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![Ashley Murray](https://mainemorningstar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Ashley-Murray-300x300.jpeg)
Ashley Murray covers the nation’s capital as a senior reporter for States Newsroom. Her coverage areas include domestic policy and appropriations.
Maine Morning Star is part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.
Harris, Walz defend past statements, promise ‘opportunity economy’ in CNN interview
By: Ashley Murray - August 30, 2024
Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday defended her values and vowed, if elected, to appoint a Republican to her cabinet in her first major sit-down interview since her presidential campaign began just over a month ago. Harris, who rose to the top of the Democratic ticket after President Joe Biden dropped his bid in July, […]
Special Counsel Smith files new indictment in Trump’s Jan. 6 case
By: Ashley Murray - August 27, 2024
Adjusting for the U.S. Supreme Court’s sweeping presidential immunity decision last month, U.S. Special Counsel Jack Smith on Tuesday filed a fresh federal indictment alleging former President Donald Trump attempted to overturn the 2020 election in his favor. In a superseding indictment filed in the late afternoon, Smith emphasized the private nature of Trump and […]
DOJ looks to revive classified documents case against Trump, argues judge’s dismissal was ‘flawed’
By: Ashley Murray - August 27, 2024
U.S. Special Counsel Jack Smith has asked a federal appeals court to reverse the dismissal of a case alleging former President Donald Trump mishandled classified documents at his Florida home after he left the Oval Office. The appeals process could take months, likely closing the door on any movement in the classified documents case against […]
Struggle for control of Congress intensifies as presidential contest shifts
By: Jennifer Shutt and Ashley Murray - August 15, 2024
The 2024 battle for control of Congress centers on just a handful of Senate races and about two dozen House seats, putting considerable pressure on those candidates to win over voters as party leaders and super PACs funnel millions of dollars into their campaigns. The incumbents representing those states and congressional districts will spend nearly […]
U.S. Senate fails to advance expanded child tax credit, despite broad House support
By: Ashley Murray - August 1, 2024
Senate Republicans and two independents blocked a bipartisan tax package Thursday that would have temporarily expanded the child tax credit and revived tax breaks for some business activities. The 48-44 procedural vote to advance the package was largely viewed as a messaging exercise by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer ahead of the August recess and […]
In rare bipartisan vote, U.S. Senate passes package aimed at protecting kids online
By: Ashley Murray - July 30, 2024
This story mentions suicide. If you or a loved one are experiencing a mental health crisis or thoughts of suicide, please dial 988 or chat with a live counselor at 988lifeline.org. Legislation aimed at protecting children online sailed through the U.S. Senate Tuesday, marking what could be the first update since the late 1990s for […]
Biden urges term limits for U.S. Supreme Court justices, new ethics rules
By: Ashley Murray - July 29, 2024
Before he leaves the Oval Office in January, President Joe Biden wants to see Congress take up a constitutional amendment restoring criminal liability for U.S. presidents in response to the recent Supreme Court decision granting the chief executive broad immunity. Biden announced the “Not Above the Law Amendment” Monday along with endorsing other changes for […]
In Capitol address, Israeli leader calls for U.S. backing to defeat Hamas
By: Ashley Murray - July 24, 2024
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised victory over Hamas militants and said he knows “America has our back” during a joint meeting of Congress Wednesday that drew thousands of protesters and sparked a boycott from some Democrats who oppose the Israeli government’s monthslong offensive in Gaza. “Our enemies are your enemies, our fight is your […]
State police warned Secret Service about Trump shooter, Pennsylvania chief says
By: Ashley Murray - July 24, 2024
Pennsylvania’s top police officer faced questions Tuesday from lawmakers who wanted details on how the U.S. Secret Service and state and local law enforcement communicated when a gunman attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump, killed one rallygoer and injured two others in Butler, Pennsylvania. Lawmakers were aghast to learn state police relayed information to […]
President Joe Biden bows out of reelection campaign, endorses Harris
By: Jacob Fischler and Ashley Murray - July 21, 2024
President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 presidential race Sunday, he said in a letter posted to social media, creating an unprecedented vacancy atop the Democratic ticket one month before he was scheduled to officially accept his party’s nomination. In a followup post less than 30 minutes later, Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris […]
Trump describes assassination attempt in speech accepting GOP presidential nomination
By: Jennifer Shutt and Ashley Murray - July 19, 2024
Donald Trump in an unusual speech accepting the GOP presidential nomination Thursday at the fourth and final night of the Republican National Convention gave a detailed account about the attempt on his life last weekend when a gunman shot at him during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. “I will tell you exactly what happened. And […]
Top Trump adviser says 2024 election ‘not over’ until Inauguration Day
By: Ashley Murray - July 18, 2024
A top Trump campaign official said Thursday that the 2024 presidential race will not be over until Inauguration Day, rather than after Election Day on Nov. 5 — when voters across the nation go to the polls to cast their ballots and a result normally is projected. The assertion from Chris LaCivita at a Politico […]