WEATHER ALERT
Shutdown saga exposes new fault lines for Speaker Johnson and tests his grip on the gavel
Read full article: Shutdown saga exposes new fault lines for Speaker Johnson and tests his grip on the gavelOne of the most turbulent sessions of Congress in the modern era is about to make way for the next one.
What to know about the debt ceiling debate as a government shutdown looms in Washington
Read full article: What to know about the debt ceiling debate as a government shutdown looms in WashingtonA debate over the debt ceiling is at the center of a dispute over funding that is pushing the possibility of a federal government shutdown to the brink in Washington.
Man charged with mass shooting at Illinois parade loses bid to bar his statements at trial
Read full article: Man charged with mass shooting at Illinois parade loses bid to bar his statements at trialA judge has declined to throw out statements made by a man charged with a mass shooting at a parade in suburban Chicago in 2022.
House approves $895B defense bill with military pay raise, ban on transgender care for minors
Read full article: House approves $895B defense bill with military pay raise, ban on transgender care for minorsThe House has passed a measure that authorizes a 1% increase in spending this fiscal year and a double-digit pay raise for about half of the enlisted service members in the military.
New California Sen. Adam Schiff wants to be more than a Trump antagonist
Read full article: New California Sen. Adam Schiff wants to be more than a Trump antagonistAs California’s newest senator, Democrat Adam Schiff says he’s not going to shy away from familiar territory — opposing Donald Trump when he feels it is necessary.
Unlikely battleground California plays key role -- again -- in setting US House's political balance
Read full article: Unlikely battleground California plays key role -- again -- in setting US House's political balanceDemocrats and Republicans agreed on at least one thing before November's election: California would play a central role in determining which party controls the U.S. House.
Taiwan's president visits East-West think tank as China criticizes his 2-day visit to Hawaii
Read full article: Taiwan's president visits East-West think tank as China criticizes his 2-day visit to HawaiiTaiwan’s president visited a U.S. State Department-funded think tank and educational institution on the second day of a two-day visit to Hawaii that’s part of a Pacific island tour that has already triggered criticism from Beijing.
Taiwan's president arrives in Hawaii for a 2-day stop in the US as part of South Pacific visit
Read full article: Taiwan's president arrives in Hawaii for a 2-day stop in the US as part of South Pacific visitTaiwan’s President Lai Ching-te has arrived in Hawaii for a two-day transit in the U.S. as part of a trip to the South Pacific.
Attorneys say accused shooter in 2022 July 4th parade shooting denied lawyer during police interview
Read full article: Attorneys say accused shooter in 2022 July 4th parade shooting denied lawyer during police interviewDefense attorney allege that the man accused of killing seven people at a 2022 Independence Day parade in suburban Chicago was denied his constitutional right to legal representation while being interrogated by police hours after the shooting.
What Republicans are saying about Matt Gaetz's nomination for attorney general
Read full article: What Republicans are saying about Matt Gaetz's nomination for attorney generalFormer Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz's nomination for attorney general is being met with a variety of reactions from Republicans, including cautious reservation, praise and pointed criticism.
Will Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz get enough votes to be confirmed to serve as attorney general?
Read full article: Will Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz get enough votes to be confirmed to serve as attorney general?In picking Rep. Matt Gaetz as his nominee for attorney general, President-elect Donald Trump is looking to install a fierce loyalist — who has been seen as divisive even within his own party — over some of the more established attorneys whose names had been mentioned for the nation’s top federal prosecutor post.
Trump issues early challenge to GOP Senate with defiant nominations
Read full article: Trump issues early challenge to GOP Senate with defiant nominationsJust hours after Republican Sen. John Thune was elected as the incoming Senate majority leader, President-elect Donald Trump presented him with one of his first tests — an announcement that he intends to nominate House Republican Matt Gaetz as attorney general.
What to know about Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, Trump's pick to serve as attorney general
Read full article: What to know about Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, Trump's pick to serve as attorney generalIn picking Rep. Matt Gaetz as his nominee for attorney general, President-elect Donald Trump is looking to install a fierce loyalist — who has been seen as divisive even within his own party — over some of the more established attorneys whose names had been mentioned for the nation’s top federal prosecutor post.
