Congress

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DOJ Pledges to Turn Over First Epstein Files This Week

Panel's deadline was Tuesday, and Democrats say the the department isn't in full compliance

(Newser) - The Justice Department has notified Congress it will start releasing documents related to Jeffrey Epstein as soon as Friday, according to Republican Rep. James Comer. The Kentucky Republican, who chairs a House Oversight subcommittee, said the DOJ committed to begin providing records the panel had subpoenaed, the Washington Post...

Court Lets Administration Block Billions Allocated to Foreign Aid

Appeals panel finds only GAO can challenge the freezes

(Newser) - A federal appeals court has allowed the Trump administration to continue withholding billions in foreign aid funding already allocated by Congress. The case revolved around President Trump's use of impoundment—the authority to delay or block spending. Aid groups had argued that power has strict legal limits, the...

MTG Urges Trump to Commute Santos' Sentence

Ex-congressman is serving 7 years for fraud, identity theft; Trump apparently hasn't ruled out commutation

(Newser) - Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene is calling on President Trump to commute the sentence of George Santos, the former New York congressman now serving a seven-year sentence for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. Greene, a vocal Trump ally, posted a letter to the Justice Department on X that argued...

Federal Judges Question Trump's Tariff Powers Claim

'Tariffs seems to have no friends in that statute,' appeals court judge says of law Trump is using

(Newser) - A federal appeals court showed clear doubts Thursday about the Trump administration's claim to sweeping tariff powers under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act—a law that, notably, never mentions tariffs. The Justice Department contends President Trump can use the statute to levy broad new taxes on imports,...

Autopen Probes Could Focus on Fauci, Jill Biden: Rand Paul

Former president has said he made the decisions on pardons

(Newser) - Sen. Rand Paul suggested on Sunday that Jill Biden and Anthony Fauci could become focal points in Republican investigations into the use of an autopen for presidential pardons. Speaking on WABC's Cats Roundtable radio show, Paul questioned the legitimacy of pardons issued during the Biden administration, singling out...

Social Security Could See Ample Cuts by 2032

Benefit reductions could double senior poverty rate, couples could lose $18K a year: CRFB

(Newser) - Dual-income couples could see their annual Social Security benefits slashed by $18,000 just seven years from now, according to a new analysis from the nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. The findings released Thursday warn that by late 2032, benefits will drop 24% for retirees if Congress...

Administration Gives In, Unfreezes School Funding

Education Department says review found the money won't be used for anything conflicting with Trump's policies

(Newser) - The Trump administration has agreed to release over $5 billion in education funding it was withholding from public schools—bringing relief after weeks of uncertainty for administrators and educators—after being lobbied by politicians of both parties. The freeze, enacted June 30, put nearly $7 billion in federal grants...

NPR Losing Top Editor After Funding Cuts

Edith Chapin says her exit is unrelated

(Newser) - NPR now has two big challenges: Its top newsroom leader said Tuesday she is stepping down later this year, a move that comes just after Congress stripped federal funding from public media. However, Edith Chapin says her exit is unrelated to the funding cut, adding that she informed superiors...

House Shutting Down Early Over Epstein Drama

Republicans block votes to ward off Epstein amendments, will recess on Wednesday

(Newser) - The House is putting the Jeffrey Epstein controversy on the back burner until at least September. House Speaker Mike Johnson said Tuesday that the chamber will begin its summer recess earlier than expected, on Wednesday, to avoid "political games," reports the New York Times . And don't expect...

Got ACA Health Insurance? Steel Yourself for Next Year

Average premium could rise 75%, millions may lose coverage as federal subsidies are phased out

(Newser) - Americans who buy their health insurance through Affordable Care Act marketplaces, also known as ObamaCare, can expect a steep jump in premiums next year, according to a new analysis from health policy group KFF . The research finds that the average premium will climb by 75%, largely due to the...

