INSIDER
McConnell to head subcommittee overseeing defense spending as he prepares to step down as GOP leader
Read full article: McConnell to head subcommittee overseeing defense spending as he prepares to step down as GOP leaderSen. Mitch McConnell says he will lead a subcommittee overseeing defense spending as he carves out new roles once he relinquishes his long-running post as Senate Republican leader.
Pennsylvania courts get lawsuits over ballot-counting in Senate contest headed toward a recount
Read full article: Pennsylvania courts get lawsuits over ballot-counting in Senate contest headed toward a recountRepublicans are going to court in Pennsylvania amid vote counting in the U.S. Senate election between Democratic Sen. Bob Casey and Republican David McCormick, with the contest headed toward a state-mandated recount.
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.
Judge sets date for 9/11 defendants to enter pleas, deepening battle over court's independence
Read full article: Judge sets date for 9/11 defendants to enter pleas, deepening battle over court's independenceThe U.S. military judge at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, has scheduled hearings in early January for alleged 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and two co-defendants to enter guilty pleas in exchange for life sentences.
Trump pressures candidates for Senate GOP leader to fill his Cabinet right away
Read full article: Trump pressures candidates for Senate GOP leader to fill his Cabinet right awayDays before Senate Republicans pick their new leader, President-elect Donald Trump is pressuring the candidates to change Senate rules and give him more power to appoint unconfirmed nominees.
GOP picks up more key House seats while Democrats insist they still have a path to a majority
Read full article: GOP picks up more key House seats while Democrats insist they still have a path to a majorityHouse Republican leaders are projecting confidence that they will keep control of the U.S. House.
Who will replace Mitch McConnell as Senate GOP leader? It remains deeply uncertain
Read full article: Who will replace Mitch McConnell as Senate GOP leader? It remains deeply uncertainSenate Republicans vying to replace longtime leader Mitch McConnell have been crossing the country to campaign and fundraise for colleagues, making their final arguments before an important upcoming Senate vote.
Supreme Court allows national horse racing safety rules to stay in effect, for now
Read full article: Supreme Court allows national horse racing safety rules to stay in effect, for nowThe Supreme Court is allowing national medication and anti-doping rules for horse racing to remain in effect while a court fight likely to wind up with the justices continues.
McConnell called Trump 'stupid' and 'despicable' in private after the 2020 election, a new book says
Read full article: McConnell called Trump 'stupid' and 'despicable' in private after the 2020 election, a new book saysSenate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said after the 2020 election that then-President Donald Trump was “stupid as well as being ill-tempered” and a “despicable human being."
John Thune is striving to be the next Republican Senate leader, but can he rise in Trump's GOP?
Read full article: John Thune is striving to be the next Republican Senate leader, but can he rise in Trump's GOP?Sen. John Thune of South Dakota is competing intensely to become the next Republican leader in the Senate.
McConnell says deterring America's adversaries should be 'front and center' for the next president
Read full article: McConnell says deterring America's adversaries should be 'front and center' for the next presidentSenate Republican leader Mitch McConnell says the challenge of deterring America's adversaries should be “front and center” for the next president.
A conservative gathering provides a safe space for Republicans who aren't on board with Trump
Read full article: A conservative gathering provides a safe space for Republicans who aren't on board with TrumpA recent conservative conference in Georgia hosted by influential syndicated radio host Erick Erickson featured few, if any, red hats and no rousing promises to “Make America Great Again.”.
Kentucky Republicans ridicule Beshear's efforts to land spot on national Democratic ticket
Read full article: Kentucky Republicans ridicule Beshear's efforts to land spot on national Democratic ticketProminent Republicans in Kentucky have ridiculed Gov. Andy Beshear's efforts to land the No. 2 spot on the Democratic presidential ticket.
Harris freshens up her message on the economy as Trump and Republicans go after her on inflation
Read full article: Harris freshens up her message on the economy as Trump and Republicans go after her on inflationSince President Joe Biden left the White House race, Vice President Kamala Harris has begun to craft her own narrative around the economy.