Speaker Mike Johnson is pulling closer to Trump to save the GOP's House majority
Read full article: Speaker Mike Johnson is pulling closer to Trump to save the GOP's House majorityAs House Speaker Mike Johnson travels the country trying to save his House Republican majority, he has linked ever more tightly to former President Donald Trump.
Departures in House create crucial Republican targets in the fight for majority control
Read full article: Departures in House create crucial Republican targets in the fight for majority controlAfter a tumultuous and unproductive session of Congress, nearly 50 House members have decided either to not seek reelection or to run for a higher office.
Man who was mad about Chinese spy balloon is convicted of threatening former Speaker McCarthy
Read full article: Man who was mad about Chinese spy balloon is convicted of threatening former Speaker McCarthyA Montana man has been convicted of threatening to assault former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
A year ago Kevin McCarthy was booted as House speaker. Mike Johnson is trying to avoid that fate
Read full article: A year ago Kevin McCarthy was booted as House speaker. Mike Johnson is trying to avoid that fateOne year since House Speaker Kevin McCarthy was booted from office after Congress voted to fund the federal government, the new House Speaker Mike Johnson finds himself courting, but so far avoiding, a similar fate.
House Republicans push to link government funding to a citizenship check for new voters
Read full article: House Republicans push to link government funding to a citizenship check for new votersHouse Speaker Mike Johnson has teed up a vote this week on a bill that would keep the federal government funded for six more months.
Key senators reach agreement on spending levels for next year, setting up clash with House
Read full article: Key senators reach agreement on spending levels for next year, setting up clash with HouseThe Senate will pursue a spending increase next year of about 3.4% for defense and 2.7% increase for non-defense programs under a bipartisan agreement reached by the Senate Appropriations Committee.
House Republicans unite on spending cuts to non-defense programs, but Senate roadblock awaits
Read full article: House Republicans unite on spending cuts to non-defense programs, but Senate roadblock awaitsHouse Republicans are off to a quicker, more united start this year when it comes to funding the federal government, passing four of 12 annual appropriations bills before the end of June compared to zero at this time last year, when the new majority got off to a rocky start.
Cliffhanger congressional contest between Bob Good and John McGuire tests power of Trump endorsement
Read full article: Cliffhanger congressional contest between Bob Good and John McGuire tests power of Trump endorsementOne of America’s most conservative congressmen is locked in a tight renomination battle against an opponent endorsed by former President Donald Trump in Virginia.
US Rep. Nancy Mace overcomes McCarthy-backed challenger to win Republican primary in South Carolina
Read full article: US Rep. Nancy Mace overcomes McCarthy-backed challenger to win Republican primary in South CarolinaU.S. Rep. Nancy Mace has won the Republican nomination after a tumultuous second term in South Carolina that saw her go from a critic to ally of former President Donald Trump and make headlines for plenty of things off the House floor.
Georgia Republican bets on Washington ties to help his nomination for an open congressional seat
Read full article: Georgia Republican bets on Washington ties to help his nomination for an open congressional seatBacked by Donald Trump, Republican Brian Jack is trying to power his way to the nomination in an open Georgia congressional.
California Republican takes oath of office to complete term of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy
Read full article: California Republican takes oath of office to complete term of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthyRepublican Vince Fong of California has been sworn into Congress after winning a special election to complete the remainder of the term of deposed former U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
Supreme Court finds no bias against Black voters in a South Carolina congressional district
Read full article: Supreme Court finds no bias against Black voters in a South Carolina congressional districtThe Supreme Court has preserved a Republican-held South Carolina congressional district, rejecting a lower-court ruling that the district discriminated against Black voters.
Biden, Trump win Kentucky, Oregon primaries as presidential nominating season nears its end
Read full article: Biden, Trump win Kentucky, Oregon primaries as presidential nominating season nears its endThe presidential primaries that Joe Biden and Donald Trump have already clinched are moving closer to their end.
AP Decision Notes: What to expect in the California 20th District special election
Read full article: AP Decision Notes: What to expect in the California 20th District special electionVoters in California’s 20th Congressional District can be forgiven if they open their ballots for the upcoming primary election with a sense of déjà vu.
