âThe thought that someone would take advantage of my staffâs accessibility to commit an act of violence is unconscionable and devastating,â Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) said. | Francis Chung/POLITICO A man armed with a baseball bat allegedly injured two staff members in Rep. Gerry Connollyâs district office, police said Monday. âThis morning, an individual entered
Lawmakers dismiss possibility of debt limit off-ramp
May 4, 2023 by
âI just think that this needs to get done and delay, delay, delay doesnât solve anything, said Senate GOP Whip John Thune. | Francis Chung/POLITICO Congress is hurtling toward a debt crisis in weeks, and this time lawmakers may not be able to fall back on their time-honored tradition of punting the problem. Key members
Republican Lawmakers Raise Questions over $200 Million Park Service Grant to Pelosi’s DistrictÂ
April 26, 2023 by
National Park Service (NPS) Director Chuck Sams told Congress that President Joe Bidenâs Interior Department ordered him to transfer $2srcsrc million in federal funding to a park in Rep. Nancy Pelosiâs (D-CA) district, drawing increased scrutiny by House Republicans. Last week, Sams reportedly told Congress that Interior Department Fish and Wildlife and Parks Assistant Secretary
House lawmakers focus on ‘outcompeting China’ in bipartisan visit to Guyana
April 18, 2023 by
EXCLUSIVE: Members of Congress met with officials in Guyana on Friday to bolster U.S. relations with the South American country while also keeping China’s encroaching influence at bay. House Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith, R-Mo., led a group of Democrats and Republicans in Guyana, part of a three-country tour that also included stops in […]
Tennessee GOP rep abruptly exits CNN interview after host berates him for expelling lawmakers
April 7, 2023 by
After being lectured by a CNN correspondent over moving to expel Democrats from the Tennessee state legislature, Tennessee Republican Caucus Chair Rep. Jeremy Faison chair abruptly exited his interview, leaving CNN anchors bewildered. Prior to his unexpected departure, CNN reporter Sara Sidner had disputed his claims that the two Democratic Party lawmakers the legislature expelled […]
Zelenskyy visits King Charles III on UK trip, asks lawmakers for jets: ‘every air force pilot is a king’
March 11, 2023 by
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy descended upon the United Kingdom Wednesday and urged lawmakers to send warplanes to Ukraine ahead of his visit with King Charles III. “Today I will have the honor to be received by His Majesty the King,” Zelenskyy said while addressing both Houses of Parliament and U.K. Prime Minster Rishi Sunak. “It […]
Bill Maher urges lawmakers to take page from Hollywood: You can get things done and ‘hate each other’s guts’
March 7, 2023 by
“Real Time” host Bill Maher closed his show Friday night by urging lawmakers on Capitol Hill to take a page from Hollywood. Maher began by sounding the alarm about the incivility from both Republicans and Democrats, mostly from State of the Union addresses in recent years, warning they can soon evolve into physical “brawls” like […]
Georgia lawmakers reach agreement on state budget including property tax breaks
March 7, 2023 by
Georgia lawmakers have reached a final agreement on amendments to this year’s state budget, setting the stage for final House and Senate votes on the spending plan Monday. House Bill 18 raises spending by $2.4 billion after Republican Gov. Brian Kemp raised projected revenue. It includes $950 million for property tax rebates to homeowners and […]
Chinaâs Lawmakers Prepare to Address Woeful Economy, Freezing Single Womenâs Eggs
March 1, 2023 by
The Chinese governmentâs annual âtwo sessionsâ â simultaneous meetings of the National Peopleâs Congress (NPC) and the Chinese Peopleâs Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) â are scheduled to begin on Saturday, March 4. This yearâs sessions will likely be preoccupied with the dismal Chinese economy, the accelerating demographic crisis, and the rotation of government officials that occurs every
State Lawmakers Want to Ban Health Insurance for Trans Care
February 24, 2023 by
A new Tennessee bill poses an interstate health care nightmare. If an insurance provider covers gender-affirming care in another stateâlike hormone therapy in New York, or breast reduction surgery in Illinoisâthat provider could be cut off from the 1.7 million Tennesseans who use the stateâs Medicaid program.The bill, HB1215, is just one of several recent
DOJ wonât charge Gaetz in sex trafficking probe, lawmakerâs office says
February 22, 2023 by
