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president donald trump finds sexual misconduct allegations us senate candidate roy moore troubling thinks leave race true, white house said thursday, party leaders alabama stood nominee trump position go far republican leaders washington said believe women accusing former alabama supreme court chief justice demanded moore withdraw race dec vote president believes allegations troubling taken seriously, white house spokeswoman sarah sanders said news briefing president said statement earlier week allegations true, roy moore step aside still firmly believes that, said asked president endorsement moore still stands, sanders said trump thinks alabama voters decide winner race trump supported republican national committee decision withdraw resources contest, sanders added past week, multiple women accused moore sexual improprieties unwanted romantic advances said occurred decades ago women teenagers time, moore, , denied wrongdoing married christian conservative said victim witch hunt refused drop race allegations untrue evidence support them, moore told news conference thursday supporters, including religious leaders, said still backed candidacy tweet, accused us senate republican leader mitch mcconnell others trying steal election people alabama alabama republican party thursday said member steering committee would continue support moore deserves presumed innocent accusations unless proven otherwise, state party chairwoman terry lathan said statement reuters unable independently verify allegations women allegations surfaced, moore heavily favored defeat democrat doug jones special election next month moore scored decisive republican primary victory september luther strange, appointed fill vacant seat jeff sessions became us attorney general earlier year trump backed strange primary threw support moore strange defeat poll released wednesday senate republicans campaign arm showed jones surging point lead since accusations became public democratic win alabama would blow trump agenda shift political outlook next year congressional elections, giving democrats stronger shot recapturing control senate republicans currently hold seats member upper chamber

us congressional proposal would eliminate income tax exemptions certain airlines could affect major gulf carriers, potentially worsening international spat us airlines middle east rivals us airlines petitioning federal government years intervene see unfair competition three major gulf carriers proposal, tucked deep senate tax cut plan, calls airlines headquartered foreign countries pay us incorporate tax rate carrier home country income tax treaty united states carrier country origin fewer two arrivals departures, per week, operated major us airlines airways, emirates emiraul etihad airways years accused us competitors illegally subsidized governments gulf carriers deny accusation could immediately reached comment thursday proposal passes, could leave gulf carriers vulnerable home countries united arab emirates qatar income tax treaties united states, according internal revenue service website number nations could possibly also affected time perceived discrepancies us trade agreements facing critical eye us corporations federal government language senate proposal sets stage crackdown tax leniency airlines would likely well received american carriers, years petitioned us government intervene dispute us tax treaties, entities foreign countries either exempt pay reduced rate income, vice versa us entities abroad reciprocity agreements, however, less formal deals fall short official accord, according tax attorney sam brotman brotman law reciprocity agreements usually countries necessarily percent friendly us brotman said thursday call handshake deal bill wording stands ramp already tense battle us airlines gulf carriers addition introduced us senator johnny isakson georgia delta air lines daln , one vocal critics gulf carrier practices, headquartered atlanta spokeswoman isakson mention gulf airlines provision supports american jobs providing level playing field mutual fairness international passenger aviation, isakson spokeswoman marie gordon said email thursday foreign airlines receive preferential tax treatment countries choose open markets us companies delta declined comment

senator john mccain warned president donald trump thursday nominating defense industry insiders top pentagon posts, committee questioned executive lockheed martin corp potential conflicts interest concern close relationship pentagon arms manufacturers existed decades appears intensified trump drawn scrutiny filling posts throughout government high ranking executives latest example naming week former pharmaceutical executive lobbyist alex azar become health human services secretary mccain, chairman senate armed services committee, said troubled number defense department nominees drawn defense industry said would oppose nominations john rood, trump pick pentagon job, appeared committee thursday point forward, support nominees background, mccain said statement rood ran trouble hearing nomination become undersecretary defense policy lockheed senior vice president, rood job expand company international business democratic senator elizabeth warren pressed say would recuse discussions us allies could benefit lockheed, largest us defense contractor business countries rood said intend participate talks sale lockheed products give yes reply sought warren, triggering charged exchange committee mccain joined warren demanding direct answer warned rood otherwise, going trouble getting committee mccain told rood submit response writing obviously ducking answer uproar came day senate confirmed trump choice army secretary, mark esper, top executive raytheon, another us defense industry giant committed recusing matters tied raytheon trump pentagon also officials previously worked boeing textron systems us arms manufacturers like raytheon, whose shares risen percent since december, expected benefit coming year increase defense spending pentagon says unfilled positions civilian defense leadership roles require senate confirmation, least nominees whose names already submitted senate unclear mccain remarks whether would oppose already announced nominees, although seemed warning future pentagon picks

us interior department failed provide documentation needed internal probe secretary ryan zinke travels, department inspector general said thursday investigation delayed absent, incomplete documentation several pertinent trips, mary kendall, department deputy inspector general, said letter sent week david bernhardt, department deputy secretary letter published department web site inspector general launched investigation zinke travels reports emerged september used private plane owned oil executives probe launched inspector general received numerous complaints zinke travels, including use three chartered flights one flights, taken june las vegas near zinke hometown montana, cost taxpayers , , according washington post report kendall letter said office received full cooperation employees contacted, found documentation adherence departmental travel policies deficient without proper management oversight accountability said many authorizations vouchers required zinke travel yet completed processed requested documentation later dec secretary wife, lolita zinke, accompanied government travel letter also complained department travel review process failed include proper documentation accountability interior department comment, referred letter, also published web site, bernhardt responding kendall speech conservative think tank heritage foundation september, zinke denied inappropriate travel said travels approved career employees interior department ethics office called reports use chartered private flights little bs bernhardt said letter additional documents probe sent inspector general office earlier month said department work provide available documentation zinke travel said appreciated recommendations kendall travel procedures secretary immediate office bernhardt also said zinke inherited organizational operational mess obama administration said department travel procedures obama epa administrator scott pruitt treasury secretary steve mnuchin also come scrutiny reports expensive private plane use

one thing definitely going right us president donald trump fellow republicans control congress steadily getting conservatives appointed judges, advancing long held ambition reshaping federal judiciary concern among conservatives arose democrats swept victory state local elections virginia, new jersey elsewhere month, signaling potential trouble republicans november mid term elections control congress stake party slim majority senate, reviews confirms federal judicial nominees, risk, republicans may need move even quickly getting judges confirmed senate lifetime posts, legal experts said obviously, gets nominated pace confirmations changes dramatically senate flip back democrats, said john malcolm, former justice department lawyer analyst heritage foundation conservative think tank washington republicans paying particular attention pushing many nominees can, added malcolm, also active federalist society, conservative lawyers group whose members frequently tapped judicial posts republican presidents trump congressional republicans passed major legislation since took office january despite controlling white house congress slow start worried conservative activists, republicans made major headway judicial appointments recent weeks senate voted confirm trump judicial nominees, including donald coggins thursday district judge south carolina includes supreme court appointee neil gorsuch, eight others regional appeals courts ranking supreme court five trial courts obama seven confirmed point presidency democrats, accused republicans impeding nominations trump democratic predecessor barack obama, said republicans trying ram trump nominees senate, including say lack basic qualifications conservative groups last month criticizing senate majority leader mitch mcconnell pace confirmations applauding mcconnell, move little precedent us history, last year refused act obama nomination merrick garland supreme court, paving way trump restore high court conservative majority gorsuch appointment history books written trump administration, believe perhaps long lasting significant legacy men women appointed confirmed federal bench, republican senator ted cruz said senate judiciary committee hearing wednesday trump unique opportunity reshape judiciary inherited vacancies took office, twice number obama inherited number since climbed trump generally selected deeply conservative nominees, many able serve decades could name percent federal bench first four year term, said leonard leo, trump advisor judicial nominations conservative judiciary could pivotal legal disputes involving presidential powers, abortion, death penalty, religious rights, gay rights, litigation involving corporations matters main impact infusion conservative jurists flip ideological breakdown several liberal leaning federal appeals courts, said political scientist sheldon goldman, expert judicial selection university massachusetts amherst federal appeals courts, divided geographic regions plus two based washington, often final say major legal disputes supreme court hears small number cases annually wednesday judiciary committee hearing six trump judicial nominees, democrats said republicans acting many quickly, preventing proper questioning candidates trump appointees may reliably conservative previous republican presidents goldman said nearly connection federalist society, providing consistent ideological vetting process leo, society executive vice president, helped compile shortlist supreme court nominees trump included gorsuch judges focus society national convention started thursday washington, trump selections including gorsuch due appear republican lawmakers divided legislation issues including taxes healthcare, judicial nominees issue tend agree fixing obamacare easy task, said carrie severino, chief counsel judicial crisis network conservative legal advocacy group, whereas president done excellent job choosing nominees brainer

two women came forward wednesday allegations sexual misconduct republican us senate candidate roy moore, one accusing groping forcing kiss sixth seventh women accuse moore sexual improprieties since race alabama senate seat began teenagers time moore, , denied accusations said victim witch hunt gena richardson told washington post moore, year old attorney, repeatedly asked date turned richardson said finally agreed went movie moore, post said dark parking lot mall gadsden, alabama, richardson said moore gave unwanted, forceful kiss scared her, post reported another woman, tina johnson, told alcom, alabama news site, moore groped alabama law office legal business johnson, time, said visited moore office mother, hired moore custody case involving johnson year old son johnson said moore grabbed buttocks left pinch it, grabbed it, johnson told alcom reuters unable independently verify allegations either woman, moore campaign immediately respond request comment five women accused moore sexual misconduct dating teenagers national republican party leaders responded demands drop senate race dec special election fill seat vacated jeff sessions named us attorney general last spring moore wednesday denied allegations first five women step forward process investigating false allegations determine origin motivation, said statement moore also said believed message one accusers, beverly young nelson, said written high school yearbook tampered nelson accused moore sexually assaulting nelson displayed yearbook message news conference new york, made allegations monday moore campaign wednesday demanded nelson turn yearbook neutral custodian handwriting expert could examine alabama state party leadership met wednesday night discuss stance took action, news media reported republican leaders washington asked moore withdraw race said exploring write options election us senate republican leader mitch mcconnell spoken president donald trump others situation trump appeared white house wednesday mention moore state law, moore cannot removed ballot if, however, state party tells election officials wants withdraw nominee, moore decided so, election officials would certify votes cast moore allegations surfaced, moore, christian conservative former alabama supreme court chief justice, heavily favored defeat democrat doug jones, former us attorney new poll wednesday, released senate republicans campaign arm, jones surging point lead since allegations surfaced democratic win alabama would blow trump agenda shift political outlook next year congressional elections, giving democrats stronger shot wiping republicans senate majority moore suggested mcconnell establishment republicans working news media discredit washington post first disclosed allegations four women relationships moore teenagers, ranging age one women said initiated sexual contact moore

us president donald trump believes republican us senate candidate roy moore step aside sexual misconduct allegations true, white house said thursday president believes allegations troubling taken seriously, thinks people alabama make decision next senator be, white house spokeswoman sarah sanders said news briefing president said statement earlier week allegations true roy moore step aside still firmly believes that, said

alabama republican party said thursday supported embattled us senate candidate roy moore allegations sexual misconduct roiled race judge moore vehemently denied allegations made deserves presumed innocent accusations unless proven otherwise, said statement continue take case straight people alabama

chorus concern us congress potential national security threat state department staff cuts grew thursday every democrat house representatives foreign affairs committee signed letter asking briefing number minister counselors state department decreased percent, career ministers percent, career ambassadors astounding percent, said letter secretary state rex tillerson amount talent leaving state department endangers institution undermines american leadership, security interests around world, said letter, led representative eliot engel, top democrat committee many members congress, democrats well president donald trump fellow republicans, rejected trump proposal cut state department budget percent tillerson embraced plan, imposed hiring freeze analyzing agency operations deciding reorganize tuesday, republican chairman top democrat senate foreign relations committee blasted agency cuts staff described failure plan proposed organization wednesday, republican senator john mccain, senate armed services committee chairman, democratic senator jeanne shaheen, top democrat foreign relations subcommittee overseeing state, delivered letter tillerson asking begin consulting lawmakers decisions impact recruiting, retaining staffing, removing hiring freeze resuming promotions l n nl ab tillerson said reorganization plan aimed increase efficiency cut costs, target saving least percent, billion, next five years fiscal year levels state department spokesperson said congressional correspondence department reviewed receives appropriate response affirm secretary said many occasions advocate resources reforms america diplomats need jobs, spokesperson said email

president donald trump announce decision next week whether put north korea us list state sponsors terrorism, white house said thursday believe president making announcement first part next week, white house spokeswoman sarah sanders said news briefing

us house representatives speaker paul ryan said thursday wants craft changes passed tax overhaul bill provide additional tax incentives would help puerto ricans recover hurricane maria statement following passage house major tax bill, ryan said would try insert unspecified provisions legislation would grant new tax incentives fellow us citizens puerto rico possible resources rebuild lives economy puerto rico reeling hurricane damage, disrupted us territory power grid, contaminated water supplies destroyed homes businesses

