As Republican leaders draft President Donald Trump’s big bill of $4.5 trillion in tax breaks and $1.5 trillion in spending cuts, dozens of more moderate Republicans from contested congressional districts have positioned themselves at the center of the negotiating table.

House Republicans appear to be backing off some, but not all, of the steep reductions to the Medicaid program as part of their big tax breaks bill.

On New York's Long Island, former CNN anchor John Avlon and scientist Nancy Goroff are facing off in a primary election for a congressional seat that Democrats hope will help them take control of the House.

Former U.S. Rep. George Santos of New York says he is leaving the Republican Party and will run as an independent in a bid to return to Congress, after having been expelled while facing federal fraud charges.