Surveillance reauthorization stuck amid Trump’s Pulte pick
Congress spent another day stalled on the renewal of a key surveillance authority Tuesday, as President Donald Trump declined to help clear a legislative path and instead dug in on his temporary choice in Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence. Lawmakers and the White House are sliding closer to the deadline Friday when […]
Heavy security in advance of White House 250th festivities
The National Mall is being transformed for almost daily events in the weeks leading up to the nation’s 250th birthday on July 4, with unprecedented security and a request that those planning to participate in some of the main activities register in advance. Events kick off Friday evening near the Capitol with a watch party […]
Trustees: Social Security, Medicare outlook slightly worse
The financial health of Social Security and Medicare has worsened over the past year, with the programs’ trust funds expected to run dry three months sooner than anticipated, according to reports issued Tuesday by the programs’ trustees. Without any changes, the main Social Security trust fund would be depleted in the fourth quarter of 2032, […]
Partisan blame game falls on the Senate parliamentarian … again
The Senate parliamentarian was never meant to be in the spotlight — let alone an office with political influence. But as Republicans lurch toward a habit of using the filibuster-proof budget reconciliation process to fund key government agencies, they are increasingly putting the fate of the party’s biggest spending priorities in the hands of a […]
Blanche heads into attorney general confirmation clash
President Donald Trump on Monday sent to the Senate the nomination of acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to fill the role permanently, teeing up what could be a bruising confirmation process for a Trump ally who has drawn bipartisan criticism for recent Justice Department moves. The president’s former defense attorney has pursued an aggressive agenda […]
DC/DOX Film Festival: A kaleidoscope of America and beyond
Jason Dick talks with Sky Sitney about this year’s DC/DOX documentary film festival, which brings to Washington a slate of more than 100 nonfiction movies about Billie Jean King, Earth Wind and Fire, AI, a Washington Commanders superfan, Sea Monkeys and even Yugoslavian leader Josip Tito’s parrot. Show Notes:
Ohio Senate candidates spar over donations tied, loosely or not, to Epstein
by Lori Robertson ANALYSIS —Ohio voters are witnessing a battle of campaign television ads as each Senate candidate tries to tie the other to Jeffrey Epstein — by way of donations from those with some link to the late convicted sex offender. Democrat Sherrod Brown’s campaign charges that Republican Sen. Jon Husted “took more money […]
At the Races: Maine’s moment
Welcome to a special edition of At the Races! Throughout the 2026 primary season, watch for these updates from the CQ Roll Call campaign team on what you need to know for Election Day. Know someone who’d like to get this newsletter? They can subscribe here. By Mary Ellen McIntire and Daniela Altimari Maine is central […]
Trump’s early midterm stops only touch on lawmakers
President Donald Trump has yet to embark on a robust midterm campaign schedule, and his handful of initial rallies have been far from targeted messages talking up GOP candidates. In the most recent two trips to districts that could help determine whether Republicans retain control of the House, the president opted for the meandering signature […]
This week: FISA fight comes to a head
Republicans in Congress face two major tasks this week: wrapping up reconciliation 2.0 and renewing a controversial spy powers authority before it expires Friday. The House returns with a final sprint to clear roughly $70 billion for immigration enforcement through President Donald Trump’s term, which GOP leaders are hoping to finish in the first half […]