The Congressional Budget Office says it projects this year’s federal budget deficit to be $400 billion higher, a 27% increase compared to its original estimate released in February.

The Biden administration is moving to make it easier for caregivers to take in family members in the foster care system, requiring states to provide them with the same financial support that any other foster home would receive.

Republicans who control the U.S. House of Representatives are making a pitch to overhaul how elections are run in the District of Columbia.

Video testimony from Miah Cerrillo, who survived the Uvalde mass shooting, broke hearts around the world as it was played before a House committee Wednesday. The 11-year-old smeared herself with her friend’s blood and pretended to be dead in order to survive the massacre at Robb Elementary School.

(AP Photo/Kin Cheung, File)HONG KONG – Hong Kong police arrested three former opposition lawmakers on Wednesday for disrupting legislative meetings several months ago, adding to concerns about a crackdown on the city’s pro-democracy camp. A Hong Kong police statement said they arrested three former lawmakers on suspicion of contempt in the legislature and intent to cause harm to others. Pro-democracy lawmakers and activists have accused the Hong Kong government and the central Chinese government in Beijing of tightening control over the semi-autonomous territory in response to demands for more democracy. The pro-democracy lawmakers arrested were accused of rushing the chairperson's desk, bumping into security guards and throwing sheets of paper from the public gallery. Last week, 15 pro-democracy lawmakers resigned en masse after Beijing passed a resolution that led to the disqualification of four of their colleagues.

FILE - In this May 8, 2020, file photo, pan-democratic legislator Ray Chan is taken away by security guards during a Legislative Council's House Committee meeting in Hong Kong. Hong Kong police arrested seven people, including Chan, on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020 over scuffles that broke out in the citys legislature during a faceoff between pro-democracy and pro-Beijing lawmakers. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)HONG KONG – Hong Kong police arrested seven people Sunday over scuffles that broke out with security guards during a faceoff between pro-democracy and pro-Beijing lawmakers in the city’s legislature earlier this year. The guards carried out several pro-democracy lawmakers, including Eddie Chu and Ray Chan, after they had been ordered to leave for disorderly conduct. Security guards marched Wu out of the chamber as he tried to wave a cardboard sign at the committee chair and others on the podium.

Pan-democratic legislator Lam Cheuk-ting, is taken away by security during a Legislative Council's House Committee meeting in Hong Kong, Monday, May 18, 2020. The move highlights how Beijing aims to reassert control over Hong Kong, said political and corporate risk consultant Steve Vickers, the CEO of Steve Vickers and Associates. At Mondays meeting, pro-democracy lawmakers held up placards that read Abuse of Power and CCP tramples HK legislature, referring to China's ruling Communist Party. Mo urged Hong Kong residents to vote out those who dont care about Hong Kongs future in the legislative elections in September. Pro-democracy lawmakers accused her of abusing her power and staged a walkout, leaving Lee and the pro-Beijing camp to clear several bills.