Kevin Freking

Houthi rebels struck two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea amid escalating Iran-US tensions, prompting warnings from Iran following Donald Trump’s threat to target Iranian infrastructure for any further attacks on shipping. The US military reported a twelfth consecutive night of strikes on Iranian military assets, while oil prices climbed above $95 due to heightened security risks near key maritime routes. Iran’s foreign minister described surviving an earlier US-Israeli strike that killed Ali Khamenei. The US House narrowly approved a defense bill including substantial Iran war funding, drawing criticism from Democrats. Chinese tankers continued transiting the Red Sea despite threats, and Saudi authorities confirmed an attack on a vessel without casualties.

The U.S. House passed a defense policy bill by 216-212 that authorizes President Donald Trump’s requested $1.15 trillion in national security spending, raises military pay by 5% to 7%, and proposes renaming the Department of Defense as the Department of War. The measure also includes restrictions on gender-related medical care through TRICARE, looser rules for carrying firearms on military bases, and Trump’s elections legislation, intensifying Democratic opposition. Republicans argue the spending is needed to rebuild the armed forces and deter China, while Democrats warn that total defense-related spending could approach $1.6 trillion, especially with costs tied to the Iran war, and criticize the bill’s partisan provisions. The Senate has yet to act, appropriations are still required, and a final law may not emerge until after the midterm elections. The White House supports the spending and renaming but has reservations about provisions concerning military installations and presidential authority.

The U.S. House passed legislation by a 308-117 vote to make daylight saving time permanent, allowing states to opt out before enactment. Supporters, including the White House and Representative Gus Bilirakis, argue that the change would provide more evening daylight, reduce clock-change disruption and benefit businesses. Opponents warn of darker winter mornings and safety risks for commuters and schoolchildren, while Representative Jim McGovern questioned whether the issue should be Congress's priority amid rising household costs. The Senate must still approve the bill, and its prospects are uncertain.

The U.S. House approved a package providing Ukraine with $1 billion in security and reconstruction aid, $8 billion in defense loans and sanctions targeting key Russian economic sectors. The 226-195 vote passed after supporters used a discharge petition to bypass Republican leadership, with most Republicans opposing the measure as outdated, insufficient or designed to challenge President Donald Trump. Supporters said the bill would strengthen Ukraine’s negotiating position and signal continued U.S. resolve, but acknowledged that it is unlikely to clear the Senate without Trump’s backing. The vote reflects growing congressional frustration with the administration’s handling of the war as peace efforts stall and financial support becomes increasingly difficult to secure.

Senate Republican leaders are expected to drop a proposed $1 billion security package covering the White House complex and Donald Trump’s planned ballroom after GOP lawmakers objected to its cost, timing and lack of detailed justification. The proposal was also tied to funding for ICE and Border Patrol, as well as a controversial anti-weaponization fund for Trump’s allies. Republicans are attempting to advance the remaining immigration-enforcement funding through a budget maneuver, but passage depends on parliamentary approval and party unity.

The House Ethics Committee is investigating Republican Rep. Chuck Edwards of North Carolina over allegations that he created a hostile work environment and sexually harassed two young female staffers. The allegations, reported by Axios through anonymous sources, describe conduct that crossed professional boundaries. Edwards welcomed the investigation, said he would cooperate fully and characterized politically motivated claims as fiction. The committee stressed that opening the inquiry does not establish that any violation occurred and declined further comment.

The House Ethics Committee is weighing punishment for Democratic Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick after a two-year investigation found 25 alleged violations, including campaign finance misconduct linked to approximately $5 million in misdirected COVID-19 relief funds. She faces separate federal criminal charges, has pleaded not guilty, denies the ethics allegations, and invoked her Fifth Amendment rights during the ethics process. Florida Republican Greg Steube says he will seek her expulsion, while Speaker Mike Johnson has expressed support; expulsion would require a two-thirds House vote. Supporters in Cherfilus-McCormick's district are urging caution, warning that removing her could leave constituents without representation. The case comes amid other recent congressional ethics controversies, including an ongoing investigation of Republican Rep. Cory Mills.

