BREAKING NEWS
Including people without legal status in census has had little impact on House seats, study finds
Read full article: Including people without legal status in census has had little impact on House seats, study findsRepublicans are trying to exclude people who are in the U.S. illegally from the numbers used to portion out congressional seats among the states.
As DOGE hammers away at the US government, Republicans stir with quiet objections
Read full article: As DOGE hammers away at the US government, Republicans stir with quiet objectionsWhile Democrats have been speaking out against President Donald Trump's federal cuts, Republicans are just beginning to stir.
Republicans once railed against armed IRS agents. Now they want them for immigration enforcement
Read full article: Republicans once railed against armed IRS agents. Now they want them for immigration enforcementFor years, Republicans, including President Donald Trump, have railed against the IRS and its cadre of armed agents.
Senate Republicans vow action to boost border funds after briefing with Trump officials
Read full article: Senate Republicans vow action to boost border funds after briefing with Trump officialsSenate Republicans are vowing to move quickly on a budget plan that could pave the way for about $340 billion in additional border security and defense spending.
House Republicans mull taxes on scholarships and changes to student loan programs
Read full article: House Republicans mull taxes on scholarships and changes to student loan programsAs Republicans in Congress look for ways to slash spending, some legislators are floating new taxes on college scholarships, an end to student loan repayment plans and a big hike in taxes on university endowments.
Trump chops away at the government and the fallout is felt in the Virginia governor’s race
Read full article: Trump chops away at the government and the fallout is felt in the Virginia governor’s raceThe Trump administration’s aggressive push to cut government jobs is reverberating in the early stages of this year’s race for governor in Virginia. The fast-moving effort by Republican President Donald Trump to overhaul the federal workforce could have a sweeping impact in the state, home to some 145,000 federal employees and many more government contractors. Virginia, which along with New Jersey is picking a new governor in 2025, is already regarded as something of an early indicator of voter attitudes between presidential elections. The leading contenders in the governor's race are a former Democratic congresswoman, Abigail Spanberger, and the Republican lieutenant governor, Winsome Earle-Sears. The primaries are in June.
Spending bill talks bog down after Trump's efforts to slash government
Read full article: Spending bill talks bog down after Trump's efforts to slash governmentTalks on a spending bill for the current budget year have bogged down in the wake of President Donald Trump’s efforts to slash federal spending and its workforce.
GOP state attorneys general campaign group brings back leader who resigned in aftermath of Jan. 6
Read full article: GOP state attorneys general campaign group brings back leader who resigned in aftermath of Jan. 6A group that dedicated to electing Republicans to state attorney general positions has brought back a former executive director who resigned in the aftermath of Jan. 6.
Wisconsin Supreme Court says swing state’s embattled elections chief can remain in post
Read full article: Wisconsin Supreme Court says swing state’s embattled elections chief can remain in postA unanimous Wisconsin Supreme Court has ruled that the swing state’s nonpartisan top elections official can remain in her post despite not being reappointed and confirmed by the state Senate.
Senate confirms Project 2025 architect Russell Vought to lead powerful White House budget office
Read full article: Senate confirms Project 2025 architect Russell Vought to lead powerful White House budget officeThe Senate has confirmed Russell Vought, President Donald Trump’s nominee for White House budget director.
The Latest: Judge temporarily blocks Trump plan offering incentives for federal workers to resign
Read full article: The Latest: Judge temporarily blocks Trump plan offering incentives for federal workers to resignA federal judge has blocked President Donald Trump’s plan to push out federal employees by offering them financial incentives.
California Assembly approves $50M to defend immigrants and protect state policies from Trump plans
Read full article: California Assembly approves $50M to defend immigrants and protect state policies from Trump plansCalifornia’s Democratic-dominated Assembly has endorsed up to $50 million in funding to defend the state’s progressive policies against challenges by the Trump administration.