us senate passed billion defense policy bill thursday, backing president donald trump call bigger, stronger military, leaving unsettled fund massive spending increase amid republican led push cut taxes senate passed voice vote annual national defense authorization act, ndaa, authorizes level defense spending sets policies controlling money spent measure, passed house representatives tuesday l n nk op , next goes white house trump signature trump fellow republicans control majorities house senate expected sign bill funding may never come fruition ndaa defies spending caps set budget control act, passed help control budget deficit, clear plan congress provide money pentagon senate backed ndaa day republicans house representatives passed sweeping tax bill, support democrats, expected increase federal deficit nearly trillion years senate republicans working version measure ndaa authorizes billion base defense spending, things buying weapons paying troops, well billion allowed sequestration controls set budget control act also includes billion special war funding, exempt sequestration cap ndaa passed week compromise reached house senate negotiators separate versions bill approved chambers earlier year budget fight expected, however, senate democrats may agree big increases funds military spending caps non defense programs also eased senate rules would allow republicans pass tax bill without democratic votes, senate majority small legislation, including change sequestration rules, would require democratic votes

us federal communications commission wants rollback landmark media ownership regulations prohibit owning television station newspaper market making easier acquire additional tv radio stations, chairman ajit pai said wednesday approved fcc november meeting, move would win newspapers broadcasters pushed change decades, criticized democrats said could usher new era media consolidation fcc banned cross ownership newspaper broadcast station market, unless granted waiver, ensure diversity opinions rule made explosion internet cable news republican president donald trump pai vowed reduce government regulation must stop federal government intervening news business, pai told congressional panel, noting many newspapers closed many radio tv stations struggling pai moved earlier year make easier companies larger number local stations pai said marketplace longer justifies rules, citing facebook inc fbo alphabet inc googlo dominance internet advertising online competition collection distribution news greater ever two internet companies claim percent recent online advertising growth indeed, digital ad revenue year alone greater market cap entire broadcasting industry, pai said fcc commissioner mignon clyburn, democrat, said hearing wednesday move would lead consolidation media business opposed three republicans two democrats panel pai also proposes make easier companies multiple tv radio stations market would allow two local stations among top four market petition fcc merge pew research center said june total weekday circulation us daily newspapers fell percent , marking th consecutive year declines, sunday circulation declined million, lowest levels since newspaper ad revenue fell billion, billion news media alliance chief executive david chavern said newspapers need economies scale complete praised pai move, saying current rules make sense, particularly newspapers compete countless sources news information every day national association broadcasters said backs pai plan, noting policymakers approved numerous mega mergers among phone, cable satellite programmers time blocking broadcast newspaper radio tv combinations single markets group added nonsensical regulatory approach harmed economic underpinning newspapers, reduced local journalism jobs, punished free local broadcasters expense pay tv radio competitors free press, advocacy group, said proposal would make easier sinclair broadcast group inc sbgio complete billion acquisition tribune media co trcon fewer divestitures disastrous proposal tailor made sinclair giant broadcast chains push often slanted cookie cutter content public airwaves, group said

former trump campaign adviser carter page thursday delivered subpoenaed documents described irrelevant unnecessary two congressional committees investigating alleged russian interference presidential election page, oil industry consultant numerous contacts russia, told reuters text message delivered documents senate house intelligence committees dropped irrelevant unnecessary documents witch hunt, page said text bigger better things page delivered documents two weeks acknowledging appearance house panel provided relevant documents sought subpoena, including emails another former trump campaign foreign policy adviser, george papadopoulos, included according transcript testimony released last week, page said turned emails assumed committee likely would received others already agreed submit subsequent questioning, page first cited fifth amendment right self incrimination reason withholding documents relevant committee subpoena said that, nothing would directly incriminate me, added concerned discrepancies documents withheld materials collected government eavesdropping operation secret foreign intelligence surveillance act warrant papadopoulos pleaded guilty last month charge lying fbi efforts arrange meeting campaign republican candidate donald trump russian president vladimir putin papadopolous also agreed cooperate investigation led special counsel robert mueller possible collusion trump campaign moscow russia denies interfering campaign trump denies collusion campaign us intelligence agencies charge russian influence operation intended sway vote trump democratic challenger, hillary clinton

us defense secretary jim mattis said thursday could opportunity talks north korea united states pyongyang stopped testing developing nuclear missile programs long stop testing, stop developing, export weapons, would opportunity talks, mattis told reporters military plane washington said options, including military, table dealing north korea, stressed preference diplomatic solution visiting seoul last week, us president donald trump warned north korea prepared use full range american military power stop attack, also urged pyongyang make deal trump, previously called negotiations north korea waste time, offered clear path talks pyongyang made clear little interest negotiations, least developed nuclear tipped missile capable hitting us mainland last north korean missile test carried almost two months ago, us officials say seen signs pyongyang stopped development mattis said us military closely watching missile launches recently, declined give potential reasons concerns south korea potential us strikes north korea nuclear missile programs could provoke devastating north korean retaliation south korea earlier week, senior south korean official said trump circumstances take military action north korea without consent government seoul colorado, mattis visit us northern command north american aerospace defense command norad , responsible homeland defense, including tracking potentially intercepting north korean missiles

us president donald trump thursday acknowledged thanks received three ucla basketball players detained china shoplifting released raised case chinese counterpart players

republican senator publicly opposed current draft senate tax reform plan said thursday wants see tax relief pass businesses, like partnerships, sees source us economic growth want tax relief business side flow pass industries really believe true engine economic growth job creation, senator ron johnson told cnn, gave details specific fixes johnson later told cnbc despite opposition current draft, optimistic republicans pass tax reform plan year

senator susan collins back spotlight crucial swing vote us senate raises questions combining republican tax cut plan partial repeal obamacare affect middle class americans day senate republican leader mitch mcconnell decided link two issues risky strategy, collins, moderate republican maine, citing data called worrisome, casting new doubts tax plan outlook told reporters capitol wednesday staff research showed pairing tax cuts effective repeal individual mandate obamacare, formally known affordable care act aca , could mistake data demonstrates certain middle income individuals couples, qualify subsidies aca premium increase outweigh tax cut get, said suspected this, based know insurance markets, actual data collins one handful republicans voted july block broader republican attempt dismantle obamacare, former democratic president barack obama signature healthcare law failure final repeal effort, collins joined opposition fellow republicans john mccain lisa murkowski, stinging defeat president donald trump republican congressional leaders eager fulfill campaign promise scrap obamacare collins, , senator since , decided last month running governor maine favor staying senate, status centrist republican willing work democrats made one influential members congress become especially obvious recent months role halting obamacare repeal efforts summer, said september would oppose another republican healthcare overhaul, known cassidy graham, leaving short votes needed pass cited concerns proposed cuts medicaid healthcare program poor collins, along mccain, murkowski senator ron johnson, emerged past hours pivotal winning senate approval tax cut plan, backed president critical party electoral prospects seek first major legislative win since trump took office january unexpected move, mcconnell tuesday inserted proposed individual mandate repeal senate tax plan mandate, long opposed republicans, requires americans health insurance pay federal fine rule meant ensure enough young, healthy people obamacare offset costs covering sicker older people repealing mandate, nonpartisan congressional budget office said last week, would increase number americans without health insurance million raise average obamacare marketplace insurance policy premiums percent annually next decade premium increase could cancel tax cut gains middle class americans stand make senate tax plan, according research cited collins, oversaw maine bureau insurance came senate collins taken stand tax plan going wait evaluate bill, said believe taxes need overhauled know complicate bringing aca johnson, statement wednesday, said neither house senate bill provide fair treatment, support either current version wisconsin lawmaker added would work republican colleagues produce better legislation murkowski, asked wednesday backed tax cut plan mandate repeal, said focused opening alaska arctic national wildlife refuge anwr oil drilling, key goal alaska lawmaker committee murkowski chairs wednesday passed bill open anwr drilling, expected attached tax legislation

senate republican tax plan would repeal obamacare mandate give permanent tax cuts us corporations drew fire two republican lawmakers wednesday could sign trouble sweeping measure republican senator ron johnson wisconsin said would support current senator proposal, separate tax bill debated house representatives, believes unfairly benefit corporations kinds enterprises, including small businesses senator susan collins, one three republicans opposed republican obamacare repeal effort earlier year, warned middle income taxpayers could see tax cuts wiped higher health insurance premiums repeal affordable care act mandate goes views could signal problems senate republicans, want pass tax legislation december afford lose two votes ranks majority senate democrats called republican tax plans giveaway rich corporations neither house senate bill provide fair treatment, support either current version, johnson said statement, adding would still work republican colleagues produce better legislation senate republicans produced new plan late tuesday would guarantee permanent tax cuts corporations temporarily lower tax bills individuals small businesses, tying overall package effective repeal key part obamacare, former democratic president barack obama signature healthcare law exposing tax cut initiative political risks wrecked mid anti obamacare push republicans, senate tax committee chief orrin hatch unveiled amendment defended helpful middle class collins, maine republican, told reporters adding mandate repeal mistake going difficult know complicate bringing aca, said several moderate republicans including collins john mccain said support tax plan new republican plan, hatch said committee meeting, would expand child tax credit slightly reduce middle class tax rates taken together, changes let us channel even tax relief middle class, said changes would temporary, deep cut corporate tax rate would permanent hatch plan, widely expected become main vehicle republicans efforts revamp tax code year end effort seen republicans critical prospects retaining power washington november congressional elections far, republicans president donald trump major legislative victories show voters despite controlling white house congress hoping tax cut fix problem made progress recent days trump toured asian capitals returned late tuesday scheduled meet lawmakers thursday house began debating tax bill wednesday, full vote expected thursday senate house tax plans must eventually reconciled merged final plan pass chambers goes trump sign law including effective repeal obamacare individual mandate, senate republicans likely ended possibility gaining support democrats another garden variety attack affordable care act, aca repeal law, said senator ron wyden, finance committee top democrat blasted republicans setting double standard guaranteeing permanent tax cuts corporations individual mandate clause obamacare requires healthy younger people buy insurance pay federal penalty aim hold coverage costs sick older repealing penalty, republicans would raise billion decade pay tax cuts, according joint committee taxation, nonpartisan unit congress nonpartisan congressional budget office separately estimated last week repealing mandate would increase number uninsured americans million trump backed inclusion mandate repeal tax bill, republican conservatives senate house us house speaker paul ryan told cnbc wednesday house tax plan repeal mandate, republicans chamber would likely approve final measure hammered senate included hatch senate plan would also expand access deductions pass businesses increase child tax credit , earlier proposed , benefits would expire end changes would still allow measure comply deficit requirement must met senate republicans pass legislation simple majority senate tax plan required add trillion years federal deficit national debt otherwise, senate republicans would need votes

state local governments could suffer hits revenue collections tax reform bills considered us senate house potential loss federal subsidy applied bond issues proposed increase standard taypayer deductions would affect states additional risks state local governments coming light lawmakers experts sift bills two chambers state local governments already grappling potential revenue raising risks provisions two bills would eliminate cap taxpayer deductions state local income, sales property taxes federal tax bills analysts wednesday said us house representatives bill, unveiled nov , could knock federal subsidy applied billions dollars bonds sold states local governments aftermath great recession threat subsidy disclosed correspondence week congressional budget office representative steny hoyer, democrat seeking details effects house tax bill build america bonds babs created economic stimulus law allowed municipal issuers sell limited time taxable debt federal government contributing percent interest costs april end , billion babs sold , issues future federal subsidy billion babs sold california, biggest issuer debt, totals billion, according state treasurer office rather follow earlier congressional commitment reimburse states costs issuing build america bonds, used jumpstart great recession decimated economy, congress instead wants allow nation wealthiest tycoons feed deeper public trough, california treasurer john chiang said statement result california taxpayers hook billion could otherwise used education, public safety, vital public programs, added us government payment babs became subject federal across board spending cuts known sequestration, resulting subsidy cuts ranged percent percent current fiscal year, according internal revenue service congressional budget office said week estimated trillion increase years federal budget deficit house tax bill would, fiscal , wipe funding many programs subject sequestration federal law would leave babs issuers without federal subsidy, according bill daly, governmental affairs director national association bond lawyers congress ability protect babs subsidy seems us entirely budgeting problem congress say deficit subject sequestration, said philip fischer, municipal research strategist bank america merrill lynch far , babs notched total returns percent, outpacing fixed income classes including us treasuries corporate bonds, according bank america merrill lynch indexes addition, big increases federal standard deductions house senate bills could cause revenue problems eight states unless take preemptive legislative action colorado, idaho, minnesota, missouri, north dakota, south carolina, utah vermont rise federal deduction would automatically increase state deduction, decreasing tax collections, according ron alt, senior manager research federation tax administrators

republican lawmakers pressing forward investigation sale canadian uranium company, owned percent us uranium supplies, russian government firm, despite five congressional inquiries found evidence wrongdoing copies letters heads two us house representatives committees released wednesday showed seeking documents material deal fbi, treasury state departments office director national intelligence letters set deadline nov devin nunes, chairman house intelligence committee, trey gowdy, chairman house oversight government reform committee, opened investigations oct agreement struck previous administration president barack obama, democrat committees questions review approval sale uranium one

president donald trump plans nominate melissa burnison, nuclear energy industry lobbyist, serve assistant secretary charge congressional intergovernmental affairs us energy department, white house said wednesday burnison currently director federal programs nuclear energy institute, plans, directs executes legislative strategies nuclear energy programs policies behalf nuclear energy industry, white house said statement previously, senior adviser energy department us house representatives committee natural resources, advanced legislation expand us energy production jobs, statement said

