Author

Ashley Murray

Ashley Murray

Ashley Murray covers the nation’s capital as a senior reporter for States Newsroom. Her coverage areas include domestic policy and appropriations.

Minnesota Reformer is part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.

Harris to roll out new plan on tax relief for small businesses

By: - September 3, 2024

WASHINGTON — Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to announce economic policy proposals aimed at helping small businesses during a campaign speech Wednesday in New Hampshire. The Democratic presidential candidate will stump in Portsmouth for expanding the tax deduction to $50,000 on business start-up costs, up from $5,000, a campaign official said on background Tuesday. […]

Harris, Walz defend past statements, promise ‘opportunity economy’ in CNN interview

By: - August 29, 2024

WASHINGTON — Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday defended her values and vowed, if elected, to appoint a Republican to her cabinet in her first major sit-down interview since her presidential campaign began just over a month ago. Harris, who rose to the top of the Democratic ticket after President Joe Biden dropped his bid […]

Special Counsel Smith files new indictment in Trump’s Jan. 6 case

By: - August 27, 2024

WASHINGTON — Adjusting for the U.S. Supreme Court’s sweeping presidential immunity decision last month, U.S. Special Counsel Jack Smith on Tuesday filed a fresh federal indictment alleging former President Donald Trump attempted to overturn the 2020 election in his favor. In a superseding indictment filed in the late afternoon, Smith emphasized the private nature of […]

DOJ looks to revive classified documents case against Trump, argues judge’s dismissal was ‘flawed’

By: - August 27, 2024

WASHINGTON — U.S. Special Counsel Jack Smith has asked a federal appeals court to reverse the dismissal of a case alleging former President Donald Trump mishandled classified documents at his Florida home after he left the Oval Office. The appeals process could take months, likely closing the door on any movement in the classified documents […]

Struggle for control of Congress intensifies as presidential contest shifts

By: and - August 15, 2024

WASHINGTON — The 2024 battle for control of Congress centers on just a handful of Senate races and about two dozen House seats, putting considerable pressure on those candidates to win over voters as party leaders and super PACs funnel millions of dollars into their campaigns. The incumbents representing those states and congressional districts will […]

In rare bipartisan vote, U.S. Senate passes package aimed at protecting kids online

By: - July 30, 2024

This story mentions suicide. If you or a loved one are experiencing a mental health crisis or thoughts of suicide, please dial 988 or chat with a live counselor at 988lifeline.org. WASHINGTON — Legislation aimed at protecting children online sailed through the U.S. Senate Tuesday, marking what could be the first update since the late […]

Biden urges term limits for U.S. Supreme Court justices, new ethics rules

By: - July 29, 2024

WASHINGTON — Before he leaves the Oval Office in January, President Joe Biden wants to see Congress take up a constitutional amendment restoring criminal liability for U.S. presidents in response to the recent Supreme Court decision granting the chief executive broad immunity. Biden announced the “Not Above the Law Amendment” Monday along with endorsing other […]

VP Harris meets with Netanyahu to discuss Israel-Hamas war in Gaza

By: - July 25, 2024

WASHINGTON — Vice President Kamala Harris, the likely Democratic nominee for president, met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Thursday afternoon, a day after he vowed to Congress that he wants “total victory” in the deadly Gaza war. Harris said she and Netanyahu had a “constructive” meeting and that she expressed to the prime minister […]

In Capitol address, Israeli leader calls for U.S. backing to defeat Hamas

By: - July 24, 2024

WASHINGTON — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised victory over Hamas militants and said he knows “America has our back” during a joint meeting of Congress Wednesday that drew thousands of protesters and sparked a boycott from some Democrats who oppose the Israeli government’s monthslong offensive in Gaza. “Our enemies are your enemies, our fight […]

State police warned Secret Service about Trump shooter, Pennsylvania chief says

By: - July 23, 2024

WASHINGTON — Pennsylvania’s top police officer faced questions Tuesday from lawmakers who wanted details on how the U.S. Secret Service and state and local law enforcement communicated when a gunman attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump, killed one rallygoer and injured two others in Butler, Pennsylvania. Lawmakers were aghast to learn state police relayed […]

BREAKING: President Joe Biden bows out of reelection campaign

By: and - July 21, 2024

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 presidential race Sunday, he said in a letter posted to social media, creating an unprecedented vacancy atop the Democratic ticket one month before he was scheduled to officially accept his party’s nomination. In a followup post less than 30 minutes later, Biden endorsed Vice President […]

Trump describes assassination attempt in speech accepting GOP presidential nomination

By: and - July 19, 2024

MILWAUKEE — Donald Trump in an unusual speech accepting the GOP presidential nomination Thursday at the fourth and final night of the Republican National Convention gave a detailed account about the attempt on his life last weekend when a gunman shot at him during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. “I will tell you exactly what […]