Warren Shines in First Democratic Debate

Warren Shines in First Democratic Debate-thehill: Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) delivered a standout performance in the first 2020 Democratic presidential debate, making the most of her time onstage as the lone top contender on Wednesday night. Heading into the debate, there were questions about whether Warren, who has been climbing in the polls, would be hurt by not appearing on the second night alongside other top-tier candidates such as former Vice President Joe Biden, who is the front-runner, Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Kamala Harris (D-CA), and South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D).

GOP lays debate trap for 2020 Democrats

GOP lays debate trap for 2020 Democrats-thehill: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is giving 2020 hopefuls a choice: Show up in the Senate to vote or hit the presidential campaign trail. The Senate is moving forward with a mammoth defense bill and potentially a heated fight over President Trump’s ability to take military action against Iran, even as several Democratic senators are expected to be rotating out to go down to Miami this week for the first Democratic presidential primary debate.

Ghosts of 2016 primary haunt Democrats

Ghosts of 2016 primary haunt Democrats-thehill: Democrats are feeling a sense of déjà vu as infighting among presidential candidates intensifies. And with less than a week until the first 2020 primary debate, the sniping is expected to worsen. Democrats are concerned they will have another 2016 on their hands, when the primary grew so bitter that some supporters of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) intentionally sat on the sidelines instead of supporting the party’s eventual nominee, Hillary Clinton.

GOP lawmakers want Mulvaney sidelined in budget talks

GOP lawmakers want Mulvaney sidelined in budget talks-thehill: Senate Republicans, eager to avert a government shutdown or automatic spending cuts, want acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney pushed to the sidelines in budget negotiations with Democrats. GOP lawmakers would prefer Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin take the lead in representing the White House, as they see him being more amenable to a two-year spending deal that would also raise the debt limit.

GOP hopes dim on reclaiming House

GOP hopes dim on reclaiming House-thehill: The 2020 election is more than a year away, but some Republican lawmakers are pessimistic about their chances of winning back the House. President Trump’s approval ratings in key swing states are under water. Infighting on the GOP leadership team and a notable retirement have raised questions about the party’s campaign strategy.

Trump's health care focus puts GOP on edge

Trump's health care focus puts GOP on edge-thehill: President Trump has put the issue of health care back on the political front burner, providing ammunition to Democrats and worrying Republicans who think a new battle over ObamaCare will hurt their party in next year’s elections. Senate Republicans, defending 22 seats next year, thought they had put ObamaCare repeal behind them when they told Trump earlier this year that they have no intention of acting on a health care overhaul before the election.

Trump and Congress race to avoid fiscal time bomb

Trump and Congress race to avoid fiscal time bomb-politico: Congressional leaders in both parties are confident they can reach a deal to stave off a funding fiasco this fall, if only President Donald Trump would stay out of the way. Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and other top lawmakers will huddle with White House budget negotiators Wednesday. It’s the first time in nearly a month Democrats and Republicans will meet, after Trump detonated the discussions over a dispute with Pelosi.