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 […]
House votes to take over librarian of Congress appointment power
House lawmakers passed a bill Monday aimed at preventing future executive branch interference in some legislative branch agencies, a year after President Donald Trump fired the librarian of Congress. It would allow House and Senate leaders to appoint the heads of both the Library of Congress and the Government Publishing Office, removing that power from […]
Judge halts Trump’s $100,000 H-1B visa fee
A federal judge in Massachusetts on Monday blocked President Donald Trump’s attempt to charge a $100,000 fee for companies seeking to employ foreign workers with an H-1B visa, ruling in part that it oversteps Congress’ taxing power. In the ruling, Judge Leo T. Sorokin of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts found […]
Packwood, former senator who resigned amid sex scandal, dead at 93
Former Sen. Bob Packwood, whose immense political influence was marred by a major sexual misconduct scandal, died Saturday at the age of 93. The Oregon Republican served nearly 27 years in the Senate, but resigned in 1995 after the Senate Ethics Committee voted to recommend expelling him for sexual misconduct, abuse of office and obstruction […]
Bitter rivalry? At the Congressional Baseball Game, sort of
Democrats are looking to break a five-year losing streak at Wednesday night’s Congressional Baseball Game, hoping a revamped roster will be enough to beat Republicans. But partisan rivalry aside, research suggests the game may boost legislative collaboration. Playing baseball gives legislators the chance to forge bonds outside the halls of the Capitol, according to SoRelle […]
Lawsuit to stop ‘anti-weaponization’ fund moot, DOJ tells court
The Trump administration told a federal judge Friday there is no need to block implementation of a $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization fund,” arguing the administration has already scrapped the idea. The filing, in response to an order from Judge Leonie M. Brinkema of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia in one of […]
FISA reauthorization stalls in early-morning Senate vote
Senate Republicans early Friday could not muster enough votes to move forward on a long-term reauthorization of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, leaving the key surveillance power, which expires next week, in limbo as both chambers leave the Capitol for the weekend. The Senate voted 47-52 on the motion to proceed to […]
Justice Department moving forward with grant office changes
The Justice Department has outlined plans to start the consolidation of three key grant components in September, as part of a reorganization effort that has raised concern from advocates and drawn the attention of at least one senator. The department held a stakeholder briefing Thursday morning where they outlined a rough timeline for consolidating the […]
Wrapup: All-nighter caps Senate work and a short House week
Congress left town this week after the Senate passed Republicans’ high-priority budget reconciliation package for immigration enforcement, while Democrats saw a war powers messaging win in the House. The Senate adjourned in the wee hours of Friday morning following an all-night “vote-a-rama” to pass a nearly $70 billion reconciliation bill for immigration enforcement. The package […]