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Takeaways as Congress sends tax and spending cuts bill to Trump's desk
Read full article: Takeaways as Congress sends tax and spending cuts bill to Trump's deskThe House has passed the massive tax and spending cuts package that President Donald Trump calls “beautiful,” getting it to his desk a day before the July 4 deadline that he had set.
How an empty North Carolina rural hospital explains a GOP senator's vote against Trump's tax bill
Read full article: How an empty North Carolina rural hospital explains a GOP senator's vote against Trump's tax billAn empty hospital in Williamston, North Carolina, offers an evocative illustration of why Republican Sen. Thom Tillis would buck his party and its leaders to vote down President Trump’s signature domestic policy package.
'Agonizing': How Alaska's pivotal Republican senator decided to vote for Donald Trump's bill
Read full article: 'Agonizing': How Alaska's pivotal Republican senator decided to vote for Donald Trump's billRepublican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska convinced Senate leaders to change their massive tax and spending cuts package to benefit her state and eventually voted for the legislation, ensuring its passage.
Kentucky Senate hopeful says Mitch McConnell doesn't deserve lifetime achievement award
Read full article: Kentucky Senate hopeful says Mitch McConnell doesn't deserve lifetime achievement awardRepublican businessman Nate Morris says Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell is undeserving of a lifetime achievement award from their home state political party.
Senate passes Trump’s big tax and spending cuts bill as Vance breaks a 50-50 tie
Read full article: Senate passes Trump’s big tax and spending cuts bill as Vance breaks a 50-50 tieSenate Majority Leader John Thune says Republicans “got the job done” in passing President Donald Trump’s big bill of tax breaks and spending cuts.
Debate is underway in the Senate on Trump's big bill, but overnight voting is delayed
Read full article: Debate is underway in the Senate on Trump's big bill, but overnight voting is delayedDebate has been underway late into the night in the Senate on President Donald Trump’s big tax breaks and spending cuts package.
Senate rejects effort to restrain Trump on Iran as GOP backs his strikes on nuclear sites
Read full article: Senate rejects effort to restrain Trump on Iran as GOP backs his strikes on nuclear sitesDemocratic efforts in the Senate to prevent President Donald Trump from further escalating with Iran have fallen short.
Ted Cruz wants to stop states from regulating AI. Some of his Republican colleagues aren’t so sure
Read full article: Ted Cruz wants to stop states from regulating AI. Some of his Republican colleagues aren’t so sureSenate Republicans, Democrats and outside groups are mounting an offensive against Cruz’s push to withhold AI money from states that regulate the technology.
Senators diverge sharply on damage done by Iran strikes after classified briefing
Read full article: Senators diverge sharply on damage done by Iran strikes after classified briefingSenators are emerging from a classified briefing with sharply diverging assessments of President Donald Trump’s bombing of three Iranian nuclear sites.
President Donald Trump's latest judicial pick is someone that Joe Biden almost nominated
Read full article: President Donald Trump's latest judicial pick is someone that Joe Biden almost nominatedPresident Donald Trump says he plans to tap Chad Meredith, a former state solicitor general in Kentucky, for a federal judgeship in the state.
Senate Republicans seek tougher Medicaid cuts and lower SALT deduction in Trump's big bill
Read full article: Senate Republicans seek tougher Medicaid cuts and lower SALT deduction in Trump's big billSenate Republicans are proposing deeper Medicaid cuts, including new work requirements for parents of teens, as a way to offset the costs of making President Donald Trump’s tax breaks more permanent.
Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith contemplates increased security after shooting of Democratic lawmakers
Read full article: Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith contemplates increased security after shooting of Democratic lawmakersLawmakers are still reeling from the shooting that killed one Minnesota state legislator and her husband and severely wounded another and his wife.
Trump vetoed Israeli plan to kill Iran's supreme leader, US official tells AP
Read full article: Trump vetoed Israeli plan to kill Iran's supreme leader, US official tells APPresident Donald Trump vetoed a plan presented to the U.S. in recent days to kill Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to a U.S. official familiar with the matter.
Musk calls Trump's big tax break bill a 'disgusting abomination,' testing his influence over the GOP
Read full article: Musk calls Trump's big tax break bill a 'disgusting abomination,' testing his influence over the GOPElon Musk has blasted President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” of tax breaks and spending cuts as a “disgusting abomination."
Can Trump fix the national debt? Republican senators, many investors and even Elon Musk have doubts
Read full article: Can Trump fix the national debt? Republican senators, many investors and even Elon Musk have doubtsPresident Donald Trump faces the challenge of convincing Republican senators, global investors, voters and even Elon Musk that he won’t bury the federal government in debt with his multitrillion-dollar tax breaks package.
