The Latest Breaking News from McClatchy Washington Bureau

Mueller report: White House wanted McConnell to urge Sessions to not recuse

WASHINGTON _ A White House lawyer reached out to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell at President Donald Trump's urging in an effort to convince then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions not to recuse himself from the Russia investigation, special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation found.

McClatchy Washington Bureau · Apr 18, 2019

Are anti-tax Republicans softening on the idea of a gas tax increase?

WASHINGTON _ Higher state gasoline taxes have won approval in seven Republican-run states since President Donald Trump took office, an unusual step for a party adamantly opposed to more taxes and a sign that raising the federal gasoline tax may no longer be politically damaging.

McClatchy Washington Bureau · Apr 17, 2019

On Israel, Kamala Harris breaks with liberal 2020 pack

WASHINGTON _ California Sen. Kamala Harris is resisting pressure from the left flank of her Democratic Party to take a more critical stance on the Israeli government and its policies towards Palestinians, holding firmly to her moderate approach to U.S.-Israel relations in her 2020 run for president.

McClatchy Washington Bureau · Apr 16, 2019

Declassified documents show CIA knew Latin juntas killed dissidents abroad

WASHINGTON _ With the blessing of a CIA bent on thwarting Soviet expansion, South American military juntas together formed a special unit charged with going to France and elsewhere abroad to exterminate leftist opposition leaders.

McClatchy Washington Bureau · Apr 12, 2019

These Democrats are plotting sweeping Super Tuesday strategies

WASHINGTON _ Kamala Harris' top aides are privately meeting with local Democratic leaders from Alabama to Virginia. Bernie Sanders' team is lining up interviews with potential senior staffers in California and Texas. And Cory Booker is cultivating relationships with officials across the South.

McClatchy Washington Bureau · Apr 11, 2019

Can Democrats in the House keep health care reform alive? Nancy Pelosi is going to try

WASHINGTON _ The Democratic-run House plans to vote on ways to lower prescription drug prices and force insurers to provide stronger protection for people with preexisting conditions, marking the next big step in a strategy to make health care part of its 2020 election fight.

McClatchy Washington Bureau · Apr 11, 2019

Europeans warn White House that nuclear sanctions could force Iran's hand

WASHINGTON _ European officials warned the White House in recent days that Iran might walk from its nuclear deal with world powers unless President Donald Trump extends sanctions waivers on nuclear cooperation, sources familiar with the talks told McClatchy this week.

McClatchy Washington Bureau · Apr 11, 2019

Pence to UN: 'Time for the United Nations to speak' against Maduro

UNITED NATIONS _ Vice President Mike Pence on Wednesday sought to ratchet up international pressure on Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, chastising the United Nations Security Council for being slow to act against that government as a humanitarian crisis unfolds on Maduro's watch.

McClatchy Washington Bureau · Apr 10, 2019

Will the Senate change tradition to ease the way for GOP legislation?

WASHINGTON _ A top GOP senator wants to make it easier to debate legislation _ an historic step that would smooth the path for Republican-authored initiatives. Floating the controversial idea is Sen. Roy Blunt, the Rules Committee chairman who just engineered a successful drive to change Senate rules and tradition…

McClatchy Washington Bureau · Apr 10, 2019

Trump picks Miller, setting up potential clash with Kushner on immigration

WASHINGTON _ President Donald Trump's choice of Stephen Miller to lead on immigration sets up a potential policy clash with one of the most influential people in the White House, the president's son-in-law.

McClatchy Washington Bureau · Apr 9, 2019