INSIDER
A year ago Kevin McCarthy was booted as House speaker. Mike Johnson is trying to avoid that fate
Read full article: A year ago Kevin McCarthy was booted as House speaker. Mike Johnson is trying to avoid that fateOne year since House Speaker Kevin McCarthy was booted from office after Congress voted to fund the federal government, the new House Speaker Mike Johnson finds himself courting, but so far avoiding, a similar fate.
House unanimously votes to boost Trump security as Congress scrambles to ensure candidate safety
Read full article: House unanimously votes to boost Trump security as Congress scrambles to ensure candidate safetyLawmakers are scrambling to ensure that the U.S. Secret Service has enough money and resources to keep the nationโs presidential candidates safe amid repeated threats of violence.
Hakeem Jeffries rejects GOP spending bill as 'unserious and unacceptable'
Read full article: Hakeem Jeffries rejects GOP spending bill as 'unserious and unacceptable'House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries is rejecting a proposal Speaker Mike Johnson has put forward that links continued government funding for six months with a measure to require proof of citizenship when registering to vote.
AP Decision Notes: What to expect in Missouri's state primaries
Read full article: AP Decision Notes: What to expect in Missouri's state primariesWhile a high-profile primary challenge in Missouri highlights a divide among Democrats, Republicans running for office in the state are showing just how united they are โ at least when it comes to their loyalty to former President Donald Trump.
Pennsylvania congressman chosen to lead House task force investigating Trump assassination attempt
Read full article: Pennsylvania congressman chosen to lead House task force investigating Trump assassination attemptRepublican Rep. Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania will lead a House task force charged with investigating the assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump.
Biden passed that torch slowly, hanging on until the wheels finally came off
Read full article: Biden passed that torch slowly, hanging on until the wheels finally came offInsiders who were close to Joe Biden's struggles are describing a president who was dogged in his determination to keep his candidacy alive โ but ultimately not in denial about the odds.
Black lawmakers are standing by Biden at a crucial moment. But some express concern
Read full article: Black lawmakers are standing by Biden at a crucial moment. But some express concernThe Congressional Black Caucus has become a bedrock of support for President Joe Biden as he faces calls from congressional Democrats to stand down as the party's presidential nominee in November.
Democrats weigh Biden's impact on House races as Republicans grow confident of holding majority
Read full article: Democrats weigh Biden's impact on House races as Republicans grow confident of holding majorityDemocratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries has a one-word answer on whether President Joe Biden is a liability for the most vulnerable House Democrats seeking reelection.
Biden gets support from key lawmakers as he tells Democrats he won't step aside after debate
Read full article: Biden gets support from key lawmakers as he tells Democrats he won't step aside after debatePresident Joe Biden is standing firm against calls for him to drop his reelection candidacy and calling for an end to the intraparty drama that has torn apart Democrats since his dismal debate performance.
Biden vows to keep running as signs point to rapidly eroding support for him on Capitol Hill
Read full article: Biden vows to keep running as signs point to rapidly eroding support for him on Capitol HillPresident Joe Biden is vowing to keep running for reelection as he rejects pressure from within his Democratic Party to withdraw after a disastrous debate performance raised questions about his readiness.
Congressional leaders invite Israel's Netanyahu to deliver an address at the Capitol
Read full article: Congressional leaders invite Israel's Netanyahu to deliver an address at the CapitolCongressional leaders have invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to deliver an address a the U.S. Capitol.
House rejects Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's effort to remove Speaker Mike Johnson from office
Read full article: House rejects Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's effort to remove Speaker Mike Johnson from officeHardline Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has tried and failed to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson.
Hakeem Jeffries isn't speaker yet, but the Democrat may be the most powerful person in Congress
Read full article: Hakeem Jeffries isn't speaker yet, but the Democrat may be the most powerful person in CongressWithout wielding the gavel or holding a formal job laid out in the Constitution, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries might very well be the most powerful person in Congress right now.
Democrats say they will save Speaker Mike Johnson's job if Republicans try to oust him
Read full article: Democrats say they will save Speaker Mike Johnson's job if Republicans try to oust himHouse Democrats will vote to save Speaker Mike Johnsonโs job should some Republican lawmakers seek to remove him from the position, avoiding a repeat of when eight Republicans joined with Democrats to oust his predecessor, former Rep. Kevin McCarthy.
