Aug 04 Congress is in August recess, but tensions lie ahead on spending and Trump nominations By Kevin Freking, Associated Press Lawmakers have left Washington for the annual August recess, but a few weeks of relative quiet at the U.S. Capitol can’t mask the partisan tensions that are brewing on government funding and President Donald Trump’s nominees. Continue reading
Jul 15 WATCH: Senate votes to advance Trump’s request for $9 billion in spending cuts By Kevin Freking, Associated Press A final vote in the Senate could occur as early as Wednesday. The bill would then return to the House for another vote before it would go to President Donald Trump's desk for his signature before a Friday deadline. Continue reading
Jul 01 Senate works a tense overnight session as Republicans seek support for Trump’s big bill By Lisa Mascaro, Mary Clare Jalonick, Matt Brown, Associated Press Thune wants to satisfy Republicans worried the bill's reductions to Medicaid will leave millions more people without care and those in his conservative flank seeking steeper cuts to hold down deficits ballooning with the tax cuts. Continue reading
Jun 26 WATCH: Trump hosts ‘big bill’ event as key provision found to violate Senate rules By Lisa Mascaro, Associated Press Trump hosted House Speaker Mike Johnson and other GOP lawmakers in the East Room at the White House joined by truck drivers, firefighters, tipped workers, ranchers and others that the administration says will benefit from the bill. Continue reading
Jun 18 3 big changes to Trump’s ‘big bill’ By Lisa Desjardins The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” is President Donald Trump’s signature agenda item in Congress. Continue reading
Jan 07 WATCH: Top lawmakers pay tribute to Jimmy Carter as his casket arrives at the U.S. Capitol By Bill Barrow, Associated Press As the sun set outside the Capitol, Vice President Kamala Harris, House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune celebrated his faith, military service and devotion to service more than anything he did in politics. Continue reading
Nov 14 What Republicans are saying about Matt Gaetz, Trump’s pick for attorney general By Thomas Beaumont, Associated Press Former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz's nomination for attorney general is being met with a variety of reactions from Republicans, including cautious reservation, praise and pointed criticism. Continue reading
Nov 13 Watch 8:20 Trump returns to Washington as Senate Republicans choose new leader By Lisa Desjardins, Kyle Midura, Eliot Barnhart President-elect Trump took a victory lap in the nation’s capital, bouncing from meetings with House Republicans to President Biden in the Oval Office. It comes as critical roles are being filled, from more members of Trump’s cabinet to new leaders… Continue watching
Nov 13 Senate Republicans elect John Thune of South Dakota as next majority leader, beating candidate backed by Trump allies By Mary Clare Jalonick, Stephen Groves, Associated Press Thune beat out two other competitors, Sens. John Cornyn and Rick Scott, by gaining majority support from GOP senators in a secret ballot vote. Continue reading
Mar 07 Watch 8:15 Sen. John Thune on the 2024 race, GOP leadership and funding for Ukraine By Amna Nawaz, Stephanie Kotuby, Alexa Gold When John Thune of South Dakota first won his Senate seat 20 years ago, he made history by defeating a party's Senate leader for the first time in more than 50 years. Today, he's a candidate to replace Mitch McConnell… Continue watching