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U.S. House passes stopgap spending bill in bipartisan vote, in crucial test for new speaker
WASHINGTON — Most Republican members of Florida’s congressional delegation voted against the short-term funding bill that passed the U.S. House Tuesday evening, with each of the state’s nine Democrats voting in favor. The measure will pay to run the government into the new year, although the measure must pass the Senate by the end of […]
Congress nears another government shutdown deadline on Friday at midnight
WASHINGTON — Congress on Monday appeared to be on the edge of approving another short-term government funding bill this week, though several hurdles remain if lawmakers want to stave off a partial government shutdown when the current funding law expires at the end of the week. Democratic leaders and President Joe Biden expressed some skepticism […]
Democrats’ struggle to keep U.S. Senate majority complicated by Manchin decision
WASHINGTON — U.S. Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin III announced Thursday he does not plan to run for reelection come 2024, giving Republicans an opportunity to pick up a seat and increasing their chances of flipping Senate control. A centrist who has long frustrated his party’s leadership and outside advocacy groups with his views on fossil fuel production, […]
FBI director slams selection process for a new HQ in Maryland while lawmakers squabble
WASHINGTON — The director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation on Thursday rebuked the site selection process for its new headquarters, while members of Congress from Maryland and Virginia sparred over whether politics unfairly tipped the scales. FBI Director Christopher Wray wrote in a message to employees that he and others have “concerns about the fairness […]
Maryland confirmed as pick for new FBI headquarters
WASHINGTON — The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s new headquarters will be in Maryland, a significant victory for the state following years of jockeying against Virginia and debate throughout several presidencies about where best to locate the law enforcement agency. The General Services Administration picked the Greenbelt, Maryland, site Wednesday over the Springfield, Virginia, and Landover, […]
Biden administration, senators divided on how to move ahead on border security
WASHINGTON — Members of Congress and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas were at odds Wednesday on how lawmakers should improve border security, as they wrestle with how to handle a White House request for emergency spending. Mayorkas, speaking to the Senate Appropriations Committee, pointed to a sweeping proposal President Joe Biden released early in his […]
Georgia man arrested while carrying assault-style firearm near U.S. Capitol
WASHINGTON — U.S. Capitol Police used a taser on and arrested a man on Tuesday whom they alleged walked with an assault-style weapon near the Capitol building, though it didn’t initially appear the man made any direct threats against members of Congress. USCP Chief Tom Manger said during a brief press conference that a 21-year-old […]
Spending mess in Congress could arch over into pivotal 2024 election year
WASHINGTON — Congress will need to pass a second stopgap funding measure before Thanksgiving if lawmakers want to avoid a government shutdown, though pushing off final decisions on full-year spending bills until next year would put lawmakers smack dab in the middle of what’s expected to be a contentious 2024 primary season. During election years, […]
U.S. House pushes through Israel-only aid bill with dim future in Senate
WASHINGTON — The U.S. House on Thursday approved a $14.3 billion spending bill to aid Israel in its war against Hamas, but the measure stands no chance of passing the Senate and has elicited a veto threat from the White House. The 14-page bill, one of the first major tests for newly elected GOP Speaker […]
Bidens to travel Friday to site of mass shooting in Maine
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will travel to Lewiston, Maine on Friday in the aftermath of a deadly mass shooting there in late October. “The President and First Lady will pay respects to the victims of this horrific attack and grieve with families and community members, as well as meet […]
Ukraine and Israel aid must be bound together, two Cabinet secretaries tell U.S. Senate
WASHINGTON — Congress must approve funding for both Israel and Ukraine if it wants to avoid being dragged into a direct conflict with Russia or emboldening terrorist organizations, two top Biden administration officials told senators Tuesday. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken both testified before the Senate Appropriations Committee that there […]
Next for a new U.S. House speaker: three-week deadline to dodge a government shutdown
WASHINGTON — Newly elected U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson has three weeks to broker an agreement with Democrats to avoid a partial government shutdown when a short-term spending law expires on Nov. 17. The Louisiana Republican, who has leaped from relative obscurity to one of the four congressional leaders, has already spoken with his Senate […]