Congress
Warner pitches health care expansion as he preps for swan song
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 […]
Supreme Court asked to weigh political ad rates
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 […]
Disgraced former Speaker Hastert dies
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 […]
Employee question could stall Senate college sports bill at midfield in House
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 […]
As Congress leans on ‘pro formas,’ bills become law without Trump signature
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 […]
Court challenges mount over Trump’s funding clawback
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 […]
How is ‘Mean Girls’ like gerrymandering? Ask these former Hill staffers
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 […]
‘Toothless messaging’? Senate agenda caught up in midterm branding
As senators looked for the exits this week, Republican leaders forced votes on two hot-topic campaign issues: data center electricity costs and lawmakers’ ability to buy and sell stocks. Democrats tried to label both as “toothless” last-ditch messaging bids, saying Republicans are merely trying to boost their sagging polls as they fight to retain their […]
Senators debate liability for ‘rogue’ AI agents
In a stance that puts him at odds with much of his party and the White House, Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., used a Senate hearing on Wednesday to call for new artificial intelligence regulations, including through his own upcoming legislation that would clarify liability for “rogue” AI hacking incidents. At the hearing on national security […]
Lame-duck effort brewing to protect NIH grantmaking
Senate appropriators from both parties are workshopping language that could be added to a spending bill to prevent the White House from exerting political influence on medical research grants. The provision would go into the Labor-HHS-Education appropriations bill that lawmakers hope to pass before stopgap funding expires Dec. 11. The senators, led by Appropriations Chair Susan Collins, R-Maine, and ranking […]