June 2026
Blanche makes Senate visit ahead of confirmation push
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche started his Senate goodwill tour Monday in his bid for Senate confirmation to run the Justice Department permanently, sitting down with Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Charles E. Grassley. The Iowa Republican is the first lawmaker to meet with Blanche since President Donald Trump tapped him to lead the DOJ last […]
Trump soft pitches take-home pay message
Buried deep inside President Donald Trump’s typical campaign trail stump speech have been brief mentions about boosting voters’ take-home pay, which could boost Republican congressional candidates in November. But there are worries in GOP circles that the president is not focused enough on his economic stewardship, amid sagging poll numbers, conflict with Iran and a […]
Inside John Thune’s arithmetic
John Thune is rubbing his jaw, one of his telltale signs he’s tired. What should’ve been a week of celebration after muscling through his party’s second budget reconciliation package as Senate majority leader — nearly a year and a half into his tenure — was instead spent navigating hurdles set by the other end of […]
Reconciliation 3.0 hurdles
House Republicans are scrambling to produce a third reconciliation bill this Congress focused on defense spending and combating fraud, but they face numerous obstacles. CQ Roll Call’s Aidan Quigley and Paul M. Krawzak join host David Lerman to assess the bill’s prospects and all the complications that lie ahead. Show Notes:
Fight night: FISA and beyond
Brawling in the ring at Sunday’s UFC fight came with a show of Republican unity, as congressional leaders like Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Speaker Mike Johnson turned up to watch the event on the White House lawn. But outside the Octagon and behind the scenes, another fight was brewing over reauthorizing Section 702 […]
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 […]