two senior us senators asked secretary state rex tillerson wednesday explain questionable management practices department believe weakening country diplomatic power, adding chorus concern congress republican senator john mccain democratic senator jeanne shaheen delivered letter tillerson asking begin consulting lawmakers decisions impact recruiting, retaining staffing state department, removing hiring freeze resuming promotions mccain chairman senate armed services committee shaheen top democrat senate foreign relations committee subcommittee state department management support reasonable steps improve efficiency state department, efforts must fully transparent, objective enhancing, diminishing, american diplomacy, senators wrote said declining morale, recruitment retention staff, lack experienced leadership reports diplomacy becoming less effective paint disturbing picture many members congress, democrats well president donald trump fellow republicans, rejected trump proposal cut state department budget percent tillerson embraced plan, imposed hiring freeze analyzing agency operations deciding reorganize tuesday, republican chairman top democrat senate foreign relations committee blasted agency cuts staff described failure plan proposed organization panel top democrat, senator ben cardin, reiterated concerns wednesday national security jeopardized employment career decisions made state department, told reporters immediately clear lawmakers could press administration change policies, especially trump fellow republicans, vote consistently president, hold majorities senate house representatives state department representative said department received letter would appropriately respond tillerson said reorganization plan aimed increase efficiency cut costs, target saving least percent, billion, next five years fiscal year levels cardin said impact disorganization state department felt internationally could mention almost every place world, said

venture capitalists startup executives, mounted campaign proposal change federal government taxes stock options, expressed relief wednesday us senate dropped measure tax overhaul plan senate tax bill proposed taxing employee stock options, crucial part compensation technology startups, vest options generally vest four year period result would annual tax bills startup employees soared tens thousands dollars, warned startup founders employees startup options give employees right purchase shares future illiquid, meaning employees cannot spend save options senate removed provision late tuesday night following heavy lobbying national venture capital association, industry trade group, outpouring opposition silicon valley venture capitalists entrepreneurs predicted demise startup industry tax become law entrepreneurial ecosystem breathe sigh relief, said bobby franklin, president chief executive trade association startups, investors executives companies uber, airbnb stripe signed letter tuesday senate finance committee chairman orrin hatch, urging remove provision shift would profound negative consequences technology startups by, among things, undermining ability compete large incumbents employees, wrote letter, organized technology advocacy group engine spokesman hatch respond request comment current tax code taxes employees exercise options senate proposal would required employees pay regular income tax value gain stock options even cashing national venture capital association nvca also successful getting similar proposal removed original house tax reform bill anticipate coming back again, said ben veghte, spokesman nvca new version senate bill, finance committee also added language would enable startup employees defer five years stock options tax bill reach deadline exercise company still private shares trade public markets venky ganesan, managing director menlo ventures, called changes consistent economic growth job creation

republican us senator ron johnson said opposes senate republican tax proposal unfairly benefits corporations types businesses pass without me, let them, johnson told wall street journal interview going vote tax package

us attorney general jeff sessions scheduled appear behind closed doors interview us house representatives intelligence committee nov , department justice spokesman said wednesday panel among several congressional committees, along department justice special counsel robert mueller, investigating alleged russian interference presidential campaign potential collusion president donald trump campaign moscow denied meddling trump said collusion

internal watchdog us justice department said wednesday hopes complete review early spring whether federal bureau investigation erred announced reopening investigation democratic candidate hillary clinton emails ahead presidential election interviewed dozens people level yet, dozens range reviewed million records course investigation, justice department inspector general michael horowitz said, testimony us house representatives panel aiming release report late winter early spring, hopefully march april time period deluge congressional requests, horowitz office earlier year announced would review pre election decision making fbi heart review whether former fbi director james comey improperly made series public statements status bureau investigation clinton use private email server official correspondence secretary state comey, fired may us president donald trump, also led investigation whether trump campaign colluded russia influence election fbi typically discuss investigations publicly case clinton, however, comey decided july hold press conference explain fbi declined refer clinton prosecution said time actions careless, rise criminal behavior comey october sent congress letter saying fbi needed open investigation uncovered new emails computer former representative anthony weiner, married one clinton top aides nov ,

chairman house representatives tax writing committee wednesday predicted strong support repealing obamacare individual healthcare mandate house senate negotiators hash differences tax reform plans supportive getting rid tax encouraged senate action hopeful pass think conference committee see strong support, representative kevin brady, republican, said interview fox news house version tax bill, voted week, repeal mandate

trump administration publicly released wednesday rules deciding whether disclose cyber security flaws keep secret, effort bring transparency process long cloaked mystery move attempt us government address criticism often jeopardizes internet security stockpiling cyber vulnerabilities detects order preserve ability launch attacks computer systems revised rules, published whitehousegov, intended shed light process various federal agencies weigh costs keeping flaw secret, said rob joyce, white house cyber security coordinator speaking aspen institute event washington, joyce said rules sophisticated world set united states apart nations private companies, said, getting tips china, russia, north korea, iran flaws technology former president barack obama, us government created inter agency review, known vulnerabilities equities process, determine flaws unearthed primarily intelligence agencies national security agency nsa process designed balance law enforcement us intelligence desires hack devices need warn manufacturers patch holes criminals hackers take advantage new trump administration charter process explains functions names agencies involved vulnerability reviews include intelligence agencies addition several civilian departments, including departments commerce, treasury, energy state nsa listed executive secretariat inter agency group, tasked coordinating debate flaws submitted various agencies disagreement whether disclose disagreements reconciled group vote whether disclose retain flaw rules also require annual report, portions made public, provides metrics amount flaws discovered, retained disclosed decisions retain vulnerabilities must reconsidered every year, according charter publication charter major improvement, said ari scwhartz, coordinator coalition cybersecurity policy law former obama administration cyber official obama administration sought release similar document end last year ran time, schwartz said security experts long criticized process overly secretive often erring disclosure joyce said wednesday percent flaws ultimately disclosed, though critics say shared quickly enough severe flaws often stockpiled criticism grew earlier year global ransomware attack known wannacry infected computers least countries, knocking hospitals offline disrupting services factories attack made possible flaw microsoft windows software nsa used build hacking tool use breach us investigators still working understand, tool others ended hands mysterious group called shadow brokers, published online suspected north korean hackers spotted windows flaw repurposed unleash wannacry attack, according cyber experts north korea routinely denied involvement cyber attacks countries asked wannacry attack, joyce declined say whether windows flaw detected nsa went vulnerability review process

republican controlled us house representatives could vote pass tax reform bill also repeals obamacare health insurance mandate senate includes provision final version plan, us house speaker paul ryan said wednesday interview cnbc television, ryan said house republicans included repeal bill waiting see whether senate votes approve tax package repeals mandate, requires americans obtain health insurance pay penalty

report us congress released wednesday accused chinese state media entities involvement spying propaganda said staff united states required register foreign agents annual report us china economic security review commission said china tightened restrictions domestic foreign media, chinese state media rapidly expanded overseas commission, created congress monitor national security implications us china trade relations, said china state media expansion part broader effort exert greater control china depicted globally, well gather information report highlighted rapid growth xinhua news agency noted offices united nations new york, washington, chicago, los angeles, houston san francisco xinhua serves functions intelligence agency gathering information producing classified reports chinese leadership domestic international events, report said quoted testimony commission us government funded rights organization, freedom house, saying loophole individuals working xinhua china people daily newspaper covered foreign agents registration act fara, first passed lead world war two combat german propaganda efforts, requires foreign governments, political parties lobbyists hire united states register department justice china daily, english language newspaper owned china government ruling communist party, already registered fara top executives required individually disclose working publication bipartisan group us lawmakers working overhaul fara paul manafort, former campaign manager president donald trump, business associate indicted failing register law reform, backed powerful senate judiciary committee chairman chuck grassley, could provide opportunity congress act commission recommendations monday, kremlin backed television station rt america registered fara us intelligence agencies report january called state run propaganda machine contributed kremlin campaign interfere last year us presidential election act, rt required disclose financial information moscow said views action rt unfriendly act

us senate republicans tuesday linked repealing key component obamacare ambitious tax cut plan, raising new political risks uncertainties tax measure financial markets monitoring closely months comments infuriated democrats left senior republicans unsure comes next, senate republican leader mitch mcconnell told reporters optimistic inserting individual mandate repeal would helpful obviously view senate finance committee republicans well finance panel, session two days, abruptly adjourned tuesday democrats slammed republicans handling tax proposals, formal legislative language still unveiled ron wyden, committee top democrat, demanded time democrats discuss issue never told healthcare going part flew literally nowhere last minutes tying obamacare tax program introduces new risks republicans president donald trump together, yet score major legislative win since trump took power january, even control congress white house president, struggled relations congress, suggested tweet monday mandate repeal added tax plan, following similar nov tweet final decision move made senate republicans weekly luncheon, senator susan collins told reporters afterward played key role july collapse years long push fellow republicans gut obamacare, former democratic president barack obama signature healthcare law, formally known affordable care act personally think complicates tax reform put repeal individual mandate there, collins said asked would back tax bill mandate repeal added, said going wait see senator john mccain, also central party failed obamacare repeal earlier year, non committal putting mandate repeal tax plan, saying want see whole bill decide senate house representatives developing separate tax cut packages plan reconcile eventually send trump desk enactment law, outcome republicans eager achieve face us voters next year least one major legislative achievement house speaker paul ryan, asked repeal obamacare mandate house version tax proposal, told fox news tuesday want complicate tax reform, make harder otherwise would house already agreed eliminate mandate healthcare bill passed may, noted, adding want see senate go first see get done discuss whether included end trump administration strongly supports house version tax legislation, saying passage would important first step achieving comprehensive tax reform, white house said statement tuesday us financial markets watching closely, us stocks rallying recent months, partly hopes business tax cuts showed little reaction tuesday developments individual mandate requires americans health insurance pay penalty washington, provision republicans long opposed government overreach mandate plays critical role obamacare requiring young, healthy people, might otherwise go without coverage, purchase insurance help offset costs covering sicker older americans underscoring devastating consequences obamacare mandate repealed, nonpartisan congressional budget office said last week change would increase number americans without health insurance million cbo added mandate repeal would raise average insurance policy premiums obamacare marketplaces percent annually next decade repealing mandate would also lower federal deficit billion time period, cbo said, finding several republican senators said influenced move eliminating individual mandate would lower number americans health insurance, meaning federal government would spend less subsidizing coverage lower middle income people, making money available pay tax cuts neither senate house tax plans includes repealing mandate plan would add trillion years federal deficit national debt, exceeds trillion congressional republicans hope pass tax legislation end year moving fast, despite uncertainties hold razor thin majority senate democrats remain united opposition, republicans could afford lose two senators within ranks still secure passage tax legislation democrats dismissed republican plans deficit expanding giveaways corporations wealthy representative lloyd doggett, senior member house tax committee, said statement house tax bill way curry favor washington special interests awarding tax windfalls large multinational corporations fortunate sit way atop economic ladder

us senate majority leader mitch mcconnell said tuesday wanted work white house explore ways keep embattled republican senate candidate roy moore taking office wins special election alabama speaking reporters us capitol, mcconnell said contact president donald trump others sexual misconduct allegations moore obviously fit united states senate, mcconnell said, looked options try prevent happening five women accused moore sexual misconduct stemming teenagers moore, , denied allegations trump returns washington tuesday evening day trip asia, mcconnell said planned discuss moore situation president republicans mcconnell said also spoken vice president mike pence white house chief staff john kelly moore trump supported moore opponent, luther strange, republican primary threw support moore strange defeated mcconnell said republicans still considering candidate launch write campaign moore dec special election speculation centered strange current us attorney general, jeff sessions, possibilities mcconnell said later day sessions, left senate seat become attorney general, would plausible write candidate fits mold somebody might able pull write in, majority leader said forum economy allegations surfaced, moore, christian conservative former alabama supreme court chief justice, heavily favored defeat democrat doug jones, former us attorney democratic win alabama would blow trump agenda shift political outlook next year congressional elections, giving democrats stronger shot recapturing control senate state law, moore cannot removed ballot obviously close election, complicated matter, mcconnell said earlier moore suggested mcconnell establishment republicans working tandem news media discredit mcconnell remarks, moore responded tweeting good people alabama, washington elite wallow swamp, decide election mcconnell urged moore monday leave race, senator cory gardner, chairs republican party senate campaign arm, suggested senate expel moore continue campaigning win republican national committee withdrawn support moore, according federal election commission filing tuesday, party senate campaign wing, national republican senatorial committee, ended fundraising deal friday birmingham, alabama, jones told reporters campaign plans directly attack moore allegations bid capitalize furor going stay lane going talk issues continue talk about, said bring record, previous record, people bring issues day people choice jones campaign released new ad tuesday featuring republican voters say backing democrat republican, roy moore

us small business community tuesday wrote lawmakers urging step efforts roll back regulation introduced wake financial crisis say stymied lending, dampening economic growth job creation letter, sent us congressmen state local chambers commerce seen reuters, highlights frustration among main street businesses yet benefit president donald trump pledge ease access credit slashing financial rules extra bank capital liquidity requirements introduced dodd frank law slowed flow credit seen many services products small businesses eliminated, chambers wrote, citing federal reserve federal deposit insurance corporation data believe congress develop common sense reforms community, mid size regional banks, would help empower main street businesses urge make legislation priority, chambers wrote letter likely increase pressure democrats senate support bipartisan bill unveiled republican led senate banking committee monday would offer relief community regional banks reducing threshold considered systemically risky bill, marks first concrete congressional step toward rolling back dodd frank, nine democratic co sponsors, republicans need win handful extra democratic votes certain passage talks bill dragged months, democratic lawmakers wary appearing offer handouts big wall street banks growing sympathetic idea relaxing rules small regional lenders order make life easier small businesses entrepreneurs