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.
Many Senate Republicans were done with Trump after Jan. 6. Now they want him back in the White House
Read full article: Many Senate Republicans were done with Trump after Jan. 6. Now they want him back in the White HouseAfter the 2020 election, many Republican senators distanced themselves from Donald Trump.
Runner-up criticizes Nevada GOP Senate nominee Sam Brown while other former rivals back him
Read full article: Runner-up criticizes Nevada GOP Senate nominee Sam Brown while other former rivals back himNevada GOP Senate Republican runner-up Jeff Gunter has continued his attacks on the nominee and retired Army Capt. Sam Brown.
North Dakota voters just approved an age limit for congressional candidates. What's next?
Read full article: North Dakota voters just approved an age limit for congressional candidates. What's next?North Dakota voters have just approved a ballot initiative that bars anyone who would be 81 years old during his or her U.S. House or Senate term from running for Congress.
Two weeks after hush money verdict, Trump to meet with Senate Republicans
Read full article: Two weeks after hush money verdict, Trump to meet with Senate RepublicansFormer President Donald Trump will meet with Senate Republicans Thursday, speaking to the group just two weeks after he was convicted on 34 charges in his hush money trial and as GOP senators have increasingly rallied around him.
Trump backs Sam Brown in US Senate race, widening momentum gap in crowded Nevada GOP field
Read full article: Trump backs Sam Brown in US Senate race, widening momentum gap in crowded Nevada GOP fieldFormer president Donald Trump has endorsed retired Army Capt. Sam Brown for U.S. Senate in Nevada over a crowded GOP primary field.
Congressional leaders invite Israel's Netanyahu to deliver an address at the Capitol
Read full article: Congressional leaders invite Israel's Netanyahu to deliver an address at the CapitolCongressional leaders have invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to deliver an address a the U.S. Capitol.
Border bill fails Senate test vote as Democrats seek to underscore Republican resistance
Read full article: Border bill fails Senate test vote as Democrats seek to underscore Republican resistanceSenate Republicans are blocking for a second time a bill to clamp down the number of migrants allowed to claim asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Florida Sen. Rick Scott, a close Trump ally, joins race to succeed Mitch McConnell as GOP leader
Read full article: Florida Sen. Rick Scott, a close Trump ally, joins race to succeed Mitch McConnell as GOP leaderFlorida Sen. Rick Scott says he will run for Senate Republican leader when Mitch McConnell steps down from the post, becoming the third Republican in the race.
The Senate filibuster is a hurdle to any national abortion bill. Democrats are campaigning on it
Read full article: The Senate filibuster is a hurdle to any national abortion bill. Democrats are campaigning on itMany Democrats campaigning for the Senate this year say they support suspending the filibuster rule to pass nationwide abortion protections.
Israel-Hamas war protesters and police clash on Texas campus, Columbia University begins suspensions
Read full article: Israel-Hamas war protesters and police clash on Texas campus, Columbia University begins suspensionsColleges around the U.S. are imploring student protesters of the war on Gaza to clear out tent encampments with rising levels of urgency.
To pass Ukraine aid, 'Reagan Republican' leaders in Congress navigated a party transformed by Trump
Read full article: To pass Ukraine aid, 'Reagan Republican' leaders in Congress navigated a party transformed by TrumpProviding Ukraine with weapons and other U.S. aid as it fends off a Russian invasion is rooted in the earliest and most formative political memories of the two top Republicans in Congress.
Biden says the US is rushing weaponry to Ukraine as he signs a $95 billion war aid measure into law
Read full article: Biden says the US is rushing weaponry to Ukraine as he signs a $95 billion war aid measure into lawPresident Joe Biden says he's immediately rushing badly needed weaponry to Ukraine now that he's signed into law a $95 billion war aid measure that also includes assistance for Israel, Taiwan and other allies.
