Marie Yovanovitch was recalled from her post in May after criticism from some Republicans, including the president's eldest son, that she was not supportive of the administration's policies.

New York Republican Rep. Chris Collins, the first GOP lawmaker to endorse President Trump in the 2016 election, submitted his resignation letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office.

Lawmakers are back on Capitol Hill on Monday after an extended summer recess. Debates on gun control, prescription drugs and trade are expected, but bipartisan cooperation on those are elusive.

Experiencing life in the minority and increasing concerns about the GOP's prospects for retaking control are prompting more departures. Suburban areas remain the key political battlegrounds.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell isn't budging on his opposition to a bill expanding background checks. But other GOP lawmakers who opposed earlier restrictions are now saying it's time to act.

The vote means the administration can continue to spend billions of dollars to construct a Southwest border wall. The fight shifts to federal court, where several states sued to block the president.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi downplayed freshman Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib's expletive-laden call to impeach President Trump, and a top committee leader said it's too early to push for it.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said the first order of business will be a vote on campaign finance reform. House committees also will launch investigations of Trump administration officials.

Keeping control of the House would validate President Trump's governing style and mean full speed ahead for his agenda. But if the GOP loses its majority it will need to protect Trump.

If Democrats fail to take back the House and make significant gains at the state level, they'll be shut out just as they were in 2016, with little say in legislation and judicial appointments.

Christine Blasey Ford and Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, have been negotiating whether and how Ford would testify about her allegation that Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her.

Christine Blasey Ford, the woman who alleges Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her at a high school party in the 1980s, is open to appearing before a Senate panel next week.

A key senator suggests that if the Senate Judiciary Committee needs help investigating the Supreme Court nominee, it could bring in the feds. That's more complicated than it sounds.

The Senate Judiciary committee is slated to vote on Brett Kavanaugh's nomination to the Supreme Court next week. He has denied an allegation of sexual misconduct from more than 30 years ago.

The senator's casket will lie in state in the Capitol rotunda overnight, watched by an honor guard. Congressional leaders and Vice President Pence paid tribute in Friday's memorial service.

After criticism, President Trump directed federal flags to fly at half-staff to honor Sen. John McCain until he is buried. The move came after the White House flag was initially at full-staff Monday.

Schumer took issue both with the president's legal team arguing he has the authority to self-pardon and Trump calling special counsel Robert Mueller's probe "unconstitutional."