Ukraine, Israel aid advances in rare House vote as Democrats help Republicans push it forward
Read full article: Ukraine, Israel aid advances in rare House vote as Democrats help Republicans push it forwardThe House has pushed a $95 billion national security aid package for Ukraine, Israel and other U.S. allies closer to passage.
Democrats weigh prospect of helping Johnson save his job as House speaker
Read full article: Democrats weigh prospect of helping Johnson save his job as House speakerSome Democrats are entertaining the prospect of helping House Speaker Mike Johnson save his job should Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia force a vote seeking his ouster.
House leaders toil to advance Ukraine and Israel aid. But threats to oust speaker grow
Read full article: House leaders toil to advance Ukraine and Israel aid. But threats to oust speaker growHouse congressional leaders are toiling on a delicate, bipartisan push towards weekend votes to approve a $95 billion package of foreign aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, as well as several other national security policies.
Congress unveils $1.2 trillion plan to avert federal shutdown and bring budget fight to a close
Read full article: Congress unveils $1.2 trillion plan to avert federal shutdown and bring budget fight to a closeLawmakers have introduced a $1.2 trillion spending package that sets the stage for avoiding a partial government shutdown for several key federal agencies this weekend.
Biden and congressional leaders announce a deal on government funding as a partial shutdown looms
Read full article: Biden and congressional leaders announce a deal on government funding as a partial shutdown loomsPresident Joe Biden and congressional leaders have reached an agreement on this fiscal yearโs final set of spending bills.
Biden and party leaders implore Speaker Johnson to help Ukraine in 'intense' Oval Office meeting
Read full article: Biden and party leaders implore Speaker Johnson to help Ukraine in 'intense' Oval Office meetingCongressional leaders emerged from an โintenseโ Oval Office meeting with President Joe Biden speaking optimistically about the prospects for avoiding a partial government shutdown beginning this weekend.
Biden is summoning congressional leaders to the White House to talk Ukraine and government funding
Read full article: Biden is summoning congressional leaders to the White House to talk Ukraine and government fundingPresident Joe Biden will convene the top four congressional leaders at the White House on Tuesday to discuss the emergency aid package for Ukraine and Israel, as well as avoiding a government shutdown next month.
Christian-nation idea fuels US conservative causes, but historians say it misreads founders' intent
Read full article: Christian-nation idea fuels US conservative causes, but historians say it misreads founders' intentLarge numbers of Americans believe the founders intended the U.S. to be a Christian nation.
House Republicans announce bill that provides more military aid to Israel but leaves out Ukraine
Read full article: House Republicans announce bill that provides more military aid to Israel but leaves out UkraineHouse Republicans will move forward with a $17.6 billion package to provide military aid to Israel and replenish U.S. weapons.
Justice Department investigating Democratic Rep. Cori Bush over alleged misuse of campaign funds
Read full article: Justice Department investigating Democratic Rep. Cori Bush over alleged misuse of campaign fundsThe Justice Department is looking into allegations Democratic Rep. Cori Bush of Missouri misused government funds for her personal security.
The federal debt tops $34 trillion and some in Congress want a commission to find ways to tackle it
Read full article: The federal debt tops $34 trillion and some in Congress want a commission to find ways to tackle itA bill to create a bipartisan commission that would tackle the nationโs soaring debt and make policy recommendations to Congress has won approval from a House committee.
Biden brings congressional leaders to White House at pivotal time for Ukraine aid and US border deal
Read full article: Biden brings congressional leaders to White House at pivotal time for Ukraine aid and US border dealA meeting between President Joe Biden, House Speaker Mike Johnson and other officials highlights the precarious nature of the complex talks to unlock aid for Ukraine, Israel and other U.S. allies.
Republicans had New Yorkers lead the way in expelling Santos. Will it help them keep the majority?
Read full article: Republicans had New Yorkers lead the way in expelling Santos. Will it help them keep the majority?George Santos is gone from the House, but his name is certain to pop up in key congressional races across New York next year.
