Congress
Wrapup: Senate hits spy powers snafu
Senators moved ahead with a bipartisan housing bill this week, paving the way for a final vote once they return from the Juneteenth long weekend. But on another topic, they seemed to go not forward, but back. President Donald Trump sent negotiations to renew a lapsed spy power authority back to square one Wednesday, souring […]
Sovereign wealth fund tax on AI companies unveiled by Sanders
Newly released text offers details on legislation from progressive Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., for the federal government to take a 50 percent share in leading artificial intelligence companies. The text of the as-yet unnumbered bill, released Thursday, would put a one-time tax on AI companies with more than $200 million in annual sales, to be paid in […]
AI deepfakes bill advanced by Senate Judiciary Committee
Unauthorized deepfake images generated by artificial intelligence would need to be removed from online platforms if they weren’t licensed by the person portrayed, under a bill the Senate Judiciary Committee advanced on Thursday. The bill, which was approved by voice vote, would give individuals an intellectual property right to their voice and visual likeness, despite […]
An empty committee room defines Senate-White House relations
An empty Senate Intelligence Committee room summed up the mood Wednesday afternoon during what was supposed to be an easy step in Majority Leader John Thune’s plan to revive a lapsed surveillance authority. Instead, the key spy powers tool, the committee room and senators themselves were left in the dark after President Donald Trump directed […]
Trump upends Senate path on surveillance authority
President Donald Trump on Wednesday complicated Senate Republican plans to quickly revive a key surveillance authority, delaying a scheduled confirmation hearing for Jay Clayton and pressing for the inclusion of a controversial voter ID measure. Trump, in an early morning social media post, said he was “cancelling” the hearing for Clayton to become Director of […]
Senate clashes over fate of ‘anti-weaponization’ fund
Senate Democrats sought to pass legislation to abolish the White House’s supposedly defunct “anti-weaponization” fund Tuesday, in a floor move blocked by Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., attempted to pass via unanimous consent the measure to stop the $1.8 billion fund from the Department of Justice and nullify the […]
‘Time’s a-ticking’ on highway bill, senators acknowledge
With just over three months left to act, two key senators say movement on reauthorizing the nation’s surface transportation programs remains slow in their chamber, where four committees still have to weigh in. In the House, a bill that was marked up last month by three committees still requires input from Ways and Means before […]
Housing deal in hand, revised bill cruising toward passage
Senate and House leaders agreed Tuesday to a final version of comprehensive housing legislation that they believe will pass the Senate this week and the House next week, landing on the president’s desk for his expected signature. The deal puts the chambers within reach of concluding almost a year of work on a major package […]
Congress must review Iran agreement, senators say
Congress needs to be able to review the agreement between the Trump administration and Tehran that is intended to end the Iran war, senators in both parties said Monday. President Donald Trump announced Sunday that the United States and Iran had reached a memorandum of understanding to end the war, reopen the Strait of Hormuz […]
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 […]