McConnell, back in Kentucky, talks about life in the Senate after leaving longtime leadership post
Read full article: McConnell, back in Kentucky, talks about life in the Senate after leaving longtime leadership postFor nearly two decades, Mitch McConnell’s only job uncertainty hinged on whether he’d serve as Senate majority or minority leader after the next election.
Some of Trump's allies in Congress already support his 2025 ideas on deportations and Jan. 6 pardons
Read full article: Some of Trump's allies in Congress already support his 2025 ideas on deportations and Jan. 6 pardonsDonald Trump is campaigning on promises of mass deportations and of pardons for those convicted in the Jan. 6 Capitol attack, and his ideas are being met with little pushback by a new era of Republicans in Congress.
Congress unveils $1.2 trillion plan to avert federal shutdown and bring budget fight to a close
Read full article: Congress unveils $1.2 trillion plan to avert federal shutdown and bring budget fight to a closeLawmakers have introduced a $1.2 trillion spending package that sets the stage for avoiding a partial government shutdown for several key federal agencies this weekend.
Angela Chao, Mitch McConnell’s sister-in-law, was drunk when she drove into pond, police say
Read full article: Angela Chao, Mitch McConnell’s sister-in-law, was drunk when she drove into pond, police sayAngela Chao, a shipping industry CEO and sister-in-law to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, was intoxicated when she drove into a pond and died last month in Texas.
Schumer's rebuke of Netanyahu shows the long, fragile line the US and allies walk on interference
Read full article: Schumer's rebuke of Netanyahu shows the long, fragile line the US and allies walk on interferenceRepublicans and Israeli officials were quick to express outrage after Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer lashed out at Prime Benjamin Netanyahu’s handling of the war in Gaza and called for Israel to hold new elections.
Republicans push back on new federal court policy aimed at 'judge shopping' in national cases
Read full article: Republicans push back on new federal court policy aimed at 'judge shopping' in national casesSenate Republicans are taking aim at a new federal courts policy aimed at curbing “judge shopping,” a practice that gained national attention in a major abortion medication case.
Senators warn more visas are urgently needed for Afghans who aided the US in the war
Read full article: Senators warn more visas are urgently needed for Afghans who aided the US in the warSenators from both major political parties are urging congressional leaders to ensure that more visas are made available to Afghans who worked alongside U.S. troops in America’s longest war.
Katie Britt calls Biden a 'diminished leader' in GOP response to the State of the Union
Read full article: Katie Britt calls Biden a 'diminished leader' in GOP response to the State of the UnionSen. Katie Britt called President Joe Biden a “dithering and diminished leader” in the Republican rebuttal to his State of the Union address Thursday evening.
Trump has become the last Republican standing in the 2024 primary. Here's how he bulldozed the field
Read full article: Trump has become the last Republican standing in the 2024 primary. Here's how he bulldozed the fieldDonald Trump is now the last major Republican candidate for president who's still standing.
Wyoming Sen. Barrasso will run for No. 2 spot in GOP leadership, narrowing race to replace McConnell
Read full article: Wyoming Sen. Barrasso will run for No. 2 spot in GOP leadership, narrowing race to replace McConnellWyoming Sen. John Barrasso says he'll run for the No. 2 spot in the Senate Republican conference after Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell leaves at the end of the year.
McConnell weighs endorsing Trump. It's a stark turnaround after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack
Read full article: McConnell weighs endorsing Trump. It's a stark turnaround after the Jan. 6, 2021, attackSenate leader Mitch McConnell is the highest-ranking Republican in Congress who has yet to endorse Donald Trump’s bid to return to the White House.
South Dakota Sen. John Thune jumps into race to succeed McConnell as Senate leader
Read full article: South Dakota Sen. John Thune jumps into race to succeed McConnell as Senate leaderSouth Dakota Sen. John Thune is entering the race to be the next Republican leader of the U.S. Senate after Sen. Mitch McConnell steps away from the post in November.
