Virginia Democrats are the next surprising entrant into the redistricting battle

State lawmakers are launching a rushed effort to overhaul the state’s maps, which currently have a 6-5 split. Virginia Democrats are poised to enter the nationwide redistricting battle, according to three Democrats familiar with the plans, taking on an effort to redraw the state’s congressional lines just days before closely watched elections in the state. … Read more

National Democrats nudge Maryland on redistricting

The DCCC commissioned a new poll finding that Maryland Democratic voters would respond positively to the move. National Democrats are trying to push recalcitrant Marylanders into redrawing the state’s congressional lines, arguing that the party’s base would support Free State leaders jumping into the nationwide fray. A Change Research polling memo commissioned by the Democratic … Read more

Flights to Los Angeles International Airport halted due to air traffic controller shortage

LAX is one of the world’s busiest airports. Flights departing for Los Angeles International Airport were halted briefly due to a staffing shortage at a Southern California air traffic facility, the Federal Aviation Administration said Sunday, when the agency also reported staffing-related delays in Chicago, Washington and Newark, New Jersey. The FAA issued a temporary … Read more

A federal judge weighing an appeal in a terrorism case seizes on Trump’s Ellipse speech before Jan. 6 attack

Stephanie Thacker, an Obama appointee, said a convicted scholar’s speech in a terrorism case and Trump’s remarks sound “the same.” It’s been almost five years since President Donald Trump stood on the Ellipse and exhorted his followers to march on the Capitol as lawmakers were preparing to certify Joe Biden’s election victory. But that jarring … Read more

The East Wing of the White House is gone. Here’s a look at some of the history made there.

“Tearing down those walls doesn’t diminish the significance of the work we accomplished there.” WASHINGTON — Betty Ford reportedly said that if the White House West Wing is the “mind” of the nation, then the East Wing — the traditional power center for first ladies — is the “heart.” That “heart” beat for more than … Read more

‘King-like powers’: Chris Murphy says Trump prefers the government to remain closed

The government is heading into its fourth week of a shutdown. Democrats are accusing President Donald Trump and GOP congressional leadership of refusing to negotiate as the country heads into week four of a government shutdown, with one senator saying Trump prefers the government to be closed. In an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper on … Read more

Lindsey Graham: Venezuelan land strikes a real possibility

The South Carolina senator defended President Trump’s boat strikes in the region. Sen. Lindsey Graham on Sunday defended the White House’s decision to strike Venezuelan boats, hinting that President Donald Trump may even “expand” military operations in the region. In an interview with CBS’ Margaret Brennan on “Face the Nation,” the South Carolina Republican said … Read more

Capitol agenda: Brace for sharper shutdown pain

Millions of Americans could go without food aid and troops could miss their paychecks this week. Congress is just days away from a significant escalation of shutdown pain. But with President Donald Trump in Asia all week, there’s little hope of an immediate breakthrough. Come Nov. 1, SNAP benefits will be halted for over 40 … Read more