INSIDER
Spending deal averts a possible federal shutdown and funds the government into December
Read full article: Spending deal averts a possible federal shutdown and funds the government into DecemberCongressional leaders have a deal on a short-term spending bill that will fund federal agencies for about three months.
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.
Report finds Colorado was built on $1.7 trillion of land expropriated from tribal nations
Read full article: Report finds Colorado was built on $1.7 trillion of land expropriated from tribal nationsA report published by a Native American-led nonprofit examines in detail the dispossession of Indigenous homelands in Colorado, quantifies the value of the land and resources taken and outlines the state education systemโs omission of that history in its curriculum.
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.
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 Johnsonโs margin for error in getting Republican priorities through the House is getting slimmer.
Trump wants to see Biden impeached, and other Republicans are quick to pile on
Read full article: Trump wants to see Biden impeached, and other Republicans are quick to pile onFormer President Donald Trump has made it clear he wants to see President Joe Biden impeached, and Trump's allies in Congress and rivals in the 2024 presidential race are eager to join that fight.
Stove wars: Republican-controlled House approves bills to protect gas stoves
Read full article: Stove wars: Republican-controlled House approves bills to protect gas stovesThe Republican-controlled House has approved legislation that GOP lawmakers say would protect gas stoves from over-zealous government regulators.
McCarthy makes case for House speaker, but right flank balks
Read full article: McCarthy makes case for House speaker, but right flank balksWith Republicans just one win away from gaining control of the House, Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy is maneuvering to lock up support to become the next House speaker.
Biden signs bill to avert government shutdown, aid Ukraine
Read full article: Biden signs bill to avert government shutdown, aid UkrainePresident Joe Biden has signed into law a bill that finances the federal government through mid-December and provides another infusion of military and economic aid to Ukraine.
GOP wants to end Russian oil imports to US, boost production
Read full article: GOP wants to end Russian oil imports to US, boost productionRepublican elected officials across the U.S. are criticizing President Joe Biden over his energy policies and want to ramp up domestic production as a way to help wean the nation and its allies off oil from Russia.
Turning outrage into power: How far right is changing GOP
Read full article: Turning outrage into power: How far right is changing GOPHouse Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy appears to have settled on a strategy as a handful of Republican lawmakers stir outrage with violent, racist and sometimes Islamophobic comments: If you canโt police them, promote them.
House censures Rep. Gosar for violent video in rare rebuke
Read full article: House censures Rep. Gosar for violent video in rare rebukeThe House has voted to censure Republican Rep. Paul Gosar of Arizona for posting an animated video that depicted him killing Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez with a sword.
Democratic push to revive earmarks divides Republicans
Read full article: Democratic push to revive earmarks divides RepublicansA dirty word for many Republicans is making the rounds on Capitol Hill -- earmarks. It's a question that's vexing Republicans as they consider whether to join a Democratic push to revive earmarks, the much-maligned practice where lawmakers direct federal spending to a specific project or institution back home. Democratic appropriators in the House see a solution and are proposing a revamped process allowing lawmakers to submit public requests for โcommunity project fundingโ in federal spending bills. The ranking Republican on the committee, Rep. Sam Graves of Missouri, said earmarks would not increase the amount of money spent in a bill. โThatโs something I feel pretty strongly about.โNorman worries that earmarks would be used to entice Republicans to vote for bills with expensive price tags.
Rep. Greene says โmoronsโ voted to boot her from committees
Read full article: Rep. Greene says โmoronsโ voted to boot her from committeesRep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., goes back to her office after speaking on the floor of the House Chamber on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)WASHINGTON โ Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene lashed out Friday at โmoronsโ in both parties who voted to kick her off her committees, a day after the House meted out the unprecedented punishment that Democrats said sheโd earned by spreading hateful and violent conspiracy theories. Underscoring the political vise her inflammatory commentary has clamped her party into, all but 11 Republicans voted against the Democratic move on Thursday but none rose to defend her lengthy history of outrageous social media posts. Even social media stars like Greene could find it harder to define themselves without the spotlights that committees provide. That chamberโs minority leader, Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., this week called Greeneโs words a โcancerโ on the GOP and country.