Democratic state Sen. Mallory McMorrow preparing to enter US Senate race in Michigan, AP sources say
Read full article: Democratic state Sen. Mallory McMorrow preparing to enter US Senate race in Michigan, AP sources sayMichigan state Sen. Mallory McMorrow is preparing to announce a Democratic bid for an open U.S. Senate seat in the state.
USAID website goes offline in Trump administration's 2-week-old freeze on foreign aid worldwide
Read full article: USAID website goes offline in Trump administration's 2-week-old freeze on foreign aid worldwideUSAID’s website has dropped offline without explanation in the Trump administration's two-week-old funding freeze of U.S. foreign aid and development funding.
Conspiracies, espionage, an enemies list: Takeaways from a wild day of confirmation hearings
Read full article: Conspiracies, espionage, an enemies list: Takeaways from a wild day of confirmation hearingsPresident Donald Trump’s most controversial Cabinet nominees have flooded the zone in back-to-back-to-back confirmation hearings.
US cybersecurity agency's future role in elections remains murky under the Trump administration
Read full article: US cybersecurity agency's future role in elections remains murky under the Trump administrationThe nation’s cybersecurity agency has played a critical role in helping states shore up the defenses of their voting systems, but its election mission appears uncertain amid sustained criticism from Republicans and key figures in the Trump administration.
Deb Haaland made history as Interior secretary. Now she’s running for governor of New Mexico
Read full article: Deb Haaland made history as Interior secretary. Now she’s running for governor of New MexicoFormer Interior Secretary Deb Haaland is running for the Democratic nomination for governor in New Mexico after championing conservation and clean energy during her tenure as Interior secretary under President Joe Biden.
In the early going, Trump 2.0 approach on foreign policy is to talk loudly and carry a big stick
Read full article: In the early going, Trump 2.0 approach on foreign policy is to talk loudly and carry a big stickDonald Trump in his return to the White House has already previewed his second term foreign policy approach: Talk loudly and wield a big stick.
Spanberger and Earle-Sears want to make history in Virginia. But voters have election exhaustion
Read full article: Spanberger and Earle-Sears want to make history in Virginia. But voters have election exhaustionDemocratic former U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger and Republican Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears are picking up steam in their bids to be Virginia's next governor.
Alaska Sen. Murkowski has faced Trump's wrath. She was willing to defy him after his return to power
Read full article: Alaska Sen. Murkowski has faced Trump's wrath. She was willing to defy him after his return to powerIn the early days of President Donald Trump’s second term, Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski had openly challenged or rebuked him at least three times.
AP Decision Notes: What to expect in Florida's special congressional primaries
Read full article: AP Decision Notes: What to expect in Florida's special congressional primariesRepublicans are eager to find replacements for former GOP Reps. Matt Gaetz and Michael Waltz in Tuesday’s special congressional primaries in Florida to add some breathing room to their slender majority in the U.S. House, but control of the chamber isn’t on the line.
Democrats' Minnesota House boycott echoes earlier walkouts in other states
Read full article: Democrats' Minnesota House boycott echoes earlier walkouts in other statesDemocrats in the Minnesota House who have boycotted daily sessions are using tactics that lawmakers elsewhere have tried dozens of times in seeking to thwart their opponents.
Utah Republicans take aim at teachers unions amid political clash over education
Read full article: Utah Republicans take aim at teachers unions amid political clash over educationUtah lawmakers have advanced a bill that experts say would establish one of the most restrictive labor laws in the country.
Trump order ending federal DEI programs leaves agencies and stakeholders on uncertain ground
Read full article: Trump order ending federal DEI programs leaves agencies and stakeholders on uncertain groundFederal agencies, employees and contractors are trying to process how President Donald Trump’s sweeping anti-DEI executive order will upend their work.
California will spend $2.5 billion to help the Los Angeles area recover from wildfires
Read full article: California will spend $2.5 billion to help the Los Angeles area recover from wildfiresCalifornia Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a more than $2.5 billion package to help the Los Angeles area recover from its recent deadly wildfires.