british primatologist jane goodall sent letter every us senator tuesday urging oppose push us congress allow oil drilling alaska arctic national wildlife refuge, region environmentalists say one world last paradises republican led senate trying open region coastal plain anwr, region inhabited gwich natives, caribou herds, polar bears millions birds migrate six world seven continents violate arctic refuge extracting oil beneath land, devastating impact gwich people depend caribou herds sustain traditional way life, goodall said letter, copy seen reuters anwr wildness speaks deeply rooted spiritual connection nature, necessary element human psyche, wrote goodall, best known study chimpanzees tanzania last week, group us based scientists whose research focuses arctic wildlife asked senators open anwr, saying drilling would incompatible purposes refuge established senate energy committee wednesday consider bill spurred senator lisa murkowski, republican alaska head panel, hold least two lease sales anwr next years native alaskans support drilling believing provide jobs matthew rexford, member upiat tribe tribal administrator village kaktovik, said believes technological advances mean drilling performed little impact land administration president donald trump pursuing policy make country energy dominant maximizing oil, gas coal production republicans say portion anwr non wilderness area government put aside decades ago drilling republicans attached anwr measure budget legislation, needs votes pass senate, faces hurdles many provisions added democrats fighting anwr bill saying republicans trying sneak budget process, would survive stand alone legislation would need votes pass senator maria cantwell, top democrat energy committee, told reuters urging fellow lawmakers listen scientists take voice jane goodall beg senators stop hurting indigenous people animals asked cantwell calling set conservation example instead creating next tragedy

senate republican leader mitch mcconnell tuesday threw support behind including repeal obamacare mandate individual health insurance senate tax reform bill optimistic inserting individual mandate repeal would helpful obviously view senate finance committee republicans well, mcconnell told reporters

us attorney general jeff sessions acknowledged tuesday aware contact donald trump election campaign russian intermediaries, modifying previous statement extent connections moscow comment sessions house representatives panel reveal new link trump team russia another example top us law enforcement official offering different version events lawmakers try work trump campaign colluded russia election sessions told house judiciary committee recalls meeting last year candidate trump campaign adviser said connections moscow could help arrange trump meeting russian president vladimir putin recall meeting adviser george papadopoulos made proposal, sessions said, clear recollection details said meeting sessions previously told congress unaware trump campaign contacts russia, leading democrats tuesday accuse lying oath accept reject accusations ever lied oath lie, sessions told panel accusations collusion russia election campaign dogged trump first months office sessions testimony appears likely keep controversy russia boiling special counsel robert mueller accelerates investigation possible collusion trump campaign russia since mueller probe began, numerous trump advisors acknowledged interactions russian intermediaries include donald trump jr, former campaign manager paul manafort, trump son law senior advisor, jared kushner papadopoulos pleaded guilty lying fbi interactions russian representatives us intelligence agencies concluded moscow meddled election help republican trump campaign kremlin denies trump says collusion campaign russian officials sessions faced tough questioning committee democrats tuesday representative hakeem jeffries accused sessions hypocrisy, saying sessions, us attorney, prosecuted police officer perjury officer corrected testimony attorney general united states held different standard young police officer whose life ruined, jefferies said prompted angry backlash sessions nobody nobody

house representatives adopt mandatory training sexual harassment discrimination, speaker paul ryan said tuesday members congress shared stories women propositioned groped halls us capitol goal raise awareness, also make abundantly clear harassment form place institution, republican speaker said statement ryan announced new policy first step house review sexual harassment policies women lawmakers related unflinching detail accounts harassment intimidation house members staff congress committee house administration held hearing sexual harassment policies backdrop social outrage sexual misconduct powerful men began allegations multiple women hollywood producer harvey weinstein denied non consensual sex anyone roy moore, republican us senate candidate alabama, faced allegations five women accusing sexual misconduct teenagers ryan senate republican leader mitch mcconnell urged moore drop race moore denied allegations us representative jackie speier told panel two current house members, republican democrat, engaged sexual harassment identify lawmakers said numerous staff members, men women, subjected inexcusable often illegal behavior included propositions going good girl perpetrators exposing genitals, victims private parts grabbed house floor, said speier later told msnbc know million paid house behalf harassers last years, including one taxpayer funded settlement behalf one current house members , former congressional staffers urged house senate leadership address issue senate passed resolution last week require training democratic us senator amy klobuchar, lead sponsor measure, said next step make changes harassment complaints handled wonder women senate women running hollywood studios hardly women running major businesses, klobuchar told reporters well, work environment people get ahead without put out, happens

former government official criticized principal author legal justifications enhanced interrogation techniques narrowly confirmed senate tuesday top lawyer us department transportation trump administration steven bradbury, washington lawyer dechert llp senior department justice lawyer president george w bush, criticized republican democratic senators confirmed vote mr bradbury memos permission slips torture, republican senator john mccain, vietnam war prisoner years plane shot hanoi , said senate floor dark, dark chapter history united states senate bradbury, nominated transportation post president donald trump, defended work june senate panel said questions addressed raised difficult issues reasonable people could disagree interrogation techniques memos represented best judgment law required tuesday, bradbury could immediately reached comment described government time enhanced interrogation techniques, methods used detainees held bush administration war terror following sept attacks mccain, unsuccessful republican party presidential nominee , said memos written bradbury provided legal framework inhumane interrogation detainees using methods forced nudity humiliation, facial abdominal slapping, dietary manipulation hours sleep deprivation senator rand paul, another republican opposed bradbury, said twitter get author memos torturing people get another government job senator dianne feinstein, democrat, separate speech, also criticized bradbury termed troubling history disregard united states international law seems unable offer objective legal analysis said helped justify cia torture program time needed independent voices government check cia actions, bradbury failed rise occasion failed fulfill responsibilities position, feinstein said

us house representatives passed billion defense policy bill tuesday, backing president donald trump call bigger, stronger military, failing decide fund massive spending increase republican controlled house voted annual national defense authorization act, ndaa, authorizes level defense spending sets policies controlling money spent legislation defies spending caps set budget control act clear plan congress provide money pentagon ndaa authorizes billion base defense spending, things buying weapons paying troops, well billion allowed previous legislation ndaa also includes provisions increase active troop levels , , states climate change national security threat defense policy bill become law passes republican controlled senate signed law president, expected spending nonetheless cut automatically congress cannot come deal resolve gap funding representative adam smith, top democrat house armed services committee, said congress failure address issue makes life difficult military leaders cannot plan advance defense bill billion budget caps, eliminate raise budget caps, additional money go away leave us land uncertainty department defense, said representative mac thornberry, house armed service committee republican chairman, said congress needed pass appropriations bill allow billion securing appropriations must congress top priority year ends, thornberry said statement ndaa also includes billion special war funding, exempt called sequestration cap measure passed house tuesday compromise reached house senate negotiators separate versions bill approved chambers earlier year however, budget fight expected senate democrats may agree big increases funds military spending caps non defense programs also eased republican majority senate small legislation cannot pass without democratic votes

republican national committee withdrawing support alabama republican senate candidate roy moore allegations surfaced sexual contact teenage girls decades ago, politico reported tuesday, citing senior party official move isolates moore, denied accusations republican leaders distanced candidate national republican senatorial committee cut ties last week

us attorney general jeff sessions tuesday denied misled legislators previously failed disclose meeting attended candidate donald trump aides campaign connections russia discussed sessions testified congress that, following guilty plea trump campaign foreign policy advisor george papadopoulos, remembers march meeting papadopoulos present suggested could arrange meeting russian president vladimir putin democratic representative ted lieu, sits house representatives judiciary committee, said twitter tuesday believes sessions committed perjury previously denied knowledge contact trump campaign russia following describes crime perjury whether would apply sessions conduct perjury person convicted perjury intentionally make false statement oath fact pertinent relevant investigation criminal case federal law penalty perjury prison sentence five years eight years terrorism related cases x ray people minds see thinking knew, perjury difficult crime prove, said bennett gershman, professor criminal law pace law school sessions commit perjury legal experts said strong argument sessions committed perjury oct oversight hearing senate judiciary committee hearing, democratic senator al franken asked sessions whether surrogates trump campaign communications russians sessions responded, not, aware anyone else did, believe happened gershman said sessions failure disclose papadopoulos meeting could amount perjury perjury prosecutions based congressional testimony rare, part lawmakers often ask circuitous questions case franken asked straightforward question response sessions gave misleading, gershman said however, stuart green, professor criminal law rutgers university school law, said sessions would plausible argument papadopoulos communications type contacts franken asking since russian government intermediaries rather russian officials bit wiggle room there, green said sessions says forgot papadopoulos remarks sessions said hearing tuesday forgot march meeting trump campaign form chaos beginning traveled time, sometimes several places one day sleep short supply, said prosecutor could use circumstantial evidence undermine defense, lawyers said gershman said sessions statement recall papadopoulos remarks meeting would raise skepticism since sessions led meeting, trump attended important national security matters discussed something person would hard pressed claim remember, said could prosecute sessions perjury charges sessions would likely brought special counsel robert mueller green said mueller mandate clearly encompasses looking whether sessions tried conceal extent russia influence election gershman noted mueller may reluctant charge sessions perjury case would solid bring charge high profile figure want lose looks like witchunt, said

us senate republican leader mitch mcconnell said deep concern allegations sexual misconduct us senate candidate roy moore looking options prevent taking office mcconnell said president donald trump called friday two discussed moore spoke vice president mike pence monday question deep concern roy moore step aside women come forward entirely credible, mcconnell told reporters obviously fit united states senate looked options try prevent happening

us senate majority leader mitch mcconnell led chorus establishment republicans monday urging roy moore, party senate candidate alabama, quit race fifth woman came forward allegations moore sexual contact teenage girls decades ago beverly young nelson said moore sexually assaulted prosecuting attorney new york news conference, tearful nelson said moore groped her, tried pull shirt shove head lap, warned one believe told anyone twisting struggling begging stop, said nelson, waitress alabama restaurant moore often ate incident occurred tears running face moore, christian conservative former chief justice alabama supreme court, refused withdraw race campaign released statement denying sexual misconduct anyone saying new allegations part witch hunt news conference gallant, alabama monday night, moore told reporters nelson accusations absolutely false, birmingham news reported never said did, newspaper quoted moore saying even know woman know anything mcconnell told reporters home state kentucky party officials considering whether republican write candidate could found challenge moore dec special election think step aside, said mcconnell, previously said moore leave race allegations true believe women republican senators orrin hatch, susan collins, lindsey graham, todd young cory gardner joined mcconnell calling moore drop

us senate committee tuesday held first congressional hearing four decades president authority launch nuclear strike, amid concern tensions north korea weapons program could lead war senator bob corker, republican chairman senate foreign relations committee, held hearing president donald trump wrapped day trip asia largely dominated concerns pyongyang nuclear ambitions corker acknowledged senators, including democrats trump fellow republicans, raised questions trump authority wage war, use nuclear weapons enter end international agreements trump traded insults threats north korean leader kim jong un used expressions like fire fury hint use lethal force north korea would overwhelming sunday, insulted kim calling short fat corker warned last month trump might putting united states path world war three tuesday corker said hearing intended target trump specific anybody, said democrats made clear concerned trump concerned president united states unstable, volatile, decision making process quixotic, might order nuclear weapons strike wildly step us national security interests, senator chris murphy said hearing, retired general robert kehler, former commander us strategic command, said military refuse follow considers illegal order, even nuclear one clear questions committee members process would work senators want legislation alter president nuclear authority corker said support idea see legislative solution today, mean course next several months one might develop, told reporters hearing senators seemed bristle hearing tone, warning comments depicting trump unable strongly retaliate attack every single word uttered morning hearing going analyzed pyongyang, said republican senator jim risch, line become chairman corker retires next year

republican us senator rand paul tuesday said seek changes senate tax cut bill add provision repeal obamacare requirement americans pay penalty obtain health insurance well scale back elimination federal deduction state local taxes series posts twitter, paul said ending affordable care act called individual mandate would help give middle class bigger tax cut paul also said would move align senate bill, eliminates state local tax deduction, match language rival house representatives bill partially repeals deduction changes would help ensure house acceptance senate plan help ensure house senate plans agree, paul wrote

us attorney general jeff sessions said tuesday reason doubt five women accused us senate candidate roy moore sexual misconduct teens moore, running senate seat sessions vacated joined president donald trump administration, denied allegations sessions, nation top law enforcement officer, said would comment campaign numerous republican figures called moore withdraw race

