Senate Democrats want the U.S. Supreme Court to adopt stricter guidelines for disclosing their income sources and potential conflicts of interest, and at least 14 Democratic senators see withholding funds from the court as a way to get their demands. In a March 31 letter (pdf) to Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.),…

U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) was hospitalized over the weekend after suffering a stroke. Van Hollen, 63, the second Democrat senator to suffer a stroke in recent months, was admitted to George Washington University Hospital after experiencing lightheadedness and severe neck pain while giving a speech in western Maryland. “An angiogram indicated that I…

Some lawmakers in Washington are trying to overhaul how inheritances are taxed, and it could be devastating to New Mexico’s family farms and ranches, association groups say. The Sensible Taxation and Equity Promotion (STEP) Act, introduced by Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) would allow the government to retroactively tax heirs on all value added to…

A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers has expressed approval for the State Department’s decision to sanction 24 Chinese and Hong Kong officials over Beijing’s continued crackdown on Hong Kong’s freedom. “The timing of the announcement sends a clear signal that the U.S. government remains serious about holding the Chinese government accountable,” said Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.)…

U.S. lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have expressed support for the State Department’s decision to sanction 24 Chinese and Hong Kong officials over Beijing’s continued clampdown on Hong Kong’s freedoms. “The timing of the announcement sends a clear signal that the U.S. government remains serious about holding the Chinese government accountable,” said Sen….