Matt Brown, The Associated Press

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Rep. Robert Garcia elected top Democrat on Oversight panel, setting new path for party's opposition

Rep. Robert Garcia elected top Democrat on Oversight panel, setting new path for party's opposition

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Rep. Robert Garcia was elected the top Democrat on the powerful House Oversight Committee on Tuesday, charting a new direction for the party's opposition to congressional Republicans and President Donald Trump's administration.

House passes bill to to combat fentanyl trafficking, sending it to Trump's desk

House passes bill to to combat fentanyl trafficking, sending it to Trump's desk

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The House overwhelmingly passed bipartisan legislation Thursday that would solidify federal policies cracking down on the synthetic opioid fentanyl and its analogs in a bid by lawmakers to combat the nation's opioid epidemic.

House Oversight Committee expands inquiry into Biden's mental condition and final acts in office

House Oversight Committee expands inquiry into Biden's mental condition and final acts in office

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The House Oversight Committee is requesting interviews with members of former President Joe Biden's innermost circle as Republicans ramp up their investigation into the final moves of the Biden administration.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and other US tech leaders testify to Congress on AI competition with China

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and other US tech leaders testify to Congress on AI competition with China

WASHINGTON (AP) -- OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and executives from Microsoft and chipmaker Advanced Micro Devices testified on Capitol Hill about the biggest opportunities, risks and needs facing an industry which lawmakers and technologists agree could fundamentally transform global business, culture and geopolitics.

More Democratic lawmakers are visiting El Salvador on Abrego Garcia's behalf

More Democratic lawmakers are visiting El Salvador on Abrego Garcia's behalf

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Four House Democratic lawmakers have traveled to El Salvador to call attention to the plight of a man the Trump administration deported to a Salvadoran prison and has refused to help return -- even after the Supreme Court ruled that it was the government's duty to do so.

Democrats' new digital strategy tops trending charts but also draws mockery from allies and foes

Democrats' new digital strategy tops trending charts but also draws mockery from allies and foes

WASHINGTON (AP) -- For weeks, Democratic lawmakers have met with and mimicked figures they believe may offer them a path back to power in Washington: online influencers and content creators.

Democrats' new internet strategy tops trending charts but also draws mockery from allies and foes

Democrats' new internet strategy tops trending charts but also draws mockery from allies and foes

WASHINGTON (AP) -- For weeks, Democratic lawmakers have met with and mimicked figures they believe may offer them a path back to power in Washington: online influencers and content creators.

Democrats clashed over their shutdown strategy. But the party's identity crisis runs far deeper

Democrats clashed over their shutdown strategy. But the party's identity crisis runs far deeper

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Democrats have been sniping at each other in public since Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer helped pass a Republican spending bill that prevented a government shutdown. But the divisions in their party hardly began there.

Trump's firing of military brass prompts concern but little pushback from Republicans

Trump's firing of military brass prompts concern but little pushback from Republicans

WASHINGTON (AP) -- When the Senate unanimously confirmed Gen. CQ Brown Jr. as Air Force chief of staff in 2020, President Donald Trump hailed a "historic day for America!" on social media and said he was "Excited to work even more closely with Gen. Brown, who is a Patriot and Great Leader!"

House lawmakers push to ban AI app DeepSeek from US government devices

House lawmakers push to ban AI app DeepSeek from US government devices

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A bipartisan duo in the the U.S. House is proposing legislation to ban the Chinese artificial intelligence app DeepSeek from federal devices, similar to the policy already in place for the popular social media platform TikTok.

Scott Turner confirmed as Trump's HUD secretary after pledging to address housing shortages

Scott Turner confirmed as Trump's HUD secretary after pledging to address housing shortages

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Scott Turner was confirmed Wednesday as the housing secretary, a role central to President Donald Trump's domestic agenda at a time when most Americans say the cost of living around necessities are a top concern.

Baltimore mayor fights back against attacks on DEI initiatives with 'Definitely Earned It' campaign

Baltimore mayor fights back against attacks on DEI initiatives with 'Definitely Earned It' campaign

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump's attack on diversity, equity and inclusion programs have led military and government agencies -- along with some private companies -- to roll back observances of diversity and celebrations of Black History Month, which goes through February.

Doug Collins confirmed as veterans affairs secretary as Trump Cabinet takes shape

Doug Collins confirmed as veterans affairs secretary as Trump Cabinet takes shape

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The U.S. Senate on Tuesday confirmed Doug Collins as secretary of veterans affairs, putting the former congressman and Iraq War veteran at the helm of a department that provides crucial care to America's veterans.

Conservatives of color have lofty expectations for Trump's second term

Conservatives of color have lofty expectations for Trump's second term

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Delivering his first address as a reinaugurated president, Donald Trump spoke directly to communities that had historically shunned his party.

Civil rights leaders and King family mark MLK Day as a special call to action as Trump takes office

Civil rights leaders and King family mark MLK Day as a special call to action as Trump takes office

WASHINGTON (AP) -- When President-elect Donald Trump is sworn in as president of the United States inside the Capitol's rotunda, he will do so facing a bust of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. on the federal holiday commemorating King's legacy.

Manchin, Sinema prevent Democrats from locking in majority on labor board through 2026

Manchin, Sinema prevent Democrats from locking in majority on labor board through 2026

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Senate Democrats failed Wednesday to confirm a Democratic member of the National Labor Relations Board after independent Sens. Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema opposed the nomination, thwarting their hopes of locking in a majority at the federal agency for the first two years of President-elect Donald Trump's term.

