Mueller raises alarm on Russian interference
Former special counsel Robert Mueller told the House Intelligence Committee that election interference by Russia in 2016 was not an isolated attempt, adding Wednesday “They’re doing it as we sit here.”
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Damon Leichty takes ‘quiet confidence’ to federal judiciary
The U.S. Senate approved Damon Leichty on an 85-10 vote, sending the South Bend Barnes & Thornburgh partner to fill the last vacancy in Indiana’s federal judiciary and making him the fourth judge confirmed to Indiana’s federal bench since last August.
Outgoing Rep. Brooks joins Dems condemning Trump’s racist tweets
In a remarkable political repudiation, the Democratic-led U.S. House voted to condemn President Donald Trump’s “racist comments” against four congresswomen of color, despite protestations by Trump’s Republican congressional allies and his own insistence he hasn’t “a racist bone in my body.” Retiring Indiana Rep. Susan Brooks was among four Republicans joining the condemnation of Trump’s statements.
Judge bars Trump confidant Roger Stone from social media
A federal judge in Washington on Tuesday restricted Roger Stone’s use of social media after finding that the longtime friend of President Donald Trump violated her gag order.
Democrats acknowledge questioning Mueller ‘will not be easy’
Some are watching old video of his previous testimony. Others are closely re-reading his 448-page report. And almost all are worrying about how they’ll make the most of the short time they’ll have for questioning. Robert Mueller, the Democrats know, will be tough to crack.
Barnes’ Leichty confirmed to Indiana’s Northern District bench
Damon Leichty has been confirmed to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, filling the last vacant seat on the federal bench in the Hoosier state.
Latest ‘Obamacare’ court battle plays out in New Orleans
The fate of former President Barack Obama’s signature health care law, and its coverage and insurance protections for millions of Americans, is again being argued before a panel of judges — this time a federal appeals court in New Orleans. At issue in a hearing scheduled Tuesday is whether Congress effectively rendered it unconstitutional in 2017 when it zeroed out the tax imposed on those who chose not to buy insurance.
Judge strikes down rule requiring drug ads to reveal prices
A federal judge Monday blocked a major White House initiative on prescription drug costs, saying the Trump administration lacked the legal authority to require drugmakers to disclose their prices in TV ads. The lawsuit was brought by three major manufacturers: Merck, Amgen and Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly.
House committee files lawsuit over Trump tax returns
A House committee has filed a lawsuit in federal court seeking President Donald Trump’s tax returns.
House boosts LSC funding without key Hoosier’s vote
The appropriations bill that included a significant boost in funding to the Legal Service Corp. passed through the U.S. House of Representatives without the vote of a key advocate of civil legal aid who said the measure contained too many “poison pills” and was impossible to support.
5-4 Supreme Court won’t block districts drawn for partisan gain
The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled federal courts have no role to play in policing political districts drawn for partisan gain. The decision could embolden political line-drawing for partisan gain when state lawmakers undertake the next round of redistricting after the 2020 census.
Mueller to testify publicly before 2 House committees
Former special counsel Robert Mueller has agreed to testify publicly before Congress on July 17 after Democrats issued subpoenas to compel him to appear, the chairmen of two House committees announced.
Subpoena showdown: Congressional fights highlight differences from court processes
The back-and-forth between Congress and the Trump administration over subpoenas might seem like a telltale sign of the political tension dividing Washington, but it’s historically not that uncommon. Subpoena fights, however, are much less common in state and federal courts.
Census, redistricting top remaining Supreme Court cases
The Supreme Court enters its final week of decisions with two politically charged issues unresolved: whether to rein in political line-drawing for partisan gain and allow a citizenship question on the 2020 census.
Supreme Court rejects early challenge to Trump steel tariffs
The U.S. Supreme Court is rejecting an early challenge to President Donald Trump’s authority to impose tariffs on imported steel based on national security concerns.
High court: Sex offender law doesn’t violate Constitution
The U.S. Supreme Court says Congress didn’t do anything improper when it gave the attorney general the ability to decide how to apply a sex offender registry law to more than 500,000 people convicted before the law was enacted.
Justice backs Mnuchin’s refusal to turn over Trump’s taxes
The Justice Department issued a legal opinion Friday finding Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin was right to withhold President Donald Trump’s tax returns from a House committee that subpoenaed them.
Susan Brooks to step down from Congress after fourth term
Indiana Rep. Susan Brooks, a Republican who has represented Indiana’s 5th District since 2013, announced Friday morning that she will not run for a fifth term in Congress.
House resolution would make it easier to enforce subpoenas
A resolution being voted on Tuesday in the House would make it easier for Democrats to sue President Donald Trump’s administration and other potential witnesses who refuse to comply with subpoenas. The House resolution would authorize lawsuits against Attorney General William Barr and former White House counsel Don McGahn for defying subpoenas pertaining to special counsel Robert Mueller’s report.
Naming of Indianapolis post office sought for ex-Sen. Lugar
Indiana’s congressional delegation is seeking to put former U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar’s name on a downtown Indianapolis post office.