Donald Trump has unveiled a 2027 budget proposal calling for a record $1.5 trillion in defense spending amid the U.S.-led war against Iran. The plan would reduce non-defense programs by 10 percent, shift some responsibilities to state and local governments, cut Community Services Block Grants, and reduce funding for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Republicans support the defense increase as necessary for national security, while Democrats condemn the domestic cuts. The proposal is not legally binding and faces substantial opposition in Congress.

President Donald Trump’s proposed 2027 budget would raise defense spending to $1.5 trillion while reducing non-defense programs by 10%, shifting some responsibilities to state and local governments. The plan prioritizes immigration enforcement, military investment, aviation safety and National Park Service construction, while cutting or eliminating funding for renewable energy, climate programs, housing, agriculture, health research and low-income assistance. Republican lawmakers praised the defense increase amid threats from China, Russia and Iran, while Democrats condemned the cuts and described the budget as favoring military spending over health care and housing. Congress is expected to substantially shape or reject the proposal as it also remains deadlocked over current-year spending and Homeland Security funding.

The Senate is expected to advance a bipartisan-backed plan funding most of the Department of Homeland Security, while excluding Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol from the initial measure. House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune support the two-step strategy, but conservative Republicans may oppose it unless all immigration-enforcement agencies are funded. The bill’s fate in the House remains uncertain as the DHS shutdown enters its 47th day. Thousands of Homeland Security employees have worked without pay, contributing to TSA staffing shortages and airport delays, although conditions are beginning to improve as backpay is issued.

A Republican Senate proposal to fund the Transportation Security Administration and most of the Department of Homeland Security, while excluding Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations, is expected to fail because Democrats believe it does not sufficiently limit immigration enforcement. The 41-day partial government shutdown has left TSA workers without pay, contributed to severe staffing shortages, and raised the possibility of airport closures. Acting TSA Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill warned Congress that increasingly high employee callout rates could force officials to decide which airports remain open, while lawmakers face pressure to resolve the stalemate before leaving for spring recess.

Airport security delays have reached record levels during the 40-day partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security. TSA acting administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill reported callout rates above 40% at multiple airports, more than 480 worker resignations, severe financial hardship among unpaid employees and a sharp rise in assaults. Houston airport officials warned that security lines could exceed four hours. A Republican proposal to fund most of DHS while excluding key ICE enforcement operations has faced resistance from Democrats seeking stronger immigration safeguards, while conservative Republicans also oppose parts of the deal. President Donald Trump has not fully backed the compromise, and FEMA's disaster-relief fund is rapidly running down, adding to concerns about security and emergency response.

A Homeland Security shutdown appeared imminent after Senate Democrats blocked a funding bill and lawmakers prepared to leave Washington for a 10-day recess. Democrats are demanding tighter limits and accountability measures for ICE and other federal officers, including visible identification, stricter use-of-force rules, judicial warrants for entry, and safeguards for detainees and protesters. The White House rejected or failed to accept key demands, while Republicans argued that Democrats were obstructing funding. Immigration enforcement is expected to continue because ICE has separate funding, but a prolonged shutdown could disrupt TSA, FEMA, the Secret Service and the Coast Guard, with FEMA warning that disaster-response planning and coordination would suffer.

Homeland Security officials warned Congress that a funding lapse after Friday could disrupt disaster reimbursements, cybersecurity support, airport screening, Coast Guard operations and Secret Service programs, while forcing most department employees to work without pay. Republicans said immigration enforcement and border-wall construction would continue because of prior funding, while Democrats demanded changes to enforcement operations following the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. Although the White House said talks with both parties were constructive, agreement on a funding bill remained difficult.

A partial U.S. government shutdown began after Democrats objected to funding the Department of Homeland Security without changes to immigration-enforcement practices following the deaths of Alex Pretti and Renée Good. The Senate passed a five-bill funding package, but House approval is required to end the lapse. The Pentagon, DHS and the Transportation Department are affected, while essential workers may work without pay and some employees may be furloughed. SNAP and WIC benefits remain fully funded, although prolonged disruption could strain FEMA’s disaster-response resources, pause flood-insurance services and cause air-travel delays.

