BREAKING NEWS
The 2026 Senate map is tough for Democrats, but Republicans have their own headaches
Read full article: The 2026 Senate map is tough for Democrats, but Republicans have their own headachesRepublicans are encountering some early headaches in Senate races viewed as pivotal to maintaining the party’s majority next year.
With gavel in hand, Trump chisels away at the power of a compliant Congress
Read full article: With gavel in hand, Trump chisels away at the power of a compliant CongressWhen House Speaker Mike Johnson gifted to President Donald Trump the gavel used to enact the Republicans' tax breaks and spending bill, it was a memorable moment at the White House.
The Latest: House prepares to advance cuts on public broadcasting and foreign aid
Read full article: The Latest: House prepares to advance cuts on public broadcasting and foreign aidThe House is expected to approve President Donald Trump’s request to claw back about $9 billion in already appropriated funding for public broadcasting and foreign aid.
Trump downplays possibility of sending Ukraine long-range weapons as it struggles to repel Russia
Read full article: Trump downplays possibility of sending Ukraine long-range weapons as it struggles to repel RussiaPresident Donald Trump is downplaying the possibility of sending Ukraine long-range weapons as Kyiv awaits an injection of U.S. weaponry that it hopes will help it beat back an intensifying Russian air offensive.
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.
House Republicans are ready to finish Trump’s big tax cuts bill after Democrat’s marathon speech
Read full article: House Republicans are ready to finish Trump’s big tax cuts bill after Democrat’s marathon speechHouse Republicans have propelled President Donald Trump’s multitrillion-dollar tax breaks and spending cuts bill to final congressional passage.
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.
In a big bill that hurts clean energy, residential solar likely to get hit fast
Read full article: In a big bill that hurts clean energy, residential solar likely to get hit fastRepublicans in Congress have advanced a bill cutting clean energy tax credits, and the industry is bracing for the impacts.
House GOP struggles to win over holdouts on Trump's tax bill in late-night session
Read full article: House GOP struggles to win over holdouts on Trump's tax bill in late-night sessionHouse Republicans strained through a day of starts and stops trying to advance President Donald Trump’s tax and spending cuts package.
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.
A former governor, a Trump and many others: Tillis retirement sets off NC Senate seat speculation
Read full article: A former governor, a Trump and many others: Tillis retirement sets off NC Senate seat speculationNorth Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis' announcement over the weekend that he won't seek reelection is heating up the campaign on both sides of the aisle.
Nebraska Republican Rep. Don Bacon cites political dysfunction in deciding not to seek reelection
Read full article: Nebraska Republican Rep. Don Bacon cites political dysfunction in deciding not to seek reelectionRepublican U.S. Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska has announced he will not seek reelection next year.
Senate's long day turns to night as GOP works to shore up support on Trump’s big bill
Read full article: Senate's long day turns to night as GOP works to shore up support on Trump’s big billThe Senate’s long day of voting has churned into a long night as Republican leaders grasp for ways to shore up support for 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 Republicans advance Trump's tax and spending cuts bill after dramatic late-night vote
Read full article: Senate Republicans advance Trump's tax and spending cuts bill after dramatic late-night voteSenate Republicans voted in a dramatic Saturday session, clearing a key procedural step as they race to pass President Donald Trump’s big bill of tax breaks, spending cuts and bolstered deportation funds by his July Fourth deadline.
Thune's first big test as Senate leader has arrived with Trump's tax bill
Read full article: Thune's first big test as Senate leader has arrived with Trump's tax billOnly six months into the job, Senate Majority Leader John Thune faces a massive challenge as he tries to quickly pass President Donald Trump’s sprawling tax and spending cuts package.
Tax bill passed by House Republicans would gut Biden-era clean energy tax credits
Read full article: Tax bill passed by House Republicans would gut Biden-era clean energy tax creditsThe budget reconciliation bill passed by House Republicans early Thursday would gut clean energy tax credits that Democrats approved three years ago.
Trump Pentagon nominee under scrutiny in hearing for partisan comments
Read full article: Trump Pentagon nominee under scrutiny in hearing for partisan commentsA retired U.S. brigadier general who failed to get through the confirmation process in the first Trump administration is getting renewed scrutiny for his political and anti-Islamic social media posts.
Key Republican says he won't back Trump's pick for top DC prosecutor because of Jan. 6 ties
Read full article: Key Republican says he won't back Trump's pick for top DC prosecutor because of Jan. 6 tiesRepublican Sen. Thom Tillis says he’s informed the White House that he won’t support Donald Trump’s pick for top federal prosecutor in Washington, stalling the nomination in the Senate weeks before the temporary appointment expires.
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.
The week that Trump pushed the global economy to the brink with tariffs — and then pulled back
Read full article: The week that Trump pushed the global economy to the brink with tariffs — and then pulled backIt was one week after President Donald Trump’s big tariff announcement when he pulled back from the import taxes he'd imposed on many U.S. trading partners.