philippines president rodrigo duterte attacked canada justin trudeau end summit asian western nations raising questions war drugs, topic skirted leaders, including us president donald trump traditional news conference host nation end summit tuesday, duterte asked responded canadian prime minister raising issue human rights extra judicial killings anti drugs drive said explain personal official insult, philippines president said course rambling answer, although refer trudeau name answer filipino answer bullshit, especially foreigners lay earlier day, trudeau told news conference meeting duterte president receptive comments throughout cordial positive exchange human rights activists hoping leaders summit, including trump, would raise issue thousands users small time pushers killed campaign launched duterte took office mid government says police act self defense drug busts, critics say executions taking place accountability pressure trump drugs war met duterte monday us president later said two great relationship joint statement meeting said two sides underscored human rights dignity human life essential, agreed continue mainstreaming human rights agenda national programs duterte cursed trump predecessor, barack obama, last year raising concerns war drugs subsequently declared breaking ties united states, close ally philippines since world war two relationship appears got back track bonhomie trump trudeau also said raised issue exodus rohingya meeting myanmar leader aung san suu kyi, another sensitive topic bypassed leaders, although mention muslim minority name tremendous concern canada many, many countries around world, said government mostly buddhist myanmar regards rohingya illegal immigrants bangladesh recognize term , rohingya fled refugee camps bangladesh since military clearance operations launched response attacks rohingya militants aug plight rohingya brought outrage around world united nations called operations ethnic cleansing calls democracy champion suu kyi stripped nobel peace prize condemned military actions countries member association southeast asian nations asean , particularly muslim majority malaysia, voiced strong concern issue recently however, keeping asean principle non interference others internal affairs, appeared put aside summit, brought southeast asian nations together united states, russia, japan, china, india, australia, new zealand canada duterte reported china agreed summit work code conduct south china sea asean nations ease tensions disputed claims busy resource rich waterway group also signed agreements protecting migrant labor fighting terrorism cybercrime trump skipped plenary session summit scheduling delays, said marathon trip asia tremendous success told reporters air force one delivered prepared remarks lunch summit meeting trump said least billion, possibly triple figure, deals agreed trip elaborate explained united states open trade want reciprocal, want fair trade united states, said trade concern possible protectionism trump america first agenda come visit region, included stops japan, south korea, china, vietnam concluding philippines trump left manila, group asia pacific nations pursuing separate beijing backed trade deal include united states agreed intensify efforts bring negotiations conclusion regional comprehensive economic partnership rcep appeared given new impetus summit trump withdrawal trans pacific partnership tpp trade agreement, china party two trade deals mutually exclusive asean joined rcep talks china, india, australia, new zealand, japan south korea

white house considering mohammed el erian, chief economic adviser german insurance giant allianz, among possible candidates, vice chair us federal reserve, cnbc said tuesday, citing report dow jones cnbc said that, according report, broad range candidates consideration asked reuters report, white house spokesperson declined comment

us attorney general jeff sessions said tuesday recalls meeting march come scrutiny part special counsel robert mueller investigation whether president donald trump election campaign colluded russia testimony us house judiciary committee, sessions acknowledged attended meeting george papadopoulos, former campaign adviser pleaded guilty last month lying fbi according court documents, papadopoulos told meeting could help use russian connections broker meeting candidate trump russian president vladimir putin sessions previously testified congress unaware communications campaign russian officials

republican democratic leaders us senate foreign relations committee blasted us state department tuesday cuts staff described failure plan proposed reorganization think anywhere close plan present relative reforms want, said senator bob corker, republican chairman committee rex tillerson, republican president donald trump secretary state, embraced white house proposal

us lawmakers may pass another stop gap spending bill order keep federal government operating dec existing money runs out, us house speaker paul ryan told reporters tuesday asked timing budget process measure place fund government operations early december last year levels, ryan told news conference, might need little bit time give appropriators time write bill fiscal spending would extend next sept ryan said temporary spending bill, needed longer term one negotiated, would extend short time talking going next year, said

leaders across asia joined us president donald trump extravagant gala dinner philippines capital sunday, show amity region fraught tensions lurked behind marathon tour continent philippines president rodrigo duterte set tone cordiality ahead two days summit meetings host, suggesting despite differences claims south china sea, leaders discuss issue friends, hotheads would like us confront china rest world many issues, duterte said business conference, planes carrying heads state government attending summit landed quick succession manila south china sea better left untouched, nobody afford go war ill afford violent confrontation hours earlier, bilateral visit vietnam, trump offered mediate dispute south china sea, four southeast asian countries taiwan contest china sweeping claims busy waterway claimants summit, except taiwan trump join leaders southeast east asian nations manila next two days, last leg tour taken japan, south korea china well vietnam sheer length trip

year donald trump elected president promise revive ailing us coal industry, sector long term prospects growth hiring remain bleak ever reuters review mining data shows industry seen modest gains jobs production year

us president donald trump left philippines tuesday without attending annual east asia summit, due delays schedule program meetings trump told reporters air force one delivered prepared remarks lunch leaders instead secretary state rex tillerson would attend tuesday summit place, senior white house official said, adding event running late meetings manila approximately minutes behind schedule

us attorney general jeff sessions asked justice department prosecutors decide special counsel appointed investigate certain republican concerns, including alleged wrongdoing clinton foundation sale uranium company russia, according media reports monday washington post new york times cited letter justice department republican chairman house representatives judiciary committee, robert goodlatte, responding request appointment special counsel look various matters letter quoted assistant attorney general stephen boyd saying sessions directed senior federal prosecutors evaluate certain issues raised letters, according post, first reported story wapost zewn prosecutors would make recommendations whether matters currently investigation opened, whether matters currently investigation require resources, whether matters merit appointment special counsel, letter said last month, republican leaders two house committees launched investigation obama era deal russian company bought canadian firm owned percent us uranium supplies republicans charged state department secretary state hillary clinton approved deal husband charitable foundation received million donation democrats accused republicans launching spurious investigation clinton, democratic presidential candidate, divert attention special counsel robert mueller investigation alleged links president donald trump presidential campaign russia representative elijah cummings, top democrat house oversight committee, said five congressional committees, including oversight panel, investigated deal identified evidence substantiate allegations secretary clinton orchestrated, manipulated, otherwise coerced interagency committee approve deal

proposal us senate change way shares startup companies taxed incited panic dread silicon valley monday, startup founders investors warning nothing less demise industry proposal become law provision senate tax reform plan, appeared catch industry surprise, involves treatment employee stock options options give holder right purchase shares future set price valuable company well share price increases options often major portion compensation startup employees founders, take lower salaries anticipation big payout startup takes options typically vest four year period senate republicans proposed taxing stock options vest startup employees opportunity cash in, resulting annual tax bills could easily climb tens thousands dollars, say startup founders venture capitalists single piece legislation adversely affect startups, would this, said venky ganesan, managing director venture capital firm menlo ventures everyone freaked justin field, vice president government affairs national venture capital association, said senate proposed tax change would crippling startup industry far provision gets remains seen national venture capital association successful getting similar proposal removed house tax bill, although fully appreciate senate intention add tax provision, field said association also helped steer lawmakers away proposal discussed late last year tax venture capitalists profits investments higher rate republican senator rob portman ohio, member senate committee finance, filed amendment repeal provision tax bill, according spokesman current tax code, employees taxed exercise options options exercised price granted known strike price lower share price, shares sold pay taxes senate proposal would require startup employees pay regular income tax value gain stock options even exercised options illiquid assets, cannot spent saved would mean every month, equity compensation vests little bit, owe taxes even though anything equity compensation, fred wilson, venture capitalist union square ventures, wrote blog monday instance, startup employee receives stock options dollar per share, shares increase value every year four year vesting period, employee would pay income tax per share first year, pay increase value second year, employee owns hundreds thousands even millions shares, hefty bill pay always risk startup eventually fail reform force average employee pay taxes bet well even know winning ticket, said amanda kahlow, founder executive chairman marketing data startup sense startup founders particular, tax bill could ruinous would mean would sell company, said shoaib makani, founder chief executive long haul trucking startup keeptruckin zero net worth aside common stock hold company would impossible would default executives startup industry, however, pushed companies move toward bigger salaries employees dependent options buy house pay large expenses startups suffer valuation cuts, employees end worthless options senate proposal came revenue generating measure help offset tax breaks bill spokesman senator orrin hatch, republican chairman senate committee finance, respond requests comment republicans committee immediately available spokeswoman senator ron wyden, committee ranking member democrat, said aware concerns provision would limit startups ability attract talent

us senator rand paul kentucky said returned work monday, week suffered six broken ribs tackled neighbor mowing lawn still good deal pain, returning work senate today, ready fight liberty help move forward tax cuts coming days weeks, republican senator paul said twitter post man accused tackling paul breaking ribs, rene boucher, , pleaded guilty thursday misdemeanor assault charge, court official said boucher charged fourth degree assault causing minor injury, faces year imprisonment convicted pretrial hearing set nov boucher , bond requiring keep least , feet away paul remained effect paul, , told police boucher came property gated community near bowling green tackled behind, bowling green daily news reported, citing arrest warrant paul previously said twitter suffered broken ribs nov incident x rays showed pleural effusion, buildup fluid tissues line lungs chest media reports said boucher, also physician like paul, long running dispute senator paul, washington examiner interview published monday, said dispute boucher spoken neighbor decade said knew motive incident paul could reached reuters monday first encounter basically hit back, said never words anything, never dispute discussion words kentucky state police federal bureau investigation investigating incident, according warren county attorney amy milliken citing unnamed sources, fox news reported thursday paul told federal charges expected case going criminal prosecution, paul told examiner elaborate meant updates federal charges, david habich, fbi spokesman louisville, said email monday senator office declined comment possible federal charges monday

us senate voted monday approve senior transportation department nominee advance another nomination, republicans accused democrats blocking nominees push funding new york area infrastructure project derek kan, previously official san francisco based ride services company lyft inc, confirmation undersecretary transportation policy vote senate republicans said democratic rivals stalling number nominees dispute funding billion gateway program, includes building new tunnel underneath new york hudson river least eight transportation department nominations pending jobs vacant, including top auto safety regulator addition confirming kan, senate voted monday advance nomination steven bradbury, washington lawyer, general counsel transportation department administration president george w bush, bradbury one principal authors legal justifications enhanced interrogation techniques called torture memos critics senator tammy duckworth, illinois democrat, said june bradbury lacked judgment stand bush administration use torture bradbury defended work june, saying questions addressed raised difficult issues reasonable people could disagree september, president donald trump met top elected officials new york new jersey fate gateway program deemed critical northeast us transportation, trump made commitments finance project republican senator john thune accused democrats holding nominations hostage awaiting assurances trump administration approve fund gateway project one questions importance corridor, many important projects also awaiting approval funding department project get cut line based machinations handful colleagues, thune said senate democratic leader chuck schumer said monday opposed kan administration roadblocks project time running must quickly build new tunnels, schumer said senate democratic aide confirmed, separately, democrats holding nominations want assurances transportation department gateway project quickly move forward funded transportation department regulates nation vehicles, airplanes, railroads, pipelines, ports highways

congressional republicans pushed ahead monday us tax code overhaul senate panel considered issue, risks lay ahead major intraparty disputes unsettled president donald trump returning soon asia debate heats overseas leaders conference, trump tweeted tax bill suggestions early monday starkly different two republican plans considered us senate house representatives called lawmakers add highly risky provision tax effort repealing individual mandate included obamacare health insurance law requires americans health coverage pay tax washington neither two republican plans includes politically divisive measure efforts republicans dismantle obamacare, formally known affordable care act, collapsed dramatically months ago trump pushed hard adding mandate repeal tax cut package tweeted suggestion nov departed multi nation asian tour latest tweet, also urged slashing top tax rate high earners percent percent, despite criticism democrats republican tax bills deficit expanding giveaways rich corporations house retains existing top tax rate bill, senate proposes cutting slightly percent trump set return washington tuesday white house aide confirmed president would speak house republicans thursday ahead expected tax bill vote proud rep house senate working hard cutting taxes reform getting close trump wrote monday twitter post now, ending unfair highly unpopular indiv mandate ocare reducing taxes even cut top rate w rest going middle income cuts added since taking office january, trump scored major legislative accomplishment, frequently shifting positions confusing lawmakers capitol hill various issues many republicans view win overhauling tax code crucial avoiding go voters congressional elections achievements show year control white house chambers congress clock ticking house expected vote soon, perhaps thursday, tax bill approved last week committee level house tax committee chairman kevin brady said confident republicans votes passage brady told reporters capitol hallway including repeal obamacare individual healthcare mandate tax bill remains consideration senate tax committee debate tax plan week heading home us thanksgiving day holiday chambers return near end november, legislative days end time span, republicans hope iron differences two tax plans deduction state local taxes, timing corporate tax rate cut future estate tax inheritances republican tax plans would add trillion federal deficit next decade, another issue causing dissension among republicans senate republican leader mitch mcconnell said hoped tax bill ready week thanksgiving then, army lobbyists pressuring lawmakers protect favored special interest tax breaks dec , three month extension spending authority federal government expires, requiring congressional action could divert lawmakers tax overhaul lengthy amendment introduced monday senate tax plan republican orrin hatch, chairman tax panel, would remove provision lets working americans make tax free catch contributions retirement plans democrats kept steady criticism republican tax bills drafted democratic leader chuck schumer said senate measure developed secret small group held public hearings ignored democrats reason reckless haste obvious product wretched one focused wealthy exclusion middle class, said statement

president donald trump monday said nominating former pharmaceutical executive industry lobbyist alex azar serve us health human services secretary, saying azar would push lower price medicines republicans well lead lobby groups drugmakers health insurers welcomed azar experienced hand could help overhaul world costly healthcare system several democratic lawmakers questioned whether would tackle changes cut pharmaceutical profits confirmed, azar also would take lead implementing trump campaign promise dismantle affordable care act, former democratic president barack obama healthcare overhaul extended health insurance million americans democratic representative elijah cummings said trump pick former pharmaceutical executive like fox guarding hen house trump, philippines diplomatic trip, announced nomination twitter saying azar would star better healthcare lower drug prices trump first health secretary, former us representative tom price, resigned september amid public furor use expensive taxpayer funded private charter jets government travel azar worked eli lilly llyn co decade, including five years president lilly usa unit, left company january, according linkedin page cummings senator bernie sanders, democratic presidential candidate, last year called federal probe whether eli lilly, sanofi sa sasypa , merck co inc mrkn novo nordisk novobco colluded set prices insulin diabetes drugs slap face millions americans waiting president take action lower drug prices, cummings wrote twitter also pointed eli lilly raising drug prices double digits azar executive company azar, though spokesman, declined comment democrats cautious response trump announcement, senator chuck schumer calling health agency turn new leaf azar democratic senator patty murray, working bipartisan healthcare legislation, tweeted, given alex azar professional background, concerns whether fairly execute significant effort lower drug prices patients families republicans supportive senate health committee head lamar alexander tennessee describing azar qualified, experienced nominee azar also drew praise phrma, largest pharmaceutical industry trade group america health insurance plans, key lobbyist insurer industry azar served several years board directors biotechnology innovation organization, drug industry lobbying group, earlier general counsel deputy secretary health human services former republican president george w bush patient advocacy organization public citizen said azar made clear opposed measures restrain prescription companies profiteering limit improper marketing favors weaker safety approval standards head hhs, azar would oversight responsibility us food drug administration, regulates drug industry including approving new treatments azar nomination must approved us senate, controlled trump fellow republicans

