WASHINGTON _ House Republicans should have virtually no power in the minority, but Democrats' inability to unify as a caucus around topline fiscal 2020 spending levels has given them some unexpected leverage. The question now is what they'll do with it.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Thursday he hopes to reach what so far have been elusive bipartisan breakthroughs on immigration, infrastructure and budget caps.

WASHINGTON _ All eyes will be on the House and Senate Appropriations committees this week _ but not necessarily because of President Donald Trump's fiscal 2020 budget blueprint.

WASHINGTON _ Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Thursday that he was open to considering immigration legislation, calling it one of two areas of potential compromise in the divided government that rules Washington.

WASHINGTON _ President Donald Trump's controversial border wall could propel lawmakers to end a time-honored "gentleman's agreement" that has allowed the Pentagon to shift billions of dollars around in its budget _ a move that could hamstring the military's ability to respond quickly to unforeseen events.

The so-called Blue Dog Coalition of centrist Democrats want to prohibit federal deficit – and kill the Green New Deal