Cracks emerge in House GOP after speaker's threat to saddle California wildfire aid with conditions
Read full article: Cracks emerge in House GOP after speaker's threat to saddle California wildfire aid with conditionsSome U.S. House Republicans in California are breaking with Speaker Mike Johnson over his suggestion that federal disaster aid be coupled with as-yet unspecified conditions on the wildfire-ravaged state.
Virginia Democrats pass abortion, voting rights constitutional amendments
Read full article: Virginia Democrats pass abortion, voting rights constitutional amendmentsVirginia’s Democratic-led Senate on Tuesday passed constitutional amendments on abortion and voting rights that were quickly lambasted by Republicans who could use the issues as the party tries to regain ground in November’s statewide elections.
GOP-led states are emboldened to keep rolling back trans rights. Democrats struggle with a response
Read full article: GOP-led states are emboldened to keep rolling back trans rights. Democrats struggle with a responseRepublicans in statehouses are emboldened by GOP electoral successes to push a new wave of bills to restrict transgender rights and gender-affirming care.
Republicans renew efforts to limit people in US illegally from census count
Read full article: Republicans renew efforts to limit people in US illegally from census countRepublican efforts to exclude people in the U.S. illegally from numbers used to divvy up congressional seats among states have begun anew, with four Republican state attorneys general suing to alter the once-a-decade head count even before President Donald Trump’s second term in office began.
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.
Senate passes immigrant detention bill that could be the first measure Trump signs into law
Read full article: Senate passes immigrant detention bill that could be the first measure Trump signs into lawThe Senate has passed a bill that would require federal authorities to detain migrants accused of theft and violent crimes.
A look into Virginia’s 2025 gubernatorial election
Read full article: A look into Virginia’s 2025 gubernatorial electionWith the inauguration of President Trump around the corner, we Virginians aren’t too far out from our 2025 gubernatorial race; in fact, primaries are set to be held this June. So, where is the race currently at?
The Senate advances a migrant detention bill that could be Trump's first law to sign
Read full article: The Senate advances a migrant detention bill that could be Trump's first law to signThe Senate is set for an Inauguration Day vote on legislation that would require federal authorities to detain migrants accused of theft and violent crimes.
Few know Shalanda Young. But she saved the US from the kinds of economic crises Trump now faces
Read full article: Few know Shalanda Young. But she saved the US from the kinds of economic crises Trump now facesFew Democrats found ways to negotiate with Republicans quite like Shalanda Young — whose work as White House budget director stopped several potential economic crises from erupting.
Few US adults confident Justice Department and FBI will act fairly under Trump, AP-NORC poll finds
Read full article: Few US adults confident Justice Department and FBI will act fairly under Trump, AP-NORC poll findsAs President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for attorney general, Pam Bondi, gets set for her Senate confirmation hearings, only about 2 in 10 U.S. adults are “extremely” or “very” confident the Justice Department will act in a fair and nonpartisan manner during his second term.
Millions have had student loans canceled under Biden — despite the collapse of his forgiveness plan
Read full article: Millions have had student loans canceled under Biden — despite the collapse of his forgiveness planDespite failing to deliver his promise for broad student loan forgiveness, President Joe Biden has now overseen the cancellation of student loans for more than 5 million Americans — more than any other president in U.S. history.
Arizona's Democratic governor faces uphill battle as Republicans control Legislature
Read full article: Arizona's Democratic governor faces uphill battle as Republicans control LegislatureArizona Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs knows she is outnumbered this legislative session as Republicans expanded their statehouse majorities in the last election.
Many Democrats don't think they'll see a woman become president, AP-NORC poll finds
Read full article: Many Democrats don't think they'll see a woman become president, AP-NORC poll findsAn increasing number of Democrats are questioning whether their party’s commitment to diverse candidates, especially women, may lead to more political struggles in the Trump era.
