Seth McLaughlin
Articles by Seth McLaughlin
Jeff Sessions’ hearing: Pro-marijuana activists see bright side during A.G. vetting
A national pro-marijuana group is taking a nugget of hope out of Sen. Jeff Sessions confirmation hearings, saying they are pleased the Alabama Republican has declined the chance to adopt a prohibitionist approach to the enforcement of federal pot laws. Published January 11, 2017
Painting depicting police officers as pigs sparks tug of war on Capitol Hill
The clash between members of Congress over a painting that depicts police officers as pigs boiled over Tuesday, with GOP lawmakers repeatedly taking matters into their own hands to remove the student artwork from a Capitol complex hallway and Democrats responding by rehanging the piece and defending its display. Published January 10, 2017
Lacy Clay rehangs controversial ‘pigs’ painting
Rep. Lacy Clay of Missouri and members of the Black Congressional Caucus rehung a painting in the U.S. Capitol Tuesday that has stirred controversy over its depiction of police officers as pigs. Published January 10, 2017
Donna Brazile, DNC chair: Jeff Sessions ‘worse than unqualified’ to be attorney general
The chair of the Democratic National Committee said Tuesday that Sen. Jeff Sessions should be considered too extreme to win confirmation in the Senate as Donald Trump's attorney general. Published January 10, 2017
Trump gets payback against Gov. Kasich with ouster of Matt Borges, Ohio GOP chair
Donald Trump got some political payback Friday against Gov. John Kasich after the chairman of the Ohio Republican party was ousted in favor of the president-elect's preferred pick. Published January 6, 2017
Democrats fall short in bid to stymy Trump in Electoral College
House Democrats attempted to lodge protests Friday against the Electoral College votes of several of the states that backed President-elect Donald Trump, but Vice President Joseph R. Biden ruled each one out of order. Published January 6, 2017
Nancy Pelosi: Objections to Donald Trump’s electoral vote win are going nowhere
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said Friday that Donald Trump appears poised to clear the final hurdle standing before his inauguration as the 45th president of the United States. Published January 6, 2017
Pete Buttigieg, South Bend, Indiana mayor, jumps into DNC chair race, promising fresh start
The 34-year-old mayor of an Indiana city announced Thursday he is running to become the next chairman of the Democratic National Committee, saying the solutions to the nation's problems will not come from Washington and that he plans on getting the party back to winning. Published January 5, 2017
Joe Manchin shapes centrist image ahead of Trump administration
Sen. Joe Manchin on Wednesday ditched an all-Democrats meeting with President Obama and then broke bread with Vice President-elect Mike Pence, moving to cement his post-partisan image in the new Congress, where the West Virginia Democrat hopes to play the role of "facilitator" — and boost his chances of re-election in 2018. Published January 4, 2017
Electoral College vote protest sputters, with Trump almost certainly to be confirmed
Democrats say there's little to be gained from staging a fight this week over the Electoral College vote count, ignoring calls from activists that want lawmakers to use "any and every" opportunity to let President-elect Donald Trump and Republicans know they will face opposition on Capitol Hill. Published January 3, 2017
Tea party darlings Marco Rubio, Rand Paul, Mike Lee must work with Donald Trump
They were the toast of the 2010 tea party movement, but Donald Trump's election has left Sens. Marco Rubio, Rand Paul and Mike Lee searching for new roles as they begin their second terms in office. Published December 29, 2016
Obama evades Congress, expands presidential war powers in precedent for Donald Trump
President Obama took office criticizing the expansive wars fought under the 2001 and 2002 authorizations for the use of military force, but over the past eight years, he has become attached to the two documents and used them to justify expansion of U.S. military action around the globe. Published December 25, 2016
Keith Ellison’s black nationalist past haunts bid to lead DNC
More than a decade after he persuaded Minnesota voters to look beyond his controversial past and reward him with a seat in Congress, Rep. Keith Ellison is now asking national Democrats to do the same as he seeks to lead their party. Published December 21, 2016
IAFF, firefighter union, endorses Labor Secretary Tom Perez for Democratic Party chairman
The International Association of Fire Fighters on Monday endorsed Labor Secretary Tom Perez's campaign to become the next chairman of the Democratic National Committee. Published December 19, 2016
Tom Perez announces bid for DNC chair
Labor Secretary Thomas E. Perez announced Thursday that he is running for chairman of the Democratic National Committee, adding another high-profile liberal to the mix of those seeking to rebuild the party after a series of disappointing elections. Published December 15, 2016
Bernie Sanders vows Keith Ellison will usher in ‘real change’ at DNC
Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont went to bat Wednesday for Rep. Keith Ellison's bid to become the next chairman of the Democratic National Committee, saying the status quo is not working and saying the Minnesota Democrat has the gumption to move the party in a different direction. Published December 14, 2016
Jaime Harrison, DNC chairman candidate, touts experience
Jaime Harrison says the experience he has gained as head of the South Carolina Democratic Party and a Capitol Hill insider before that has provided him with a unique perspective on how to get the national party back to winning after a challenging election cycle. Published December 14, 2016
Electoral College members inundated with emotional pleas to block Donald Trump presidency
The message on Carol Side's voicemail went from unusual to disturbing as the stranger who left it implored and begged her to vote for Hillary Clinton. Published December 13, 2016
Donald Trump to name Ronna Romney McDaniel for RNC chair: Report
President-elect Donald Trump is expected to select Ronna Romney McDaniel as the next chairwoman of the Republican National Committee, according to multiple reports. Published December 12, 2016
Keith Ellison under watchdog group’s scope; ethics complaint to be filed against him
A conservative watchdog group plans to file an ethics complaint Monday against Rep. Keith Ellison, accusing the Minnesota Democrat of improperly using his official congressional resources in his bid to become the next chairman of the Democratic National Committee. Published December 12, 2016