Democrats are feeling demoralized after Republicans were able to hold onto a House seat in the Atlanta suburbs. Both sides raised huge amounts of money to pour into the race.

Without the votes to block a Republican bill, Senate Democrats are trying to draw attention to the GOP's closed-door process for drafting health care legislation.

Senate Republicans have two weeks to meet a self-imposed deadline to vote on a health care bill. Democrats and several Republicans are criticizing the closed-door process for drafting the legislation.

A gunman opened fire Wednesday morning as members of Congress were playing baseball in Alexandria, Va. At least five victims were shot, including Republican Congressman Steve Scalise.

The bipartisan legislation aims to transform the culture at the Department of Veterans Affairs. It shortens the process for removing negligent staffers and adds protections for whistleblowers.

President Trump is preparing to announce changes in U.S. policy toward Cuba during a visit to Miami on Friday, possibly tightening restrictions loosened by the Obama administration.

The GOP-led House approved legislation that scales back the massive set of Wall Street regulations created after the 2008 financial crisis. The Financial Choice Act faces dim prospects in the Senate.

In written testimony released Wednesday, former FBI Director James Comey said the president asked him to "let go" of the Michael Flynn investigation, and asked Comey for "loyalty."

The Senate votes Tuesday on a bill aimed at reforming the Department of Veterans Affairs. The legislation shortens the process to remove negligent employees and gives managers incentives to address poor performance.

As Britons investigate the latest terror attack in London, President Trump takes to Twitter to make points about his travel ban. Also, several countries have suspended diplomatic ties with Qatar.

After the London attack, Trump turned to Twitter and used the tragedy to push his travel ban, which is blocked in the courts. On Thursday, ex-FBI Director James Comey testifies in the Russian probe.

Republicans are expected to vote next week on a bill to unravel the reform package passed after the 2008 financial crisis. It's led to a debate about the government's role in the banking system.

Texas politicians accused each other of making threats. In Minnesota, jury selection is to begin Tuesday in the trial of a police officer charged with killing a driver during a controversial shooting.

A Montana GOP House candidate has been charged with assaulting a reporter. Also, the Pentagon reports on a U.S. airstrike that killed scores of civilians in Mosul, and the latest on Manchester.

Greg Gianforte, the Republican candidate in a special election for Montana's seat in the House of Representatives, has been charged with assaulting a journalist.

The special counsel who will investigate alleged Russian interference in the presidential election has broad authority and can bring prosecutions if he chooses. He reports to the deputy attorney general. NPR explains the position of special counsel.

The Justice Department has appointed former FBI Director Robert Mueller, who served in the George W. Bush and Obama administrations, as special counsel to oversee the agency's Russia investigation.

Congressional Republicans are saying investigations into President Trump's alleged actions with regard to the FBI should be given the time and space they require. Some suggest Trump — neither an experienced politician nor an attorney — simply did not understand the implications of his conversation with former Director James Comey. Meanwhile, the Senate Judiciary Committee joined the Senate Intelligence and House Oversight Committees requesting copies of Comey's memo.

Lois Durso's daughter was killed instantly in 2004 when her car lost control in a blizzard and slid under the side of a truck trailer. Marianne Karth lost two daughters in a truck accident in 2013.

On Wednesday, Sen. Mitch McConnell rejected calls for a special prosecutor or independent Russia investigation given the firing of FBI Director James Comey, NPR's Geoff Bennett tells David Greene.