Democrats and the White House reached a provisional agreement to fund the Department of Homeland Security for two weeks, averting a partial government shutdown while broader negotiations continue. The deal separates DHS funding from a larger legislative package amid Democratic demands to reform ICE after two protesters died in Minneapolis in incidents reportedly involving federal agents. Proposed changes include ending roving patrols, coordinating with local law enforcement, and requiring body cameras and an enforceable code of conduct. President Donald Trump supports bipartisan approval, while Speaker Mike Johnson accepted the arrangement despite Republican divisions over the reforms.

The White House and Democrats reached a provisional agreement to fund most of the federal government through September while providing the Department of Homeland Security with only a two-week extension. The arrangement is intended to prevent an immediate shutdown while negotiations continue over Democratic demands to restrict ICE operations, require identification and body cameras, tighten warrant rules, and establish stronger accountability measures. Talks intensified after federal agents fatally shot protesters Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minnesota. Republicans remain divided over the proposed reforms, the extension’s duration, and sanctuary-city policies, while uncertainty remains over whether the Senate and House can approve a final Homeland Security funding bill.

The U.S. House Ethics Committee has opened a broad investigation into Rep. Cory Mills of Florida over allegations involving campaign finance, disclosure requirements, congressional resources, privately sponsored travel, and sexual misconduct or dating violence. The investigation follows a Florida court protective order involving Mills and his former girlfriend. Rep. Nancy Mace has introduced a resolution to censure Mills and remove him from the Armed Services and Foreign Affairs committees, arguing that his conduct discredits the House. The Ethics Committee stressed that opening the investigation does not establish that Mills violated any rules.

The federal government shutdown is nearing a record duration, leaving about 750,000 civilian workers furloughed and threatening delayed pay for federal employees and active-duty service members. The Trump administration is also pursuing thousands of federal-worker layoffs, although a judge has temporarily blocked the firings. Economic effects include slower growth, an estimated $1 billion a week in travel losses, suspended small-business lending and flood-insurance activity, delayed real-estate transactions, and widespread flight disruptions. Politically, Republicans and Democrats remain divided over whether healthcare funding should be included in a reopening bill, while the administration has withheld or canceled billions of dollars in infrastructure and clean-energy funding. Polling shows the public broadly blames both parties, with somewhat greater responsibility assigned to Trump and congressional Republicans.

The federal shutdown is expected to generate increasing political pressure as workers miss paychecks and essential programs approach funding limits. Military personnel face a key payday on October 15, while civilian workers could miss full paychecks later in the month. Air-traffic-controller absences are already causing delays and could create broader travel disruptions. WIC is relying on a limited contingency fund, while the White House has promised tariff revenue and says SNAP benefits will continue temporarily. Smithsonian museums and some national parks face closures or reduced services, and the U.S. travel industry estimates $1 billion in lost spending. Oxford Economics projects that each additional week of closure could reduce fourth-quarter annualized growth by 0.1 to 0.2 percentage points, while delayed economic data complicates Federal Reserve decisions.

Congress faces a possible federal government shutdown beginning at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday after Republicans proposed funding the government through November 21 and Democrats demanded changes to Medicaid cuts and Affordable Care Act tax credits. A shutdown would furlough non-excepted federal workers while essential personnel continued without immediate pay; Social Security, Medicare, veterans’ health care and mail delivery would generally continue. Parks, museums and many agency services could close or slow, while the White House budget office has raised the possibility of eliminating positions rather than merely furloughing workers. A brief shutdown would have limited economic effects, but the Congressional Budget Office and Goldman Sachs warn that prolonged closures would reduce economic growth and create broader uncertainty.

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting announced an orderly wind-down after Congress eliminated its federal funding, ending an institution created nearly six decades ago to support public media. Most CPB employees are expected to leave by September 30, while a small team will remain through January to manage remaining obligations, including music rights and royalties. The closure threatens funding and licensing arrangements for hundreds of NPR and PBS stations, particularly small-community outlets and classical-music programming. The decision follows President Donald Trump's sustained criticism of public media, his claims of liberal bias, and broader efforts against cultural and government media institutions he considers ideologically hostile.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has told lawmakers that Camp Atterbury in Indiana and Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey could temporarily house immigrants detained by federal authorities, saying the arrangement would not impair military readiness. The proposal comes as the Trump administration expands detention and deportation operations and seeks to increase available detention beds from about 60,000 to 100,000. Democratic lawmakers and civil rights advocates oppose using military installations, citing detainee conditions, military preparedness, constitutional concerns and the potential for expanded immigration raids. No timetable has been announced, and officials have not said whether additional bases are being considered.