Police and protesters clash outside Democratic HQ during demonstration over the Israel-Hamas war
Read full article: Police and protesters clash outside Democratic HQ during demonstration over the Israel-Hamas warPolice and protesters have clashed outside Democratic National Committee headquarters during a demonstration for a cease-fire in the war between Israel and Hamas.
GOP's Jim Jordan fails again on vote for House speaker as frustrated Republicans search for options
Read full article: GOP's Jim Jordan fails again on vote for House speaker as frustrated Republicans search for optionsRep. Jim Jordan has failed to win the vote to become House speaker on a crucial second ballot.
Rep. Jim Jordan has lost the first ballot for speaker. Here's what's next
Read full article: Rep. Jim Jordan has lost the first ballot for speaker. Here's what's nextRep. Jim Jordan is facing strong opposition to his speakership bid after more than a dozen Republicans voted against him on the first ballot.
Republicans reject Rep. Jim Jordan for House speaker on a first ballot, signaling more turmoil ahead
Read full article: Republicans reject Rep. Jim Jordan for House speaker on a first ballot, signaling more turmoil aheadRepublicans have rejected congressman Jim Jordan for House speaker on the first ballot.
GOP's Scalise ends his bid to become House speaker as Republican holdouts refuse to back the nominee
Read full article: GOP's Scalise ends his bid to become House speaker as Republican holdouts refuse to back the nomineeRepublican Steve Scalise has ended his bid to become House speaker after failing to secure the votes to win the gavel.
Democrats retain narrow control of Pennsylvania House after special election
Read full article: Democrats retain narrow control of Pennsylvania House after special electionDemocrats in the Pennsylvania House will keep their one-vote majority after winning a Pittsburgh area seat in a special election.
AP Election Brief | What to expect in Pennsylvania's special election
Read full article: AP Election Brief | What to expect in Pennsylvania's special electionFor the third time in less than eight months, a special election will decide control of the narrowly divided Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
Biden and House Democrats hope to make curbing 'junk fees' a winning issue in 2024
Read full article: Biden and House Democrats hope to make curbing 'junk fees' a winning issue in 2024The White House is taking on โjunk fees,โ those extra charges tacked on to plane tickets, hotel rooms, hospital bills and more.
How Biden and McCarthy struck a debt limit deal and staved off a catastrophe
Read full article: How Biden and McCarthy struck a debt limit deal and staved off a catastrophePerhaps most critical to locking up the debt limit deal were President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthyโs five handpicked negotiators, three men and two women unknown to most outside government.
Debt limit progress as Biden, McCarthy name top negotiators to avert national default
Read full article: Debt limit progress as Biden, McCarthy name top negotiators to avert national defaultDebt limit talks have entered an encouraging new phase as President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy have tapped top emissaries to negotiate a deal to avert an unprecedented national default.
Debt deadline: White House meeting set, but no solution yet
Read full article: Debt deadline: White House meeting set, but no solution yetFacing the risk of a government default as soon as June 1, President Joe Biden has invited the top four congressional leaders to a White House meeting for talks next week.
Democrats ask Fox not to push 'propaganda' on 2020 election
Read full article: Democrats ask Fox not to push 'propaganda' on 2020 electionThe two top Democrats in Congress are asking Fox News executives not to spread false information about the 2020 election and are demanding that commentators who suggested that the election was stolen acknowledge on the air that they were wrong.
Top Dem on House intel seeks briefings on classified records
Read full article: Top Dem on House intel seeks briefings on classified recordsThe new top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee is calling for more information about classified records discovered in the possession of President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump.
McCarthy says he'll block Schiff, Swalwell from Intel panel
Read full article: McCarthy says he'll block Schiff, Swalwell from Intel panelSpeaker Kevin McCarthy is reiterating that he will block Democratic Reps. Adam Schiff and Eric Swalwell of California from serving on the House committee that oversees national intelligence.
Time of triumph for GOP turns into 'distraction' with Santos
Read full article: Time of triumph for GOP turns into 'distraction' with SantosLeaders of the incoming Republican-controlled House have tried for weeks to minimize the controversy surrounding Rep.-elect George Santos and the revelations that the New York Republican lied about various aspects of his resume.
