Top Democrats push for federal crackdown on high gas prices
Democratic leaders have announced an effort to give the Federal Trade Commission increased authority to crack down on oil and gas companies that engage in price gouging.
GOP Rep. Upton, who voted to impeach Trump, won't run again
Longtime Michigan Republican Rep. Fred Upton, who voted to impeach President Donald Trump over the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection, announced Tuesday he will not run for a 19th term in Congress.
White House confident Biden's bill will pass House this week
President Joe Bidenโs top economic adviser is expressing confidence the White Houseโs $1.85 trillion domestic policy package will quickly pass the House this week.
Democrats sell infrastructure bill, push for Biden backup
Congressional Democrats who are facing potentially tough reelection fights next year are crowing about long-neglected public works projects set to spring to life thanks to the new infrastructure package.
House backs commission on Jan. 6 riot over GOP objections
The House has voted to create an independent commission on the deadly Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, sending the legislation to an uncertain future in the Senate as Republican leaders work to stop a bipartisan investigation that is opposed by former President Donald Trump.
![Once the mainstream model, Michigan GOP embraces right wing](https://www.ksat.com/resizer/0AjeDYowr5L_k8e4BHH7EuGBJlE=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/HKAMYT2R6JAMXAWADK7OFMU2XE.jpg)
Once the mainstream model, Michigan GOP embraces right wing
While the state has swung back to Democrats since Trump's narrow 2016 win, choosing President Joe Biden by more than 150,000 votes, Michigan's Republican Party has taken a hard right turn. AdโAll these things were a catalyst,โ said Ken Sikkema, a former Michigan GOP Senate leader whose Grand Rapids district lost 5,000 jobs with three plant closures just before the 2008 crash. โForces of nature take over at that point, and those forces were definitely tilting right, extreme far-right," said Venable, who was state Republican Party chief of staff in 2010. AdNodding to the emerging right wing, Michigan GOP fundraiser Ron Weiser invited Maddock to share the ticket for his bid to become state party chair. All the while, Michigan's GOP leadership has for the first time in memory bestowed legitimacy on its state's militia, long relegated to the shadows.
![Nebraska Sen. Sasse bets political future on opposing Trump](https://www.ksat.com/resizer/a1oH7yFE34Qzhu7pv7_TeihI1-U=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/POWC5Z4NDZHDNLWUR62HJP7BOU.jpg)
Nebraska Sen. Sasse bets political future on opposing Trump
The 63-year-old auto mechanic praises Nebraska Republican Sen. Ben Sasse for condemning former President Donald Trump's actions before the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. AdSasse's criticism of Trump is angering plenty of activists in deeply Republican Nebraska. He is, in effect, betting there's a political future in trying to fight for the comeback of the establishment Republican party. Limited government.โEven in Nebraska, Sasse has some reason to think there's a market for what he's selling. Meanwhile, 7% of Republicans voted for Biden, while 3% of Republicans voted for Sasse's challenger, Democrat Chris Janicek.
![In Iowa, a GOP stalwart becomes a casualty in party war](https://www.ksat.com/resizer/BH7z3SwUHP1scUC7ajnp7YPGyi4=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/K7GMRNJ2HZEJHIAVSTVEFDKD2M.jpg)
In Iowa, a GOP stalwart becomes a casualty in party war
Former Scott County Republican Party chairman Dave Millage at his home, Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021, in Bettendorf, Iowa. โThese were friends I had made over the years in the Republican Party,โ Millage, a longtime conservative activist in eastern Iowa, said in an Associated Press interview days later. But it turned a little personal.โIndeed, years of anti-abortion rights advocacy and devout party organizing didn't shield the typically understated Iowa Republican from retribution. Millage's adopted hometown of Bettendorf especially has a tradition of electing Republican state legislators and local officials. AdIn Maricopa County, Arizona, Rae Chornenky stepped down as GOP chair this month amid a power struggle with those in the state party claiming widespread election fraud.
![Led by Cheney, 10 House Republicans back Trump impeachment](https://www.ksat.com/resizer/gEMWtxvBZOy66AtAamfAZzoUzE4=/1600x900/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/XNK5EUYIGBDWHKXG3HXQNFJJZ4.jpg)
Led by Cheney, 10 House Republicans back Trump impeachment
3 House GOP leader โ voted to impeach President Donald Trump Wednesday over the deadly insurrection at the Capitol. The GOP votes were in sharp contrast to the unanimous support for Trump among House Republicans when he was impeached by Democrats in December 2019. Cheney, whose decision to buck Trump sparked an immediate backlash within the GOP, was the only member of her party's leadership to support impeachment, which was opposed by 197 Republicans. The younger Cheney has been more critical of Trump than other GOP leaders, but her announcement hours before Wednesday's vote nonetheless shook Congress. After the impeachment vote, Trump released a video calling on his supporters to remain peaceful amid concerns about additional violence in the days before President-elect Joe Bidenโs inauguration.
![The Latest: Olympic swimmer charged in attack on Capitol](https://www.ksat.com/resizer/MzHC-XI9XJmgly3a85L6Ja27SPU=/1600x1085/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/HCKVB5OXPNGU7CDEZ2LH23TEQI.jpg)
The Latest: Olympic swimmer charged in attack on Capitol
___6:25 p.m.President Donald Trump has released a video condemning the violent insurrection he fomented at the Capitol last week. Ten Republican House members voted to impeach President Donald Trump over the deadly insurrection at the Capitol. ___1:05 p.m.Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is suggesting that President Donald Trump should be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for promoting Arab-Israeli peace. ___12:45 p.m.House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says President Donald Trump represents a โclear and present dangerโ to the nation and must be impeached. ___8:15 a.m.Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger is predicting more Republicans will join him in voting to impeach President Donald Trump.
