Political News

FIREBAUGH, Calif. (AP) — As temperatures recently reached triple digits, farmer Joe Del Bosque inspected the almonds in his parched orchard in California's agriculture-rich San Joaquin Valley, where a deepening drought threatens one of the state's most profitable crops. Del... Read More

WASHINGTON  — President Joe Biden said Monday that he stands “squarely behind” his decision to withdraw U.S. forces from Afghanistan and that the government's collapse was quicker than anticipated. Speaking about the chaotic situation in Afghanistan, Biden said that he... Read More

WASHINGTON — A high-ranking Justice Department attorney urged Congress Monday to clamp down on new state laws that she claims shut out some low-income persons from participating in elections. She described voting rights as more at risk now than any... Read More

WASHINGTON -- Federal courts continued their struggle with state and federal eviction moratoriums in separate rulings Thursday and Friday. A federal judge in Washington ruled Friday that her “hands are tied” to halt the federal eviction moratorium that the Centers... Read More

Louisiana Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin has been elected president of the National Association of Secretaries of State. His selection took place at the organization's summer conference in Des Moines, Iowa. “As the job of Secretary of State continues to... Read More

President Joe Biden cut short what was to have been a five-day stay at Camp David Monday and is slated to address the nation this afternoon on the stunning and still unfolding events in Afghanistan. Biden is scheduled to speak... Read More

As the looming bipartisan infrastructure plan awaits its final approval, states are beginning to find out what the bill has in store for them. In the state of Texas, infrastructure investment has been a looming issue for some time. The... Read More

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Afghans rushed onto the tarmac of the capital's airport on Monday as thousands tried to flee the country after the Taliban seized power with stunning speed. Some clung to the side of a U.S. military transport... Read More

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — There are plenty of places to turn for accurate information about COVID-19. Your physician. Local health departments. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control. But not, perhaps, your local government's public comment session. During a meeting... Read More

Rep. Cheri Bustos, the Illinois Democrat who led her party’s House campaign arm in the 2020 cycle, has some advice for swing-district Democrats on how they can win in communities that tilted for former President Donald Trump the last two... Read More

Cubans have taken to the streets since July demanding a democratic life, and violence against exerting their civil rights will not be tolerated under the U.S. Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act. Friday saw the third set of sanctions by... Read More

WASHINGTON -- A lawsuit by Rep. Devin Nunes against The Washington Post for defamation is proceeding after a judge this week declined to dismiss it. The Post reported that Nunes accused the Obama administration of spying on Trump Tower in... Read More

Data released by the U.S. Census Bureau to jump start the redistricting process across the country reveal an America that’s grown more diverse over the past decade. The largest demographic increases came in the number of people who identified themselves... Read More

WASHINGTON -- Nine moderate House Democrats delivered a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi Friday, saying they will not vote for a budget resolution intended to advance a sweeping, $3.5 trillion climate and social policy package this year unless a separate... Read More

HARRISBURG, Penn. -- Pennsylvania lawmakers recently announced plans to expand the Medicaid postpartum coverage period for mothers. The extension will take effect on April 1, 2022.  “Pennsylvania has worked to protect and support mothers before, during and after birth for... Read More

WASHINGTON (AP) — Prospects seem increasingly faint for a bipartisan Senate deal on overhauling policing practices as deadlocked lawmakers have fled the Capitol for August recess and political pressure for an accord eases with each passing week. Bargainers insist they're... Read More

WASHINGTON (AP) — When the pace of vaccinations in the U.S. first began to slow, President Joe Biden backed incentives like million-dollar cash lotteries if that's what it took to get shots in arms. But as new coronavirus infections soar,... Read More

WASHINGTON -- In a move she says is intended to attract the “best talent in America” to Capitol Hill, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., on Thursday raised the salary cap for House staffers to $199,300, up from the maximum $173,900... Read More

Twitter lost another court battle this week in its effort to publicly release data showing when the FBI tapped into customer communications of the social media giant. Twitter, Inc. wants to release the information for the sake of transparency to... Read More

RICHMOND, Va. -- Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam signed an emergency order last Thursday requiring that face masks be worn in all indoor settings in the state's K-12 schools. The move comes after a handful of school districts in recent days... Read More

Four years after a White supremacist rally left three people dead in the home city of Founding Fathers Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and James Monroe, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam says there’s “still much work to do” when it comes to... Read More

NEW YORK (AP) — Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, who will serve out the remainder of Andrew Cuomo's term after he steps down amid sexual harassment allegations,  said Thursday she plans to run for governor in her own right next year.... Read More

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — With the highly contagious delta variant fueling a surge in coronavirus cases just as students return to classrooms, major school districts in Arizona, Florida, Texas and beyond are increasingly defying Republican leaders who banned school... Read More

WASHINGTON (AP) — Hours after clinching an initial budget victory, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer conceded Wednesday that Democrats face a tough pathway to delivering a package surging $3.5 trillion into family, health and environment programs to President Joe Biden's... Read More

A year and a half into the COVID-19 pandemic, travel bans meant to stem the crisis are taking a significant toll on global growth and trade, according to a new report from The Conference Board, the nonprofit business and research... Read More

WASHINGTON (AP) — When President Joe Biden first announced the framework he'd reached with a bipartisan group of senators for a big infrastructure bill, he said it meant more than building roads and bridges.  Agreement, he said two months ago,... Read More

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats are renewing their push to enact their marquee voting bill, pledging to make it the first order of business when the Senate returns in the fall even though they don't have a clear strategy for overcoming... Read More

WASHINGTON -- Rep. Ron Kind, who took office in 1997 and is easily Wisconsin's longest-serving member of Congress, stunned reporters Tuesday by announcing he won't seek reelection in 2022. “The truth is, I’ve run out of gas,” the Democrat said.... Read More

WASHINGTON -- The Taliban continued retaking control of Afghanistan Tuesday as U.S. forces withdrew, but Biden administration officials told the Senate the American political position in the Middle East remains strong. However, Egypt, Syria and Lebanon are creating challenges as... Read More

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo resigned Tuesday after an investigation led by state Attorney General Letitia James found he sexually harassed 11 women, and violated state and federal laws. Cuomo opened his remarks at a brief press conference announcing his... Read More