Congressional Democrats want to amend a section of the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery, to end what they refer to as another form of slavery — forced prison labor. Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon and Rep. William Lacy Clay of Missouri introduced a joint resolution this week that would remove the 13th Amendment’s “punishment clause,”…… MORE
Alyssa Farah has resigned from her role as the White House communications director. In a statement, Farah said she will be “leaving the White House to pursue new opportunities.” “It’s been the honor of a lifetime to serve in the Trump administration over the last three and a half years,” the statement said. The Washington…… MORE
The final version of the National Defense Authorization Act has a provision that would effectively block President Donald Trump’s attempt to significantly reduce US troops in Germany, a move the President said was because of Berlin’s failure to spend adequate amounts on defense. The bill “prevents reduction in the number of U.S. forces stationed in…… MORE
One of President-elect Joe Biden’s initial frontrunners to be CIA director, Mike Morell, is facing increasingly complicated prospects as his potential nomination faces growing opposition, according to multiple sources familiar with transition discussions. Morell, who was deputy CIA director under President Barack Obama, now faces a steeper climb in the face of Democratic opposition to…… MORE
The White House liaison to the Justice Department has been barred from entering the building after she attempted to access sensitive information about possible election fraud, CNN has learned. Heidi Stirrup was put in the position after chief of staff Mark Meadows informed federal agencies in September the White House was replacing all of their…… MORE
High-level negotiations over an economic stimulus package are intensifying as congressional leaders and top senators are pushing to reach a major agreement that has eluded Washington for months. For much of the year there has been partisan bickering and negotiations that have broken down repeatedly, but momentum is finally building — as Senate Majority Leader…… MORE
In her acceptance speech, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris made a request of America’s children. “Because every little girl watching tonight sees that this is a country of possibilities, and to the children of our country, regardless of your gender, our country has sent you a clear message: Dream with ambition, lead with conviction and see…… MORE
With a rush of pardons expected before President Donald Trump leaves office, the White House has been holding multiple pardon meetings since the election, involving the White House counsel’s office and other staff, two senior administration officials told CNN. The meetings include a list of potential pardon cases to be considered and ideas of who…… MORE
Lin-Manuel Miranda and Pearl Jam are teaming up to host a virtual fundraiser ahead of January’s Senate runoffs in Georgia. Miranda, creator of the musical “Hamilton,” and the Seattle rock legends will come together to host the event on Wednesday, December 16, at 8:30 p.m. ET. It will be the first time the artists have…… MORE
Federal career employees across the Trump administration are fearful of losing their job protections and potentially their jobs, as agencies begin to implement a recent executive order signed by President Donald Trump. A majority of career staff will be redesignated into a new category that strips them of protections afforded to civil servants and makes…… MORE
