Congress
Republicans punt budget for reconciliation package into the fall
Senate Republicans abandoned plans Friday night to try to take up a budget resolution for a third reconciliation package, bowing to the reality that they lacked enough votes for it. The decision to scrap a planned procedural vote on the budget came after a late-night meeting in Majority Leader John Thune’s office with key senators […]
Funding patch passes Senate to head off fall shutdown
The Senate easily passed a bipartisan continuing resolution early Saturday morning, likely easing the traditional September rush to head off a partial government shutdown in October. On a lopsided vote of 90-6, the Senate passed a measure that would extend current funding through Dec. 11, giving lawmakers about 10 extra weeks to complete full-year appropriations […]
Long-stalled Russia sanctions bill passed by Senate
The Senate on Friday passed a bill aimed at punishing Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, a long-delayed effort that senators raced to finish in recent weeks as a tribute to the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. The bill, which would also levy penalties on Iran, was passed in a bipartisan 86-11 vote, overcoming Democratic […]
Cassidy’s hepatitis C bill delayed over CBO score
A bipartisan bill aimed at combating hepatitis C is stalled in the Senate due to a high score from the Congressional Budget Office, the bill’s lead sponsor Bill Cassidy, R-La., said on Thursday. The bill, co-sponsored by Sen Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., proposes a national strategy to reduce hepatitis C infections by providing free medications […]
Farm bill rejected in partisan split over food stamp cost-sharing
The Senate Agriculture Committee rejected a five-year farm bill Thursday at a contentious markup plagued by Republican absences and a Democratic rebellion over plans for imposing food stamp costs on state governments. The 10-11 vote defeating the 983-page bill marked a rare break from the bipartisan support that typically accompanies a farm bill, a sprawling […]
McConnell says he’s left rehab center to ‘continue my recovery at home’
Sen. Mitch McConnell’s office said Thursday he was released from a rehabilitation center and is continuing his recovery at home. “On the advice of my doctors, I’ll maintain an intensive regimen of physical therapy from home during the state work period, and I’ll continue to engage with my staff and colleagues on important Senate business,” […]
Fauci could face criminal contempt charge following panel vote
The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee voted on Thursday to hold former Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Anthony Fauci in criminal contempt of Congress for declining to answer questions about the COVID-19 pandemic during a highly charged hearing last week. The Thursday morning 8-5 vote represents an extreme […]
They once condemned bad behavior in the House. Now, it’s ‘not my business’
Four months ago, calls denouncing misconduct came swiftly, and all at once. Now, it’s near silence. Allegations surrounding two House Republicans reached a fever pitch this week, as Rep. Chuck Edwards of North Carolina dropped out of his reelection campaign due to a report detailing “inappropriate conduct” toward two female staffers and Rep. Max Miller […]
Ethics Committee launches probe into Max Miller
The House Ethics Committee announced Tuesday it will investigate allegations of domestic violence and abuse and illegal drug use against Ohio Republican Rep. Max Miller. The announcement comes after Miller wrote on X that he was asking the panel to look into him and that he has “absolutely nothing to hide.” “In light of all […]
Blanche’s AG nomination moves ahead after delay
The Senate Judiciary Committee favorably reported Todd Blanche’s bid to be attorney general after some Republican senators delayed the vote over the Trump administration’s controversial “weaponization” fund. Key GOP holdouts on the committee, Sens. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Thom Tillis, R-N.C., voted in favor of advancing Blanche’s nomination after striking a deal to “rescind” the $1.8 billion […]