Schumer is vowing to hold up Justice Department nominees for answers about luxury plane from Qatar
Read full article: Schumer is vowing to hold up Justice Department nominees for answers about luxury plane from QatarSenate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer says he will hold up all Justice Department nominations on the Senate floor until he gets more answers about the free Air Force One replacement that President Donald Trump says would be donated by Qatar.
Sen. Paul points to business-sector resistance to Trump's tariffs in solidly red Kentucky
Read full article: Sen. Paul points to business-sector resistance to Trump's tariffs in solidly red KentuckySen. Rand Paul says resistance to President Donald Trump’s trade wars has sprung up in Kentucky from a cross-section of business sectors.
The Latest: Trump names Rubio as acting national security adviser, taps Waltz as UN ambassador
Read full article: The Latest: Trump names Rubio as acting national security adviser, taps Waltz as UN ambassadorPresident Donald Trump says he is naming Secretary of State Marco Rubio as acting national security adviser to replace Mike Waltz, whom he is nominating as United Nations ambassador.
The Senate votes down resolution to block Trump's global tariffs amid economic turmoil
Read full article: The Senate votes down resolution to block Trump's global tariffs amid economic turmoilSenate Republicans have narrowly voted down a Democratic resolution that would have blocked global tariffs announced by Donald Trump earlier this month, giving the president a modest win Wednesday as lawmakers in both parties have remained skeptical of his trade agenda.
House GOP holdouts threaten Trump’s ‘big, beautiful’ budget and tax cut bill as votes are postponed
Read full article: House GOP holdouts threaten Trump’s ‘big, beautiful’ budget and tax cut bill as votes are postponedHouse Republicans have abruptly postponed a late evening vote on their budget framework as grave misgivings from conservative GOP lawmakers threw it in flux.
Takeaways from the Senate budget vote: Tariff pressure, debt worries and signs of GOP unease
Read full article: Takeaways from the Senate budget vote: Tariff pressure, debt worries and signs of GOP uneaseThe political battle lines are drawn for a debate in Washington and beyond over a Republican budget plan that’s a cornerstone of President Donald Trump’s domestic agenda.
Senate GOP approves framework for Trump's tax breaks and spending cuts after late-night session
Read full article: Senate GOP approves framework for Trump's tax breaks and spending cuts after late-night sessionThe Republican-controlled Senate has approved a budget framework that includes multitrillion-dollar tax breaks and spending cuts.
Senate rebukes Trump’s tariffs as some Republicans vote to halt taxes on Canadian imports
Read full article: Senate rebukes Trump’s tariffs as some Republicans vote to halt taxes on Canadian importsThe Senate has passed a resolution that would thwart President Donald Trump’s ability to impose tariffs on Canada.
Trump's tariff wars forge rare bipartisan alliance in Kentucky as bourbon makers fear escalation
Read full article: Trump's tariff wars forge rare bipartisan alliance in Kentucky as bourbon makers fear escalationPresident Donald Trump’s use of tariffs has forged a rare bipartisan alliance among Kentucky’s top leaders — Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear and Republican Sens. Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul.
Musk and DOGE try to slash government by cutting out those who answer to voters
Read full article: Musk and DOGE try to slash government by cutting out those who answer to votersConservatives have long talked about cutting government, but Republicans in Congress have shied away from approving deep reductions because of fear of how voters would react.
Elon Musk tells Republican lawmakers he's not to blame for federal firings
Read full article: Elon Musk tells Republican lawmakers he's not to blame for federal firingsElon Musk is telling Republican lawmakers that he's not to blame for the firings of thousands of federal workers as he pushes to downsize the government.
Elon Musk comes to Capitol Hill to meet with Republicans who discuss turning DOGE cuts into law
Read full article: Elon Musk comes to Capitol Hill to meet with Republicans who discuss turning DOGE cuts into lawElon Musk has visited Capitol Hill for private meetings with Republicans about his Department of Government Efficiency's budget slashing.
Democrats channel their outrage over DOGE, Ukraine and more in marathon Senate session
Read full article: Democrats channel their outrage over DOGE, Ukraine and more in marathon Senate sessionThe budget resolution from Republicans was on the agenda in the Senate, but the nearly all-night debate encompassed so much more.
With Gaza rehab and other global policy ideas, Trump goes from America First to America Everywhere
Read full article: With Gaza rehab and other global policy ideas, Trump goes from America First to America EverywherePresident Donald Trump promised voters an administration that wouldn’t waste precious American lives and taxpayer treasure on far-off wars and nation building.
Trump unleashes a supercharged MAGA agenda and Republicans come aboard
Read full article: Trump unleashes a supercharged MAGA agenda and Republicans come aboardPresident Donald Trump’s early moves, such as trying to slash the federal government and imposing tariffs on key allies, are testing how far Republicans are willing to go in supporting his supercharged “Make America Great Again” agenda.