us house representatives republican leadership confident votes pass tax overhaul bill comes house floor later week, chairman tax writing ways means committee, representative kevin brady, said monday debate begin thursday, brady, republican, told reporters capitol hallway leadership believes, confident, votes passage brady said including repeal obamacare individual healthcare mandate tax bill remains consideration said pledged house members keep bill deduction state local property taxes, ,

president donald trump meet republican members us house representatives thursday ahead chamber vote tax reform legislation, white house said monday republican controlled congress steaming ahead plan overhaul country tax code, hopes finish legislation end year

judge bribery trial democratic us senator bob menendez new jersey told jury monday continue deliberating panel said unable reach unanimous verdict, according defendant spokesman us district judge william walls sent jurors home day told resume deliberations tuesday, steven sandberg, representative menendez, said email representative court clerk office us department justice immediately respond request comment menendez trial charges accepted private flights, campaign contributions bribes wealthy patron, florida ophthalmologist salomon melgen, exchange official favors lawyers menendez melgen told jury newark, new jersey, nothing wrong actions stemmed close, brother like relationship menendez convicted, republicans presented chance gain seat closely divided us senate, replacement would named republican governor chris christie christie remain office jan , democratic governor elect phil murphy take place jury, beginning first day deliberations new member another panelist allowed leave previously scheduled vacation, sent judge note monday afternoon saying deadlocked could reach verdict counts, newark star ledger newspaper reported additional guidance jury asked judge note, according newspaper judge heard attorneys prosecution, argued jury begun deliberations three hours earlier day, menendez attorney, argued judge declare mistrial, star ledger said walls concluded would appropriate jury continue deliberations found guilty charges, menendez could face sentence years prison

us supreme court agreed monday hear conservative group free speech challenge minnesota law prohibiting voters wearing shirts apparel adorned overtly political messages inside polling stations group called minnesota voters alliance appealing lower court decision uphold law, forbids political badges, buttons insignia inside polling places primary general elections state election officials interpreted law also barring campaign literature material groups political views conservative tea party movement liberal moveonorg violators asked cover remove offending items, officials instructed bar anyone voting minnesota voters alliance, st paul based group says seeks expose voter fraud, several organizations sued claiming state officials turned polling places speech free zones, violating us constitution first amendment protection freedom speech states including texas, new jersey delaware regulations similar minnesota s, according court filings group executive director, andrew cilek, temporarily prevented voting wearing shirt bearing tea party logo button stated, please id button part campaign opposing state lack photo identification requirement voting, court papers said rulings , th us circuit court appeals st louis upheld minnesota restrictions, suggesting law helps maintain peace, order decorum polling sites plaintiffs, represented pacific legal foundation conservative legal group, appealed supreme court saying total ban political speech unrelated candidates ballot initiatives overly broad high court allowed states ban campaign materials active vote solicitation polling places, political speech, plaintiffs said supreme court decision hear case good sign first amendment rights, foundation lawyer wen fa said email spokesman minnesota secretary state steve simon declined comment state officials said legal papers law neutral respect individuals viewpoints one two cases conservative majority court took monday conservative organizations seeking vindicate consider free speech rights involved challenge california law regarding private facilities counsel pregnant women abortion

two us house democrats monday asked federal communications commission inspector general probe whether fcc chairman ajit pai biased favor sinclair broadcast group, seeking approval billion acquisition tribune media co representatives frank pallone elijah cummings cited fcc decisions benefited sinclair, largest us television broadcast group, media report last year election campaign president donald trump struck deal sinclair favorable coverage actions taken context reported meetings trump administration, sinclair, chairman pai office raised serious concerns whether chairman pai actions comply fcc mandate independent, pair wrote advocacy group free press said fcc filing august sinclair forces stations air pro trump propaganda seeks favors trump administration spokeswoman pai said request appears part many democrats attempt target one particular company perceived political views claim chairman pai modifying rules benefit one particular company completely baseless politico, citing unnamed sources, reported december trump campaign made deal sinclair get favorable coverage exchange access trump sinclair respond request comment monday fcc commissioner jessica rosenworcel, democrat, told congressional committee last month, media policy decisions seem custom built one company sinclair announced plans may acquire tribune tv stations markets well cable network wgn america, extending reach percent american households fcc set vote thursday pai plan eliminate ban cross ownership newspaper tv station major market make easier media companies buy additional tv stations market approval would make easier sinclair acquire tv stations fcc also vote thursday pai proposal allow broadcasters use new technology improve picture quality allow better reception mobile phones, could force consumers eventually buy new equipment sinclair holds patents tv technology rosenworcel said sinclair others could profit

us president donald trump said monday made significant progress trade issues fruitful trip across asia saw governments roll red carpets like nobody ever seen made big steps respect trade, far bigger anything know, trump told reporters manila sidelines summit leaders southeast asian east asian nations give details achievements trade matters tour took japan, south korea, china vietnam last leg philippines capital said statement would issued white house wednesday north korea, trade, key issues trip described fruitful red carpet like nobody, think, probably ever seen, said vietnam weekend, trump leaders pacific rim nations agreed address unfair trade practices market distorting subsidies , statement bore imprint trump efforts reshape global trade landscape america first vision upset traditional consensus favoring multinational trade pacts china champions sidelines vietnam meeting, countries kept alive trans pacific trade deal whose future thrown doubt trump withdrew name protecting american jobs chinese president xi jinping told summit vietnam asia pacific nations must uphold multilateralism , countering trump message united states would stay trade deals surrender sovereignty trump, contrast, blasted world trade organization multilateral trade deals tour analysts expect tougher us action may imminent fight trade imbalances china exacerbated state led economic model

former us vice president joe biden monday left door open presidential run challenge republican president donald trump election said focused boosting democrats midterm races biden, turn nov , declined seek democratic nomination last year presidential election wake son death told nbc today show interview yet ready enter political contest honest god made mind that, said biden, promoting memoir beau biden, died brain cancer right want focus book want focus winning year elections closing door, said biden, added good health act right now, would say working whole lot, getting want focus book biden served vice president democratic former president barack obama two terms stood aside party nominated former secretary state hillary clinton, lost trump last year biden sought democratic presidential nomination elections biden, represented delaware senate years, long given voice working class although campaigned clinton, also critical democrats loss , gave republicans control white house addition hold congress biden criticized trump recent weeks, saying understand governance take strong stand white supremacists deadly rally charlottesville, virginia, august

head house representatives tax writing committee said sunday would accept elimination federal deduction state local taxes, opposing proposal senate republicans would hike taxes middle class americans house ways means committee chairman kevin brady said guaranteed deduction would entirely scrapped final tax bill emerges dueling plans already unveiled republicans house senate asked fox news sunday house republicans would reject bid senate republicans away deduction entirely, brady said saying deduction state local taxes, known salt, one hotly contested issues republicans seek achieve significant overhaul us tax code hand president donald trump first major legislative victory chief concern group house republicans face election battles next year high tax, typically democratic leaning states california, new york, new jersey, connecticut massachusetts sticking points include proposal senate delay implementation cut corporate tax rate house plan eliminate estate tax inheritances republicans control house senate lawmakers debate respective plans week heading home thanksgiving day holiday republicans hope resolve differences time reach goal enacting legislation end year senate tax blueprint introduced thursday would repeal salt deduction entirely house bill would repeal state local income sales taxes, preserve property tax , year brady said many similarities rival tax proposals know everyone stressing differences

us president donald trump sunday attempted clear confusion whether accepts russian president vladimir putin denials meddling us election last year news conference vietnam, trump distanced remarks made saturday suggested believed putin said russian meddling election took white house comments drawn criticism home us intelligence agencies long since concluded russian meddling whether believe not, agencies, especially currently constituted, trump said news conference vietnamese president tran dai quang currently led, fine people, believe much intelligence agencies careful make clear sided intelligence agencies leadership former us intelligence director james clapper told reuters fact president united states would take putin word intelligence community quite simply unconscionable russian issue clouded trump first year office comments saturday distraction five nation asia tour trump said still believed putin think russian meddling believe president putin really feels, feels strongly, meddle election, trump said, adding believes believes trump said interested arguing putin meddling wanted get russia work world problems including north korea, syria ukraine trump called allegations campaign collusion moscow hoax special counsel, robert mueller, conducting investigation led charges trump former campaign manager paul manafort associate rick gates us intelligence agencies also concluded russians interfered tip election trump favour hacking releasing emails embarrass democratic candidate hillary clinton spreading social media propaganda

two former top us intelligence officials said sunday fear president donald trump manipulated russian president vladimir putin, trump said believed putin sincere denying russian meddling election former cia director john brennan ex national intelligence director james clapper said trump mishandling moscow ties even special counsel investigates possible collusion trump campaign team russia think mr trump is, whatever reason, either intimidated mr putin, afraid could do, might come result investigations either naivet , ignorance fear terms mr trump vis vis russians, brennan said appearance clapper cnn state union clapper added foreign leaders roll red carpet trump able manipulate trump think chinese russians think play him, clapper said comments came trump told reporters weekend spoken putin allegations russian meddling presidential election russian president denied involvement really believe that, tells that, means it, trump told reporters think insulted it, good thing country treasury secretary steve mnuchin said show criticism leveled trump management relations russia china ridiculous president trump getting played anybody, mnuchin said trump also took swipe obama era intelligence officials brennan, clapper former fbi director james comey, calling political hacks questioning findings us intelligence report concluded russians sought tilt election trump favor facing sharp criticism, trump walked back comments sunday, saying faith intelligence leaders hired brennan sunday called trump criticism badge honor, clapper suggested said trump denial russian interference election poses peril country asked, brennan declined say whether knows intelligence suggest russians compromising damaging information trump dossier penned former british spy contains unverified claims russia embarrassing information trump

special counsel robert mueller team questioned sam clovis, co chairman president donald trump election campaign, determine trump top aides knew extent campaign team contacts russia, two sources familiar investigation said friday focus questions put clovis mueller team previously reported ultimate question mueller whether candidate trump president elect trump knew discussions going russia, approved even directed them, said one source still question clovis testified late october grand jury mueller investigation russian interference presidential election also cooperating senate intelligence committee, investigating issues contacted late friday, white house declined comment one sources described clovis another domino former campaign foreign policy adviser george papadopoulos pleaded guilty lying fbi contacts russians election campaign investigators know papadopoulos russian front, initially tried conceal, told to, said source want know whether clovis others reported activities others related russia, so, whom, source said attorneys clovis respond requests comment lawyers papadopoulos immediate comment peter carr, spokesman mueller, declined comment according court documents related papadopoulos guilty plea, reported clovis email march , , meeting london professor later identified joseph mifsud mifsud turn introduced russian woman russian ambassador london, discussed setting meetings talk us russia ties trump presidency documents showed clovis responded proposed meetings saying would work campaign told papadopoulos make commitment set meetings, congratulated great work august , trump republican presidential nomination, clovis encouraged papadopoulos make trip papadopoulos proposed going record meeting unnamed russian officials, court documents show victoria toensing, one clovis lawyers, said last week client always vigorously opposed russian trip donald trump campaign papadopoulos guilty plea, white house former trump campaign officials dismissed papadopoulos clovis minor figures campaign campaign national security advisory committee, clovis formed, become focus investigations mueller senate, sources said sam built first group eight, jd gordon, director campaign foreign policy group, told reuters, adding senator jeff sessions, us attorney general, nearly doubled size however, two sources familiar investigations said investigators told committee clovis formed little, advisers appeared carry weight trump

china vietnam avoided conflict south china sea sunday chinese president xi jinping met vietnam general secretary nguyen phu trong, hours us president donald trump offered mediate maritime disputes relations hanoi beijing particularly strained since july, china put pressure vietnam stop oil drilling disputed area south china sea vietnam state television said chinese president told vietnamese leader wanted work southeast asian nations code conduct sea china xinhua news agency said china vietnam agreed properly handle maritime issues strive maintain peace stability reefs islands south china sea disputed brunei, indonesia, malaysia, philippines taiwan well china vietnam since philippine president rodrigo duterte grown closer china, vietnam emerged china main challenger area china move pressure vietnam stop oil drilling disputed area july brought relations communist neighbours low xi trump held bilateral meetings vietnamese officials wake summit asia pacific economic cooperation vietnamese city danang trump told vietnam president tran dai quang prepared mediate claimants south china sea said china position problem trump president quang issued joint statement underscoring importance free open access south china sea, saying parties halt escalatory action story refiled fix reversed word order paragraph one

