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![Ashley Murray](https://idahocapitalsun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/DC-Ashley-Murray-300x300.jpg)
Ashley Murray covers the nation’s capital as a senior reporter for States Newsroom. Her coverage areas include domestic policy and appropriations.
Idaho Capital Sun is part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.
Struggle for control of Congress intensifies as presidential contest shifts
By: Jennifer Shutt and Ashley Murray - 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 […]
Chair of U.S. Senate tax panel probes GOP megadonor’s travel gifts to Clarence Thomas
By: Ashley Murray - August 5, 2024
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden urged billionaire GOP donor Harlan Crow’s attorney to provide details Monday on exactly when Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas stepped foot on Crow’s private jet and yacht, and whether the donor deducted the trips on his taxes. The questions from the Oregon Democrat add to the refrain from President […]
U.S. Senate fails to advance expanded child tax credit, despite broad House support
By: Ashley Murray - August 1, 2024
WASHINGTON — Senate Republicans and two independents blocked a bipartisan tax package Thursday that would have temporarily expanded the child tax credit and revived tax breaks for some business activities. The 48-44 procedural vote to advance the package was largely viewed as a messaging exercise by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer ahead of the August […]
In rare bipartisan vote, U.S. Senate passes package aimed at protecting kids online
By: Ashley Murray - July 30, 2024
Editor’s note: 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 on Tuesday, marking what could be the first update […]
Biden urges term limits for U.S. Supreme Court justices, new ethics rules
By: Ashley Murray - 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 U.S. Supreme Court decision granting the chief executive broad immunity. Biden announced the “Not Above the Law Amendment” on Monday along with […]
State police warned Secret Service about Trump shooter, Pennsylvania chief says
By: Ashley Murray - 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 […]
President Joe Biden bows out of reelection campaign, Harris vows to win nomination
By: Jacob Fischler and Ashley Murray - 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 follow-up post less than 30 minutes later, Biden endorsed Vice President […]
Trump describes assassination attempt in speech accepting GOP presidential nomination
By: Jennifer Shutt and Ashley Murray - 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 […]
Ohio’s J.D. Vance pitches for swing-state votes in accepting nod as Trump VP
By: Jennifer Shutt and Ashley Murray - July 17, 2024
MILWAUKEE — J.D. Vance — the freshman Ohio senator who used to rebuke Donald Trump’s character and policies before becoming one of his most ardent supporters in Congress — formally accepted the nomination as Trump’s running mate Wednesday at the Republican National Convention. Vance spoke directly to the swing-state voters who will determine the outcome […]
Trump pick of J.D. Vance as running mate opens new battlefront in presidential race
By: Jennifer Shutt and Ashley Murray - July 15, 2024
MILWAUKEE — Republicans on the floor of the Republican National Convention cheered Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance becoming their vice presidential nominee Monday, as Democrats slammed his opposition to abortion rights, and called him inexperienced and a “clone” of Donald Trump. Reaction from all corners of American politics poured in as GOP delegates inside the Fiserv […]
Federal judge dismisses Trump classified documents criminal case
By: Ashley Murray - July 15, 2024
MILWAUKEE —The federal classified documents case against former President Donald Trump was dismissed Monday by a Florida judge on the grounds that the Department of Justice unlawfully appointed special counsel Jack Smith. The order, while likely to be appealed, makes the possibility even more remote that Trump will be tried before the election on any […]
Republican National Convention launches Monday amid some grumbling over abortion stance
By: Jennifer Shutt and Ashley Murray - July 12, 2024
WASHINGTON — Thousands of Republicans will gather in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, beginning Monday for the party’s presidential nominating convention — an opportunity for the GOP to showcase its candidates up and down the ballot and unify behind Donald Trump. The Republican National Committee released its trimmed-down party platform the week prior to the convention, after foregoing […]