Republican group takes rare step of targeting GOP incumbent who voted to oust McCarthy
Read full article: Republican group takes rare step of targeting GOP incumbent who voted to oust McCarthyA political action committee that helps Republicans get elected to Congress is doing the unusual — spending more than $450,000 to defeat a GOP incumbent.
House Speaker Mike Johnson survived a motion to vacate. Here's why his job is far from safe
Read full article: House Speaker Mike Johnson survived a motion to vacate. Here's why his job is far from safeDemocrats joined a majority of Republicans on Wednesday to save Speaker Mike Johnson from an attempt by GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene to remove him from the job.
Democrats say they will save Speaker Mike Johnson's job if Republicans try to oust him
Read full article: Democrats say they will save Speaker Mike Johnson's job if Republicans try to oust himHouse Democrats will vote to save Speaker Mike Johnson’s job should some Republican lawmakers seek to remove him from the position, avoiding a repeat of when eight Republicans joined with Democrats to oust his predecessor, former Rep. Kevin McCarthy.
Republicans seeking Georgia congressional seat debate limits on abortion and immigration
Read full article: Republicans seeking Georgia congressional seat debate limits on abortion and immigrationBrian Jack sought to make a debate among Republicans for an open Georgia congressional seat all about his close ties with Donald Trump, while the other contenders are ignoring Trump’s endorsement of Jack.
Seeking 'the right side of history,' Speaker Mike Johnson risks his job to deliver aid to Ukraine
Read full article: Seeking 'the right side of history,' Speaker Mike Johnson risks his job to deliver aid to UkraineStaring down a decision so consequential it could alter the course of history -- but also end his own career -- House Speaker Mike Johnson prayed for guidance.
Democrats weigh prospect of helping Johnson save his job as House speaker
Read full article: Democrats weigh prospect of helping Johnson save his job as House speakerSome Democrats are entertaining the prospect of helping House Speaker Mike Johnson save his job should Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia force a vote seeking his ouster.
Trump gives support to embattled Speaker Mike Johnson at pivotal Mar-a-Lago meet
Read full article: Trump gives support to embattled Speaker Mike Johnson at pivotal Mar-a-Lago meetDonald Trump has given his support to embattled House Speaker Mike Johnson during a visit to the Mar-a-Lago club in Florida.
Speaker Johnson to meet with Trump, offers Marjorie Taylor Greene advisory role as own job teeters
Read full article: Speaker Johnson to meet with Trump, offers Marjorie Taylor Greene advisory role as own job teetersWith his job on the line, House Speaker Mike Johnson is dashing to Florida to meet with Donald Trump this week.
Republican Mike Boudreaux advances to special election to complete term of ousted Speaker McCarthy
Read full article: Republican Mike Boudreaux advances to special election to complete term of ousted Speaker McCarthyCounty Sheriff Mike Boudreaux is advancing to a May election in California to decide who will complete the remainder of the term of deposed former U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, which runs through January.
What's next now that Speaker Mike Johnson is facing a motion to vacate from Marjorie Taylor Greene
Read full article: What's next now that Speaker Mike Johnson is facing a motion to vacate from Marjorie Taylor GreeneBarely six months into the job, House Speaker Mike Johnson is at risk of the same conservative revolt that took down his predecessor.
Republican Vince Fong advances to runoff election to complete term of ex-House Speaker McCarthy
Read full article: Republican Vince Fong advances to runoff election to complete term of ex-House Speaker McCarthyCalifornia state Legislator Vince Fong has advanced to a May election to decide who will complete the remainder of the term of deposed former U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
House Republicans are seeking unity at an idyllic West Virginia retreat. Many didn't bother to come
Read full article: House Republicans are seeking unity at an idyllic West Virginia retreat. Many didn't bother to comeHouse Republicans are huddling in West Virginia for a strategy-planning retreat designed to unify the often-fractious conference as they head into the final months before the November election.
Biden calls out hecklers and rallies base in fiery State of the Union speech
Read full article: Biden calls out hecklers and rallies base in fiery State of the Union speechIn his State of the Union address, President Joe Biden will make an explicit appeal to the divided Congress for his “unity agenda.”.