Texas Sen. Cornyn announces run for GOP leader as scramble to succeed McConnell begins in the Senate
Read full article: Texas Sen. Cornyn announces run for GOP leader as scramble to succeed McConnell begins in the SenateTexas Sen. John Cornyn has informed his colleagues that he intends to run for Senate Republican leader.
McConnell's exit as Senate leader means new uncertainty as GOP falls in line with Trump
Read full article: McConnell's exit as Senate leader means new uncertainty as GOP falls in line with TrumpLong before Sen. Mitch McConnell surprised colleagues by announcing he would be stepping down as the Republican leader this fall, he knew the time had come.
Biden and party leaders implore Speaker Johnson to help Ukraine in 'intense' Oval Office meeting
Read full article: Biden and party leaders implore Speaker Johnson to help Ukraine in 'intense' Oval Office meetingCongressional leaders emerged from an “intense” Oval Office meeting with President Joe Biden speaking optimistically about the prospects for avoiding a partial government shutdown beginning this weekend.
Biden is summoning congressional leaders to the White House to talk Ukraine and government funding
Read full article: Biden is summoning congressional leaders to the White House to talk Ukraine and government fundingPresident Joe Biden will convene the top four congressional leaders at the White House on Tuesday to discuss the emergency aid package for Ukraine and Israel, as well as avoiding a government shutdown next month.
Stalled US aid for Ukraine underscores GOP's shift away from confronting Russia
Read full article: Stalled US aid for Ukraine underscores GOP's shift away from confronting RussiaRepublicans have been softening their stance on Russia ever since Donald Trump won the 2016 presidential election following Russian hacking of his Democratic opponents.
Biden warns opposing Ukraine funding plays 'into Putin's hands,' but faces resistance in House
Read full article: Biden warns opposing Ukraine funding plays 'into Putin's hands,' but faces resistance in HousePresident Joe Biden is calling urgently for House Republicans to get behind a supplemental spending bill that would send $60 billion to Ukraine for its fight against Russia.
House speaker casts doubts on Ukraine and Israel aid package as senators grind toward final vote
Read full article: House speaker casts doubts on Ukraine and Israel aid package as senators grind toward final voteHouse Speaker Mike Johnson is sharply criticizing a $95.3 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel and other countries, casting serious doubts about the future of the package.
Senators push forward with Ukraine aid package as their leaders say the world is watching
Read full article: Senators push forward with Ukraine aid package as their leaders say the world is watchingAs a growing number of Republicans oppose U.S. aid to Ukraine, the Senate’s leaders are arguing in strong terms that the money is crucial to pushing back against Russian President Vladimir Putin and maintaining America’s global standing.
The Senate is pushing past far-right objections to aiding Ukraine. But next steps are uncertain
Read full article: The Senate is pushing past far-right objections to aiding Ukraine. But next steps are uncertainThe U.S. Senate is slogging past far-right Republican opposition to helping Ukraine fight Russia.
As some call for his ouster, McConnell pushes back on GOP critics: 'They've had their shot'
Read full article: As some call for his ouster, McConnell pushes back on GOP critics: 'They've had their shot'After months of negotiations and delays, the Senate has voted to move forward on legislation that would provide wartime aid to Ukraine and Israel.
The Senate votes to begin working on a last-ditch effort to approve funds for Ukraine and Israel
Read full article: The Senate votes to begin working on a last-ditch effort to approve funds for Ukraine and IsraelThe Senate is beginning work on a package of wartime funding for Ukraine and other U.S. allies.
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.
Abandoned by his colleagues after negotiating a border compromise, GOP senator faces backlash alone
Read full article: Abandoned by his colleagues after negotiating a border compromise, GOP senator faces backlash aloneA former youth minister in the Baptist church, Oklahoma Sen. James Lankford is known as one of the most sincere and well-liked members of the Senate.
Border security and Ukraine aid collapses despite Biden's plea for Congress to 'show some spine'
Read full article: Border security and Ukraine aid collapses despite Biden's plea for Congress to 'show some spine'A Senate deal on border enforcement measures and Ukraine aid has suffered swift and total collapse.
