David Sherfinski

Jennifer Miller’s gun rights lawsuit sets off wide debate

An Illinois woman who runs a child care service out of her home is suing the state, saying its restrictions on day care facilities make it illegal for her to keep a gun in her house for self-defense.

April 22, 2018

Nick Freitas slams Corey Stewart supporters for ethnically-tinged attack

The Republican Senate debate in Virginia got personal Thursday when state Delegate Nick Freitas slammed rival Corey Stewart for what he described as an ethnically tinged attack from Mr. Stewart's supporters that prompted a response from his daughter.

April 19, 2018

Corey Stewart in Virginia primary debate: McConnell should resign over spending bill

Republican U.S. Senate hopeful Corey Stewart on Thursday said that not only would he have voted against last month's $1.3 trillion spending bill -- he would have called for the resignation of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell over what he called "Chuck Schumer's bill."

April 19, 2018

Trump’s regulation cuts haven’t reversed drag on economy, says Competitive Enterprise Institute

The administration has cut back on the number of new regulations the government issues, but hasn't been able to reverse the $2 trillion drag all of the existing regulations put on the economy, according to a report released Thursday that says President Trump has yet to tame the bureaucracy.

April 19, 2018

IRS overhaul passed by House

The House moved Wednesday to force an overhaul on the IRS, voting to press the tax collection agency to become more customer-friendly -- just a day after the agency suffered a deeply embarrassing computer outage on the day taxes were due.

April 18, 2018

Mick Mulvaney: White House hopes to release spending cuts package in coming weeks

White House budget director Mick Mulvaney on Wednesday said the White House hopes to send Congress a package of new spending cut proposals in the coming weeks, even as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell appears cool on trying to roll back parts of the recent $1.3 trillion spending bill.

April 18, 2018

Projected U.S. debt hike ‘stands out’ among other advanced economies: IMF

Congress' recent moves to cut taxes and and boost spending is helping push the United States to new worldwide heights in terms of debt, according to a report released Wednesday.

April 18, 2018

IRS gives one-day reprieve on taxes after major computer breakdown

The IRS gave taxpayers an additional day to file their returns -- until midnight Wednesday -- after the agency sustained a major breakdown that left its systems unable to accept online filings or payments for much of Tuesday.

April 17, 2018

IRS systems experiencing ‘technical difficulties’ on tax-filing day

The IRS on Tuesday said some of its systems were experiencing "technical difficulties" as many Americans were racing to meet the April 17 deadline for most individuals to file their 2017 tax returns.

April 17, 2018

Republicans content to duck fight over budget in election year, watchdogs say

The GOP-led Congress failed to pass a budget by April 15 this year, violating a federal law and earning another black mark on the party's record of fiscal stewardship.

April 16, 2018

House comes up short in push for balanced budget amendment

The House came up short on Thursday in its bid to propose a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution, with Democrats saying they wouldn't accept fiscal responsibility lectures from Republicans who have overseen a return to trillion-dollar deficits.

April 12, 2018

David Kautter, acting IRS commissioner, optimistic on tax-filing season, use of $1.5T law

With just days to go until the April 17 deadline, acting IRS Commissioner David Kautter said Thursday the tax-filing season is generally going smoothly and that his agency has managed to answer about 80 percent of the calls to its toll-free line during filing season.

April 12, 2018

Steve Scalise: I wouldn’t run against Kevin McCarthy in race to replace Paul Ryan

House Majority Whip Steve Scalise on Thursday said he wouldn't challenge Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy in a GOP leadership contest to replace outgoing Speaker Paul D. Ryan.

April 12, 2018

Paul Ryan retirement sparks GOP soul-searching

House Speaker Paul D. Ryan said Wednesday he'll retire from the House at the end of this year, closing out a two-decade career in Congress and igniting soul-searching in a GOP already bracing for a rough election season.

April 11, 2018

House Republicans applaud Paul Ryan for tax cuts, ‘policy wonk’ persona

House Speaker Paul D. Ryan's Republican colleagues on Wednesday said Mr. Ryan's legacy will be tied to the newly enacted $1.5 trillion tax-cut law he helped write, as well as his reputation as a "policy wonk" dating to his days as chairman of the House Budget Committee.

April 11, 2018

IRS improves customer service, but needs more funding for the long haul

The IRS has dramatically improved its customer service from the terrible days at the end of the Obama administration, but advocates of the agency say it still needs more money if it's to set itself on firmer footing for the long haul.

April 10, 2018

Sen. Tim Kaine raises more than $2 million in first quarter of 2018

Sen. Tim Kaine raised more than $2 million in the first quarter of 2018 and had more than $10 million on hand at the end of March as the Virginia Democrat gears up for his first re-election bid.

April 10, 2018

Donald Trump praised for Russian sanctions

U.S. lawmakers on Sunday applauded the Trump administration's most recent move to sanction Russian oligarchs for the country's "malign" influence around the globe and said the economic pressure is especially important now in the wake of an apparent chemical attack in Syria — a key Russian ally.

April 8, 2018

Donald Trump condemns chemical attack in Syria

President Trump on Sunday condemned a suspected chemical attack in Syria and criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iran for backing Syrian President Bashar Assad, whom Mr. Trump called an "animal."

April 8, 2018

Concealed carry gun training interest soars after Parkland shooting

People are surging to sign up for training to carry concealed weapons in the wake of the Parkland school shooting, as experts say sustained media coverage and calls for more gun control encourage people to look for ways to protect themselves.

April 8, 2018