Biden uses feisty State of the Union to contrast with Trump, sell voters on a second term
Read full article: Biden uses feisty State of the Union to contrast with Trump, sell voters on a second termPresident Joe Biden delivered a defiant argument for a second term in his State of the Union speech Thursday night, lacing into GOP front-runner Donald Trump for espousing “resentment, revenge and retribution” and for jeopardizing freedom at home and abroad.
Congress approves short-term extension to avoid shutdown, buy more time for final spending agreement
Read full article: Congress approves short-term extension to avoid shutdown, buy more time for final spending agreementCongress has passed another short-term spending measure that would keep one set of federal agencies operating through March 8 and another set through March 22.
Lawmakers honor House clerk who served during chaos of Jan. 6 and McCarthy speaker votes
Read full article: Lawmakers honor House clerk who served during chaos of Jan. 6 and McCarthy speaker votesLawmakers have honored the official charged with maintaining order in the House during two of the chamber’s most tumultuous moments — the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol and last year’s longest race for House speaker since before the Civil War.
Biden determined to use stunning Trump-backed collapse of border deal as a weapon in 2024 campaign
Read full article: Biden determined to use stunning Trump-backed collapse of border deal as a weapon in 2024 campaignPresident Joe Biden was urgently seeking more money from Congress to aid Ukraine and Israel.
Some Republican leaders are pushing back against the conservative Freedom Caucus in statehouses
Read full article: Some Republican leaders are pushing back against the conservative Freedom Caucus in statehousesSome Republican lawmakers are pushing back as the conservative Freedom Caucus Networks expands from Washington, D.
GOP Speaker Mike Johnson has a House majority in name only. He's left with daunting choices ahead
Read full article: GOP Speaker Mike Johnson has a House majority in name only. He's left with daunting choices aheadNew Speaker Mike Johnson finds himself leading House Republicans with a majority in name only.
Congress votes to avert a shutdown and keep the government funded into early March
Read full article: Congress votes to avert a shutdown and keep the government funded into early MarchCongress has sent President Joe Biden a short-term spending bill that would avert a looming partial government shutdown and fund federal agencies into March.
Speaker Johnson insists he's sticking to budget deal but announces no plan to stop partial shutdown
Read full article: Speaker Johnson insists he's sticking to budget deal but announces no plan to stop partial shutdownHouse Speaker Mike Johnson insists he is sticking with the bipartisan budget deal he struck with the other congressional leaders.
As House GOP launches effort to impeach Mayorkas, senators want to strike a border deal with him
Read full article: As House GOP launches effort to impeach Mayorkas, senators want to strike a border deal with himHouse Republicans are marching ahead with impeachment plans targeting Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas as “derelict in his duty” over handling of the U.S.-Mexico border.
California sets a special election for US House seat left vacant by exit of former Speaker McCarthy
Read full article: California sets a special election for US House seat left vacant by exit of former Speaker McCarthyCalifornia Gov. Gavin Newsom has set a mid-March special election date to fill the U.S. House seat vacated by former Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
Congressional leaders announce an agreement on spending levels, a key step to averting shutdown
Read full article: Congressional leaders announce an agreement on spending levels, a key step to averting shutdownCongressional leaders have reached an agreement on overall spending levels for the current fiscal year that could help avoid a partial government shutdown later this month.
Retirements could tip control of the House majority. It's Republicans who have the early edge
Read full article: Retirements could tip control of the House majority. It's Republicans who have the early edgeA chaotic year for the House is coming to a close with more Democrats than Republicans deciding to leave the chamber.
Punishing their own but passing few laws, a Congress in chaos leaves much to do in 2024
Read full article: Punishing their own but passing few laws, a Congress in chaos leaves much to do in 2024This Congress started with showy bluster, a bitter 15-round, multi-day spectacle to elect a House speaker who vowed to “never quit,” and then did just that.
The GOP's slim House majority is getting even tighter with Kevin McCarthy's retirement
Read full article: The GOP's slim House majority is getting even tighter with Kevin McCarthy's retirementHouse Speaker Mike Johnson’s margin for error in getting Republican priorities through the House is getting slimmer.