Kristi Noem, Trump's homeland security pick, faces pointed scrutiny on immigration from senators
Read full article: Kristi Noem, Trump's homeland security pick, faces pointed scrutiny on immigration from senatorsSouth Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem is facing senators during her confirmation hearing as she vies to become the next homeland security secretary.
Head of US cybersecurity agency says she hopes it keeps up election work under Trump
Read full article: Head of US cybersecurity agency says she hopes it keeps up election work under TrumpOutgoing U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Director Jen Easterly says she hopes her agency will be able to keep up its election-related work.
Higher Social Security payments coming for millions of people from bill that Biden is signing
Read full article: Higher Social Security payments coming for millions of people from bill that Biden is signingPresident Joe Biden is set to sign into law a measure that boosts Social Security payments for current and former public employees.
What to know about the Kids Online Safety Act that just passed the Senate
Read full article: What to know about the Kids Online Safety Act that just passed the SenateThe last time Congress passed a law to protect children on the internet was in 1998 — before Facebook, before the iPhone and long before today’s oldest teenagers were born.
JD Vance charted a Trump-centric, populist path in Senate as he fought GOP establishment
Read full article: JD Vance charted a Trump-centric, populist path in Senate as he fought GOP establishmentElevated into the national spotlight as former President Donald Trump’s running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance has carved out a unique role in his short Senate career.
Congress passes first package of spending bills just hours before shutdown deadline for key agencies
Read full article: Congress passes first package of spending bills just hours before shutdown deadline for key agenciesThe Senate has approved a $460 billion package of spending bills in time to meet a midnight deadline for avoiding a shutdown of many key federal agencies.
Tennessee GOP could change law to prevent Democrat's simultaneous bids for Senate and statehouse
Read full article: Tennessee GOP could change law to prevent Democrat's simultaneous bids for Senate and statehouseLess than a year after Tennessee Republicans tried to expel her from the state House, Democrat Gloria Johnson is seeking another term there while simultaneously waging an uphill campaign for U.S. Senate.
Ted Cruz pushes for car manufacturers to keep AM radio, a tool for emergency communication and conservative talk
Read full article: Ted Cruz pushes for car manufacturers to keep AM radio, a tool for emergency communication and conservative talkCruz on Tuesday requested a unanimous consent decision on his AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act. The legislation was blocked by Sen. Rand Paul, R-Kentucky, who said the mandate on private companies would be an overstep of congressional power.
Sen. Rand Paul performed Heimlich maneuver on choking Sen. Joni Ernst during GOP lunch
Read full article: Sen. Rand Paul performed Heimlich maneuver on choking Sen. Joni Ernst during GOP lunchSen. Joni Ernst, a Republican from Iowa, was choking on food during a luncheon when fellow Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky performed the Heimlich maneuver on her.
Mayorkas warns of dangers to the US if it loses tools to block terrorists from using drones and WMD
Read full article: Mayorkas warns of dangers to the US if it loses tools to block terrorists from using drones and WMDThe U.S. government is at risk of losing key tools for preventing terrorists from using drones, chemicals or weapons of mass destruction if Congress doesn’t take action soon.
Senate panel OKs Lew to be ambassador to Israel, and a final confirmation vote could come next week
Read full article: Senate panel OKs Lew to be ambassador to Israel, and a final confirmation vote could come next weekThe Senate Foreign Relations Committee has approved Jacob Lew to be ambassador to Israel, moving quickly to get him in place during Israel's war with Hamas.
Meta and X questioned by lawmakers over lack of rules against AI-generated political deepfakes
Read full article: Meta and X questioned by lawmakers over lack of rules against AI-generated political deepfakesUS Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and U.S. Rep. Yvette Clarke of New York sent a letter Thursday to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and X CEO Linda Yaccarino expressing “serious concerns” about the emergence of AI-generated political ads on their platforms and asking each to explain any rules they’re crafting to curb the harms to free and fair elections.
The US government is eager to restore powers to keep dangerous chemicals out of extremists' hands
Read full article: The US government is eager to restore powers to keep dangerous chemicals out of extremists' handsWhen Congress returns this week, Homeland Security officials and those in the chemical industries will be watching to see if a program regulating the chemical sector will be on its agenda.
Debt ceiling agreement gets thumbs up from business groups, jeers from some on political right
Read full article: Debt ceiling agreement gets thumbs up from business groups, jeers from some on political rightThe reviews are starting to come in about the debt ceiling agreement reached by President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
Man accused of stabbing Senate staffer after prison release
Read full article: Man accused of stabbing Senate staffer after prison releaseA U.S. Senate staffer remained hospitalized Tuesday after police say he was attacked leaving a restaurant in Washington this weekend by a man who had been released from federal prison a day earlier.