Lawmakers quick to unload FTX founder's contributions
Read full article: Lawmakers quick to unload FTX founder's contributionsLawmakers who eagerly accepted piles of cash from Samuel Bankman-Fried now canโt move fast enough to offload contributions from the disgraced crypto mogul to anywhere but their own campaign coffers.
Trump rebuked for call to suspend Constitution over election
Read full article: Trump rebuked for call to suspend Constitution over electionFormer President Donald Trump is facing rebuke from both parties after calling for the โterminationโ of parts of the Constitution over his lie that the 2020 election was stolen.
Jeffries wins historic bid to lead House Dems after Pelosi
Read full article: Jeffries wins historic bid to lead House Dems after PelosiNew York congressman Hakeem Jeffries has been elected House Democratic leader and will become in the new year the first Black American to lead a major political party in Congress.
Jeffries makes historic bid to lead House Dems after Pelosi
Read full article: Jeffries makes historic bid to lead House Dems after PelosiA day after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced she would step aside, congressman Hakeem Jeffries of New York has announced his history-making bid to become the first Black person to helm a major political party in Congress as leader of the House Democrats.
Trump's Ukraine impeachment shadows war, risks GOP response
Read full article: Trump's Ukraine impeachment shadows war, risks GOP responseEven the staunchest defense hawks in the Republican Party stood virtually united by Donald Trumpโs side when the then-president was impeached in late 2019 after pressuring Ukraineโs leader for โa favorโ and withholding $400 million in military aid.
New York's hasty redistricting rewrite draws ire of locals
Read full article: New York's hasty redistricting rewrite draws ire of localsNew Yorkโs political landscape for the next decade is being quickly retooled by a rural judge and out-of-state expert after a court ruled Democrats controlling New York's legislature bungled the job.
'Slava Ukraini': Zelenskyy becomes Congress' great unifier
Read full article: 'Slava Ukraini': Zelenskyy becomes Congress' great unifierJust two years ago, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was at the center of impeachment proceedings that deeply fractured Republicans and Democrats in Congress.
Flores: Goodell should ensure case avoids forced arbitration
Read full article: Flores: Goodell should ensure case avoids forced arbitrationBrian Flores wants NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to make sure his class-action lawsuit against the league and several teams over allegedly racists hiring practices isnโt settled behind closed doors.
Pelosi pushes to show united Democrats ahead of midterms
Read full article: Pelosi pushes to show united Democrats ahead of midtermsHouse Speaker Nancy Pelosi has teamed up with one of the emerging progressives in Congress for a town hall in New York, aiming to show a united Democratic front months ahead of the midterm elections.
High court's Alabama ruling sparks alarm over voting rights
Read full article: High court's Alabama ruling sparks alarm over voting rightsThe Supreme Courtโs decision to halt efforts to create a second mostly Black congressional district in Alabama for the 2022 election has sparked fresh warnings that the court is eroding the Voting Rights Act and reviving the need for Congress to intervene.
Progressive Democrats pressure Pelosi to discipline Boebert
Read full article: Progressive Democrats pressure Pelosi to discipline BoebertProgressive Democrats are ratcheting up pressure on Speaker Nancy Pelosi to punish firebrand conservative Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado for her recent comments likening a Muslim member of Congress to a bomb-carrying terrorist.
Adams, Bragg win NYC election amid historic Black leadership
Read full article: Adams, Bragg win NYC election amid historic Black leadershipWhen New York City voters this week chose Eric Adams as the cityโs next mayor and Alvin Bragg as the Manhattan district attorney, they elevated two Black men into two of the cityโs most powerful elected offices.
House Republicans post record fundraising ahead of 2022 race
Read full article: House Republicans post record fundraising ahead of 2022 raceThe committee charged with helping Republicans wrest control of the House next year raised $45.4 million over the last three months, a record quarterly haul during a year without a national election.
Maxine Waters' bold words echo civil rights, draw criticism
Read full article: Maxine Waters' bold words echo civil rights, draw criticismWhen Rep. Maxine Waters urged people to be โconfrontationalโ in the pursuit of justice for George Floyd, advocates for racial equity heard a leading Black voice in the nation's long march toward civil rights.
