Lindsey McPherson

Tulsi Gabbard clears Senate test vote on path for confirmation as director of national intelligence

Director of National Intelligence nominee Tulsi Gabbard cleared a key Senate test vote on Monday, all but assuring she'll be officially confirmed to the role in the coming days.

February 10, 2025

House Freedom Caucus offers budget plan that sides with Senate approach but has more spending cuts

The House Freedom Caucus released its own budget blueprint Monday, including a proposed $4 trillion increase in the debt limit, as the broader House Republican Conference struggles to coalesce around a plan.

February 10, 2025

‘We may start from scratch’: Lawmakers consider policy options for protecting kids from social media

Lawmakers looking to protect kids from the harms of social media are considering new proposals and approaches this Congress after a bipartisan bill stalled in the House last session.

February 10, 2025

Democrats launch portal for whistleblowers to report wrongdoing amid DOGE onslaught

Senate Democrats on Monday launched a portal for whistleblowers to report "wrongdoing, abuses of power, and threats to public safety" amid the Department of Government Efficiency onslaught against the federal workforce.

February 10, 2025

Speaker Johnson says tax cuts will be offset with spending cuts

House Speaker Mike Johnson said Sunday that Republicans will find spending cuts to offset President Trump's push for tax cuts, which a nonpartisan budget analysis estimates will cost at least $5 trillion over 10 years.

February 9, 2025

Graham unveils Senate budget blueprint, setting parameters for border, defense bill

Senate Budget Chairman Lindsey Graham on Friday released a budget blueprint that sets spending limits for a border, defense and energy bill to follow.

February 7, 2025

Trump calls for ‘balanced budget’ after proposing tax cuts costing at least $5 trillion

President Trump laid down a demand Friday for a "balanced budget" while a nonpartisan budget group estimated his tax priorities will cost at least $5 trillion over 10 years and perhaps double that.

February 7, 2025

Senate confirms Russell Vought to lead White House budget office over Democratic protests

The Senate on Thursday evening confirmed Russell Vought to return as President Trump's budget chief, despite a drumbeat of Democrats warning the nominee will abuse his authority and try to circumvent Congress' constitutional authority over spending.

February 6, 2025

House Republicans leave marathon White House meeting with ‘no final agreement’ on budget blueprint

House Speaker Mike Johnson and a team of House Republicans spent hours in a closed-door meeting with President Trump on Thursday, but left without a finished plan on how to advance his agenda.

February 6, 2025

Senate to move on Trump agenda as House GOP splinters over spending cuts

Senate and House Republicans, after weeks of sparring over which chamber holds the key to enacting President Trump's legislative agenda, are moving forward with separate budget plans.

February 5, 2025

Senate panel to consider budget blueprint next week to kick-start Trump agenda

The Senate Budget Committee next week plans to consider a budget blueprint that will call for $300 billion in new funding for border security and defense needs, as well as an equal number of offsets.

February 5, 2025

Senate confirms Eric Scott Turner as HUD secretary

The Senate on Wednesday confirmed Eric Scott Turner to lead the Housing and Urban Development Department.

February 5, 2025

GOP skepticism of Trump nominees abates as Gabbard, Kennedy nominations advance

Chances of the Senate voting down any of President Trump's Cabinet-level nominees have all but evaporated as initially skeptical Republicans are falling in line with his most unconventional picks.

February 4, 2025

As House struggles on first step of Trump agenda, Senate considers taking over

The Senate may steamroll the House on a budget blueprint needed to formally begin the legislative process for advancing much of President Trump's agenda if Republicans in the lower chamber can't come together on a plan.

February 4, 2025

Congressional Republicans plan votes to undo at least 10 Biden-era rules

Republicans are planning votes to repeal at least 10 regulations implemented late in President Biden's term, Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Tuesday.

February 4, 2025

Senate Intelligence Committee approves Gabbard nomination

The Senate Intelligence Committee on Tuesday approved Tulsi Gabbard's nomination to serve as director of national intelligence, ending weeks of suspense after key GOP holdouts announced their support in the 24 hours leading up to the committee vote.

February 4, 2025

Senate confirms Doug Collins to lead Veterans Affairs Department

The Senate on Tuesday confirmed former Rep. Doug Collins to lead the Veterans Affairs Department.

February 4, 2025

Senate GOP holdout announces support for Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence

Director of National Intelligence nominee Tulsi Gabbard is poised to clear the Senate Intelligence Committee after a key GOP holdout announced his support.

February 4, 2025

RFK Jr. clears major hurdle before full Senate vote

The Senate Finance Committee voted Tuesday to advance Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s nomination to lead the Department of Health and Human Services after Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, a swing vote, joined other Republicans in backing him.

February 4, 2025

GOP holdouts threaten to sink nominations of RFK Jr., Gabbard with committee votes

Director of National Intelligence nominee Tulsi Gabbard and Health and Human Services nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. head into key committee votes on Tuesday with separate holdout GOP senators mum on their plans.

February 3, 2025