Rogers earmarks money for nonprofits he helped launch
Old habits die hard for Republican Rep. Harold Rogers — at least when it comes to earmarks. Known by his critics as the “Prince of Pork,” the long-time appropriator over the years earned a reputation for bringing largesse to his Kentucky district, catching criticism for funneling tens of millions in earmark money to entities he […]
Senate plans fast action on Trump’s DNI pick
Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters Thursday he will try to get President Donald Trump’s pick for director of national intelligence confirmed “as quickly as possible.” “I don’t know what realistic is, but we’re gonna probe the limits of it,” the South Dakota Republican said. Trump on Thursday afternoon said he’d be nominating Jay […]
Court extends block on ‘anti-weaponization’ fund
A federal judge in Virginia on Friday extended a block on the Trump administration proceeding with an $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund, finding the administration’s claims of its demise insufficient. Ruling from the bench, Judge Leonie Brinkema of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia said the administration cannot move forward with the […]
Senate panel sets markup on college sports bill
The Senate Commerce Committee has scheduled the markup of a bipartisan measure that proposes sweeping changes to collegiate athletics and has the backing of President Donald Trump. The panel is expected to take up several amendments at the markup on June 18, including one aimed at protecting non-revenue sports. Some athletics departments in recent years […]
Trump’s Wallet: From golf clubs to crypto, a decade of presidential finances
President Donald Trump’s personal finances have undergone a fundamental transformation since he first sought the presidency a decade ago — from golf clubs and hotel licensing fees to cryptocurrency token sales, Saudi licensing payments and tens of thousands of securities trades. In 2016, when Trump was elected to his first term, the portfolio was built […]
Trump exaggerates previous spending on Reflecting Pool
ANALYSIS — The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool began filling with water on June 4 following maintenance work that President Donald Trump called a “big project.” In late May, Trump claimed that “the Biden administration and the Obama administration spent hundreds of millions of dollars trying to get it to work, and they failed,” adding that his administration was spending “$10 million, […]
Prior backing for fertility care reversed in Senate panel’s NDAA
Senate Armed Services Committee Republicans, in a reversal, voted this week to oppose an NDAA provision that would broaden health care coverage for military families’ fertility treatments, a Democratic senator said Thursday. “After everything our troops sacrifice for our nation, they should never have to sacrifice their dreams of building a family,” said Sen. Tammy […]
Online competition measure again draws industry opposition
A bill that would stop large online platforms from discriminating against outside services has been revived in the Senate after versions in recent years died amid strong opposition from the technology industry. Judiciary Chair Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, and Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., introduced the legislation on Wednesday in what they say is an effort […]
House vote puts surveillance authority on path to lapse
The House did not pass a short-term extension of a powerful surveillance tool Thursday morning as members headed out of town for a recess, all but ensuring the spy power’s statutory authority would lapse going into the weekend. The vote to reject a reauthorization of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act now sends […]
College sports bill authors making pitch to Black caucus
The authors of a Senate bill that would overhaul college athletics warned this week that a lack of congressional action this year could financially wreck historically Black colleges and universities and could reduce chances for college educations for minority students. Senate Commerce Committee Chair Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and ranking member Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., said they […]