us president donald trump said tweet sunday north korean leader kim jong un insulted calling old said would never call kim short fat trump made comment attending asia pacific economic cooperation apec summit vietnam series tweets also said chinese president xi jinping upping sanctions north korea response nuclear missile programs xi wanted pyongyang denuclearize trump visit beijing last week xi reiterated china would strive denuclearization korean peninsula offered hint would change tack north korea, fought side side korean war us led forces one trump tweets read would kim jong un insult calling old, would never call short fat oh well, try hard friend

canadian prime minister justin trudeau hopped one table next, chatted people posed selfies sunday fastfood chain store manila, charming residents philippines capital second time two years trudeau, manila summit regional leaders, dropped outlet fastfood giant jollibee foods corp visit nearby women clinic advocates family planning, touchy subject catholic majority philippines greeted nearly everyone store, shaking hands exchanging hugs fans ordering fried chicken strawberry float get go eat car, trudeau said, going behind counter photograph jollibee staff earlier, landed clark airport, smiling trudeau waded crowd children gathered greet dignitaries arriving summit, exchanging high fives waving others last visit manila, trudeau twitter poll hashtag apechottie asked people vote attractive leader asia pacific economic cooperation summit handsome nice, said year old rina aparicio, among customers fastfood outlet asked selfie said yes right away outside store, hundreds people screamed shouted trudeau got car, waving appeared hastily written placards saying welcome philippines trudeau visited first jollibee store winnipeg, canada january, country hundreds thousands filipino immigrants jollibee, billion company dubbed mcdonald philippines, looking go global primary targets including china united states company, also serves burgers sweet spaghetti, opening another outlet winnipeg month plans increase five years, said jose minana, jollibee executive minana said company seek trudeau visit, said requested canadian officials humbled taking time obviously busy schedule give us slice time, said minana like also think enjoys food

us president donald trump vietnamese president tran dai quang underscored importance free open access south china sea, joint statement issued sunday two leaders called full effective implementation declaration conduct parties south china sea, claimants clarify maritime claims trump vietnam quang said parties halt escalatory action militarisation disputed features

kremlin said sunday inflexibility part united states blame lack bilateral meeting russia president vladimir putin us president donald trump summit vietnam trump putin met briefly sidelines asia pacific economic cooperation summit vietnam saturday agreed joint statement supporting political solution syria, hold substantive bilateral talks unfortunately american side offer alternatives despite efforts russian colleagues one time offered convenient american side, one place offered, already rented americans, kremlin spokesman dmitry peskov quoted saying ria news agency americans showed flexibility, unfortunately offer alternative proposals meeting could happen, peskov added putin said saturday lack bilateral meeting trump vietnam due leaders schedules protocol obstacles teams unable overcome allegations trump election campaign colluded moscow last year turn voters away democratic candidate hillary clinton hampered president efforts improve frosty us russian relations putin renewed denial allegations brief meeting trump saturday trump previously said accusations collusion hoax

donald trump directly asked russian president vladimir putin talks weekend summit vietnam whether allegations russian meddling last year us presidential election true, ria news agency reported sunday us president said saturday believed putin denial accusations despite view us intelligence agencies russian interference take place trump later distanced remarks according ria, kremlin spokesman dmitry peskov, asked trump raised question alleged russian meddling, said fact, trump asked whether information could true, true could be, president putin, part, explained position, russia interfere election could case putin also said understand groundless statements issue made united states , peskov added russian issue clouded trump first year office trump initial comments saturday drew criticism home us intelligence agencies long since concluded russian meddling hacking release emails embarrass democratic candidate hillary clinton sunday, trump careful make clear sided intelligence agencies leadership previously called allegations election campaign collusion moscow hoax

us president donald trump arrived philippine capital manila sunday attend annual gathering leaders east southeast asian countries trump arrived vietnam, attended asia pacific economic cooperation apec summit, delivered strong message trade briefly met russian counterpart vladimir putin philippines last leg tour also taken trump japan, china south korea hours trump arrival, philippine riot police used water canon prevent hundreds anti american protesters reaching us embassy manila

us president donald trump said sunday possible could friends north korean leader kim jong un one day would very, nice sure would happen asked news conference vietnam could see friends kim, trump said might strange thing happen possibility happen could good thing tell north korea, could also good lot places good rest world, trump said could something could happen know would very, nice

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alleged link us president donald trump former campaign manager paul manafort russia fabricated trump opponents weapon trump, russian president vladimir putin said saturday reports putin relatives involved contacts trump administration untrue, putin told briefing end asia pacific economic cooperation summit vietnam

acting secretary homeland security elaine duke friday denied reports white house chief staff john kelly pressured end protections tens thousands immigrants, said plans remain trump administration washington post reported thursday kelly pressured duke end called temporary protected status tens thousands hondurans living united states newspaper also reported duke informed kelly plans resign new york times later reported kelly made th hour plea duke end protections recent media reports regarding tps decision making process seriously flawed, duke said statement late friday evening said conversations kelly, former secretary homeland security, leading decision, consistently reiterated that, acting secretary, current decisions mine make done accordance existing law time pressure terminate tps nicaragua, honduras el salvador reports otherwise false, added end, duke extended benefits honduran immigrants july , though officials said could terminated duke decided end special status nicaraguan immigrants, however, expire january duke said tremendous honor serve dhs, said planned continue department second highest position, deputy secretary, kirstjen nielsen, nominee dhs secretary, wins senate confirmation plans go anywhere reports contrary untrue, duke said thousands nicaragua honduras given special status hurricane mitch devastated central america all, temporary protected status protects , people living united states

national campaign wing us senate republicans cut fund raising ties friday roy moore, party nominee special senate race alabama, day sexual misconduct allegations upended front runner bid seat move latest sign republican establishment, holding onto slim majority senate, abandoning insurgent candidacy heavily promoted us president donald trump former political strategist, steve bannon meanwhile, democrats progressive groups, emboldened democratic election victories virginia new jersey tuesday, sought capitalize accusations support democratic nominee, former us attorney doug jones moore, controversial former judge staunch christian conservative, accused woman initiating sexual encounter years old year old prosecutor, washington post reported thursday three women said pursued ages , though none accused sexual contact year old moore denied wrongdoing friday appearance conservative commentator sean hannity national radio show allegations completely false misleading, moore said national republican senatorial committee, helps elect republicans senate, filed paperwork federal election officials friday severing fund raising relationship moore special election dec numerous prominent republicans either called moore drop immediately, arizona senator john mccain thursday, said allegations prove true, including senate majority leader mitch mcconnell moore unfit office step aside, former republican presidential nominee mitt romney said friday twitter senator mike lee utah, initially took stance mcconnell, tweeted friday could longer endorse moore candidacy, reading detailed description incidents, well response judge moore campaign senator steve daines montana likewise said pulling endorsement several alabama republican officials waver support moore, scored decisive primary victory september luther strange, incumbent appointed fill seat interim basis jeff sessions named us attorney general race seen long shot democrats alabama, elected democratic senator quarter century jones trailing double digits opinion polls following publication washington post story, several democratic senators, including liberal elizabeth warren massachusetts, sent email blasts donors, soliciting support jones campaign democratic party coordinating jones behind scenes, wary providing overt support television advertising deeply republican state progressive groups moveon, democracy america indivisible expect allegations moore boost grassroots efforts engage democratic voters alabama planning go bigger already, said matt blizek, mobilization coordinator moveon news fact close race, going increase win jones could transform political picture washington, narrowing republican majority one vote moore come back controversy twice forced position state chief justice, refusing remove ten commandments monument courthouse defying us supreme court decision legalizing sex marriage democrats highlighted penchant incendiary statements muslims homosexuality zac mccrary, veteran democratic pollster based birmingham, alabama, said sees jones favorite roy moore much less margin error republican traditionally alabama, mccrary said jonathan gray, republican consultant alabama, said voters already questioning veracity washington post story, given timing development could sink moore candidacy write campaign republican backed party, said absent that, said, analysis world change simple fact roy moore wins december

lawyer former us national security adviser michael flynn friday labeled outrageous false media reports suggesting client may involved alleged plan seize muslim cleric deliver turkey exchange millions dollars rare statement lawyer robert kelner came wall street journal reported friday special counsel robert mueller investigating alleged proposal flynn son would receive million seizing fethullah gulen us home delivering turkish government journal cited people familiar investigation nbc also reported friday alleged december meeting, saying mueller team investigating whether flynn met senior turkish officials weeks president donald trump january inauguration possible quid pro quo flynn would paid bidding turkey government office nbc cited multiple people familiar probe respect process various investigations regarding campaign, intentionally avoided responding every rumor allegation raised media, kelner said emailed statement today news cycle brought allegations general flynn, ranging kidnapping bribery, outrageous prejudicial making exception usual rule false wall street journal reported alleged plan involving flynn turkish officials emerged mueller wider investigation possible russian interference presidential election collusion trump campaign flynn fired trump days job misleading vice president mike pence extent conversations russian ambassador sergei kislyak last year barry coburn, lawyer flynn son, michael flynn jr, declined comment turkish president tayyip erdogan accuses gulen instigating failed coup july wants extradited turkey face trial gulen denied role coup spokesman mueller team declined comment report friday flynn central figure mueller investigation conversations kislyak waited march retroactively register justice department foreign agent work turkish businessman journal reported fbi agents asked least four people december meeting new york flynn turkish government representatives discussed removing gulen, citing people knowledge fbi inquiries nbc also reported investigators questioned witnesses alleged december meeting flynn turkish officials gulen discussed group also discussed set free turkish iranian gold trader, reza zarrab zarrab prison united states federal charges helped iran skirt us sanctions, nbc said reuters report oct said one flynn business associates, former cia director james woolsey, pitched million contract two turkish businessmen help discredit gulen woolsey adviser trump election campaign woolsey member flynn firm, flynn intel group, according justice department filing firm archive company website mueller team also interviewed white house senior policy adviser stephen miller, highest level trump aide known spoken investigators, cnn reported thursday story corrects friday thursday first paragraph

attorneys representing mike flynn, former aide president donald trump, said friday wall street journal report client included allegations ranging kidnapping bribery outrageous false robert kelner, stephen anthony brian smith said respect various investigations alleged russian meddling us election possible collusion trump campaign, avoided responding every rumor allegation raised media today news cycle brought allegations general flynn, ranging kidnapping bribery, outrageous prejudicial making exception usual rule false, said statement

unease among republicans massive increase federal deficit could complicate passage two tax cut bills working way us congress, endangering president donald trump top legislative priority committee responsible federal budget, nonpartisan budget watchdog washington, friday called senate republican tax plan fatally flawed budget buster, likening republican legislation house representatives house tax committee approved measures would add trillion years annual budget deficit trillion national debt, according congressional tax analysts watchdog group estimated billion projected trillion deficit increase would come business tax cuts remainder would come individual tax cuts, including cut estate tax inheritance would help richest americans, said republicans hold tenuous majority senate reason, lose support three senators ranks, cannot pass tax bill long democrats stay united opposition nearly months presidency, party control house senate, trump still without major legislative victory failing get tax bill senate could cost republicans november midterm elections tax foundation, another nonpartisan group, said senate plan would add trillion deficit decade estimated time frame lower taxes would expand us economy percent, add , full time jobs, raise wages percent generate enough new tax revenue erase billion deficit effect decades, republicans positioned deficit hawks, refusing raise debt limit, opposing democratic spending programs warning crushing federal debts passed future generations americans tax plans debated represent stark reversal, congressional republican leadership tax law writers urging passage deficit expanding tax changes handful republican senators already publicly voiced misgivings senate plan released thursday, republican senator jeff flake said statement, remain concerned current tax reform proposals grow already staggering national debt opting short term fixes, ignoring long term problems taxpayers economy senator james lankford said statement, work tax relief, must also lose sight responsibilities protect nation, provide basic government services confront federal debt senator bob corker, another republican critic trump, comment senate bill release signaled fiscal concerns house issued plan, saying want tax cut legislation added deficit current tax reform debate shows congress seem shake addiction debt, said maya macguineas, president committee responsible federal budget tax cuts paid debt signed law, congress sent massive, budget busting tax bill children pay, result short term sugar high little economic improvement long term, said house due vote passage tax bill next week senate finance committee due begin formal consideration senate version monday senate panel chairman, republican orrin hatch, said hopes bill approved sent full senate end next week house senate would need agree single piece legislation, pass send trump signature

republican party senate campaign wing severed fundraising deal alabama republican senate nominee roy moore, politico reported friday, day allegations emerged initiated sexual encounter year old girl politico said federal election commission paperwork filed friday showed national republican senatorial committee longer listed part joint fundraising committee campaign moore, , alabama republican party republican national committee