North Carolina Rep. McHenry, who led House through speaker stalemate, won't seek reelection in 2024
Read full article: North Carolina Rep. McHenry, who led House through speaker stalemate, won't seek reelection in 2024North Carolina Rep. Patrick McHenry won't seek reelection to the U.S. House next year after all.
Tempers flare and bills languish as Speaker Johnson confronts the same problems that vexed McCarthy
Read full article: Tempers flare and bills languish as Speaker Johnson confronts the same problems that vexed McCarthyNew House Speaker Mike Johnson is trying to rebuild the Republican's slim majority.
Ex-fundraiser for George Santos pleads guilty to posing as congressional aide to raise campaign cash
Read full article: Ex-fundraiser for George Santos pleads guilty to posing as congressional aide to raise campaign cashA former fundraiser for U.S. Rep. George Santos has pleaded guilty to a federal wire fraud charge.
New Speaker Mike Johnson formally endorses Donald Trump, a step beyond predecessor Kevin McCarthy
Read full article: New Speaker Mike Johnson formally endorses Donald Trump, a step beyond predecessor Kevin McCarthyHouse Speaker Mike Johnson has endorsed Donald Trump for president, a move that was a symbolic departure from his ousted predecessor leading the House.
New Speaker Mike Johnson grasps for a funding plan with a government shutdown rapidly approaching
Read full article: New Speaker Mike Johnson grasps for a funding plan with a government shutdown rapidly approachingNew House Speaker Mike Johnson is facing his first big test as he tries to win House Republican support for a short-term funding plan to avert a government shutdown.
UNF poll of likely Republican voters in Florida shows low trust in U.S. House not helped by Speaker’s ousting
Read full article: UNF poll of likely Republican voters in Florida shows low trust in U.S. House not helped by Speaker’s oustingA University of North Florida Public Opinion Research Lab poll found that nearly 60% of likely Republican voters in Florida have little to no trust in the U.S. House of Representatives.
GOP Rep. Ken Buck plans to challenge his party's direction under Trump as he leaves the House
Read full article: GOP Rep. Ken Buck plans to challenge his party's direction under Trump as he leaves the HouseKen Buck has gained national prominence as a Republican congressman fed up with Donald Trump’s lies about the 2020 election he lost to Democrat Joe Biden.
Speaker Mike Johnson signals that Ukraine aid, coupled with border security, is next on GOP agenda
Read full article: Speaker Mike Johnson signals that Ukraine aid, coupled with border security, is next on GOP agendaNew Speaker Mike Johnson says the U.S. House will consider a fresh aid package for Ukraine, but he wants to link it to more money at home for the U.S. border with Mexico.
Republican US Rep. Ken Buck of Colorado won't seek reelection, citing party's 'insidious narratives'
Read full article: Republican US Rep. Ken Buck of Colorado won't seek reelection, citing party's 'insidious narratives'U.S. Rep. Ken Buck, a conservative Republican who represents much of Colorado’s rural eastern plains, says he won't seek a sixth term in Congress.
House rejects effort to censure Rashida Tlaib over the Palestinian-American's rhetoric about Israel
Read full article: House rejects effort to censure Rashida Tlaib over the Palestinian-American's rhetoric about IsraelThe House has rejected an effort to censure Democratic Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, scrapping a Republican attempt to condemn the only Palestinian-American in Congress over her recent rhetoric around the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
House Speaker Mike Johnson was once the dean of a Christian law school. It never opened its doors
Read full article: House Speaker Mike Johnson was once the dean of a Christian law school. It never opened its doorsMike Johnson does not typically mention one aspect of his work before being elected to Congress.
New Speaker Mike Johnson holds favor with conservatives. Can he unite the GOP where others failed?
Read full article: New Speaker Mike Johnson holds favor with conservatives. Can he unite the GOP where others failed?New House Speaker Mike Johnson has inherited many of the same problems that bedeviled Republican leaders with far more experience.
Christian conservatives cheer one of their own as Mike Johnson assumes Congress' most powerful seat
Read full article: Christian conservatives cheer one of their own as Mike Johnson assumes Congress' most powerful seatEvangelical Christian conservatives have long had allies in top Republican leadership in Congress.