House approves pro-union bill despite dim Senate odds
Read full article: House approves pro-union bill despite dim Senate oddsBut it faces an all-but-certain Republican blockade in a narrowly divided Senate and is unlikely to become law. AdโIโve heard Democrats argue that itโs the unions that built the middle class,โ said Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., the senior Republican on the House labor panel. And what this bill does is take away their freedom.โLabor unions have long been a bedrock of Democratic support. โThis far-reaching legislation is nothing more than an union boss wish list,โ said Foxx, who led Republican debate on the bill. Virginia Republican Rep. Bob Good excoriated the bill, saying it would effectively โfunnel money to Democratsโ by allowing unions to collect additional dues.
House approves pro-union bill despite dim Senate odds
Read full article: House approves pro-union bill despite dim Senate oddsBut it faces an all-but-certain Republican blockade in a narrowly divided Senate and is unlikely to become law. AdโIโve heard Democrats argue that itโs the unions that built the middle class,โ said Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., the senior Republican on the House labor panel. And what this bill does is take away their freedom.โLabor unions have long been a bedrock of Democratic support. โThis far-reaching legislation is nothing more than an union boss wish list,โ said Foxx, who led Republican debate on the bill. Virginia Republican Rep. Bob Good excoriated the bill, saying it would effectively โfunnel money to Democratsโ by allowing unions to collect additional dues.
The Latest: Board reportedly wants Capitol fencing removed
Read full article: The Latest: Board reportedly wants Capitol fencing removedNational Guard stand guard at a perimeter fence at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, March 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)WASHINGTON โ The Latest on a possible threat against the Capitol (all times local):5:50 p.m. Pittman says the board suggested some temporary fencing would be removed starting Friday, and the fencing around the outer perimeter of the Capitol complex would be removed starting March 12. Some fencing is likely to remain as law enforcement officials continue to track an increased number of threats against lawmakers and the Capitol. This comes two months after Trump supporters smashed through windows and doors to try to stop Congress from certifying now-President Joe Bidenโs victory.
Cuomo avoids public amid outcry over harassment allegations
Read full article: Cuomo avoids public amid outcry over harassment allegationsAndrew Cuomo has avoided public appearances for days as some members of his own party call for him to resign over sexual harassment allegations. Under the bill, Cuomo would still have the power to keep alive his existing COVID-19 rules or tweak them. State Democratic Party chair Jay Jacobs, a close Cuomo ally, said itโs โprematureโ to opine before the investigation concludes. Asa Hutchinson, the association's vice chair, called the allegations against Cuomo โvery seriousโ but said itโs up to Democratic governors to decide who will chair the NGA. The story was updated March 3 to report Cuomo did a phone briefing on Feb. 22 where he took questions.
House votes to expand legal safeguards for LGBTQ people
Read full article: House votes to expand legal safeguards for LGBTQ peopleThe Equality Act amends existing civil rights law to explicitly include sexual orientation and gender identification as protected characteristics. The Supreme Court provided the LGBTQ community with a resounding victory last year in a 6-3 ruling that said the Civil Rights Act of 1964 applied to LGBTQ workers when it comes to barring discrimination on the basis of sex. Biden made clear his support for the Equality Act in the lead-up to last year's election, saying it would be one of his first priorities. AdโOur neighbor, @RepMarieNewman, wants to pass the so-called โEqualityโ Act to destroy womenโs rights and religious freedoms. Democrats likened the effort to past civil rights battles in the nation's history.
Republicans push back on Pelosi proposal for riot commission
Read full article: Republicans push back on Pelosi proposal for riot commissionHouse Republican leader Kevin McCarthy and Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said Wednesday that a legitimate commission would be comprised of an equal number of Republicans and Democrats. Last week, she said the commission must be โstrongly bipartisanโ and have the power to subpoena witnesses. Republicans have suggested an evenly divided 10-member panel and have also objected to some of the rationale for forming the commission. But politics have changed in the intervening 17 years, and Democrats and Republicans rarely agree on anything โ including, in some cases, basic facts. AdDemocrats now control both chambers, and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer has said he also supports a commission.