The Senate version of Donald Trump's sweeping domestic policy bill combines roughly $3.8 trillion in tax cuts with major funding for border enforcement, deportations, defense and the Golden Dome missile-defense system. It would make existing tax rates permanent, add breaks for tips, overtime and some auto loans, expand the child tax credit and temporarily increase the SALT deduction. Republicans would offset part of the cost through tighter Medicaid and food-stamp eligibility rules, new work requirements, and the rollback of Biden-era clean-energy incentives. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the House version would leave at least 10.9 million more people uninsured, remove 3 million people from food-stamp eligibility and add $2.4 trillion to deficits over a decade. Other provisions address AI regulation, transgender healthcare, Planned Parenthood funding, public-land sales, children's savings accounts and space exploration, while the ultimate cost remains disputed because Senate Republicans use a different budget baseline.

Congressional leaders unveiled a stopgap spending bill funding the federal government through March 14 and providing $100.4 billion in disaster relief plus $10 billion in economic assistance for farmers. The measure is intended to avert a partial shutdown after Friday and defer final spending decisions to the next Republican-led Congress and President-elect Donald Trump. Funding includes aid for FEMA disaster response, agricultural losses, transportation infrastructure, community recovery and rebuilding loans. Lawmakers also included provisions extending Medicare telehealth coverage and limiting pharmacy benefit managers' earnings. House and Senate approval was expected before lawmakers adjourn for the holidays.

The House is expected to pass an $895.2 billion National Defense Authorization Act that raises pay by 14.5% for junior enlisted personnel and 4.5% for other service members, while adding resources for military childcare and housing. The bill maintains spending limits from the 2023 McCarthy-Biden agreement, frustrating senators who sought roughly $25 billion more for defense. Democrats object to a provision barring TRICARE coverage for gender-dysphoria treatments for minors that could result in sterilization, while Republicans support the restriction and other cultural-policy provisions. The legislation also directs $15.6 billion toward military capabilities in the Indo-Pacific, expands joint exercises with Israel, and restricts Pentagon use of Hamas casualty data. The Senate is expected to consider the measure the following week before sending it to President Biden.

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell told lawmakers that an employee instructed about 11 workers to avoid homes displaying Trump signs during hurricane-relief canvassing. She said the employee was recommended for termination, supported an independent inspector general investigation, and rejected the idea that the incident reflected widespread problems within FEMA. The House hearing also examined FEMA's response to Hurricanes Helene and Milton, with lawmakers citing delays and serious infrastructure and communication failures, while Criswell defended the agency's work and said teams were sent to reach the homes that had been skipped.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas warned that FEMA can meet immediate needs after Hurricane Helene but lacks enough funding to last through the remainder of hurricane season. Congress recently provided FEMA with $20 billion for its disaster relief fund, but officials and lawmakers from affected states say additional supplemental funding may be necessary as more than 150,000 households seek assistance. House Speaker Mike Johnson said Congress had supplied the necessary resources, while bipartisan senators urged leaders to consider returning before the election. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris visited the Southeast as officials assessed widespread destruction and more than 160 deaths, including at least 57 in and around Asheville, North Carolina.

Maryland’s congressional delegation plans legislation clarifying that the federal government will cover 100% of the cost of replacing Baltimore’s collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge, rather than the usual 90% federal and 10% state split. Officials estimate reconstruction could cost about $400 million and take at least 18 months, while federal funds will be provided before insurance and liability claims are resolved. Salvage crews are removing debris from the navigation channel, with a limited one-way channel expected to reopen this month and the main channel cleared by the end of May. Some House Republicans seek spending offsets, regulatory waivers and changes to Biden administration energy policy before approving additional funding, raising concerns about political delays.

Sens. Sherrod Brown and Rick Scott urged President Joe Biden to end duty-free treatment for packages valued below $800, arguing that the de minimis rule allows Chinese retailers such as Temu, Shein and AliExpress to undercut U.S. manufacturers and retailers. The volume of such shipments rose from about 220 million in 2016 to 685 million in fiscal 2022. Business representatives oppose eliminating the exemption, warning that customs processing, duties and brokerage fees would delay shipments and could roughly double consumer costs.