Republicans nominate Mike Johnson for House speaker after Emmer's withdrawal, desperate to end chaos
Read full article: Republicans nominate Mike Johnson for House speaker after Emmer's withdrawal, desperate to end chaosRepublicans have chosen Rep. Mike Johnson of Louisiana as their latest nominee for House speaker.
Americans' faith in institutions has been sliding for years. The chaos in Congress isn't helping
Read full article: Americans' faith in institutions has been sliding for years. The chaos in Congress isn't helpingFor many Americans, the Republican dysfunction that has ground business in the U.S. House to a halt as two wars rage abroad and a budget crisis looms at home is feeding into a longer-term pessimism about the country’s core institutions.
Republicans are facing death threats as the election for speaker gets mired in personal feuds
Read full article: Republicans are facing death threats as the election for speaker gets mired in personal feudsAn onslaught of pressure from the Republican Party base was intended to prod the GOP’s moderate and establishment members to support Rep. Jim Jordan for House speaker.
Local Rep. Aaron Bean voices support for Jim Jordan as tension, confusion prolongs vote for House speaker
Read full article: Local Rep. Aaron Bean voices support for Jim Jordan as tension, confusion prolongs vote for House speakerOhio Representative Jim Jordan has failed in two votes this week to become Speaker of the House. He’s the candidate Republican Congressman Aaron Bean supports as do most of the GOP members.
Biden declares Israel and Ukraine support is vital for US security, will ask Congress for billions
Read full article: Biden declares Israel and Ukraine support is vital for US security, will ask Congress for billionsAddressing the nation from the Oval Office, President Joe Biden has made his case for major U.S. backing of Ukraine and Israel in a time of war.
GOP's Jordan says he's still running for House gavel, but plan for a temporary speaker falls flat
Read full article: GOP's Jordan says he's still running for House gavel, but plan for a temporary speaker falls flatRefusing to drop out, Republican Rep. Jim Jordan is telling GOP colleagues he is still running for House speaker.
House speaker live updates | Next round of voting set for Thursday after Jordan comes up short again
Read full article: House speaker live updates | Next round of voting set for Thursday after Jordan comes up short againThere will be no further votes for House speaker on Wednesday after Republicans reached an impasse on how to move forward.
GOP’s Jim Jordan will try again to become House speaker, but his detractors are considering options
Read full article: GOP’s Jim Jordan will try again to become House speaker, but his detractors are considering optionsRep. Jim Jordan has failed to win the vote to become House speaker on a crucial second ballot.
Live updates | Jordan loses 20 Republicans in speaker's vote, creating uphill climb to win gavel
Read full article: Live updates | Jordan loses 20 Republicans in speaker's vote, creating uphill climb to win gavelHouse Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries is calling on Republicans to work with Democrats to elect a speaker.
Republicans reject Rep. Jim Jordan for House speaker on a first ballot, signaling more turmoil ahead
Read full article: Republicans reject Rep. Jim Jordan for House speaker on a first ballot, signaling more turmoil aheadRepublicans have rejected congressman Jim Jordan for House speaker on the first ballot.
GOP's Jim Jordan is shoring up support and peeling off detractors ahead of a House speaker vote
Read full article: GOP's Jim Jordan is shoring up support and peeling off detractors ahead of a House speaker voteHard-charging right-wing Republican Rep. Jim Jordan is shoring up support to win the House speaker's gavel.
Biden postpones trip to Colorado to discuss domestic agenda as the Israel-Hamas conflict intensifies
Read full article: Biden postpones trip to Colorado to discuss domestic agenda as the Israel-Hamas conflict intensifiesPresident Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are meeting with national security officials as the Israel-Hamas conflict intensifies, according to the White House.
Jim Jordan's rapid rise has been cheered by Trump and the far right. Could it soon make him speaker?
Read full article: Jim Jordan's rapid rise has been cheered by Trump and the far right. Could it soon make him speaker?Rep. Jim Jordan becoming House speaker would help cement the far right’s takeover of the Republican Party and trigger conflict with Democrats over the size and scope of government.