Senate review of Supreme Court ethics finds more luxury trips and urges enforceable code of conduct

WASHINGTON (AP) — A nearly two-year investigation by Democratic senators of Supreme Court ethics details more luxury travel by Justice Clarence Thomas and urges Congress to establish a way to enforce a new code of conduct. Any movement on the issue appears unlikely as Republicans...

Government shutdown is averted just after deadline as Congress rejects Trump's debt limit demands

WASHINGTON (AP) — Facing a government shutdown deadline, the Senate rushed through final passage early Saturday of a bipartisan plan that would temporarily fund federal operations and disaster aid, dropping President-elect Donald Trump's demands for a debt limit increase into the new year. ...

Senate passes Social Security benefits boost for many public service retirees

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate passed legislation early Saturday to boost Social Security payments for millions of people, pushing a longtime priority for former public employees through Congress in one of its last acts for the year. The bipartisan bill, which next heads to President...

The Latest: Schumer says Senate on course to pass bill before funding lapses at midnight

With hours to go before a midnight government shutdown, the House approved a new plan from House Speaker Mike Johnson that would temporarily fund federal operations and disaster aid, but dropped President-elect Donald Trump’s demands for a debt limit increase into the new year. The...

Senate approves 235th judge of Biden's term, beating Trump's tally

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden secured the 235th judicial confirmation of his presidency Friday, an accomplishment that exceeds his predecessor's total by one after Democrats put extra emphasis on the federal courts following Donald Trump's far-reaching first term, when he filled three...

A court ruling could tip the majority to Republicans in the Minnesota House

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota House Republicans could start the 2025 legislative session in the majority after a judge ruled Friday that a Democratic candidate didn't meet the residency requirements for his suburban district. Ramsey County Judge Leonardo Castro ruled that Curtis...

Republican candidate for the North Carolina Supreme Court suffers legal setbacks in close race

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The trailing Republican in a tight North Carolina Supreme Court race suffered legal setbacks Friday as a federal judge refused to halt any upcoming official declaration that his Democratic rival won their November election. U.S. District Judge Richard Myers...

A judge says Missouri's GOP governor has the power to replace a Democratic county's prosecutor

O'FALLON, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri judge ruled Friday that the state's Republican governor, not a local Democratic official, has the power to fill a vacancy in the prosecutor's office for the state's most populous county. A spokesperson said St. Louis County would appeal St. Louis...

Ohio lawmakers approve charging up to $750 for police and jail videos

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — People seeking copies of police and jail videos in Ohio may have to pay up to $750, or $75 for each hour of video released, if Gov. Mike DeWine signs a measure approved by the state Legislature this week. The fee was included in an amendment to the state’s...

House Republicans tee up vote on new government funding bill without debt limit increase that Trump demanded