Young men swung to the right for Trump after a campaign dominated by masculine appeals

Young men swung to the right for Trump after a campaign dominated by masculine appeals

WASHINGTON (AP) -- For years, Pat Verhaeghe didn't think highly of Donald Trump as a leader.

What diversity does  -  and doesn't  -  look like in Trump's Cabinet

What diversity does - and doesn't - look like in Trump's Cabinet

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President-elect Donald Trump's incoming administration is set to be less diverse than President Joe Biden's administration, but several people of color and women appear likely to serve in top roles.

Listen to business owners and voters in Erie, Pennsylvania. They could help decide the White House.

Listen to business owners and voters in Erie, Pennsylvania. They could help decide the White House.

ERIE, Pa. (AP) -- It wasn't much when he bought it, but Michael Hooks has made the old garage his own haven. And the city of Erie knows it. Half a dozen cars honk as they pass by one October afternoon, the people hanging out of car windows to wave hello at him.

A decade of racial justice activism transformed politics, but landmark reforms remain elusive

A decade of racial justice activism transformed politics, but landmark reforms remain elusive

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Cori Bush went from helping to lead an informal movement for racial justice to winning two terms as a congresswoman from Missouri, with an office decorated with photographs of families who lost loved ones to police violence. One is of Michael Brown.

A decade of racial justice activism transformed politics but landmark reforms remain elusive

A decade of racial justice activism transformed politics but landmark reforms remain elusive

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Cori Bush went from helping to lead an informal movement for racial justice to winning two terms as a congresswoman from Missouri, with an office decorated with photographs of families who lost loved ones to police violence. One picture is of Michael Brown.

Trump boosts a hard-right Christian worldview that paints the election as 'spiritual warfare'

Trump boosts a hard-right Christian worldview that paints the election as 'spiritual warfare'

LIVONIA, Mich. (AP) -- Standing before hundreds of people in a suburban Detroit chapel, at an event organized by Donald Trump's campaign, Marlin J. Reed declared that God had called on them to vote for the former president.

Michelle Obama will headline an Atlanta rally aimed at boosting voter turnout

Michelle Obama will headline an Atlanta rally aimed at boosting voter turnout

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Former first lady Michelle Obama will headline a rally in Atlanta a week before the Nov. 5 election alongside celebrities and civic leaders focusing on engaging younger and first-time voters, as well as voters of color.

Obama's callout to Black men touches a nerve among Democrats. Is election-year misogyny at play?

Obama's callout to Black men touches a nerve among Democrats. Is election-year misogyny at play?

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Barack Obama had frank words for Black men who may be considering sitting out the election.

Black men have been a focus for Harris and her allies long before Obama's recent challenge

Black men have been a focus for Harris and her allies long before Obama's recent challenge

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Barack Obama had frank words for Black men who may be considering sitting out the election.

Some of the most notable quotes from the JD Vance-Tim Walz vice presidential debate

Some of the most notable quotes from the JD Vance-Tim Walz vice presidential debate

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The first and only vice presidential debate between Ohio Senator JD Vance and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz featured an often orderly, policy-focused and even civil dialogue between the two men seeking to serve as the next president's second in command.

The most notable  -  and quotable  -  exchanges from the Harris-Trump debate

The most notable - and quotable - exchanges from the Harris-Trump debate

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The first meeting between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump featured some sharp comments and memorable moments.

Trump courts conservative male influencers to try to reach younger men

Trump courts conservative male influencers to try to reach younger men

WASHINGTON (AP) -- At first glance, there's little that a 78-year-old former president and a 23-year-old internet personality might have in common.

What to watch on the Democratic National Convention's fourth and final day in Chicago

What to watch on the Democratic National Convention's fourth and final day in Chicago

CHICAGO (AP) -- The Democratic National Convention will kick off its fourth and final night on Thursday.

Black men emerge as key constituency in 2024 race, bringing dynamic views to the top of politics

Black men emerge as key constituency in 2024 race, bringing dynamic views to the top of politics

ATLANTA (AP) -- Every Monday evening, the Andrew and Walter Young Family YMCA basement becomes a sanctuary for men who, local leaders say, have too often been denied one.

A speaking invitation to Donald Trump splits the most prominent American group for Black journalists

A speaking invitation to Donald Trump splits the most prominent American group for Black journalists

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Donald Trump's invitation to address the National Association of Black Journalists has sparked an intense debate within the organization and a flurry of arguments online.

Kamala Harris energizes South Asian voters, a growing force in key swing states

Kamala Harris energizes South Asian voters, a growing force in key swing states

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. (AP) -- A drive out to Atlanta's sprawling suburbs passes the cultural centers, schools and houses of worship that opened as this became the nation's sixth-largest metropolitan area.

Black lawmakers are standing by Biden at a crucial moment. But some express concern

Black lawmakers are standing by Biden at a crucial moment. But some express concern

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Congressional Black Caucus prides itself on its authority among Democrats and its influence with President Joe Biden in particular. So far, only one of its roughly 60 members have joined calls for Biden to drop his reelection bid due to concerns over his age and ability to win.

Trump's debate references to 'Black jobs' and 'Hispanic jobs' stir Democratic anger

Trump's debate references to 'Black jobs' and 'Hispanic jobs' stir Democratic anger

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Donald Trump warned during his debate with Joe Biden that migrants were taking "Black jobs" and "Hispanic jobs" from Americans, angering critics who called the former president's performance a racist appeal to his white conservative base.