'Crypto Week' Hits a Speed Bump
'Crypto Week'
Hits a Speed Bump
Jul 17, 2025 7:43 AM CDT

'Crypto Week' Hits a Speed Bump

Legislation is advancing in the House, but unexpected hiccups surface

(Newser) - What was supposed to be a triumphant week in Congress for backers of cryptocurrencies has instead become one of uncertainty. When "crypto week" started, the House had been poised to pass three pieces of pro-crypto legislation, but what the New York Times describes as a "mutiny" by a...

It's 'Crypto Week' at the House of Representatives

Lawmakers weigh new rules for stablecoins, digital assets, and CBDCs

(Newser) - In a dramatic turn for digital currency, the US House is dedicating the coming week to "Crypto Week," with a series of bills that could reshape how Americans pay, save, and invest, Axios reports. Once sidelined by Wall Street, cryptocurrency now finds itself at the center of...

TikTok Agreement Is Close, Trump Says

China will be brought into talks this week, president says

(Newser) - A deal is nearly in place for an American company to acquire the US operations of TikTok, President Trump said, adding that he expects to bring China into the talks this week. Speaking to reporters Friday night on Air Force One, Trump stated that talks with China to approve...

Trump on the Cusp of a Major Victory in Congress

House advances domestic policy package in overnight vote, and final passage is next

(Newser) - It appears that President Trump will get his sprawling domestic policy plan by a Fourth of July deadline after all. The House cleared the way with a procedural vote overnight Wednesday, with final passage imminent, reports the Washington Post . Only one Republican voted with Democrats against advancing the legislation—moderate...

Facing Flight Disruptions, Lawmakers Hit the Road

'No sleep, no problem,' says Rep. Nancy Mace following lengthy overnight drive to Washington

(Newser) - With a House vote on President Trump's sweeping tax and policy bill expected as soon as Wednesday, lawmakers were racing back to Washington Tuesday night as thunderstorms hampered air traffic in the capital. More than 200 flights into Reagan National Airport were either canceled or delayed, Politico reports, citing...

A 'Responsible Congress' Would Toss Trump's Bill
Economic Risks With
Trump's Bill Are 'Huge'
Opinion
Jul 2, 2025 9:11 AM CDT

Economic Risks With Trump's Bill Are 'Huge'

It's 'more budget busting than big and beautiful,' write Robert Rubin and Lawrence Summers

(Newser) - Former Treasury secretaries Robert Rubin and Lawrence Summers are no strangers to fiscal problems and rapid technological changes, which were front and center during their time with the Clinton administration. With conservative planning, "we paired policies that reduced the deficit with others that stimulated investment," triggering a "...

Senators Diverge Sharply After Classified Iran Briefing

Meanwhile, IAEA head says strikes did 'enormous damage'

(Newser) - Senators emerged deeply divided after a classified briefing on US strikes against Iran's nuclear facilities Thursday, with sharp disagreements over whether the attacks dealt a crippling blow or left key questions unresolved. The briefing, meant to clarify the extent of damage and next steps, instead highlighted partisan splits...

State, US Lawmakers Are Given Increased Security

Minnesota organizers cancel 'No Kings' protests after shootings

(Newser) - Local, state and federal officials offered increased security to Minnesota legislators after two lawmakers and their spouses were shot in their homes . Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey posted on X that additional police have been assigned to check on public officials who could be at risk, the Washington Post reports. In...

Officers Lodge Complaint Over MIA Capitol Riot Plaque

Ex-Capitol cop Harry Dunn, DC cop Daniel Hodges say Congress' delay ignores law over police honor

(Newser) - Two police officers who defended the US Capitol during the Jan. 6, 2021, riot are suing to force Congress to install an honorary plaque that was mandated by law but remains missing. Former Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn and DC Metropolitan Police Officer Daniel Hodges say a 2022 law,...

GOP Senator Doubles Down on Snarky Town Hall Comment

Joni Ernst's 'we are all going to die' was controversial, but she's not backing off

(Newser) - Joni Ernst isn't backing down from her controversial remarks at an Iowa town hall Friday. After a constituent noted their concerns about Medicaid cuts potentially causing deaths, Ernst responded, "Well, we are all going to die." The following day, after the comment went viral, Ernst posted a...

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