The Senate passed a roughly $95.3 billion emergency spending package providing about $60 billion for Ukraine, $14.1 billion for Israel and regional U.S. military operations, more than $8 billion to support Indo-Pacific partners and deter China, and $9.2 billion in humanitarian assistance. The package also funds replenishment of U.S. weapons, security grants for nonprofits and places of worship, and sanctions targeting fentanyl-linked criminal organizations. A bipartisan border-enforcement proposal was removed after Republican opposition influenced by Donald Trump. The bill now faces an uncertain future in the Republican-led House, where Speaker Mike Johnson has suggested passage could take weeks or months, or may not occur.

The House is preparing to vote on a roughly $79 billion bipartisan tax package that would gradually expand the refundable child tax credit, restore business deductions for equipment, machinery and domestic research, increase flexibility for interest deductions, and expand a low-income rental housing credit. The measure would also provide tax relief for certain wildfire and East Palestine derailment compensation payments. Speaker Mike Johnson supports the bill, while some Republicans object to the child credit and Democrats say it falls short of the broader 2021 expansion. Accelerating the deadline for claiming the employee retention tax credit is expected to offset much of the cost, but the bill’s prospects in the Senate remain uncertain.

Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden and House Ways and Means Committee Chair Jason Smith announced a roughly $78 billion bipartisan tax package that would expand the refundable child tax credit and restore business deductions for research, equipment, machinery, technology and borrowing costs. The child credit would rise incrementally to a maximum refundable amount of $2,000 by 2025, potentially benefiting 16 million children in low-income families. The agreement would be funded by ending the COVID-era employee retention tax credit earlier, tightening enforcement and blocking new claims after January 31. Congressional timing pressures and competing legislation could complicate passage before the January 29 start of tax filing season.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin remained hospitalized at Walter Reed after complications from a minor elective procedure, while the Pentagon disclosed that Deputy Secretary Kathleen Hicks and President Joe Biden were not informed of his hospitalization until January 4. Austin accepted responsibility for the delayed notification, but did not disclose details about his condition. Republican and Democratic lawmakers, along with the Pentagon Press Association, criticized the lack of transparency and demanded a full account of the medical procedure, the delegation of authority, and the delay in informing senior officials. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed support for Austin, who said he was recovering and expected to return to work.

Approximately 653,000 people were experiencing homelessness in the United States in January, a 12% increase—or about 70,650 people—from 2022 and the highest level recorded since annual point-in-time counts began in 2007. Officials attributed the rise largely to soaring housing costs, a shortage of affordable homes, and the expiration of pandemic-era rental assistance, stimulus payments, and eviction protections. Homelessness increased among individuals, veterans, and families with children, while Black Americans and older adults remained disproportionately represented. Federal officials called for stronger measures to prevent homelessness and help people move quickly into permanent housing.

The U.S. House passed, by a 407-9 vote, legislation named for Virginia Rep. Jennifer Wexton and the late brother of Florida Rep. Gus Bilirakis. The bill would establish an advisory council of public health experts and private-sector representatives to issue annual reports on efforts to prevent, treat and cure Parkinson’s disease. Wexton, whose condition has rapidly worsened and who will not seek reelection, described the personal impact on her family while pledging to continue advocating for the Parkinson’s community. Several lawmakers, including Jennifer McClellan and Russ Fulcher, highlighted their personal connections to the disease and praised Wexton’s leadership.

A special House committee focused on China recommends fundamentally changing China’s preferential U.S. trade status, potentially leading to higher tariffs across selected sectors. The proposal has bipartisan support and includes nearly 150 recommendations, but the committee acknowledges that retaliation could harm American farmers, ranchers, exporters, manufacturers, and consumers. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce supports a stronger response to China but favors targeted measures over a broad repeal. The committee also wants to lower the $800 duty-free threshold for low-value imports, particularly from China, while Congress weighs the economic and national-security consequences of disrupting substantial bilateral trade.

