H.R. 1628, American Health Care Act of 2017  —  CBO and JCT estimate that enacting the American Health Care Act would reduce federal deficits by $119 billion over the coming decade and increase the number of people who are uninsured by 23 million in 2026 relative to current law.

How a dubious Russian document influenced the FBI's handling of the Clinton probe  —  In the midst of the 2016 presidential primary season, the FBI received a purported Russian intelligence document describing a tacit understanding between the campaign of Hillary Clinton and the Justice Department …

Spicer's absence in papal visit reveals Trump's family-first rule  —  Vatican City (CNN)At the most highly anticipated meeting on President Donald Trump's first foreign odyssey, the ever-shifting pecking order of a tumultuous White House was on full display.

The Pentagon Can't Believe Trump Told Another President About Nuclear Subs Near North Korea  —  “We never talk about subs!” three defense officials told BuzzFeed News after a transcript of a call between President Trump and Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte was published.

The life and death of the Seth Rich conspiracy theory  —  When Seth Rich's Gmail account received an alert this week from Mega.com, attempting to start a new account on a website created by the New Zealand-based Internet businessman and convicted hacker Kim Dotcom, his family knew that something was off.

Top Russian Officials Discussed How to Influence Trump Aides Last Summer  —  WASHINGTON — American spies collected information last summer revealing that senior Russian intelligence and political officials were discussing how to exert influence over Donald J. Trump through his advisers …

Fox News Poll: Trump approval down, voters support special counsel on Russia  —  American voters disagree with President Trump's firing of FBI Director James Comey, think the dismissal was for self-serving reasons, and approve of a special counsel being appointed to investigate Russian government efforts …

A Smarter Way to Interpret 2017's Special Elections  —  The results of individual special elections, like Thursday's in Montana between Democrat Rob Quist and Republican Greg Gianforte, can't always foretell what will happen in the next high-stakes midterm.  Each district presents …

Found at the Scene in Manchester: A Detonator, Shrapnel and a Battery  —  The bomber in the Manchester terrorist attack appeared to have carried a powerful explosive in a lightweight metal container concealed either within a black vest or a blue Karrimor backpack, and to have held a small detonator …

First on CNN: AG Sessions did not disclose meetings with Russian officials, DOJ says  —  Sources: Russians bragged about using Flynn  —  Washington (CNN)Attorney General Jeff Sessions did not disclose meetings he had last year with Russian officials when he applied for his security clearance, the Justice Department told CNN Wednesday.

Donald Trump's Base Is Shrinking  —  A widely held tenet of the current conventional wisdom is that while President Trump might not be popular overall, he has a high floor on his support.  Trump's sizable and enthusiastic base — perhaps 35 to 40 percent of the country — won't abandon him any time soon …

Trump Failing to Track Foreign Cash at His Hotels  —  Just before taking office, President Donald Trump promised to donate all profits earned from foreign governments back to the U.S. Treasury.  —  But MSNBC has learned the Trump Organization is not tracking all possible payments it receives …

Ben Carson calls poverty ‘a state of mind’ during interview  —  In an interview released Wednesday, Housing Secretary Ben Carson said that a “certain mindset” contributes to people living in poverty, pointing to habits and a “state of mind” children take from their parents at a young age.

George RR Martin compares Trump to King Joffrey  —  The author behind “Game of Thrones” says President Trump reminds him of one of the more wicked rulers of Westeros.  —  “I think Joffrey is now the king in America,” George R.R. Martin says in an interview with Esquire published Wednesday.

Baltimore attorney arrested for allegedly offering rape victim $3K to not testify, saying Trump will deport her  —  A Baltimore defense attorney was arrested in the downtown courthouse Tuesday and charged with obstruction of justice and witness intimidation for allegedly telling a rape victim …

Wash. Post didn't disclose that writer who penned positive piece about Trump's Saudi trip is paid by Saudi government  —  The Washington Post allowed contributor Ed Rogers to praise Donald Trump's trip to Saudi Arabia without disclosing that he's a lobbyist for the Saudi Royal Court.

Cruz: Franken is ‘obnoxious’ for joking about me in new book  —  Ted Cruz called Al Franken “obnoxious and insulting” for devoting an entire chapter to the Texas GOP senator in Franken's new book titled “Giant of the Senate.”  —  Franken, who told USA Today that he hates Cruz in an interview promoting …

Portland burrito shop forced to close amid accusations of cultural appropriation, stealing recipes  —  Just one week after Kooks Burritos in Portland, Ore., was featured in a profile for local publication Willamette Week, the pop-up Mexican food cart has closed down amid accusations that they ripped off their recipes.

Woodward: “Smug” media on Trump crusade  —  Bob Woodward told Axios' Mike Allen that the press is covering Trump with a certain smugness, but it's not the media's job to make his presidency an editorial.  “You have to have a presumption of good will,” said Woodward. … - What is power?

Trump administration hits reset in FBI director search  —  (CNN)The team tasked by the White House with finding a new director for the FBI is resetting its search, a senior administration official told CNN.  —  President Donald Trump said last week that he was “very close” …