Congress

As Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. hints he could retire next year, senators are watching closely. It would mean a tough confirmation process on Capitol Hill for any replacement picked by President Donald Trump, experts say. Alito, 76, has contemplated retirement but decided to stay through the end of the Supreme Court term that started […]

Two years ago, Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., published a book about restoring the so-called talking filibuster and repairing what he describes as a “broken” system in the Senate. Now he’s forming an unlikely duo with Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., to push a sweeping proposal to overhaul the chamber’s rules. “America today is larger, busier and […]

A 2020 law intended to protect patients from “surprise” medical bills would get an overhaul under a bill introduced Thursday by Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., ranking member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. The New Jersey Democrat’s bill would replace the law’s arbitration process that insurers and providers use to reach a decision on […]

Democratic Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia is leaning into a major expansion of U.S. health insurance coverage as he prepares for what’s likely to be his final term in office, in contrast to his earlier years on Capitol Hill marked by a more centrist approach to health care. With health coverage for airport workers being […]

The Trump administration asked the Supreme Court on Thursday to step into a lower court dispute over television advertising rates paid by political candidates and joint fundraising committees weeks before the midterm elections. The application asked the justices to set aside a 2-1 ruling issued Wednesday by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th […]

J. Dennis Hastert has died at the age of 84, his legacy as the longest-serving House Republican speaker eclipsed by later revelations that he had abused underage boys as a high school teacher and wrestling coach.  Kendall County, Ill., Coroner Jacquie Purcell issued a statement Monday confirming that Hastert died at his home over the […]

A key player in crafting and pushing bipartisan legislation aimed at building guardrails around college sports through the Senate said last week outreach to House members had begun. But it is unclear whether President Donald Trump will help reconcile differences as he focuses on the midterms and other priorities. The Senate on Sept. 28 passed […]

With members largely in their districts to campaign in the final stretch before midterms, the House and Senate have transitioned to “pro forma” mode. But the rhythm of chambers gaveling in briefly every few days can mask the political undercurrents in the constant push and pull of power between Congress and the executive branch. That […]

The Trump administration is now facing a bevy of federal lawsuits over its effort to claw back about $810 million in federal funding without Congress’ approval. The administration announced the cancellation last week, through a maneuver known as a “pocket rescission,” days before the funding expired at the end of the fiscal year Wednesday. Now […]

On the surface, it wouldn’t seem like an early-aughts teen comedy has much in common with the drawing of congressional maps.  Don’t tell that to Rory Riley Topping and Josh Rultenberg, who spend a good chunk of their new book referencing “Mean Girls.” The authors of “Draw the Line in Ohio” are on a mission […]