House Republicans on Thursday overwhelmingly elected Rep. Kevin McCarthy to be majority leader and Rep. Steve Scalise to be majority whip, elevating a pair of lawmakers who promised a more open and conservative approach to running the chamber. But the new team will quickly have to confront some of the old challenges of trying to hold together a fractious GOP …

Americans are on track to be unhappier with Congress this year than before any midterm election since 1974, according to a Gallup poll released Monday. Just 16 percent of Americans currently say they approve of Congress, compared with a previous low of 21 percent just before the 2010 midterms. HuffPost Pollster’s average puts Congress’ approval rating at about 14 percent, …

Travel dating website MissTravel asked members — both men and women — to rate the nationalities they find sexiest in a dating partner. The answers revealed a preference for women from South America (Brazil’s got more than just hot soccer) and men from Down Under, with sexiness found in countries everywhere between. Are YOU headed to one of the sexiest …

Richard Fowler calls out Arne Duncan for the DOE’s terrible new contractors on student loans. These Patrons make the Fowler Show possible ($20+ monthly donation on Patreon.com/FowlerShow) & we couldn’t do it without them! Truthservers.com Are you a fan of The Fowler Show? Become a Patron & help support independent media! Learn more here: http://www.patreon.com/fowlershow Want to help out but …

Starbucks plans to announce on Monday that it will cover college tuition for its workers if they take online classes with Arizona State University (ASU). The program is open to any employees who work at least 20 hours a week and have the grades to gain admission to the university. The company will pay full tuition for those who enter …

Republicans used their majority to cut short debate and give preliminary approval early Monday to some of the toughest abortion restrictions in the country as time was running out on the Texas Legislature’s special session. Many members of the conservative majority had flyers on their desks that read “Psalm 139:13-14,” which reads in part: “You covered me in my mother’s …

The White House is expected to announce Monday that President Obama will issue an executive order requiring that all companies who contract with the federal government must not discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. The order, expected to be finalized in the coming weeks, is an extension of orders previously issued by past presidents — most …