The Latest: Trump orders US flags lowered to honor officers
Read full article: The Latest: Trump orders US flags lowered to honor officersTrump cites Capitol Police Officers Brian D. Sicknick and Howard Liebengood. ___4 p.m.Citigroup is pausing all federal political donations for the first three months of the year in light of Wednesdayโs deadly siege on the U.S. Capitol by supporters of President Donald Trump. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi had already ordered flags at the Capitol lowered to half-staff in Sicknickโs honor and calls were growing for President Donald Trump to do the same at the White House. Trump supporters who were angry over his loss to Democratic President-elect Joe Biden stormed the Capitol on Wednesday. Toomey was interviewed Sunday on CNNโs โState of the Unionโ and NBCโs โMeet the Press.โ___12:15 a.m.President Donald Trump is facing growing Democratic momentum to impeach him a second time.
Pelosi: House โwill proceedโ to impeachment of Trump
Read full article: Pelosi: House โwill proceedโ to impeachment of TrumpScott Applewhite)WASHINGTON โ House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Sunday the House will proceed with legislation to impeach President Donald Trump as she pushes the vice president and the Cabinet to invoke constitutional authority force him out, warning that Trump is a threat to democracy after the deadly assault on the Capitol. The House action could start as soon as Monday as pressure increases on Trump to step aside. After that, Pence and the Cabinet would have 24 hours to act before the House would move toward impeachment. While many have criticized Trump, Republicans have said that impeachment would be divisive in a time of unity. Rep. David Cicilline, D-R.I, a leader of the House effort to draft impeachment articles accusing Trump of inciting insurrection, said Sunday that his group had 200-plus co-sponsors.
Top Republican says Trump committed 'impeachable offenses'
Read full article: Top Republican says Trump committed 'impeachable offenses'(AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)WASHINGTON โ Democrats' momentum for a fresh drive to quickly impeach outgoing President Donald Trump gained support Saturday, and a top Republican said the president's role in the deadly riot at the Capitol by a violent mob of Trump supporters was worthy of rebuke. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., said he believed Trump had committed โimpeachable offenses.โ But he did not explicitly say whether he would vote to remove the president from office at the conclusion of a Senate trial if the House sent over articles of impeachment. โI do think the president committed impeachable offenses, but I donโt know what is going to land on the Senate floor, if anything," Toomey said. Late Saturday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi sent a letter to her Democratic colleagues reiterating that Trump must be held accountable โ but stopped short of committing to an impeachment vote. Rep. David Cicilline, D-R.I, a leader of the House effort to draft impeachment articles โ or charges โ accusing Trump of inciting insurrection, said his group had grown to include 185 co-sponsors.
Biden largely mum on Trump's effort to reverse election
Read full article: Biden largely mum on Trump's effort to reverse electionWhile some Democrats say Trump's actions merit new impeachment proceedings, Biden has been more circumspect. Bidenโs aides believe Americans outside Washington want to hear more about how the Biden presidency will help them and less about the partisan squabbling that has characterized the past four years of Trumpโs presidency. There was no widespread fraud in the election, which a range of election officials across the country, as well as Trumpโs former attorney general, William Barr, has confirmed. Indeed, by avoiding engaging with Trump, Biden is also hoping to maintain the opportunity for bipartisanship in the new Congress, which he's repeatedly emphasized will be key to his hopes of getting anything done. Jim Manley, a former longtime Senate Democratic leadership aide, said the party's failure to take on Trump's recent moves could set the tone for Bidenโs presidency and beyond.
Biden, Trump warn of high stakes of Georgia Senate runoffs
Read full article: Biden, Trump warn of high stakes of Georgia Senate runoffsItโs a new year, and tomorrow can be a new day for Atlanta, for Georgia and for America,โ Biden said at a drive-in rally. The call highlighted how Trump has used the Georgia campaign to make clear his continued hold on Republican politics. A top Georgia election official said hours before Trump's rally that he โwanted to screamโ after hearing audio of the president's call with Raffensperger. Biden said he needs a Senate majority to pass legislation to combat the coronavirus, and he blasted Perdue and Loeffler as obstructionist Trump loyalists. Ossoff and Warnock have countered with warnings that a Republican Senate will stymie Biden's administration, especially on pandemic relief.