Federal prosecutors and the FBI began investigating Matt Gaetz in late 2src2src during the Trump administration over potential sex trafficking crimes. | Drew Angerer/Getty Images TALLAHASSEE, Fla. â The Justice Department is closing its long-running sex trafficking investigation into GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz and will not charge the firebrand congressman, according to a lawyer representing
GOP lawmakers seek investigation of âunauthorizedâ disclosure of their Air Force records
February 22, 2023 by
Rep. Don Bacon said Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall first told him that an internal probe revealed 11 peopleâs records were disclosed and that the Air Force would send the results of its inquiry to the Justice Department â while offering no further information on whether a formal DOJ investigation would result. | Drew Angerer/Getty Images Two Republican lawmakers say the Air Force
Republican lawmakers file appeal regarding the legality of the PA Legislature’s impeachment of Larry Krasner
January 27, 2023 by
Republican state lawmakers filed an appeal with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court on Thursday hoping to preserve elements of their impeachment case against an elected progressive Philadelphia prosecutor. The appeal asks the state’s highest court to review last month’s decision regarding the legality of the Legislature’s impeachment and trial of Democratic District Attorney Larry Krasner. It […]
Lawmakers labor to break impasses stalling massive spending bill
January 14, 2023 by
House Appropriations Committee Chair Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) fields questions about the politics of the federal debt in front of the House Rules Committee at the Capitol. | J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo Top lawmakers are still grasping for the deal they need to tee up a sprawling year-end spending package as potential pitfalls for the bill
âItâs not a principle changeâ: Lawmakers dissect Sinema switch
January 12, 2023 by
Sen. Kyrsten Sinema leaves the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Sept. 29, 2src22. | Jose Luis Magana/AP Photo Sen. Kyrsten Sinemaâs choice to leave the Democratic Party was political, rather than a matter of principle, some of her colleagues said Sunday. âShe was likely going to lose her next primary, and thatâs why sheâs doing this.
Geraldo Rivera calls for lawmakers to come together to fix border crisis: Not going to be fixed with posturing
January 10, 2023 by
Fox News’ Sean Hannity sparred with Geraldo Rivera over President Biden’s border policies Monday on “Hannity.” Hannity highlighted record numbers of migrant crossings under the Biden administration and large amounts of fentanyl being smuggled into the country via the southern border. “When will you join me in saying, if you want to come to America, […]
Two lawmakers nearly come to blows â and other crazy moments from McCarthyâs final speaker votes
January 7, 2023 by
Rep. Richard Hudson (R-N.C.) pulls Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) back as he spoke with Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.). | Andrew Harnik/AP Photo Even for career-long observers of Congress, Friday night on the House floor was a sight to behold. The chamber descended into chaos when two lawmakers nearly came to fisticuffs â the frustration of
Enablers, line-straddlers and quiet resisters: How GOP lawmakers contributed to Jan. 6
January 6, 2023 by
Scott Perry was a frequent presence in pre-Jan. 6 planning. Evidence showed Perry pushing fringe theories about European efforts to steal the 2src2src election from Trump. | Francis Chung/POLITICO A handful of Republicans who remained in the Jan. 6 committeeâs sights throughout its investigation are now leading the effort to deny Kevin McCarthy the speakership
Lawmakers fret over another holiday punt on government funding
November 24, 2022 by
Republican Rep. Mike Simpson of Idaho, a top appropriator, laughed when asked about meeting the mid-December deadline: âI just donât think thatâs going to happen,â he said. âThereâs just too much confusion going on.â The muddle carries serious stakes for a multitude of government programs, not to mention the future of congressional spending debates. Lawmakers
Fiscal winter is coming: Lawmakers’ 5 chilly hills to climb
November 21, 2022 by
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, who could face a tricky path to the speakership next year if Republicans eke out a majority, will be working with slim margins and a group of conservative bomb-throwers who could wield a tremendous amount of leverage. Meanwhile, in the Senate, both parties will be forced to tackle those huge
Departing lawmakers are lining up cushy lobbying gigs
November 18, 2022 by
Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-Ill.), who also decided against running for another term, could be among them. She has had conversations with Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, according to two Democratic lobbyists. Bustosâ spokesperson told POLITICO that the congresswoman had not yet made a final decision on her next steps but that she âhad conversations
Capitol Police Establishing Field Offices To Investigate Threats Against Lawmakers
July 6, 2021 by
July 06, 2021 10:15 AM ET The United States Capitol Police announced Tuesday that it was establishing field offices in California and Florida to investigate threats against lawmakers. The Capitol Police said in a statement that its efforts were part of a plan to improve its security measures after the riot at the Capitol on…
Louisiana Lawmakers Send Constitutional Carry to Governor’s Desk
June 2, 2021 by
Louisiana lawmakers passed constitutional carry legislation on June 1, 2021, and it will now go to the desk of Gov. John Bel Edwards (D). The NRA tweeted: đșđžNRA BREAKING NEWS: Louisiana Legislature PASSES Constitutional Carry â Headed to Gov. John Bel Edwards’ Desk #lalege #lagov â NRA (@NRA) June 2, 2021 The Louisiana Illuminator reported the…
Multiple Anti-Trump Lawmakers Spend Thousands in Campaign Cash on Security Services
April 17, 2021 by
Multiple anti-Trump lawmakers are spending campaign donations on various security services, amounts that have soared over the past several months since the election, according to their Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings. According to the FEC filings, seven lawmakers have spent tens of thousands on private security companies. Punchbowl News reported some high-profile Democrats and a…
Democrat Lawmakers Introduce Bill for Nationwide Mail-in Voting: Necessary to ‘Make Real Progress’
March 18, 2021 by
Two Democrat lawmakers introduced a bill on Thursday, dubbed the âVote at Home Act,â to expand âOregon-styleâ mail-in voting nationwide, contending that the move is necessary to âmake real progressâ in the country. The bill, introduced by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), is designed to âfight voter suppressionâ as detailed by Wydenâs…
Over 100 Lawmakers Call for 2020 Tax Filing Deadline Extension
March 17, 2021 by
Over 100 House members have signed a bipartisan letter asking the IRS on Tuesday to delay the April 15 tax filing date. âMillions of stressed-out taxpayers, businesses and preparers would appreciate an extension of the deadline to file their 2020 tax returns,â members of Congress said in a letter addressed to IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig…
Top New York Lawmakers Call On Cuomo To Step Down After He Dismissed Resignation Calls As âAnti-Democraticâ
March 8, 2021 by
New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, both Democrats, called on Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo to resign Sunday over mounting sexual misconduct allegations. âWe need to govern without daily distractions. For the good of the state, Governor Cuomo must resign,â Stewart-Cousins said in a statement. NEW: Bombshell. âŠ@AndreaSCousinsâ© calls…
Japan: Lawmakers Caught Nightclubbing During Coronavirus State of Emergency
January 28, 2021 by
Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide apologized on Wednesday after lawmakers from his ruling party admitted to visiting Tokyo bars late at night during the capitalâs coronavirus state of emergency, which discourages unnecessary outings and urges bars and restaurants to close by 8:00 p.m. âIâm terribly sorry that this happened when we are asking people not…
Ilhan Omar Says It’s ‘Shameful’ Lawmakers Are Receiving Vaccine Before the Vulnerable: ‘We Are Not More Important’
December 23, 2020 by
Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) took a drastically different position on the coronavirus vaccine being made available to members of Congress than her fellow âSquadâ member Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), stating lawmakers are ânot more importantâ than frontline workers. The Minnesota lawmaker responded to a question posed by Anand Giridharadas, publisher of The.Ink newsletter, who asked,…
Pro-Trump Lawmakers Ask SCOTUS To Just Nullify Bidenâs Pennsylvania Win
December 3, 2020 by
Pro-Trump lawmakers have asked the Supreme Court of the United States to nullify Pennsylvaniaâs certification of President-Elect Joe Bidenâs victory in the state, Bloomberg reported Tuesday evening. The effort, led by pro-Trump Republican Pennsylvania Rep. Mike Kelly, maintains that the Pennsylvania General Assembly illegally adjusted mail-in ballot laws ahead of the 2020 election. Kellyâs argument…