The Latest: Biden hopes Senate can balance trial, other work
Read full article: The Latest: Biden hopes Senate can balance trial, other work___5:40 p.m.Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer vows there will be an impeachment trial of President Donald Trump, even if itโs after he leaves office and Democrat Joe Biden is inaugurated. If the House impeaches President Donald Trump, a Senate trial on whether to convict him of inciting insurrection seems all but certain to have to wait until President-elect Joe Biden is inaugurated. ___1:05 p.m.Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is suggesting that President Donald Trump should be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for promoting Arab-Israeli peace. ___12:45 p.m.House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says President Donald Trump represents a โclear and present dangerโ to the nation and must be impeached. ___8:15 a.m.Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger is predicting more Republicans will join him in voting to impeach President Donald Trump.
Grieving congressman leads effort to remove Trump after riot
Read full article: Grieving congressman leads effort to remove Trump after riotAfter a violent mob launched a deadly insurrection at the U.S. Capitol that forced Raskin and his colleagues to evacuate. the Maryland Democrat and former constitutional law professor is leading the effort to remove President Donald Trump from office for inciting the riot. Now Raskin, a former constitutional law professor, is leading the effort to remove President Donald Trump from office for inciting the riot. And even as many Republicans fought the Democratic effort to remove Trump, Raskin was praised by the GOP for continuing his work during such a challenging moment. Last week's riot at the Capitol began as lawmakers were certifying Bidenโs Electoral College victory over Trump.
Democrats tighten control with House rules changes
Read full article: Democrats tighten control with House rules changesDemocrats have freely used the new system, which maximized their voting participation while Republican leaders have urged their members to vote in person. The rules changes come as Democrats hold a bare majority in the House of fewer than a half-dozen seats, the narrowest margin of control in memory. Understanding the bundle of changes requires a dive into the arcane world of House rules and parliamentary maneuvering. The Democratic-imposed rules continue a years-long trend of eroding the powers of the House minority through revisions enacted every two years. โIt is all designed to take away the voice of 48 percent of this House chamber,โ said Minority Whip Steve Scalise, R-La.
Pelosi likely speaker again, but might require high-wire act
Read full article: Pelosi likely speaker again, but might require high-wire actWASHINGTON โ There's little doubt that Nancy Pelosi will be reelected House speaker when the new Congress convenes Sunday. It could take a high-wire act for her to get there, largely thanks to the pandemic. โYeah, I do,โ Pelosi told a reporter this week when asked if she had the votes wrapped up. Miller-Meeks is certain to vote against Pelosi to be speaker. โItโs extraordinarily trickyโ for Pelosi, said Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., an 18-year congressional veteran.
Pelosi likely speaker again, but might require high-wire act
Read full article: Pelosi likely speaker again, but might require high-wire actWASHINGTON โ There's little doubt that Nancy Pelosi will be reelected House speaker when the new Congress convenes Sunday. It could take a high-wire act for her to get there, largely thanks to the pandemic. โYeah, I do,โ Pelosi told a reporter this week when asked if she had the votes wrapped up. Miller-Meeks is certain to vote against Pelosi to be speaker. โItโs extraordinarily trickyโ for Pelosi, said Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., an 18-year congressional veteran.
Biden may time confirmation votes to protect House majority
Read full article: Biden may time confirmation votes to protect House majorityFILE - In this Sept. 17, 2020, file photo, House Majority Whip James Clyburn, of S.C., speaks during a news conference about COVID-19, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Pelosi will start the Biden era with a narrow majority, 222-211, with a few races still undecided. Biden's first pick from the House, Rep. Cedric Richmond, D-La., would join the administration quickly once the president-elect is inaugurated Jan. 20, Clyburn said. Democrats are already deep into political soul-searching after a dismal November outcome for House Democrats. The danger zone was close enough that House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer warned Biden last month off taking any more Democrats from his ranks.
Indigenous candidates' wins in Congress give hope for change
Read full article: Indigenous candidates' wins in Congress give hope for changeBut until recently, Congress didn't have many Indigenous members who were pushing for solutions and funding for those issues. It's fueled by efforts to recruit Indigenous candidates and back them financially, get-out-the-vote efforts and Native communities flexing their political muscle. The U.S. Senate has not had a Native American member since Ben Nighthorse Campbell of Colorado retired in 2005. Most notably, it worked to pass two bills to help address the epidemic of missing and slain Native American women. Native Hawaiians are not among the more than 570 federally recognized Native American tribes, though they've sought the designation.
GOP's focus on Trump leaves scant room for Congress hopefuls
Read full article: GOP's focus on Trump leaves scant room for Congress hopefulsThis isnt a party convention, its a Trump convention, said Rory Cooper, a Republican strategist and former congressional staffer who opposes Trump. If Republicans lose the Senate in November, we should look back at this week as a lost opportunity to introduce the country to more GOP congressional candidates. Scalise made no direct reference to the GOP's faint hopes of regaining the House majority in November's elections. Sean Parnell, a GOP challenger for a Democratic-held seat in western Pennsylvania, didnt specifically ask listeners to award Republicans House control. The inattention to the GOP's congressional efforts might have changed Wednesday when Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, delivered prime-time remarks.