Pelosi narrowly reelected speaker, faces difficult two years
Read full article: Pelosi narrowly reelected speaker, faces difficult two yearsSpeaker of the House Nancy Pelosi of Calif., waves the gavel on the opening day of the 117th Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021. โShe's had one finger in the dike and one finger in the eye of Donald Trump," said Rep. Gerald Connolly, D-Va. Rep. Conor Lamb, D-Pa., voted for Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., who is seen as a strong contender to succeed Pelosi whenever she steps down. Democrats gave Pelosi a standing ovation as the final tally was announced, while the Republican side of the chamber was nearly empty. Ocasio-Cortez said she and other progressives โhave been in conversations and negotiationsโ with Pelosi, but did not describe what they accomplished.
Congress opens new session as virus, Biden's win dominate
Read full article: Congress opens new session as virus, Biden's win dominateHouse Speaker Nancy Pelosi administers the oath to members of the 117th Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021. The House and Senate were required to convene Sunday, by law, and imposed strict COVID-19 protocols. But by day's end, House lawmakers were hugging and congratulating one another after taking the oath of office in the crowded chamber, an alarming scene during the pandemic. โTo say the new Congress convenes at a challenging time would be an understatement,โ McConnell said as the chamber opened. House Republicans boosted their ranks in the November election, electing a handful of women and minorities, more than ever.
GOP rebuffs Trump on $2K aid, defense as Congress wraps up
Read full article: GOP rebuffs Trump on $2K aid, defense as Congress wraps upSenate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., walks back to his office on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020. The New York senator said โthe only thing standing in the way" is Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and other Republican senators. McConnell has shown little interest in Trump's push to bolster the $600 relief checks just approved in a sweeping year-end package, declaring Congress has provided enough pandemic aid, for now. Nancy Pelosi regained the speaker's gavel after Democrats swept to the House majority in the midterm election. The Republican-led Senate acquitted Trump in 2020 of the charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.
House Dem campaign chair won't seek post anew after losses
Read full article: House Dem campaign chair won't seek post anew after lossesWASHINGTON โ The chairwoman of House Democrats' campaign arm said Monday that she won't seek the post again for the next Congress, days after her party's unexpected loss of seats in last week's election triggered recriminations among Democrats. Illinois Rep. Cheri Bustos' decision to not seek a new term atop the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee comes with party members upset and divided over why that happened. Her win came after an eleventh-hour $1 million expenditure for her by the House Majority PAC, which was resented by some Democrats. That committee is aligned with House Democratic leaders. House Democrats currently have a 232-197 advantage, plus one independent and five vacancies.
Amid outcry, postmaster general to testify before House
Read full article: Amid outcry, postmaster general to testify before HouseFILE - In this Aug. 5, 2020, file photo Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, left, is escorted to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office on Capitol Hill in Washington. The Postal Service said it has stopped removing mailboxes and mail-sorting machines amid an outcry from lawmakers. I have encouraged everybody: Speed up the mail, not slow the mail.Embattled Postmaster General Louis DeJoy will testify next Monday before Congress, along with the chairman of the Postal Service board of governors. The package will also include $25 billion to shore up the Postal Service, which faces continued financial losses. "Dont tell me or others that youre just trying to make the post office make money.
House passes sweeping police overhaul after Floyd's death
Read full article: House passes sweeping police overhaul after Floyd's deathExactly one month ago, George Floyd spoke his final words I can't breathe and changed the course of history, Pelosi said. The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act is perhaps the most ambitious set of proposed changes to police procedures and accountability in decades. After the GOP policing bill stalled this week, blocked by Democrats, Trump shrugged. The two parties are instead appealing to voters ahead of the fall election, which will determine control of the House, Senate and White House. Senate Democrats believe Senate Republicans will face mounting public pressure to open negotiations and act.
NYC police officer charged with violently shoving protester
Read full article: NYC police officer charged with violently shoving protesterNEW YORK A New York City police officer who was caught on video violently shoving a woman to the ground during a protest over the death of George Floyd was charged Tuesday with assault and other counts, prosecutors announced. "We will say it again: New York City police officers have been abandoned by our leadership. U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries called for D'Andraia's firing and praised the reassignment of his commanding officer, who witnessed the shoving and did not intervene. Violent police officers who brutalize civilians must be held accountable for their behavior, Jeffries, a Democrat, said in a statement. The shoving in Brooklyn happened a day before a separate clash between police and protesters in which another NYPD officer was seen pulling a demonstrators mask down and using pepper spray.