United States government

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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Trump speaks directly with Taiwan’s leader, irking China

By GILLIAN WONG and JOHNSON LAI In a break with decadeslong diplomatic tradition, President-elect Donald Trump spoke directly with the president of Taiwan, a move that drew an irritated response from China and looked set to cast uncertainty over U.S. policy toward Asia. It is perhaps unprecedented for a U.S. president or president-elect to speak

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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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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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