Secretary of State Rex Tillerson arrives in Moscow for what are expected to be tough talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on the issue of Syria. Russian President Vladimir Putin warns of “false flag” incidents that will seek to blame Syria for future chemical weapons attacks. North Korea is vowing a tough response to any military … Continued


  On the eve of Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s visit to Russia, G-7 foreign ministers meet in Italy for talks dominated by the situation in Syria. President Donald Trump praises  Neil Gorsuch during a White House swearing-in ceremony for the nation’s 113th Supreme Court justice. Public interest groups warn against President Trump’s nominee to head … Continued


President Donald Trump orders the first ever direct U.S. military strike on the Syrian government overnight. The U.N. Security Council debates the strike. The U.S. Senate confirms Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch. He’ll be sworn into office on Monday. California lawmakers have approved Governor Jerry Brown’s plan to raise gas and vehicle taxes to generate … Continued


Republican Senators employ the “nuclear option” in a party line vote to change filibuster rules so a vote to proceed to confirmation of Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch can proceed with a simple majority, instead of the 60 vote filibuster margin. House Intelligence Committee Chair Devin Nunes recuses himself from leading the committee probe into … Continued


President Donald Trump declares that the deadly chemical attack in Syria crossed “many, many lines” as his U.N. envoy Nikki Haley suggests the U.S. might take unspecified unilateral action. Oregon Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley  holds the Senate floor through the night and into the  morning in a 15 hour talk-a-thon highlighting his party’s opposition to  Donald … Continued


The Senate Judiciary Committee votes along party lines to send to the Senate floor the nomination of  Neil Gorsuch to serve on the Supreme Court. Democrats pick up enough opponents for a successful filibuster. Republicans are likely to change Senate rules. An explosion aboard a St. Petersburg subway train kills at least 10 people and … Continued


  The day before the Senate Intelligence Committee holds its first open hearing on Russian interference in the U.S. presidential election, commitee Democrat Ron Wyden says he wants a thorough review of the financial relationships between Russia and President Donald Trump and his associates. California Governor Jerry  Brown and Democratic legislative leaders announce a long-awaited … Continued