Senate Democrats join Republicans in voting to advance bill to detain migrants accused of crimes
Read full article: Senate Democrats join Republicans in voting to advance bill to detain migrants accused of crimesNewly in the minority, Democrats voted with Republicans on Thursday to advance legislation that would require federal authorities to detain unauthorized immigrants who have been accused of certain crimes — signaling that they will try and find spots to work with President-elect Donald Trump while simultaneously trying to block much of his agenda.
Trump's inaugural committee has already raised a record $170M in donations
Read full article: Trump's inaugural committee has already raised a record $170M in donationsPresident-elect Donald Trump has raised more than $170 million for his upcoming inauguration, a record amount as tech executives and big donors have eagerly written large checks.
Virginia elections signal no major shift in voter sentiment in a state watched closely for clues
Read full article: Virginia elections signal no major shift in voter sentiment in a state watched closely for cluesVirginia’s three special elections this week garnered national attention as Democrats protected their slim statehouse majority by winning two left-leaning districts.
Trump gives GOP senators no set strategy as leaders struggle to craft his priorities
Read full article: Trump gives GOP senators no set strategy as leaders struggle to craft his prioritiesPresident-elect Donald Trump emerged from a lengthy Capitol Hill meeting with Senate Republicans with no set strategy for tackling his legislative priorities.
Ex-FBI informant who fabricated bribery story about Biden and his son Hunter gets 6 years in prison
Read full article: Ex-FBI informant who fabricated bribery story about Biden and his son Hunter gets 6 years in prisonA former FBI informant who fabricated a story about President Joe Biden and his son Hunter accepting bribes has been sentenced to six years in prison.
New Majority Leader Thune kicks off Senate session with pledge to preserve filibuster
Read full article: New Majority Leader Thune kicks off Senate session with pledge to preserve filibusterNew Senate Majority Leader John Thune is kicking off the new session with a promise to preserve the filibuster, saying in his first floor speech as leader that his priority will be to “ensure the Senate stays the Senate.”.
Republicans' trust in accuracy of US elections jumps after Trump's win, AP-NORC poll finds
Read full article: Republicans' trust in accuracy of US elections jumps after Trump's win, AP-NORC poll findsA new poll finds that Republican voters are more confident in the accuracy of U.S. elections now that Donald Trump has won.
FBI releases new video of a suspect planting a pipe bomb near DNC offices on eve of the Capitol riot
Read full article: FBI releases new video of a suspect planting a pipe bomb near DNC offices on eve of the Capitol riotThe FBI is releasing new information about a suspect who planted pipe bombs four years ago outside the offices of the Democratic and Republican national committees near the Capitol.
Janet Yellen tells Congress US could hit debt limit in mid-January
Read full article: Janet Yellen tells Congress US could hit debt limit in mid-JanuaryTreasury Secretary Janet Yellen says her agency will need to start taking “extraordinary measures,” or special accounting maneuvers intended to prevent the nation from hitting the debt ceiling, as early as January 14th, in a letter sent to congressional leaders Friday afternoon.
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.
Lara Trump says she's removing herself from consideration to be Florida senator
Read full article: Lara Trump says she's removing herself from consideration to be Florida senatorLara Trump, the daughter-in-law of President-elect Donald Trump, says she’s removing herself from consideration to be a Florida senator.
Shutdown saga exposes new fault lines for Speaker Johnson and tests his grip on the gavel
Read full article: Shutdown saga exposes new fault lines for Speaker Johnson and tests his grip on the gavelOne of the most turbulent sessions of Congress in the modern era is about to make way for the next one.
Biden signs bill that averts government shutdown and brings a close to days of Washington upheaval
Read full article: Biden signs bill that averts government shutdown and brings a close to days of Washington upheavalPresident Joe Biden has signed legislation that averts a government shutdown heading into Christmas.
Senate review of Supreme Court ethics finds more luxury trips and urges enforceable code of conduct
Read full article: Senate review of Supreme Court ethics finds more luxury trips and urges enforceable code of conductA nearly two-year investigation by Democratic senators of Supreme Court ethics details more luxury travel by Justice Clarence Thomas and urges Congress to establish a way to enforce a new code of conduct.
