U.S. Senate
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Senate race gets 11 hopefuls as candidates file for office Monday
Washington’s U.S. Senate race got crowded in a hurry Monday, as 10 challengers filed to run against incumbent Democrat Maria Cantwell.
Cantwell rallies net neutrality supporters in Spokane stop
U.S Sen. Maria Cantwell, small business leaders and members of tech startup companies rallied Friday afternoon at downtown Spokane’s Washington Cracker Co. building to voice support of a congressional resolution to restore net neutrality.
Sen. Maria Cantwell says governments should not be on the hook for coal mine cleanups
WASHINGTON – Congress should end a practice that puts the federal government and states at risk of paying for expensive coal mine cleanups when mining companies go bankrupt, according to a new finding by the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office. The GAO, an investigative arm of Congress, is recommending that lawmakers eliminate the ability of coal mine owners to self-certify their financial wealth, known as “self-bonding.” The controversial process lets owners avoid putting up collateral or getting third-party surety bonds – a requirement of companies in every other energy sector.
Congressional candidate plans shooting event; underdog Senate challengers speak in Spokane
“Come on out, bring your firearms and your family and let’s talk of freedom and have a blast shooting some targets,” Jered Bonneau wrote in Facebook promotion for his “Shooting with the Candidate” event, which features a photo of the bearded 31-year-old posing with a Kalashnikov rifle in a room draped with “Don’t Tread on Me” flags.
Expansion of low-income housing program to help build more homes in Spokane
The recent expansion of a program responsible for financing most of the nation’s affordable housing over the last 30 years will deliver more low-income housing to Spokane, combating a nationwide housing crisis that has reached eastern Washington.
Spokane keeps its peace as Patriot Prayer leader Joey Gibson stages event
Fears of violence were quashed Sunday as political rallies for and against a conservative U.S. Senate candidate who’s become a magnet for the alt-right went off without a hitch.
Cantwell, local legislators move to combat housing crisis
A number of separate efforts signal that elected officials recognize the urgency of the nation’s growing housing crisis.
Cantwell criticizes Interior Department’s plans for public lands
Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke and his department’s policies were criticized as an “unprecedented” attack on public lands and the environment Tuesday by U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell during an Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing.
Washington delegation takes stances against Trump tariffs
WASHINGTON – Talk of trade wars is circulating around the nation’s Capitol. Legislators had mixed reactions following President Trump’s move to place a 25 percent duty on steel imports and 10 percent on aluminum imports. House Speaker Paul Ryan already has said that Trump needs to be “more surgical” with the tariffs to ensure they don’t cause collateral damage.
Patriot Prayer leader Gibson announces Senate run against Cantwell
Joey Gibson, a Vancouver man who rose to prominence in the past year after his conservative group’s political rallies sparked counterprotests and violence, announced Sunday he intends to run for U.S. Senate against Democratic incumbent Maria Cantwell.
Democrats, Republicans take different views of Trump offshore oil lease proposal
Democrats continue to challenge President Trump’s proposal to expand offshore oil leases, but Republicans say it’s no problem because there’s no oil off the Washington coast.
Official: Plan to exclude Florida from drilling isn’t final
The Trump administration’s promise to exempt Florida from an offshore drilling plan is not a formal action, an Interior Department official said Friday in a statement that Democrats said contradicted a high-profile announcement by Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke.
Children’s health insurance funding at center of shutdown battle splitting Washington delegation
Lawmakers remain at odds over legislation that would fund the federal government past a rapidly approaching Friday deadline. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, joined by Republican colleagues at a news conference Wednesday, pressured Democrats to vote for the proposal, which extends funding for six years. Democrats want protections for children of undocumented immigrants and a longer-term spending proposal.
Susan Hutchison to step down as Washington GOP leader
State GOP Chairman Susan Hutchison announces she’s leaving in February.
Health insurance funding for children running low as Congress stays deadlocked on reauthorizing CHIP
A federal health insurance program covering 52,000 kids in Washington is running out of money as partisan disagreements keep Congress from reauthorizing funding. The Children’s Health Insurance Program, commonly called CHIP, covers children up to age 18 in low-income families who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid, but can’t afford other coverage.
Senators want answers on Hanford radioactive contamination spread
The Hanford nuclear reservation workforce must have confidence that Hanford officials are putting safety ahead of legal deadlines and financial interests, said the U.S. senators for Washington state.
Northwest Democrats, GOP split on net neutrality rule change
Region’s Democrats and Republicans argue whether Thursday’s FCC decision on net neutrality will help or hurt the economy and consumers.
Murray, Cantwell named to tax conference committee
Senate Democrats appoint Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell to the committee seeking a compromise between the two tax bills.
Murray, Cantwell among senators calling on Al Franken to resign
WASHINGTON – His once-promising political career in shambles, Minnesota Sen. Al Franken appeared on the verge of resigning after fellow Democrats led by female senators abandoned him Wednesday over the mounting allegations of sexual misconduct that are roiling Capitol Hill. A majority of the Senate’s Democrats called on the two-term lawmaker to get out after another woman emerged Wednesday saying he forcibly tried to kiss her in 2006. That brought to at least seven the number of women accusing him of sexual impropriety.