House lawmakers from both parties moved to force a vote on expelling Rep. George Santos of New York after a House Ethics Committee report accused him of exploiting his candidacy for personal financial gain, stealing from his campaign and deceiving donors. Republican Rep. Michael Guest and Democratic Rep. Robert Garcia introduced competing privileged resolutions, requiring House action within two days and potentially a vote as soon as Wednesday. Santos opposed expulsion before his federal case is resolved and argued that doing so would create a dangerous precedent, but he said he would not resign. Expulsion requires a two-thirds majority, which Garcia expects the House to achieve; Santos faces 23 federal charges, including identity theft, unauthorized credit-card use and false campaign-finance reporting.

Eight House Republicans—Andy Biggs, Ken Buck, Tim Burchett, Eli Crane, Matt Gaetz, Bob Good, Nancy Mace and Matt Rosendale—joined Democrats in voting to remove Kevin McCarthy as speaker, making him the first speaker in U.S. history ousted by colleagues. Most cited frustration with McCarthy’s handling of spending legislation, broken commitments and willingness to compromise, while McCarthy accused the group of being chaotic and, particularly in Gaetz’s case, motivated by personal ambition. The vote exposed deep divisions within the House Republican conference over fiscal policy, leadership and governing strategy.

Rep. Matt Gaetz filed a resolution to remove Kevin McCarthy as speaker of the House, setting up a likely showdown vote. Gaetz’s challenge followed McCarthy’s decision to rely on Democratic support to pass legislation funding the government. The motion to vacate is a rarely used tool that McCarthy had made easier for individual Republicans to initiate, leaving his speakership dependent in part on whether Democrats decline to support his removal.

A US government funding bill that keeps the government open until 17 November excluded additional aid for Ukraine, effectively blocking a Senate package that would have provided about $6bn. The decision reflected growing Republican resistance and broader congressional divisions, despite continued support from Democratic leaders and some Republicans. Pentagon officials warned that existing security assistance is nearly exhausted and that delays could affect air defence and ammunition supplies as Russia prepares a winter offensive. Senate leaders pledged to pursue the White House’s full $24bn request, but approval is becoming more difficult as lawmakers demand greater accountability, link aid to southern-border immigration measures, or argue that domestic priorities should come first.

The U.S. government is nearing a shutdown as House hard-right Republicans reject Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s temporary funding plan, demanding deeper spending cuts and stricter border measures. The Senate is preparing a bipartisan bill that would fund the government through 17 November and provide aid to Ukraine and U.S. disaster relief, but House opposition makes a shutdown highly likely. Federal workers, military personnel, airport operations and programs such as Head Start and food assistance could face disruptions, while McCarthy also faces threats to his speakership from conservatives aligned with Donald Trump.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy proposed a temporary funding bill that would keep the federal government operating through October 31 while imposing cuts of up to nearly 30% on most agencies and adding stringent border-security measures. The plan, driven by demands from House conservatives including Matt Gaetz, faced opposition from both the Republican right flank and the Democratic-controlled Senate, which was pursuing a bipartisan alternative that included aid for Ukraine and disaster relief. With Congress unable to agree on funding, a shutdown was expected after midnight Saturday, threatening pay for roughly 2 million military personnel, furloughs for federal workers and disruptions to government services.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy rejected taking up a bipartisan Senate bill that would fund the federal government through November 17 and provide aid for Ukraine and U.S. disaster relief. With funding set to expire after midnight Saturday, House Republicans remained divided over a competing stopgap measure tied to spending cuts and increased border security. McCarthy promised a House plan but faced resistance from conservatives, including Matt Gaetz, while some lawmakers considered joining Democrats to pass a funding bill without him. President Joe Biden and Senate leaders warned that McCarthy's strategy was making a shutdown more likely and could harm Republicans politically.

President Joe Biden is seeking an additional $24 billion in military and humanitarian aid for Ukraine, but approval is uncertain as congressional Republicans disagree over how the funding should be handled. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy favors a standalone debate, while Senate leaders want to attach the aid to a short-term spending measure or other priorities. Many House Republicans oppose or question continued assistance, citing oversight, domestic spending pressures and limited public understanding of the war, while Senate leaders and other lawmakers argue that rapid approval is strategically essential. The dispute could delay future U.S. aid and create political risks for McCarthy as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visits Washington.