The Latest: Schumer says Senate on course to pass bill before funding lapses at midnight
Read full article: The Latest: Schumer says Senate on course to pass bill before funding lapses at midnightWith hours to go before a midnight government shutdown, the House has approved a new plan from House Speaker Mike Johnson that would temporarily fund federal operations and disaster aid, but dropped President-elect Donald Trump’s demands for a debt limit increase into the new year.
Trump was poised to inherit a strong economy. Then things got rocky and he added to the uncertainty
Read full article: Trump was poised to inherit a strong economy. Then things got rocky and he added to the uncertaintyDonald Trump seemed poised to inherit a relatively strong economy when he begins a second term in the White House in January.
Pentagon warns that a government shutdown will cost troops their pay over the holidays
Read full article: Pentagon warns that a government shutdown will cost troops their pay over the holidaysThe Pentagon is warning that Republicans’ decision to abandon a congressional spending plan will cost troops their paychecks over the holidays unless some agreement is reached before Friday’s deadline to prevent a government shutdown.
New House GOP budget proposal revives Farm Bill extension and aid money but drops ethanol provision
Read full article: New House GOP budget proposal revives Farm Bill extension and aid money but drops ethanol provisionAmerican farmers are hoping that aid to agriculture will be revived as Congress struggles to avert a looming partial government shutdown.
A power grab by Republicans in North Carolina becomes a referendum on democracy in the states
Read full article: A power grab by Republicans in North Carolina becomes a referendum on democracy in the statesDemocrats in North Carolina were celebrating big wins in the swing state after the November election, including victories for governor and other top statewide offices.
Senate passes defense bill that will raise troop pay and aims to counter China's power
Read full article: Senate passes defense bill that will raise troop pay and aims to counter China's powerThe Senate has passed a defense bill that authorizes significant pay raises for junior enlisted service members and boosts overall military spending to $895 billion.
After investigating Jan. 6, House GOP sides with Trump and goes after Liz Cheney
Read full article: After investigating Jan. 6, House GOP sides with Trump and goes after Liz CheneyWrapping up their report on the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack, House Republicans have concluded it’s former GOP Rep. Liz Cheney who should be prosecuted for her work probing the riot.
Congress unveils funding deal with more than $100 billion in disaster aid
Read full article: Congress unveils funding deal with more than $100 billion in disaster aidCongressional leaders have unveiled legislation that will keep the federal government funded through March 14 and provide more than $100 billion in emergency aid to help states and local communities recover from Hurricanes Helene and Milton and other natural disasters.
Prosecutors will seek the death penalty for 2 Venezuelan men accused of killing Texas girl
Read full article: Prosecutors will seek the death penalty for 2 Venezuelan men accused of killing Texas girlProsecutors in Texas will seek the death penalty for two Venezuelan men who are accused of killing a 12-year-old Houston girl after they entered the U.S. illegally.
About 3 in 10 are highly confident in Trump on Cabinet, spending or military oversight: AP-NORC poll
Read full article: About 3 in 10 are highly confident in Trump on Cabinet, spending or military oversight: AP-NORC pollAmericans may have elected Donald Trump to a second term in November, but that doesn’t mean they have high confidence in his ability to choose well-qualified people for his Cabinet or effectively manage government spending, the military and the White House.
IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
Read full article: IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in powerIRS leadership on Thursday announced that the agency has recovered $4.7 billion in back taxes and proceeds from a variety of crimes.
House passes bill to add 66 new federal judgeships, but prospects murky after Biden veto threat
Read full article: House passes bill to add 66 new federal judgeships, but prospects murky after Biden veto threatThe House has passed what was once a bipartisan effort to expand the number of federal district trial court judgeships across the country.