Oklahoma City voters to pare down crowded 5th District field
Read full article: Oklahoma City voters to pare down crowded 5th District fieldOKLAHOMA CITY Voters in central Oklahoma on Tuesday will pare down a crowded field of congressional hopefuls seeking to represent the 5th District in Washington. Nine Republicans are vying for the seat held by first-term U.S. Rep. Kendra Horn, the only Democrat in the states delegation. Four of the GOP challengers have raised more than $500,000, including businesswoman Terry Neese, state Sen. Stephanie Bice, former State Superintendent Janet Barresi and businessman David Hill. Republican U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe and U.S. Reps. Markwayne Mullin and Tom Cole all are heavy favorites in their GOP primaries Tuesday. Inhofe faces three lesser-known candidates in the GOP primary, while four Democrats are running for the opportunity to challenge him in the fall.
Medicaid, GOP congressional primary top Oklahoma ballot
Read full article: Medicaid, GOP congressional primary top Oklahoma ballotOklahoma voters will vote in Tuesday's primary election on State Question 802, which would amend the Oklahoma Constitution to expand Medicaid health insurance. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, Pool, File)OKLAHOMA CITY A question on whether to expand Medicaid in Oklahoma and a crowded Republican field vying to challenge the state's lone congressional Democrat are drawing the most attention ahead of Tuesday's primary election. According to the nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation, states that have expanded Medicaid through a ballot measure include Idaho, Maine, Nebraska and Utah. This is going to cost our state $200 million," Stitt said during an event this week with Americans for Prosperity. Republicans clearly see OK-5 as one of their best chances to flip' a House seat, and theyre correct to see it that way," said Matthew Motta, a political science professor at Oklahoma State University.
Democrats push new $3T coronavirus relief bill through House
Read full article: Democrats push new $3T coronavirus relief bill through House(AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)WASHINGTON Democrats have powered a massive $3 trillion coronavirus relief bill through the House, an election-year measure designed to brace a U.S. economy in free fall and a health care system struggling to contain a pandemic still pummeling the country. It has no chance of becoming law as written, but will likely spark difficult negotiations with the White House and Senate Republicans. The enormous Democratic measure would cost more than the prior four coronavirus bills combined. This bill is nothing more than the Democratic policy agenda masquerading as a response to the coronavirus crisis, said Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla. He said the bill is going nowhere, and is going nowhere fast.Liberal Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., also opposed the bill.
It's a work from home Congress as House approves proxy vote
Read full article: It's a work from home Congress as House approves proxy voteFrom now on, lawmakers will be allowed to cast House floor votes by proxy without being present as the Constitution requires. A single lawmaker can carry 10 proxy votes to the chamber. House lawmakers will be able to draft bills, conduct oversight and even issue subpoenas from the comfort of their homes. But Republicans warn there will be legal challenges to legislation passed during this period, questioning the constitutional legitimacy of proxy votes. Proxy votes had been allowed in committees, but that ended decades ago.
Work from home Congress? House OKs proxy votes
Read full article: Work from home Congress? House OKs proxy votesThe House approved Friday a package of historic rules changes so Congress can keep functioning even while it's partly closed. Under the new rules, House lawmakers will no longer be required to travel to Washington to participate in floor votes. House lawmakers will be able to draft bills, conduct oversight and even issue subpoenas from the comfort of their homes. A key Trump ally, McCarthy argues if other Americans are at work, Congress should be, too. But Republicans warn there will be legal challenges to legislation passed during this period, questioning the constitutional legitimacy of proxy votes.
What's next: House investigators summon Bolton to testify
Read full article: What's next: House investigators summon Bolton to testifyScott Applewhite)WASHINGTON, DC For only the fourth time in U.S. history, the House of Representatives has started a presidential impeachment inquiry. A quick summary of the latest news:WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW House investigators are summoning former national security adviser John Bolton to testify in their impeachment inquiry. __WHAT'S NEXT Tim Morrison, Trump's top adviser for Russian and European affairs, is scheduled to testify Thursday before the House impeachment investigators. House Democrats are pushing toward their first formal vote on impeachment Thursday. If the House were to impeach Trump, 67 senators would need to vote "guilty" on any count to convict and remove him from office.