Ex-congressman Nickel launches bid to unseat North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis in 2026
Read full article: Ex-congressman Nickel launches bid to unseat North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis in 2026Former Democratic U.S. Rep. Wiley Nickel of North Carolina has announced himself as a candidate to try to unseat Republican Sen. Thom Tillis in 2026.
Senate Republicans express relief after Trump pauses tariff plans
Read full article: Senate Republicans express relief after Trump pauses tariff plansAs news that President Donald Trump was backing down on most of his tariffs reached a luncheon of Senate Republicans Wednesday, the room reacted with relief, cheers and smiles.
Trump's top trade rep under fire before Senate committee after days of market chaos
Read full article: Trump's top trade rep under fire before Senate committee after days of market chaosPresident Donald Trump’s top trade negotiator came under fire Tuesday from senators unnerved by the president’s sweeping global tariffs, a market meltdown and the heightened risk of recession from an upended global trading order.
White House keeps world guessing as clock ticks down to Trump's new tariffs
Read full article: White House keeps world guessing as clock ticks down to Trump's new tariffsThe White House is sending mixed messages on tariffs as it pursues conflicting goals, frustrating foreign leaders and business executives who are desperate for clarity on a generational overhaul of international trade.
Trump is forcing a generational shift in GOP foreign policy. Here's how Republicans are responding
Read full article: Trump is forcing a generational shift in GOP foreign policy. Here's how Republicans are respondingRepublicans in Congress have long been intent on countering America’s rivals and spreading U.S. influence abroad.
Trump's firing of military brass prompts concern but little pushback from Republicans
Read full article: Trump's firing of military brass prompts concern but little pushback from RepublicansPresident Donald Trump’s firing of Gen. CQ Brown Jr. as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is drawing mixed reactions on Capitol Hill.
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.
Trump and Musk's dismantling of government is shaking the foundations of US democracy
Read full article: Trump and Musk's dismantling of government is shaking the foundations of US democracyCongress is proving little match for the Department of Government Efficiency as wary lawmakers watch it march through the bureaucracy.
North Carolina's ex-lieutenant governor dismisses lawsuit against CNN, has no plans to run again
Read full article: North Carolina's ex-lieutenant governor dismisses lawsuit against CNN, has no plans to run againNorth Carolina's former Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson has withdrawn his defamation lawsuit against CNN challenging a report that he made explicit posts on a pornography website’s message board over a decade ago.
Trump's FBI chief pick, Kash Patel, insists he has no 'enemies list' and won't seek retribution
Read full article: Trump's FBI chief pick, Kash Patel, insists he has no 'enemies list' and won't seek retributionKash Patel, President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the FBI, is insisting to deeply skeptical Democrats that he does not have an “enemies list” and that the bureau under his leadership would not seek retribution against the president’s adversaries or launch politically motivated investigations.
How key Republican senators are responding to Trump allies' primary threats
Read full article: How key Republican senators are responding to Trump allies' primary threatsAllies of President Donald Trump have been quick to threaten primary challengers for Republican senators who don’t back Trump's Cabinet picks and legislative priorities.
Republican senators are mostly quiet on Trump's sweeping pardons of Jan. 6 rioters
Read full article: Republican senators are mostly quiet on Trump's sweeping pardons of Jan. 6 riotersMany Republicans on Capitol Hill do not agree with President Donald Trump’s decision to pardon and commute sentences for more than 1,500 people charged with crimes related to the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol.
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.
Fate of Trump's Cabinet picks unclear as Republicans prepare to take power in Senate
Read full article: Fate of Trump's Cabinet picks unclear as Republicans prepare to take power in SenateThe fate of President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet is still unclear after Republican senators spent much of December carefully dodging questions.
Trump promised federal recognition for the Lumbee Tribe. Will he follow through?
Read full article: Trump promised federal recognition for the Lumbee Tribe. Will he follow through?When Kamala Harris and Donald Trump campaigned in North Carolina, both candidates courted a state-recognized tribe there whose 55,000 members could have helped tip the swing state.
Trump convinced Republicans to overlook his misconduct. But can he do the same for his nominees?
Read full article: Trump convinced Republicans to overlook his misconduct. But can he do the same for his nominees?President-elect Donald Trump has tried to act with impunity while staffing his new administration, choosing loyalists who often lack expertise or sometimes face sexual misconduct allegations.
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.
Senators blast health and law enforcement officials over illegal e-cigarettes used by teens
Read full article: Senators blast health and law enforcement officials over illegal e-cigarettes used by teensSenators criticized top federal officials over the rise of illegal electronic cigarettes in the U.S., a multibillion-dollar business that has flourished in recent years.