Trump taps immigration hard-liner Kari Lake as head of Voice of America
Read full article: Trump taps immigration hard-liner Kari Lake as head of Voice of AmericaPresident-elect Donald Trump says he’s picking Kari Lake as director of Voice of America, installing a staunch loyalist who ran unsuccessfully for Arizona governor and a Senate seat to head the congressionally funded broadcaster that provides independent news reporting around the world.
Michigan Democrats move to protect reproductive health data before GOP takes control of House
Read full article: Michigan Democrats move to protect reproductive health data before GOP takes control of HouseDemocrats in Michigan are pressing to pass reproductive health care legislation before the party loses its majority with the new legislative session next year.
Unlikely battleground California plays key role -- again -- in setting US House's political balance
Read full article: Unlikely battleground California plays key role -- again -- in setting US House's political balanceDemocrats and Republicans agreed on at least one thing before November's election: California would play a central role in determining which party controls the U.S. House.
Democrat Adam Gray captures California's 13th US House District, ousting Republican Rep. John Duarte
Read full article: Democrat Adam Gray captures California's 13th US House District, ousting Republican Rep. John DuarteDemocrat Adam Gray has won election to a U.S. House seat representing California’s Central Valley, defeating Republican Rep. John Duarte in the final House contest to be determined this year.
Minnesota Republicans sue to force election rerun in tight House race where 20 ballots are missing
Read full article: Minnesota Republicans sue to force election rerun in tight House race where 20 ballots are missingMinnesota Republicans are suing to try to force a rerun of a state House race where the incumbent Democrat won by 14 votes but investigators concluded that election workers probably destroyed 20 valid absentee ballots after failing to count them.
Young men swung to the right for Trump after a campaign dominated by masculine appeals
Read full article: Young men swung to the right for Trump after a campaign dominated by masculine appealsYoung men shifted toward Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election in a change from recent years, when most young male voters backed the Democratic candidate.
Trump and Republicans in Congress eye an ambitious 100-day agenda, starting with tax cuts
Read full article: Trump and Republicans in Congress eye an ambitious 100-day agenda, starting with tax cutsRepublicans swept to power on Election Day and now control the House, the Senate and the White House, with plans for an ambitious 100-day agenda come January.
College sports reform could advance in GOP-controlled Congress, with Sen. Ted Cruz as NCAA ally
Read full article: College sports reform could advance in GOP-controlled Congress, with Sen. Ted Cruz as NCAA allyThe NCAA’s yearslong efforts to get lawmakers to address myriad problems in college sports could pay off in the new, Republican-controlled Congress.
Trump vows tariffs over immigration. What the numbers say about border crossings, drugs and crime
Read full article: Trump vows tariffs over immigration. What the numbers say about border crossings, drugs and crimePresident-elect Donald Trump is threatening tariffs on Mexico and Canada as he seeks to portray them as responsible for illegal immigration and drug smuggling.
Tim Walz accepts turkey presentation as he eases back into his duties as Minnesota's governor
Read full article: Tim Walz accepts turkey presentation as he eases back into his duties as Minnesota's governorTim Walz has accepted the symbolic presentation of a turkey as he eases back into his duties as Minnesota’s governor following the Harris-Walz ticket’s defeat in the presidential election.
Biden's public lands director named to lead environmental group
Read full article: Biden's public lands director named to lead environmental groupA senior official in President Joe Biden’s administration who oversaw its contentious efforts to address climate change by curbing drilling and mining on federal lands has been named the next president of a prominent environmental group.
An influx of outsiders and money turns Montana Republican, culminating in a Senate triumph
Read full article: An influx of outsiders and money turns Montana Republican, culminating in a Senate triumphDemocrats’ crushing loss in Montana’s nationally important U.S. Senate race settled a fierce political debate over whether a surge of newcomers in the past decade favored Republicans.
Democrats strike deal to get more Biden judges confirmed before Congress adjourns
Read full article: Democrats strike deal to get more Biden judges confirmed before Congress adjournsThe Senate won’t hold votes on four of President Joe Biden’s appellate court nominees as part of a deal with Republicans to allow for speedier consideration of other judicial nominations.