U.S. Republican Party

Jeff Fitter, owner of Super Smokers BBQ, poses for a photo inside his restaurant Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021, in Eureka, Mo. Fitter says his profits were down by about half last year, largely because of the closures and capacity limits imposed by St. Louis County. He is supporting a bill that would limit local emergency health orders to 14 days unless authorized for longer by the Legislature. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

State lawmakers are pushing to curb governors' virus powers

Jan. 28, 2021 11:12 AM EST

Irritated by the sweeping use of executive orders during the COVID-19 crisis, state lawmakers around the U.S. are moving to curb the authority of governors and top health officials to impose emergency restrictions such as mask rules and business shutdowns. The push is underway in such states as Arizona, Michigan,...

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, a member of Wisconsin's Electoral College, casts his vote at the state Capitol in Madison, Wis., Monday, Dec. 14, 2020. (AP Photo/Morry Gash, Pool)

Wisconsin Assembly to vote on repealing statewide mask order

Jan. 28, 2021 10:49 AM EST

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Republican-controlled Wisconsin Assembly was poised Thursday to repeal Democratic Gov. Tony Evers’ mask mandate, a move that would jeopardize more than $49 million in federal food assistance, brush aside warnings from health experts and make Wisconsin one of only 10 states...

In this Jan. 27, 2021, photo, President Joe Biden speaks in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington. Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package presents a first political test. More than a sweeping rescue plan, it's a test of the strength of his new administration, of Democratic control of Congress and of the role of Republicans in a post-Trump political landscape. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Virus aid package tests whether Biden, Congress can deliver

Jan. 28, 2021 10:22 AM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — More than a sweeping national rescue plan, President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package presents a first political test — of his new administration, of Democratic control of Congress and of the role of Republicans in a post-Trump political landscape. For...

FILE - In this Jan. 6, 2021, file photo, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., sits in the House Chamber after they reconvened for arguments over the objection of certifying Arizona's Electoral College votes in November's election, at the Capitol in Washington. Republicans have a Marjorie Taylor Greene problem. Again. Before she joined Congress this month, Greene supported Facebook posts that advocated violence against leading Democrats and the FBI. While some Republicans condemned the activity on Wednesday, it was hardly a surprise. Facebook posts surfaced last year showing she’d expressed racist, anti-Semitic and anti-Muslim views. (Erin Schaff/The New York Times via AP, Pool, File)

GOP tested anew by Georgia congresswoman's Facebook activity

Jan. 28, 2021 9:57 AM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans have a Marjorie Taylor Greene problem. Again. Before she joined the House this month, Greene supported Facebook posts that advocated violence against Democrats and the FBI. One suggested shooting House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in the head. In response to a post raising the...

FILE - In this Dec. 17, 2019 file photo, Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., speaks with reporters at the Capitol in Washington. A nationwide fight for the GOP’s future is getting fierce in Wyoming. House Republicans are expected to vote in the coming days on whether to oust Cheney from their third-ranking leadership post over her vote to impeach former President Donald Trump. Back in Cheney's GOP-dominated home state, momentum is growing not only for statewide GOP censure but also for a 2022 primary opponent (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

In Wyoming, Cheney faces blowback for vote to impeach Trump

Jan. 28, 2021 5:51 AM EST

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — When Liz Cheney, the third-ranking Republican in the House of Representatives, decided to vote to impeach a president from her own party, she knew she'd cause some waves. She might not have expected the seismic impact at home. But Cheney's vote against Donald Trump has put her home...

Security patrol outside the Pullman Hotel in Auckland, New Zealand, July 6, 2020. Health officials in New Zealand say Monday, Jan. 25, 2021, that genome tests indicate the country's most recent COVID-19 patient contracted the virus from another returning traveler just before leaving quarantine. (Peter Meecham/New Zealand Herald via AP)

The Latest: More rules for returning New Zealand travelers

Jan. 27, 2021 11:54 PM EST

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Travelers returning to New Zealand will face stricter rules at quarantine hotels as health authorities investigate how up to three people got infected with the coronavirus while isolating at Auckland’s Pullman Hotel. The people were released before testing positive and...

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly answers questions from reporters during a news conference in which she announces that the state will shut down its system for processing unemployment claims to combat fraud, Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021, at the Statehouse in Topeka, Kan. The 2 1/2-day shutdown will delay payments to some jobless workers while the state installs anti-fraud processes. (AP Photo/John Hanna)

Kansas to shut down unemployment system to deal with fraud

Jan. 27, 2021 11:00 PM EST

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Thousands of fraudulent unemployment claims are prompting Kansas to shut down its processing system this weekend, meaning some jobless workers will have payments delayed as the state installs new anti-fraud protections, Gov. Laura Kelly announced Wednesday. Kelly acknowledged that...

FILE - In this Nov. 9, 2020 file photo, Republican National Committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel speaks during a news conference at the Republican National Committee in Washington. The head of the Republican National Committee is declining to encourage former President Donald Trump to run for the White House in 2024. RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel told The Associated Press on Wednesday that the party would stay “neutral” in its next presidential primary. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

AP Exclusive: GOP to stay neutral should Trump run again

Jan. 27, 2021 9:42 PM EST

NEW YORK (AP) — The head of the Republican National Committee on Wednesday declined to encourage former President Donald Trump to run for the White House in 2024, saying the GOP would stay “neutral” in its next presidential primary. In an interview, RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel also described the...

Editorial Roundup: US

Jan. 27, 2021 6:45 PM EST

Excerpts from recent editorials in the United States and abroad: ___ Jan. 26 The Mercury News and East Bay Times on California's easing of coronavirus restrictions: Gov. Gavin Newsom’s decision to lift regional stay-at-home orders across the state makes absolutely no sense. The governor’s...

Sen. Amanda Chase, R-Chesterfield, packs up her computer as she prepares to leave during the floor session of the Virginia Senate inside the Science Museum in Richmond, Va., Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021. She had asked that the censure resolution against her be put off for another day after announcing that her mother-in-law had open-heart surgery. The Senate members agreed to put the vote off for a day. (Bob Brown/Richmond Times-Dispatch via AP)

Virginia Senate approves measure rebuking Amanda Chase

Jan. 27, 2021 6:26 PM EST

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — The Virginia Senate on Wednesday approved a measure rebuking one of its most far-right members for a “pattern of unacceptable conduct," including an allegation that she voiced support for those who participated in storming the U.S. Capitol. On a vote of 24-9, three Republicans...

Latest U.S. Republican Party News