TikTok bill faces uncertain fate in the Senate as legislation to regulate tech industry has stalled
Read full article: TikTok bill faces uncertain fate in the Senate as legislation to regulate tech industry has stalledTikTok’s extensive lobbying campaign is the latest tech industry push since the House passed legislation that would ban the popular app if its China-based owner doesn’t sell its stake.
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.
Hungary's government declines offer to meet US senators seeking approval for Sweden's NATO bid
Read full article: Hungary's government declines offer to meet US senators seeking approval for Sweden's NATO bidA bipartisan delegation of U.S. senators has made an official visit to Hungary’s capital to call on the nationalist government to immediately approve Sweden’s request to join NATO.
US lawmakers call on Hungarian leader Viktor Orbán to immediately approve Sweden's NATO membership
Read full article: US lawmakers call on Hungarian leader Viktor Orbán to immediately approve Sweden's NATO membershipA bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers are urging Hungary to immediately ratify Sweden’s application to join NATO.
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.
Veterans see historic expansion of benefits for toxic exposure as new law nears anniversary
Read full article: Veterans see historic expansion of benefits for toxic exposure as new law nears anniversaryHundreds of thousands of veterans have received additional benefits in the past year after President Joe Biden signed legislation expanding coverage for conditions connected to burn pits that were used to destroy trash and potentially toxic materials.
North Carolina GOP censures Sen. Tillis for supporting LGBTQ+ rights, immigration policies
Read full article: North Carolina GOP censures Sen. Tillis for supporting LGBTQ+ rights, immigration policiesRepublicans delegates in North Carolina have voted to censure the state’s senior U.S. senator for backing LGBTQ+ rights, immigration and gun violence policies.
Senate set to vote on bill protecting same-sex marriages
Read full article: Senate set to vote on bill protecting same-sex marriagesThe Senate is set to vote Tuesday on legislation to protect same-sex and interracial marriages, putting Congress one step closer to ensuring that such unions are enshrined in federal law.
Same-sex marriage legislation clears key Senate hurdle
Read full article: Same-sex marriage legislation clears key Senate hurdleLegislation to protect same-sex and interracial marriages has crossed a major Senate hurdle, putting Congress on track to take the historic step of ensuring that such unions are enshrined in federal law.
Democrats punt same-sex marriage vote until after election
Read full article: Democrats punt same-sex marriage vote until after electionDemocrats are punting a vote to protect same-sex and interracial marriages until after the November midterm elections, pulling back just days after Majority Leader Chuck Schumer vowed to put the Senate on the record on the issue “in the coming weeks.”.
Senate to vote on same-sex marriage in coming weeks
Read full article: Senate to vote on same-sex marriage in coming weeksMajority Leader Chuck Schumer says the Senate will vote on legislation to protect same-sex marriage “in the coming weeks” as a bipartisan group backing the bill is tweaking it to gain Republican support.
Justice Department details threats against election workers
Read full article: Justice Department details threats against election workersA top official says the Justice Department has charged five people for making threats of violence against election workers amid a rising wave of harassment and intimidation tied to the 2020 presidential election.
Madison Cawthorn tries to survive primary as slip-ups mount
Read full article: Madison Cawthorn tries to survive primary as slip-ups mountA series of unforced political and personal errors by GOP congressman Madison Cawthorn has brought the forces of big-name Republicans and traditional enemies to bear on his reelection bid in North Carolina.
New step to curb tech giants' power advanced by Senate panel
Read full article: New step to curb tech giants' power advanced by Senate panelCongress has taken a new step toward reining in the market dominance of Big Tech. Bipartisan legislation advanced by a Senate panel would bar the dominant online platforms from favoring their own goods and services over those of rivals on the platforms.
Lawsuit: NRA illegally funded Trump, other GOP candidates
Read full article: Lawsuit: NRA illegally funded Trump, other GOP candidatesA federal lawsuit accuses the National Rifle Association of violating campaign finance laws by using shell companies to illegally funnel up to $35 million to Republican candidates, including former President Donald Trump, Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri and others.
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Conservative Koch network disavows critical race theory bans
Read full article: Conservative Koch network disavows critical race theory bansA prominent backer of Republican causes and candidates is notably absent from the conservative political groups backing efforts to ban in schools what they call critical race theory.
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Trump aides aim to build GOP opposition to Afghan refugees
Read full article: Trump aides aim to build GOP opposition to Afghan refugeesTens of thousands of Afghan refugees fleeing the Taliban are arriving in the U.S., and a handful of former Trump administration officials are working to turn Republicans against them.
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GOP rift widens amid growing hostility to Afghan refugees
Read full article: GOP rift widens amid growing hostility to Afghan refugeesAs the U.S. rushes to evacuate Americans and allies from Afghanistan, a growing number of Republicans are questioning why the U.S. should take in Afghan citizens who worked side by side with Americans.