Senate Republicans resist advancing on border policy bill, leaving aid for Ukraine in doubt
Read full article: Senate Republicans resist advancing on border policy bill, leaving aid for Ukraine in doubtSenate Republicans are resisting the advance of a bipartisan proposal intended to clamp down on illegal border crossings.
Border bill supporters combat misleading claims that it would let in more migrants
Read full article: Border bill supporters combat misleading claims that it would let in more migrantsA provision of border security legislation that would give the U.S. a new authority to block migrants from entering the country has become a central line of attack from many Republicans who are opposing the legislation.
Here's how 2 sentences in the Constitution rose from obscurity to ensnare Donald Trump
Read full article: Here's how 2 sentences in the Constitution rose from obscurity to ensnare Donald TrumpOn Thursday, the Supreme Court will hear arguments over whether Donald Trump can remain on the ballot in Colorado, where that state’s highest court ruled that he violated a constitutional provision targeting those who “engaged in insurrection.”.
Senators release a $118B border security package as the House speaker declares it 'dead on arrival'
Read full article: Senators release a $118B border security package as the House speaker declares it 'dead on arrival'Senators have released a highly anticipated bill that pairs border enforcement policy with wartime aid for Ukraine and Israel.
Senators are racing to win support for a border deal as aid to Ukraine hangs in the balance
Read full article: Senators are racing to win support for a border deal as aid to Ukraine hangs in the balanceSenate negotiators are laboring to win support for a deal on border policy as they enter what could be a pivotal stretch for a painstakingly negotiated compromise that could open the door for Republican support to replenish U.S. wartime aid for Ukraine.
Biden brings congressional leaders to White House at pivotal time for Ukraine aid and US border deal
Read full article: Biden brings congressional leaders to White House at pivotal time for Ukraine aid and US border dealA meeting between President Joe Biden, House Speaker Mike Johnson and other officials highlights the precarious nature of the complex talks to unlock aid for Ukraine, Israel and other U.S. allies.
Secrecy surrounding the defense secretary's hospitalization has put the White House on the defensive
Read full article: Secrecy surrounding the defense secretary's hospitalization has put the White House on the defensivePresident Joe Biden’s administration is facing criticism and credibility questions after Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s hospitalization was kept secret for days — even from the White House.
As conflicts rage abroad, a fractured Congress tries to rally support for historic global challenges
Read full article: As conflicts rage abroad, a fractured Congress tries to rally support for historic global challengesWith support for Ukraine slipping in Congress, the United States is once again struggling to assert its role in the world.
Biden's push for Ukraine aid stalls in Senate as negotiations over border restrictions drag on
Read full article: Biden's push for Ukraine aid stalls in Senate as negotiations over border restrictions drag onPresident Joe Biden’s push to have Congress replenish wartime aid for Ukraine as part of a deal on border and immigration policy changes will almost certainly drag into next year.
Ukraine faces heavy attack from air and cyberspace while Zelenskyy in US presses for more funding
Read full article: Ukraine faces heavy attack from air and cyberspace while Zelenskyy in US presses for more fundingLocal officials say Ukraine has came under heavy attack from the air and from cyberspace.
Washington's center of gravity on immigration has shifted to the right. Can the parties make a deal?
Read full article: Washington's center of gravity on immigration has shifted to the right. Can the parties make a deal?Washington’s center of gravity on immigration has shifted demonstrably to the right.
FBI: Man wearing Captain America backpack stole items from senators' desks during Capitol riot
Read full article: FBI: Man wearing Captain America backpack stole items from senators' desks during Capitol riotA Virginia man has been arrested on charges that he stormed the U.S. Capitol while wearing a Captain America backpack and stole items from senators’ desks on the Senate floor during the Jan. 6, 2021, riot.
The debate over Ukraine aid was already complicated. Then it became tangled up in US border security
Read full article: The debate over Ukraine aid was already complicated. Then it became tangled up in US border securityPresident Joe Biden’s nearly $106 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel and other needs is sitting idle in Congress.
