Politics

Former President George H.W. Bush arrives for the coin toss for the 2017 Super Bowl in Houston. Two women say he touched them inappropriately.

George H.W. Bush Responds To Groping Allegations

6:00am October 26, 2017

by James Doubek

The former president "has patted women's rears in what he intended to be a good-natured manner," his spokesman wrote. Actress Heather Lind wrote that Bush "sexually assaulted" her.

A sign appears outside the room where the first meeting of the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, DC, July 19, 2017.

'Nothing Going On' With Trump Voter Fraud Commission Due To Multiple Lawsuits

5:23am October 26, 2017

by Pam Fessler

The commission is facing eight lawsuits and one Republican member says, "We're not emailing each other. We're not conversing with each other."

Politics & Government

Morning News Brief: Opioid Crisis, Senate Budget Resolution

5:03am October 26, 2017

President Trump is expected to make remarks Thursday on the opioid crisis. The House is slated to vote on the Senate's budget resolution, which is key for any movement on a tax bill.

Jeff Sessions is sworn is as attorney general on Feb. 9. There are questions now about the Justice Department's independence.

Breaching The 'Wall': Is The White House Encroaching On DOJ Independence?

5:00am October 26, 2017

by Carrie Johnson

DOJ veterans and lawmakers are warning the Trump administration about breaching the agency's autonomy. They cite a pattern of contacts between the White House and the Justice Department this year.

Whitefish Energy Holdings workers restore power lines damaged by Hurricane Maria in Barceloneta, Puerto Rico, on Wednesday.

Ex-Air Force Officer To Oversee Puerto Rico's Power Restoration

1:36am October 26, 2017

by Scott Neuman

The appointment of retired Col. Noel Zamot comes after a controversial $300 million contract to rebuild the island's power grid was awarded to a tiny company with little experience.

Virginia's Shenandoah National Park is one of 17 popular parks that would see higher peak-season entry fees under a new proposal.

Fees To Enter Popular National Parks Would Skyrocket Under Interior Department Plan

8:23pm October 25, 2017

by Laurel Wamsley

Entrance costs would more than double at the country's 17 busiest parks. The park service says it needs to pay for deferred maintenance. But the increases may make the parks less accessible.

President Trump could ask Janet Yellen to stay on as the Federal Reserve chair, but other names are also circulating.

Next Fed Chair Will Help Determine Pace Of Interest Rate Hikes

6:10pm October 25, 2017

by John Ydstie

President Trump could ask Janet Yellen to stay on as Fed chair, but other names are also circulating. Will the next chief lead the central bank to boost rates more quickly than currently planned?

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Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Richard Cordray, shown last October at a panel discussion in Richmond, Va., called Tuesday's vote "a giant setback for every consumer in this country. Wall Street won and ordinary people lost."

Senate Kills Rule On Class-Action Suits Against Financial Companies

5:48pm October 25, 2017

by Scott Neuman

The rule, released by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in July, was aimed at "forced arbitration" clauses in consumer agreements with banks and credit card companies.

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In 2012, Republican Gov. Sam Brownback of Kansas pushed reforms through the Legislature that included across-the-board income tax reductions. But rather than boosting the economy, the cuts caused revenues to plummet. Lawmakers now seek to close a $900 mil

As Trump Proposes Tax Cuts, Kansas Deals With Aftermath Of Experiment

5:28pm October 25, 2017

by Samantha Raphelson

In 2012, the Kansas government passed massive tax cuts, which Republican Gov. Sam Brownback promised would deliver "a shot of adrenaline" to the economy. But the experiment did the exact opposite.

Senate Kills Rule On Class Action Lawsuits Against Financial Firms

4:37pm October 25, 2017

by Chris Arnold

Vice President Pence cast the tie-breaking vote last night in the Senate to repeal a rule that made it easier for Americans to sue their banks and credit card companies for wrongdoing. Wiping out the rule affects tens of millions of Americans who will be sent to arbitration on disputes over a credit card, checking account or prepaid card. It also dismantles the work of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which has been working on this for years.

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