RFK Jr. is on the defensive over his vaccine views as a key confirmation vote hangs in the balance

WASHINGTON (AP) — Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s long record of doubting the safety of childhood vaccinations persisted as a flash point for him Thursday in a confirmation hearing where senators, including a key Republican, shared intensely personal details about the impact vaccine skepticism had on...

US cybersecurity agency's future role in elections remains murky under the Trump administration

WASHINGTON (AP) — The nation’s cybersecurity agency has played a critical role in helping states shore up the defenses of their voting systems, but its election mission appears uncertain amid sustained criticism from Republicans and key figures in the Trump administration. ...

Merkel criticizes German front-runner Merz over migration vote with far-right support

BERLIN (AP) — Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday issued rare public criticism of her successor as the country's center-right leader, the front-runner in Germany's election next month, for putting to parliament proposals for tough new migration rules that only passed with the help...

Ex-Chancellor Merkel criticizes German center-right leader Merz over migration proposal that passed with far-right votes

Texas senators fast-track school voucher bill for full vote

The Texas Senate Education Committee on Tuesday night voted to advance school voucher legislation for a full vote in the Senate after hours of public testimony largely focused on whether the proposal would live up to its promise of prioritizing low-income families and children with disabilities. ...

A Democratic Party in crisis will elect its new chairman on Saturday

NEW YORK (AP) — The Democratic National Committee will elect a new chair on Saturday as the party seeks new leadership to guide Democrats through Donald Trump's second presidency. Eight candidates have lined up to replace outgoing Chair Jaime Harrison. The contest will be decided...

Voting rights groups are concerned about priorities shifting under Trump's Justice Department

ATLANTA (AP) — The Justice Department appears poised to take a very different approach to investigating voting and elections. Conservative calls to overhaul the department by removing career employees, increasing federal voter fraud cases and investigating the 2020 election are...

Armed man arrested at Capitol after threatening to kill Trump cabinet members, police say

WASHINGTON (AP) — A Massachusetts man was arrested on weapons charges after he visited the U.S. Capitol on Monday and told police that he wanted to kill top Republicans, including billionaire investor Scott Bessent on the day that the Senate confirmed him as President Donald Trump’s treasury...

Sean Duffy is confirmed by the Senate to lead the Transportation Department

NEW YORK (AP) — Sean Duffy was confirmed Tuesday as transportation secretary, giving him a key role in helping President Donald Trump cut regulations and fix the nation's infrastructure. The former Wisconsin congressman has promised safer Boeing planes, less regulation and help for...

Federal appeals judges try to untangle litigation over pending North Carolina court election

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A federal appeals panel exchanged arguments Monday with lawyers over a still-unresolved November election for a North Carolina Supreme Court seat, immersed in jurisdictional questions over which courts should determine whether roughly 66,000 ballots should have been counted....