Senate votes to keep 2001 authorization for war on terror
Read full article: Senate votes to keep 2001 authorization for war on terrorThe Senate has voted overwhelmingly to continue congressional authorization for the use of military force in the global fight against terror, turning back an effort by Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul to repeal the 2001 measure.
In wake of floods, typical barbs at Kentucky political event
Read full article: In wake of floods, typical barbs at Kentucky political eventWhile Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear was consoling families displaced by historic flooding in the mountains of eastern Kentucky, Republicans at the state’s premier political event on the other side of the state were campaigning to oust him from office in 2023.
Britt wins tumultuous Alabama Senate race scrambled by Trump
Read full article: Britt wins tumultuous Alabama Senate race scrambled by TrumpKatie Britt has won the Republican nomination for Senate in Alabama, defeating six-term Congressman Mo Brooks in a primary runoff after former President Donald Trump endorsed and then un-endorsed him.
2022 midterms: What to watch in Texas, Georgia, elsewhere
Read full article: 2022 midterms: What to watch in Texas, Georgia, elsewhereGeorgia takes center stage in Tuesday’s primary elections as Gov. Brian Kemp and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger try to fight back challengers endorsed by Donald Trump.
McConnell, GOP senators to visit Helsinki amid NATO talks
Read full article: McConnell, GOP senators to visit Helsinki amid NATO talksSenate Republican leader Mitch McConnell and a delegation of GOP senators are due to visit Helsinki on Monday for talks with Finland’s president as the previously neutral Nordic nation bordering Russia seeks NATO membership.
McConnell, GOP senators meet Zelenskyy in surprise Kyiv stop
Read full article: McConnell, GOP senators meet Zelenskyy in surprise Kyiv stopSenate Republican leader Mitch McConnell says senators who visited Ukraine on Saturday have reaffirmed that the U.S. will back Ukraine until it wins its war with Russia.
Rand Paul stalls quick Senate OK of $40B Ukraine package
Read full article: Rand Paul stalls quick Senate OK of $40B Ukraine packageKentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul is defying leaders of both parties and has single-handedly delayed until next week Senate approval of an additional $40 billion to help Ukraine and its allies withstand Russia’s three-month old invasion.
Louisville mayor's race plays out amid lingering tensions
Read full article: Louisville mayor's race plays out amid lingering tensionsLouisville's mayoral race is taking place in a city roiled by racial tension, a spike in gun violence and deep misgivings many harbor about the Louisville police department.
McCarthy's push to ascend to House speaker relies on Trump
Read full article: McCarthy's push to ascend to House speaker relies on TrumpThe next House speaker could very well hail from California, but if Republicans take control, that leader won't come from the part of the state represented by the current speaker, Democrat Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco.
‘A moment like this’: Senate history in Supreme Court vote
Read full article: ‘A moment like this’: Senate history in Supreme Court voteMoments before the Senate began Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s confirmation vote to become the first Black woman on the Supreme Court, the chamber filled with the swell of history.
Congress votes to suspend Russia trade status, enact oil ban
Read full article: Congress votes to suspend Russia trade status, enact oil banCongress has overwhelmingly voted to suspend normal trade relations with Russia and ban the importation of its oil, ratcheting up the U.S. response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine amid reports of atrocities.
Pandemic preparedness bill moves ahead; funding still needed
Read full article: Pandemic preparedness bill moves ahead; funding still neededA Senate committee has approved a bipartisan blueprint to overhaul the nation’s public health system, applying the lessons of COVID-19 to future outbreaks through a new chain of command, a stronger medical supply chain, and clearer crisis communications.
How American cash for Canada protests could sway US politics
Read full article: How American cash for Canada protests could sway US politicsThe Canadians who have disrupted trade with the U.S. and occupied downtown Ottawa for nearly three weeks have been cheered and funded by American right-wing activists and conservative politicians who also oppose vaccine mandates and the country’s liberal leader.
McConnell: Black people vote at similar rates to 'Americans'
Read full article: McConnell: Black people vote at similar rates to 'Americans'Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell is drawing criticism for comments he made shortly before the GOP blocked a federal elections bill, when he said that “African American” voters cast ballots at similar rates to “Americans.”.
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GOP stalls pick who'd be government's highest-ranking Muslim
Read full article: GOP stalls pick who'd be government's highest-ranking MuslimThe nomination of a Pakistani-born businessman who'd be the highest-ranking Muslim in the U.S. government is in jeopardy because Senate Republicans have repeatedly blocked his confirmation.
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Green energy takes hold in unlikely places with Ford project
Read full article: Green energy takes hold in unlikely places with Ford projectWhen Ford revealed plans to ramp up its commitment to the electric vehicle sector, the automaker chose two states where Republican leaders have vilified the push for green energy and defended fossil fuels.