Republicans representing 18 House districts won by Joe Biden in 2020 are broadly backing Kevin McCarthy’s impeachment inquiry into Biden, despite the potential electoral risks in swing districts. Democrats are framing the probe as a partisan distraction and plan to use it against vulnerable Republicans, while Republican leaders argue voters want transparency and accountability. The inquiry was launched without a House vote, sparing lawmakers from taking a recorded position, although several said they would have supported it. Polling shows much greater concern about alleged Biden wrongdoing among Republicans than Democrats, and the 1998 losses suffered by House Republicans after impeaching Bill Clinton provide a warning that the investigation could hurt its supporters.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s decision to launch an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden has secured broader Republican support, including from some moderates representing districts Biden won. Republicans are investigating whether Biden was involved in the business dealings of his son Hunter, while the White House calls the allegations unfounded and has urged news organizations to report on them accurately. The inquiry may help McCarthy respond to pressure from Donald Trump’s allies, but it has not resolved the speaker’s more immediate challenge of passing government-funding bills before the September 30 deadline. Hard-right Republicans continue to demand spending cuts below the levels agreed to in McCarthy’s budget deal with Biden, raising the risk of a shutdown. Democrats oppose both the impeachment effort and the proposed spending measures, including amendments to cut Ukraine funding and reduce the Pentagon’s diversity programs.

Alabama Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville is blocking roughly 300 routine military promotions and nominations until the Pentagon rescinds a policy reimbursing service members for travel to obtain abortion or other reproductive care. Defense officials and the secretaries of the Army, Navy and Air Force warn that the blockade is harming military readiness, leaving several service branches without Senate-confirmed chiefs and potentially affecting as many as 650 nominations by year-end. Tuberville insists the policy must be reversed before the holds are lifted, while Democrats reject holding individual votes on every nomination; Republican senators remain divided over how to break the impasse.

The House Freedom Caucus has demanded that any short-term government funding bill include spending below the levels agreed to by Kevin McCarthy and Joe Biden, tougher border and asylum restrictions, action against what it calls politicization of the Justice Department and FBI, and no open-ended funding for Ukraine. The demands are unlikely to pass the Democratic-controlled Senate or receive White House approval, leaving McCarthy dependent on bipartisan support despite his narrow House majority. With Congress returning after Labor Day and the Oct. 1 fiscal-year deadline approaching, lawmakers may need a temporary funding measure to avoid a shutdown; failure to enact spending bills could eventually trigger a 1% across-the-board reduction.

Congress recessed for August without resolving major differences over funding the federal government before the Oct. 1 start of the new fiscal year. Senate Democrats are largely following the spending limits agreed to by President Joe Biden and House Republicans in the debt-ceiling deal, while House Republicans are seeking deeper cuts and adding contentious provisions on abortion, transgender veterans and federal diversity programs. The House has passed only one of 12 spending bills, while the Senate has advanced all 12 through committee but passed none. Lawmakers increasingly expect to need a short-term funding bill, yet disagreements within the narrow House Republican majority and between the House and Senate could still lead to a partial government shutdown.

The House passed a five-year FAA reauthorization bill by a 351-69 vote, providing more funding to hire air traffic controllers and raising the mandatory airline-pilot retirement age from 65 to 67. Lawmakers rejected a proposal to count additional flight-simulator hours toward pilot training requirements and declined to add more long-haul flights at Reagan Washington National Airport. The bill authorizes more than $100 billion in aviation spending, but the Senate is behind schedule and the chambers must reconcile differences or approve a short-term extension before the October 1 deadline. Consumer advocates oppose a provision that would weaken upfront airline fare disclosure, while airlines and business groups support the legislation's workforce and infrastructure measures.

The Republican-led House passed a $874.2 billion defense authorization bill by 219–210, including a 5.2% service-member pay raise but also provisions restricting Pentagon abortion coverage, diversity initiatives and some transgender medical care. Most efforts to halt U.S. support for Ukraine failed. Democrats condemned the measure as an extreme departure from the traditionally bipartisan defense bill, while Republicans defended it as a rejection of programs they consider ideological. The Democratic-controlled Senate is expected to rewrite the legislation, making the House provisions unlikely to survive unchanged.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog is scheduled to address a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress on July 19, 2023, marking Israel’s 75th anniversary and emphasizing the countries’ longstanding relationship. The invitation comes amid tensions between President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over Israel’s judicial overhaul, West Bank settlements and policies toward Palestinians. Congressional leaders characterized Herzog’s appearance as evidence of bipartisan support for Israel, while Kevin McCarthy also challenged Biden by suggesting he could invite Netanyahu to address Congress.

