressed surprise report specifically deny allegations, newspaper reported bryon claimed influence decisions senate, said simply true, rosenberg, , told reporters outside statehouse office looking forward fully cooperating investigation rosenberg directly address whether believed allegations sex abuse declined answer questions newspaper quoted four men accused hefner, , anonymously feared work political advocates would imperiled speaking spouse powerful lawmaker allegations, newspaper said related incidents , could confirmed reuters shocked learn anonymous hurtful allegations, newspaper quoted hefner attorney issued statement saying knowledge, one complained political governmental authority allegations surfacing years afterward name attorney spokesman rosenberg said know representing hefner reuters could immediately reach hefner comment charges serious disturbing, shocked saddened, said senate majority leader harriette chandler, statement ensure completely impartial process going unprecedented step bringing independent special investigator massachusetts governor charlie baker, republican, attorney general maura healey, democrat, agreed call immediate probe frankly, appalled allegations, baker told reporters late thursday allegations latest wave sexual assault sexual harassment claims levied powerful men us politics, entertainment journalism