us senate republicans unveiled tax plan thursday differed house representatives version several key fronts, including treat corporate tax rate, tax deduction state local taxes, estate tax complicating republican push biggest overhaul us tax law since s, senators said that, like house, wanted slash corporate tax rate percent percent, , right away house set vote measure next week tax writing ways means committee approved legislation thursday along party lines, democrats united opposition senate timetable less clear, formal bill yet drafted chamber, republicans much smaller majority narrower path winning approval legislation, let alone one contentious tax package president donald trump toured asia, republicans reiterated goal enacting final legislation end year happens, would trump first major legislative accomplishment since took office january stocks, rallied year hopes business tax cuts, declined details two plans emerged investors worried divergence house senate senate proposed corporate tax rate cut delay broad sense, house senate plans matched calling deep tax cuts high earners businesses dramatic reshaping united states taxes multinational corporations, big winners plans become law democrats, largely ignored closed door drafting bills, condemned giveaways rich businesses little ordinary americans white house economic adviser gary cohn handed ammunition comments cnbc interview, saying excited group big ceos, tax plan white house issued statements praised ways means committee tax writing senate finance committee expressed confidence progress would made election wake victories democrats state local elections virginia, new jersey elsewhere tuesday increased urgency republicans, control white house congress, make good campaign promises taxes going get finish line, house speaker paul ryan said, adding house would approve whatever senate passes house senate conference committee would needed reconcile differences one big disagreement two chambers concerns deduction available americans state local taxes salt , keen concern taxpayers high tax, typically democratic leaning states california, new york, new jersey, connecticut massachusetts senate plan would entirely repeal salt deduction house bill would repeal state local income sales tax, preserve property tax , democratic senate leader chuck schumer new york said repealing salt deduction parts republican proposals would hurt middle upper middle class americans passing plan help republicans climb hole bill could political doom, said floor senate, republicans need especially united given slim majority another point friction estate tax inheritances senate would leave books, increase exemptions fewer people pay house would increase exemptions, repeal tax six year period senate calls keeping existing seven tax brackets cutting top tax rate highest earning taxpayers percent percent house wants reduce number brackets, leave percent top rate alone senate would close loophole allows private equity fund managers wealthy wall street financiers pay capital gains tax rate carried interest income, instead higher wage rate house plan leaves tax break place, restricts claim another divide need bridging, chambers call slapping mandatory tax trillion foreign profits held offshore us multinationals senate wants tax percent cash liquid assets, percent non liquid assets house amended bill thursday, going percent percent, respectively tweaks bills expected continue days ahead lobbyists descend capitol hill seeking favors house senate measures would add trillion years budget deficit national debt, problem long ago would drawn republican criticism turns deficit hawks extinct republican party, california nancy pelosi, democratic leader house, said statement senate case, trillion figure legislation permitted add deficit order allow republicans use procedural maneuver known reconciliation pass bill simple majority estimates released thursday evening congress nonpartisan joint committee taxation senate proposal falling within upper limit, although bill yet codified legislative language

us wind energy industry friday cheered senate tax proposal that, unlike house version unveiled last week, preserves tax credit helps wind farms compete plants fired fossil fuels senate plan brought relief industry spent last week warning lawmakers capitol hill changes credit would put billion planned investment risk however, house senate pass differing proposals republicans broad tax cut plan, house senate committee need reconcile differences chambers approve resulting compromise legislation, soon know tax overhaul ultimately preserve wind energy credit midamerican energy said thursday bill passed house proposed, berkshire hathaway inc brkan unit could forced cancel billion wind investments iowa, affecting jobs prompting loss million year property tax landowner payments wind industry production tax credit extended congress awards credit every kilowatt hour energy produced wind projects investors project developers banked stability policy, scheduled phase , planning investments senate tax reform bill keeps promise america , wind energy workers restores confidence businesses pouring billions dollars rural america, tom kiernan, chief executive american wind energy association trade group said statement republican senators chuck grassley iowa, john thune south dakota dean heller nevada others opposed changes tax credit, awea said

us president donald trump lauded beijing meetings trade north korea productive , ending visit chinese media declared set new blueprint handling ties, even white house looks set tougher action china trump pressed china rein north korea nuclear ambitions said bilateral trade unfair united states, also praised xi pledge china would open foreign firms hours trump left beijing friday, china said would drop foreign ownership limits local banks asset management companies loosening stake restrictions securities firms insurers

us president donald trump left beijing friday asia pacific economic cooperation summit vietnam, first lady melania stayed behind play tourist, viewing pandas zoo visiting great wall china beijing zoo, year old former model fed giant panda named gu gu learned nutrition training greeted group school children waving miniature chinese american flags, handing stuffed toy eagles watching children sing chinese folk song panda enclosure thank much, said melania signed panda print, writing thank beijing zoo wonderful meet gu gu melania trump later afternoon, melania walked along part mutianyu section , km , mile long great wall, unesco world heritage site china frequently takes visiting heads state spouses previous first ladies, melania used platform champion public causes, prevention childhood bullying combating opioid epidemic united states playing prominent supporting role president multi leg asia visit, praise chinese social media, comparisons china glamorous first lady, peng liyuan, comments apparent ease navigating ancient cobblestones forbidden city super high stilettos upon arrival beijing wednesday accompanied peng, melania watched cultural performance, painted pandas participated cooking class primary school thursday many china twitter like weibo applauded melania grace sense style, well cultural sensitivity china, wore mostly austere coats dark gowns dolce gabbana alexander mcqueen, contrast magenta delpozo outfit electric blue heels upon landing south korea days china said remained bigger fans first lady, often affectionately referred online peng mama, roughly translates mother peng still think mama oozes grace, also exuding motherly air one weibo poster said chinese social media sites policed heavily normal important political events, negative sensitive matter swiftly blocked removed internet censors trump departed, said twitter wife next stop would alaska, would greet amazing troops however, trump daughter adviser ivanka, popular china, accompany father, disappointment fans

woman accused roy moore, republican nominee us senate alabama, initiating sexual encounter years old , washington post reported thursday, prompting top republicans say step aside allegations prove true moore, , state former chief judge, vehemently denied allegations, calling completely false desperate political attack us president donald trump would want moore step aside allegations true, white house press secretary sarah sanders said friday like americans, president believes cannot allow mere allegation, case one many years ago, destroy person life, sanders said however, president also believes allegations true, judge moore right thing step aside, said, trump arrived vietnam day asia tour series twitter posts later day, moore cast published allegations part bid silence shut christian conservatives like me, adding never give fight senate republican leader mitch mcconnell, working slim majority, called moore drop race allegations true several republicans, including texas senators john cornyn ted cruz, utah senator mike lee, endorsed moore, echoed sentiment least two republican senators, john mccain arizona john thune south dakota, said moore step aside immediately, mccain calling accusations deeply disturbing disqualifying leigh corfman, , told post met moore courthouse moore offered keep company bench outside hearing room mother inside child custody proceeding moore, time assistant district attorney, asked girl phone number days later took house, engaged sexual activity asked taken home, corfman said story also quoted three women said moore dated years age early s, though none said sexual contact moore reuters unable independently confirm allegations moore campaign accused post colluding democrats tarnish reputation false accusations post said none women donated worked moore democratic opponent, doug jones, republican primary rivals, corfman said voted republicans past three presidential elections, including donald trump moore consistently led polls jones considered heavy favorite deeply republican alabama dec special election fill seat us attorney general jeff sessions remains see whether thursday allegations buoy jones long shot bid, would represent major upset democrats narrow republicans current edge senate jones campaign immediately respond request comment post story matter happens, moore remain ballot dec since candidate name cannot removed within days election, according office alabama secretary state if, however, state party tells election officials wants withdraw nominee, moore decided so, election officials would certify votes cast moore write candidates also allowed state law alabama political strategist david mowery, worked candidates parties, said chance moore bowing race less zero, almost improbable state party officials abandon favor last minute write candidate mowery cited moore overwhelming popularity alabama republican voters, said would tend distrust allegations published post nevertheless, said democrats would seize scandal boost fund raising moore, made moral religious beliefs heart pitch voters, prevailed several republican opponents closely contested primary saw trump, mcconnell senate republicans support incumbent appointed sessions seat, luther strange race exposed rifts republican party conservative base washington based establishment moore candidacy heavily promoted former trump strategist steve bannon, vowed support grassroots challengers next year take republican incumbents several occasions, moore made controversial statements taken positions cost job condemned homosexuality said believes us communities living islamic religious law first became national figure early s, lost position alabama chief justice refusing court order remove ten commandments monument outside courthouse winning position back , forced defying us supreme court decision legalizing gay marriage ordering probate judges give marriage licenses sex couples senate campaign website, moore said suspended upholding sanctity marriage one man one woman

minnesota governor mark dayton thursday urged state lawmaker accused sexual harassment step down, latest fallout growing chorus harassment allegations gripping us statehouses minnesota state senator dan schoen faced growing pressure resign thursday local media reported allegations made unwanted sexual advances toward women schoen could reached thursday, denied inappropriate contact statement local media women far familiar harassment must stop, minnesota state representative erin maye quade said statement thursday candidate, experienced sen schoen, legislator, experienced multiple members majority reported since allegations harassment assault surfaced movie producer harvey weinstein, revived metoo social media campaign galvanized women speak instances sexual harassment lawmakers number state capitols weinstein denied claims first reported new york times new yorker magazine california senate last month hired law firm investigate female legislators, staff lobbyists letter called culture harassment kentucky, republican house speaker jeff hoover stepped sunday leadership post reports settled sex harassment claim woman staff hoover office respond request comment told courier journal engaged consensual banter women talked feel like experience sexual harassment, illinois democratic state senator heather steans said wednesday, day state legislature began sexual harassment training wake october open letter similar california calling pervasive harassment every industry version casting couch illinois politics exception, illinois letter said steans thursday announced formation new women caucus focus harassment women issues lot anger coming forward, stop, said sexual harassment allegations state politics new, concerted public pushback women could lead efforts strengthen statehouse harassment protections, said jean sinzdak, associate director center american women politics rutgers university state legislatures formal policies legislative employees sexual harassment, according national conference state legislatures experts said varied effectiveness enforcement

us president donald trump would want republican senate candidate roy moore step aside sexual misconduct allegations true, white house press secretary sarah sanders said friday woman accused roy moore, republican nominee us senate alabama, initiating sexual encounter years old , washington post reported thursday moore, , state former chief judge, vehemently denied allegations, calling completely false desperate political attack like americans, president believes cannot allow mere allegation, case one many years ago, destroy person life, sanders said however, president also believes allegations true, judge moore right thing step aside, said, trump arrived vietnam day asia tour

alphabet inc google unit told us election regulators letter seen reuters thursday strongly supports tightening rules online political advertising part efforts curtail foreign abuse influence elections federal lawmakers criticized google, facebook inc twitter inc enough identify block russian agents buying ads services us authorities say ads intended influence voters presidential election us law permits foreign entities advertise certain issues disclose spending, unlawful interfere elections september, federal election commission, sets campaign finance rules, voted consider ensuring disclosure rules apply online activity opened public comment period set expire monday letter, google thursday offered formal response fec deliberation ever, must work together improve transparency, enhance disclosures reduce foreign abuse influence us elections, company wrote stance marks face google sought affirmative exemption requirement ad state purchased commission reach consensus exemption time google calling commission extend disclosure rules apply tv print ads web google strongly supports commission proposal proceed rulemaking commission provide clarity campaigns political advertisers need determine disclaimers required include company, world top seller online ads, also asked federal regulators lawmakers expand restrictions foreign participation elections cover content distributed advertised internet ratifying provisions could give tech companies guidance treat soft influence, content organizations rt, russian news outlet drawn concerns lawmakers peddling propaganda facebook google youtube service letter, google also reiterated plans offer public database election ads purchased service addition, company said information buyers would accessible technology news website recode first reported google letter

us senate tax reform proposal unveiled thursday eliminate , electric vehicle tax credit republicans us house representatives proposed killing credit could hurt automakers like general motors co, volkswagen ag, tesla inc nissan motor co current law allows automakers use credit, phases automaker hits , plug vehicles sold electric vehicles expensive batteries make pricier gasoline powered vehicles

man accused tackling us senator rand paul kentucky breaking ribs mowing lawn pleaded guilty thursday misdemeanor assault charge, court official said rene boucher, , waived formal reading charge hearing bowling green, kentucky, warren county attorney amy milliken said telephone boucher, republican senator neighbor, charged fourth degree assault causing minor injury, faces year jail convicted pretrial hearing set nov paul, , told police boucher came onto property gated community near bowling green tackled behind, bowling green daily news reported, citing arrest warrant paul said twitter wednesday suffered six broken ribs x rays showed pleural effusion, buildup fluid tissues line lungs chest kentucky state police federal bureau investigation investigating last friday incident, milliken said citing unnamed sources, fox news reported thursday paul told federal charges expected case senator office immediately reply request comment possibility matt baker, boucher attorney, immediately available comment baker told bowling green television station wbko incident related property dispute called idea paul blindsided unfair characterization baker also told tv station politics motivating factor dispute media reports said boucher, also physician like paul, long running dispute senator milliken said boucher , bond requiring keep distance least , feet paul remained effect earlier week, us senate republican leader mitch mcconnell said paul would return next week

republican us senators marco rubio mike lee said want child tax credit increase , senate tax bill unveiled thursday glad see increase child tax credit, like house bill, simply enough working families, rubio lee said joint statement senate bill would raise child tax credit , , currently

proposals us republicans repeal restrict popular deduction federal income tax state local tax salt payments would hit americans high tax states states highest taxes represented senate democrats, vermont bernie sanders, independent votes democrats senate tax plan unveiled thursday expected propose ending salt deduction entirely earlier house plan would sharply curtail deduction left unchanged, senate plan salt provision would make harder attract could necessary support tax bill democratic senators, would disproportionately hurt constituents republicans majority chamber, meaning afford lose two republican votes could looking democratic support passage us states highest annual combined state local income taxes property taxes, measured average per capita, calculated tax foundation, pro business washington think tank new york , chuck schumer , kirsten gillibrand connecticut , richard blumenthal , chris murphy new jersey , cory booker , bob menendez massachusetts , elizabeth warren , ed markey maryland , chris van hollen , ben cardin vermont , bernie sanders , patrick leahy rhode island , sheldon whitehouse , jack reed minnesota , al franken , amy klobuchar california , kamala harris , dianne feinstein oregon , ron wyden , jeff merkley