![US House votes to impeach President Donald Trump](https://www.ksat.com/resizer/gvZenB2oo0TkGH9XwhkrDdGExis=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/EADD2KV5LFB3TCMHPLPYEFKJGE.jpg)
US House votes to impeach President Donald Trump
President Donald Trump speaks to the media before boarding Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House, Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021 in Washington. With the Capitol secured by armed National Guard troops inside and out, the House voted 232-197 to impeach Trump. Even Trump ally Kevin McCarthy, the House Republican leader, shifted his position and said Wednesday the president bears responsibility for the horrifying day at the Capitol. Ten Republican lawmakers, including third-ranking House GOP leader Liz Cheney of Wyoming, voted to impeach Trump, cleaving the Republican leadership, and the party itself. The presidentโs sturdy popularity with the GOP lawmakersโ constituents still had some sway, and most House Republicans voted not to impeach.
![EXPLAINER: What's next after House impeachment vote](https://www.ksat.com/resizer/GxL45vdPPeiWTLbEOZoY67fh4qM=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/VKUV2CCACJAHFOZKAZSYFY4VKY.jpg)
EXPLAINER: What's next after House impeachment vote
Scott Applewhite)WASHINGTON โ President Donald Trump has been impeached by the House days before leaving office, becoming the first American president to be impeached twice. The previous three impeachments โ those of Presidents Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton and Trump โ took months before a final vote, including investigations in the House and hearings. It's unclear, for now, exactly how that trial will proceed and if any Senate Republicans will vote to convict Trump. In the House, 10 Republicans joined Democrats in voting to impeach Trump, including Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney, the third-ranking Republican. DIFFERENT CHARGES, DIFFERENT IMPEACHMENTThis impeachment trial is likely to differ from the last one in many ways.
![Michigan leader: Trump didn't ask for election interference](https://www.ksat.com/resizer/hzBotnT7R672UTW8a8e5fPwk_1E=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/BIBWTZLIM5GZDGNI5ACM77B4M4.jpg)
Michigan leader: Trump didn't ask for election interference
The Republican National Committee and the state Republican Party want the board to adjourn for 14 days to investigate alleged irregularities in Wayne County, the state's largest and home to Detroit. โMichigan election law clearly requires that the stateโs electors must be those nominated by the party that received the most votes โ not the Legislature,โ says a stock email House Republicans are sending in response to people who contact their offices. Experts on Michigan election law have said the state board's authority is limited in scope and that it must certify the results now that all 83 counties have reported theirs to the state. The deadline is Dec. 13, but that is five days after the federal โsafe harborโ date โ when Congress cannot challenge any electors named by that date in accordance with state law. In fact, election officials from both political parties have stated publicly that the election went well and international observers confirmed that there were no serious irregularities.
![The Latest: McConnell proposes shifting funds to COVID aid](https://www.ksat.com/resizer/H0TjIjB70VWRsudaaJoaKFMTOpA=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/UGM5GXWG3VFWJGDE24334M6F7I.jpg)
The Latest: McConnell proposes shifting funds to COVID aid
Scott Applewhite)WASHINGTON โ The Latest on President-elect Joe Biden (all times local):2:45 p.m.Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is proposing that Congress funnel $455 billion of unspent small business lending funds toward a new COVID-19 aid package. The Republican leaderโs offer Friday comes after a morning meeting with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows. Critics said the Treasury Departmentโs move was designed to hinder President-elect Joe Bidenโs administration by halting needed lending. Democrat Joe Biden was declared the winner of the election on Nov. 7, but President Donald Trump has refused to concede. Upton says he has not been in contact with the lawmakers from his state who are meeting later with Trump at the White House.
![In blue and red states, milestone wins for LGBTQ candidates](https://www.ksat.com/resizer/mIg6BXLSGZlvqTtdjsAbQq2iz2k=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/ISQDVQNKX5AAZKS3ERST6FPIAM.jpg)
In blue and red states, milestone wins for LGBTQ candidates
According to the LGBTQ Victory Fund, which recruits and supports LGBTQ candidates, that leaves only Alaska, Louisiana and Mississippi as states that have never elected an LGBTQ legislator. With the addition of Jones and Torres, there will be nine openly LGBTQ members of the House as of January. Two other Democrats became the first openly transgender people to win seats in their statesโ Houses: Taylor Small in Vermont and Stephanie Byers in Kansas. And in New York, Jabari Brisport, a gay math teacher, became the first openly LGBTQ person of color elected to the legislature. And in southwestern Michiganโs 6th District, Jon Hoadley, seeking to become the stateโs first openly gay congressman, lost to 17-term GOP Rep. Fred Upton.
![Law and order vs. health care as Dems, GOP vie for suburbs](https://www.ksat.com/resizer/OW0SxQREWjFzKsMqvLaMqyAwR84=/1600x1067/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/LDNQZUOSZNA4FIGHW43A7L2TT4.jpg)
Law and order vs. health care as Dems, GOP vie for suburbs
In the Republican-leaning California 48th Congressional District in Orange County, Republican challenger Michelle Steel has talked about taxes, while Rouda has focused on health care and prescription drug costs. The pattern is similar outside Philadelphia, where GOP Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick accuses Democratic challenger Christina Finelo of supporting police defunding. Wagner has voted for bills that would have ended the coverage that former President Barack Obamaโs health care law guarantees people with preexisting conditions. Freitas has said he thinks government intrusion into health care doesn't help. Democrats have run health care themed ads against Republicans in numerous states including Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Nebraska and Texas.