ARTICLES BY ERICA WERNER/ASSOCIATED PRESS

Anti-human trafficking bill passes Senate

WASHINGTON - The Senate unanimously passed legislation Wednesday to help the victims of human trafficking, ending a tortuous partisan standoff over abortion that also delayed confirmation of President Barack Obama's attorney general nominee.

COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO

Under pressure to govern, divisions emerge in GOP

WASHINGTON - In a House Republican majority often driven by the most conservative lawmakers, the pragmatists are suddenly demanding to be heard.

COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 12 MONTHS AGO

AP Interview: McConnell wants to stop coal rules

WASHINGTON - Incoming Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., pledged on Wednesday to do all he can to stop President Barack Obama's coal plant regulations, saying a White House "crusade" has devastated his state's economy.

COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

House speaker, next Senate leader are natural allies

WASHINGTON - Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell joined House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio on Thursday at the pinnacle of the congressional and Republican power structures in Washington - two establishment deal-cutters, each on occasion frustrated by the other's inability to rein in their party's most zealous ideologues.

COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

House Republicans move against health care law

WASHINGTON - House Republicans renewed their election-year assault on President Barack Obama's health care law Thursday, their opposition undimmed just days after Obama celebrated news that more than 7 million Americans had signed up for coverage under the law.

COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO