Pence attacks ‘hard-left’ Democrats in rant against socialism – live updates

Vice-president criticizes Green New Deal and Medicare for All and claims choice in next election is between ‘freedom and socialism’

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8.47pm GMT

The Democratic-led House oversight committee has issued a warning to Donald Trump’s counsel, demanding that the White House turn over documents related to security clearances for some of the president’s close advisers.

Elija...

Ivanka Trump and Donald Jr wanted for interviews by House committee – live

  • Elijah Cummings seeks talks with Trump’s children
  • Trump’s summit with Kim Jong-un collapses after negotiations fail
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9.46pm GMT

New polling out of the University of New Hampshire has neighboring senator Bernie Sanders in first place, trailed closely by Joe Biden, who still has no decided whether he will run for president.

Po...

Medicare for All: House Democrats unveil bill to expand healthcare nationwide

Measure to be formally introduced Wednesday signals party’s growing backing for once-fringe idea

House Democrats have unveiled details of their ambitious plan to expand a popular, government-run healthcare program to all Americans. The measure marks a fresh sign of the party’s growing support for a once fringe idea that will play a defining role in the 2020 presidential campaign.

The Medicare for All Act of 2019, to be formally introduced on Wednesday with 107 co-sponsors, woul...

Rashida Tlaib: Democrat defends call for Trump’s impeachment – live

Michigan congresswoman stood by impeachment comment as her office says: ‘Tlaib was elected to shake up Washington’

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On their first full day in power, House Democrats voted to jump into into a court battle defending the Affordable Care Act as part of their rules package.

From Politico:

From the Associated Press, new poll shows Americans increasingly concerned with immigration:

As much of the U.S. government remains shut down over President Donald Trump’s insistence on funding for his border wall, nearly half of Americans identify immigration as a top issue for the government to work on this year.

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Democrats waste no time, announce first oversight measures of the new Congress

The 116th Congress — dubbed the most progressive and most diverse Congress in U.S. history — officially came to order on Thursday, and members of Congress have wasted no time introducing legislation and scheduling hearings to provide oversight over the White House.

With the Democrats in control of the House of Representatives for the first time since 2011 and Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) wielding the gavel, the party is intent on using their new power to advance progressi...

Medicare for All: ‘huge step’ for proposal as Pelosi agrees to hold hearings – live

Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib, one of the two first Muslim Congresswomen who will take office today, will take her oath of office on a copy of the Koran owned by Thomas Jefferson, per the Detroit Free Press.

Fun fact: When Rashida Tlaib, a Muslim, is sworn in as the first Palestinian-American woman in Congress today, she will take the oath of office using Thomas Jefferson’s personal copy of the Quran. https://t.co/wZ6I2eKq3v

The new 116th Congress has now officially convened.

Vice President Mike Pence is swearing in members of the Senate. House members are preparing to be sworn in.

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Amid swirling Trump scandals, Cummings backs rules change to allow indictment of a sitting president

Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD), the Democrat who takes over chairmanship of the House Oversight Committee next month, called Sunday for the overhaul of legal guidelines that currently protect presidents from criminal prosecution.

“I think we should always reconsider laws and regulations, and this is one we definitely should reconsider,” Cummings told CNN’s State of the Union.

The Maryland Democrat raised the prospect of a rules change against the back...

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez isn’t the only 29-year-old Democrat who was just elected to Congress

Rep.-elect Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) isn’t the only 29-year-old who was part of Democrats’ historic “blue wave” in last month’s midterms.

Her future House colleague Abby Finkenauer (D-IA) — who recently unseated two-term Rep. Rod Blum (R-IA) in Cedar Rapids’ 1st congressional district — is only nine months older, but she’s just as relatable.

If you aren’t already feeling old, let’s just get it all out of ...

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is changing the way politicians use social media

If you aren’t following Rep.-elect Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) on social media, we highly recommend it.

Regardless of where you fall on the partisan political spectrum, there is something for everyone to learn from Ocasio-Cortez, who will officially become the youngest-ever congresswoman next month.

Though the new Democratic-led House won’t be seated until January 3, the New York City congresswoman-elect is already building a large following with her approach ...