Barack Obama

Trump faces an early test with Republicans over Russia

By KEN THOMAS President-elect Donald Trump is facing an early test with fellow Republicans over U.S. relations with Russia, as lawmakers seek to investigate a CIA assessment that Russia interfered in the November election and issue warnings over the incoming president’s potential pick for secretary of state. Trump said Sunday the recent CIA assertion that […]

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Democrat to try solving Chicago gun violence with sentencing

By IVAN MORENO The refrain is heard almost as often as the fatal gunshots: The way to reduce Chicago’s gun violence is tougher prison sentences for repeat gun offenders, keeping them off the streets and decreasing the city’s mounting death toll. That idea, pushed by the mayor, police superintendent and others, shifts pressure from patrol

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McConnell cautions replacement to health law to take time

By BRUCE SCHREINER The next Congress will begin work immediately next year toward repealing President Barack Obama’s health care law but delay the changes as Republicans try to come up with an alternative, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Saturday. The Kentucky Republican insisted that some 20 million Americans who have health care through the

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House Democrats re-elect Pelosi as leader despite discontent

By ERICA WERNER House Democrats re-elected Nancy Pelosi as their leader Wednesday, ratifying the status quo in a changing Washington despite widespread frustration over the party’s direction. That disenchantment manifested itself in 63 lawmakers supporting Pelosi’s opponent, Ohio Rep. Tim Ryan, in the secret-ballot vote. That was by far the largest defection Pelosi has suffered

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Trump taps Price to lead HHS, plans 2nd meeting with Romney

By STEVE PEOPLES and CATHERINE LUCEY President-elect Donald Trump made two Cabinet selections on Tuesday, choosing fierce Obamacare critic Georgia Rep. Tom Price to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, and Elaine Chao, who served in the Cabinet of George W. Bush, to serve as the secretary of the Department of Transportation. Trump

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Trump calls it ‘sad’ that Clinton joining recount effort

By STEVE PEOPLES President-elect Donald Trump said Sunday it’s “sad” Hillary Clinton is joining an effort to force recounts of votes from the Nov. 8 election in up to three crucial states. Trump tweeted part of Clinton’s concession speech, when she told supporters they must accept that “Donald Trump is going to be our president,”

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Trump disavowal of white supremacists doesn’t quiet concerns

By BILL BARROW and JONATHAN LEMIRE Donald Trump’s disavowal this week of white supremacists who have cheered his election as president hasn’t quieted concerns about the movement’s impact on his White House or whether more acts of hate will be carried out in his name. Members of the self-declared “alt-right” have exulted over the Nov.

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For some in middle class, Trump plan would mean tax increase

By CHRISTOPHER S. RUGABER President-elect Donald Trump’s proposals would modestly cut income taxes for most middle-class Americans. But for nearly 8 million families — including a majority of single-parent households — the opposite would occur: They’d pay more. Most married couples with three or more children would also pay higher taxes, an analysis by the

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