House majority leader loses primary race
RICHMOND, Va. – House Majority Leader Eric Cantor was defeated Tuesday by a little-known economics professor in Virginia’s Republican primary, a stunning upset and major victory for the tea party.
Cantor is the second-most powerful member of the U.S. House and was seen by some as a possible successor to the House speaker.
His loss to Dave Brat, a political novice with little money marks a huge victory for the tea party movement, which supported Cantor just a few years ago.
Senator: Obama had time to discuss deal
WASHINGTON – The Obama administration only finalized the exchange of the last remaining U.S. prisoner of war in Afghanistan for five Taliban detainees at Guantanamo a day before the swap, a top Democratic lawmaker said Tuesday. He said American officials didn’t learn the pickup location for Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl until an hour ahead of time.
Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, the Senate’s No. 2-ranked Democrat, presented the timeline as an explanation for why President Barack Obama didn’t inform Congress 30 days before the May 31 prisoner trade. Republicans and some Democrats have sharply criticized the president for failing to notify them and contend he broke the law. Obama says he acted legally.
“They knew a day ahead of time the transfer was going to take place,” Durbin told reporters in the Capitol.
Police: Teen gunman probably killed himself
TROUTDALE, Ore. – A teen gunman armed with a rifle shot and killed a student Tuesday and injured a teacher before he likely killed himself at a high school in a quiet Columbia River town in Oregon, authorities said.
Officers used a robot with a camera to investigate and discovered the suspect was dead, and that he had likely killed himself, Troutdale, police spokesman Sgt. Carey Kaer said.
Authorities have tentatively identified the gunman and the slain student, but the names were being withheld .
Associated Press
