September 2026
Amid surreal scenes, Trump flashes force and ‘friendship’ with China’s Xi
President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping walked slowly Thursday into the White House Rose Garden to review U.S. military troops, a stride that matched the pace of talks on pressing issues and highlighted underlying tensions between the two rivals. As the heads of the world’s largest economies stood shoulder-by-shoulder, an American bomber with […]
As GOP revives anti-trans playbook, Dems try to turn the page
Republicans are returning to a familiar 2024 playbook in the final weeks before the midterms, stoking fears about transgender people in sports, schools and beyond. But this time, Democrats are striking back. Some candidates running in red states have tried to distance themselves from their party’s commitment to transgender rights. Others have taken a different […]
AI export controls debate rages as Trump, Xi meet
Senate Democrats are using Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s high-profile state visit to Washington this week to press Republicans for votes on export control legislation restricting Beijing’s access to advanced chips used in artificial intelligence technology. The bills in question have bipartisan support, and Republicans agreed to include them in a giant manager’s amendment to the […]
White House drops executive order for tighter NIH purview
The White House is scrapping plans for an executive order that would give the Trump administration more control over grantmaking at the National Institutes of Health, a person familiar with the matter said Wednesday. The White House had reportedly held a meeting earlier this week discussing plans for the potential order that would’ve given the […]
Journalists get the win in high-scoring Congressional Women’s Softball Game
The Capitol press corps reclaimed their title at the Congressional Women’s Softball Game on Wednesday night, securing a 22-16 victory for the Bad News Babes. The women of Congress had been hoping to make it a streak after last year’s upset but ultimately fell short, despite solid hitting from the team of all-returning players. “They […]
‘Heroine to us’: Mikulski returns to the Hill to mark 90th birthday
Current and former lawmakers gathered to celebrate the 90th birthday of former Sen. Barbara Mikulski, a Democrat from Maryland who smashed through glass ceilings and “held the door” for the next generation, they said. Every living former and current Maryland senator was in attendance on Wednesday, as well as House giants like former Speaker Nancy […]
Flock cameras draw bipartisan concerns at Senate hearing
Senators of both parties expressed alarm Wednesday about the use of artificial intelligence-powered surveillance cameras and automated license plate readers. The bipartisan concerns were aired at a hearing held by the Senate Judiciary Committee’s panel on Crime and Counterterrorism, though Garrett Langley, the CEO of Flock Safety, which has drawn intense criticism around privacy rights, […]
Permitting deal down to the wire as senators look to the exits
Senate negotiators expressed optimism over negotiations on legislation to overhaul the federal environmental permitting system, even as text remains elusive in what could be the final week in session before the midterm elections. This was expected to be a make-or-break week for a bill to streamline the process for greenlighting infrastructure projects, from new oil refineries to offshore […]
AI ‘superintelligence’ ban proposed by Casar, Sanders
Amid industry and government calls for a pause on the most advanced artificial intelligence development, leading progressives are drawing a line in the sand on one type of AI. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Rep. Greg Casar, D-Texas, who chairs the Congressional Progressive Caucus, unveiled legislation Wednesday that would ban AI “superintelligence” that exceeds human […]
Not a ‘toaster’: GOP senator urges Judiciary panel to probe Don Jr. wedding party
At least one Senate Republican is calling for an investigation of wedding after-party celebrations for President Donald Trump’s eldest son, which were financed by a Russian businessman with ties to the Kremlin. The topic created waves on Capitol Hill on Tuesday thanks to a letter sent by Sen. John Curtis, R-Utah, to Senate Judiciary Committee […]