A Montana farmer with a flattop and ample lobbyist cash stands between the GOP and Senate control
Read full article: A Montana farmer with a flattop and ample lobbyist cash stands between the GOP and Senate controlRepublicans two seats short of U.S. Senate control are expected to spend tens of millions of dollars on ads attacking Montana Democratic Sen. Jon Tester as a Washington insider tainted by lobbyist cash.
Senate panel takes a step toward ending Sen. Tuberville's blockade of military nominations
Read full article: Senate panel takes a step toward ending Sen. Tuberville's blockade of military nominationsSenate Democrats have moved to temporarily change Senate rules and confirm hundreds of military nominees.
Mitch McConnell, standing apart in a changing GOP, digs in on his decades-long push against Russia
Read full article: Mitch McConnell, standing apart in a changing GOP, digs in on his decades-long push against RussiaSenate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell has been increasingly isolated on foreign policy among his GOP colleagues, a growing number of whom have distanced themselves as a matter of course from U.S. involvement abroad -- and particularly on Ukraine.
Senate Republicans outline border security measures they want as a condition for aiding Ukraine
Read full article: Senate Republicans outline border security measures they want as a condition for aiding UkraineSenate Republicans have released a sweeping set of U.S. border security proposals as a condition for sending more aid to Ukraine, laying out a draft plan to resume construction on parts of the U.S.-Mexico border wall, curtail humanitarian parole for people who cross into the United States and make it more difficult for migrants to qualify for asylum.
AP Election Brief | What to expect in Kentucky's general election
Read full article: AP Election Brief | What to expect in Kentucky's general electionKentucky Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear seeks a second term in the heavily Republican state on Tuesday in one of the most competitive and closely watched races on the ballot this year.
Republicans confront Tuberville over military holds in extraordinary showdown on Senate floor
Read full article: Republicans confront Tuberville over military holds in extraordinary showdown on Senate floorRepublican senators have angrily challenged Sen. Tommy Tuberville on his blockade of almost 400 military officers.
Kari Lake begins Senate campaign as she keeps fighting her loss in the last election
Read full article: Kari Lake begins Senate campaign as she keeps fighting her loss in the last electionKari Lake launched a U.S. Senate campaign with a splashy rally outside Phoenix, having never conceded she lost last year’s race for Arizona governor.
Congress didn't include funds for Ukraine in its spending bill. How will that affect the war?
Read full article: Congress didn't include funds for Ukraine in its spending bill. How will that affect the war?When U.S. lawmakers approved a spending bill Saturday that averted a widely expected government shutdown, the measure didn’t include the $6 billion in military assistance that Ukraine said it urgently needed.
Government shutdown averted with little time to spare as Biden signs funding before midnight
Read full article: Government shutdown averted with little time to spare as Biden signs funding before midnightThe threat of a federal government shutdown ended late Saturday night after Congress approved a temporary funding bill to keep federal agencies open until Nov. 17.
McConnell tries to reassure colleagues about his health, vows to serve out term as Senate GOP leader
Read full article: McConnell tries to reassure colleagues about his health, vows to serve out term as Senate GOP leaderSenate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell declared again that he plans to finish his term as leader despite freezing up twice at news conferences over the summer, brushing off questions about his health as he sought to reassure colleagues he’s still up to the job.
Sen. McConnell’s health episodes show no evidence of stroke or seizure disorder, Capitol doctor says
Read full article: Sen. McConnell’s health episodes show no evidence of stroke or seizure disorder, Capitol doctor saysThe U.S. Capitol physician says 81-year-old Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell’s health episodes show no evidence of a stroke or seizure disorder.
Congress returns to try to prevent a government shutdown while the GOP weighs an impeachment inquiry
Read full article: Congress returns to try to prevent a government shutdown while the GOP weighs an impeachment inquiryCongress is returning to Capitol Hill to try to avert a government shutdown, while House Republicans consider whether to pursue an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden.