Author
Ashley Murray covers the nation’s capital as a senior reporter for States Newsroom. Her coverage areas include domestic policy and appropriations.
Missouri Independent is part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.
Struggle for control of Congress intensifies as presidential contest shifts
By: Jennifer Shutt and Ashley Murray - August 15, 2024
WASHINGTON — 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 […]
In rare bipartisan vote, U.S. Senate passes package aimed at protecting kids online
By: Ashley Murray - July 30, 2024
WASHINGTON — 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 companies who interact with minors on the internet. Senators approved the package of two bills in a 91-3 vote, a rare bipartisan landslide in the tightly divided body, despite loud […]
Biden urges term limits for U.S. Supreme Court justices, new ethics rules
By: Ashley Murray - July 29, 2024
WASHINGTON — 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 […]
President Joe Biden bows out of reelection campaign, endorses Kamala Harris
By: Jacob Fischler and Ashley Murray - July 21, 2024
WASHINGTON — 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 to […]
Top Trump adviser says 2024 election ‘not over’ until Inauguration Day
By: Ashley Murray - July 18, 2024
MILWAUKEE — 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 […]
Federal judge dismisses Trump classified documents criminal case
By: Ashley Murray - July 15, 2024
MILWAUKEE —The federal classified documents case against former President Donald Trump was dismissed Monday by a Florida judge on the grounds that the Department of Justice unlawfully appointed special counsel Jack Smith. The order, while likely to be appealed, makes the possibility even more remote that Trump will be tried before the election on any […]
Republican National Convention launches Monday amid some grumbling over abortion stance
By: Jennifer Shutt and Ashley Murray - July 13, 2024
WASHINGTON — Thousands of Republicans will gather in Milwaukee, Wisconsin beginning Monday for the party’s presidential nominating convention — an opportunity for the GOP to showcase its candidates up and down the ballot and unify behind Donald Trump. The RNC released its trimmed-down party platform the week prior to the convention, after foregoing one entirely […]
NATO leaders in D.C. condemn Russia as Zelenskyy thanks Congress for Ukraine aid
By: Ashley Murray - July 11, 2024
WASHINGTON — Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited U.S. lawmakers Wednesday on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Washington, where world leaders are pledging additional support to the Eastern European nation as it battles Russia’s continued assault. Zelenskyy met House Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and other senators […]
Biden commends NATO strength, pledges more aid for Ukraine against Russia
By: Ashley Murray - July 10, 2024
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden said NATO “is more powerful than ever” in remarks Tuesday to honor the 75th anniversary of the alliance and reaffirm allied support for Ukraine one day after Russian missile strikes on a children’s hospital killed dozens in Kyiv. Biden spoke at the annual North American Treaty Organization’s summit happening this week in […]
United by their objections to Trump, congressional Dems largely close ranks behind Biden
By: Ashley Murray, Jennifer Shutt, Shauneen Miranda and Lia Chien - July 9, 2024
WASHINGTON — Congressional Democrats appeared to quell some inner tumult over supporting President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign, after highly anticipated internal meetings Tuesday showed the president retained considerable support from the Congressional Black Caucus and other lawmakers in public statements. Speaking to reporters on Capitol Hill, Democrats from both chambers largely declined to detail their […]
Trump NY sentencing delayed after U.S. Supreme Court presidential immunity ruling
By: Ashley Murray - July 2, 2024
WASHINGTON — A New York judge agreed Tuesday to delay the criminal sentencing of former President Donald Trump in the state hush money case after Trump claimed the U.S. Supreme Court’s presidential immunity decision absolves him. New York Justice Juan Merchan, who oversaw the case, ordered the delay until Sept. 18 so the court could hear arguments […]
Presidential immunity extends to some official acts, Supreme Court rules in Trump case
By: Ashley Murray and Jacob Fischler - July 1, 2024
WASHINGTON — U.S. presidents enjoy full immunity from criminal charges for their official “core constitutional” acts, but no immunity for unofficial acts, the Supreme Court ruled Monday, sending former President Donald Trump’s case back to the lower courts. The justices left open the question of how far official acts can reach, possibly reshaping the contours […]