AP

By MICHAEL R. BLOOD AP Political Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) — Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ’s decision to step aside after nearly four decades in Congress kicks off a wide-open contest to replace her at a time when her home city of San Francisco is roiled in debate about the cost of living and

By MARY CLARE JALONICK and KEVIN FREKING Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Majority Leader John Thune quickly swatted down a Democratic offer to reopen the government and extend expiring health care subsidies for a year, calling it a “nonstarter” as the partisan impasse over the shutdown continued into its 38th day. Senate Democratic Leader

By JOSH BOAK Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is adjusting his messaging strategy to win over voters who are worried about the cost of living with plans to emphasize new tax breaks and show progress on fighting inflation. The messaging is centered around affordability, and the push comes after inflation emerged as

By ADRIANA GOMEZ LICON Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President Barack Obama made a surprise appearance Thursday at a progressive event in Washington, telling the crowd that American voters are rejecting the Trump agenda and offering hope that divisions within the Democratic party can be bridged. “We had a good night on Tuesday,” Obama

By WILL WEISSERT Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has pardoned the former Tennessee House speaker and a onetime aide of public corruption charges after the White House said the Biden administration Justice Department “significantly over-prosecuted” both for a minor issue. Former Republican state Rep. Glen Casada was sentenced in September to three

By ANTHONY IZAGUIRRE and SEUNG MIN KIM Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — Republican U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik is expected to announce a run for New York governor Friday, according to two people familiar with her plans. The two people spoke with The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to

By LISA MASCARO AP Congressional Correspondent WASHINGTON (AP) — Nancy Pelosi is bringing her history-making career in the U.S. House to an end, but she leaves a linguistic legacy in Congress and beyond. The enduring leadership of the first woman to become speaker of the House can not only be seen but also heard. The

By SOPHIA TAREEN Associated Press CHICAGO (AP) — U.S. Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia confirmed Thursday that he won’t seek a fifth term, days after the Illinois Democrat backed a quiet effort to get his chief of staff to replace him on the March primary ballot. Garcia, a progressive Democrat who has made immigrant rights a

By STEPHEN GROVES Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans voted to reject legislation Thursday that would have put a check on President Donald Trump’s ability to launch an attack against Venezuela, as Democrats pressed Congress to take a stronger role in Trump’s high-stakes campaign against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Lawmakers, including top Republicans, have