The volume of low-value packages entering the United States duty-free under the $800 de minimis rule has surged from about 220 million in 2016 to hundreds of millions annually, with Chinese retailers Temu and Shein accounting for a substantial share. Lawmakers and former Trump trade representative Robert Lighthizer argue that the exemption weakens customs enforcement, enables potential forced-labor imports and disadvantages U.S. retailers that pay duties. Business groups defend the rule as a way to reduce costs and administrative burdens, warning that tighter limits could raise prices and disrupt supply chains. Bipartisan congressional proposals would lower the threshold or exclude China and other countries, signaling growing support for a major overhaul of the policy.

Congressional leaders unveiled a commemorative Forever stamp honoring former Rep. John Lewis at the U.S. Capitol. Featuring a photograph by Marco Grob, the stamp was scheduled for release in July, while the main post office in Atlanta was to be named after Lewis. Speakers highlighted Lewis's leadership in the Bloody Sunday march, the 1963 March on Washington and his more than three decades in Congress, emphasizing his legacy of pursuing “good trouble” and advancing voting rights.

House Republicans plan to pursue appropriations bills below the spending caps negotiated by Speaker Kevin McCarthy and the White House in the debt-ceiling agreement. Democrats warn that this approach amounts to abandoning the deal and could produce a standoff with the Senate and President Joe Biden, potentially leading to a government shutdown when funding expires in the fall. Republican hard-liners support deeper nondefense cuts, while some Republicans and senators caution against allowing a small bloc to derail previously agreed spending levels. The dispute is intensified by the House GOP’s narrow majority and the approaching 2024 election.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is considering a fiscal commission made up of lawmakers and business leaders to develop further deficit-reduction proposals after the debt-ceiling agreement delivered about $1.5 trillion in projected savings but excluded major programs such as Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. The effort faces deep partisan divisions: Republicans generally oppose tax increases, while Democrats resist benefit cuts. Senate Republicans support the concept, but Democrats, including Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden, fear it could be used to pursue cuts to social programs. The commission would also need Senate and White House participation, and its recommendations could be difficult to advance during the 2024 presidential election year. Earlier efforts, including Simpson-Bowles and the congressional “supercommittee,” failed to produce lasting deficit-reduction legislation.

The House approved a bipartisan debt ceiling and budget package by a 314-117 vote, sending it to the Senate ahead of the Treasury’s projected deadline for running out of cash. Negotiated by President Joe Biden and Speaker Kevin McCarthy, the agreement suspends the debt limit until January 2025, caps spending for two years and is projected by the Congressional Budget Office to reduce deficits by $1.5 trillion over a decade. It also imposes new work requirements for some older food-aid recipients, approves the Mountain Valley Pipeline and limits new IRS funding. Hard-right Republicans and many liberal Democrats opposed the deal for different reasons, but Senate leaders were seeking rapid passage without amendments to avoid a potentially severe government default and economic disruption.

The debt ceiling agreement rescinds $1.4 billion from the IRS and redirects another $20 billion over two years to nondefense programs, delivering Republicans a major goal after their campaign against expanded IRS funding. Biden administration officials and some Democrats say the agency will retain nearly three-quarters of its $80 billion boost and can continue improving customer service, auditing wealthy taxpayers and developing a free tax-filing system. Analysts and other Democrats warn that reduced resources will slow enforcement and modernization, potentially worsening existing audit disparities and reducing future tax collections. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the $1.4 billion rescission could increase deficits by about $900 million over a decade because of lost revenue.

President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy worked to assemble bipartisan support for a debt ceiling and budget agreement ahead of a House vote, with the Treasury warning that the United States could run out of money the following Monday. The 99-page package would cap spending for two years, suspend the debt limit until January 2025 and reduce projected deficits by an estimated $1.5 trillion, while adding work requirements for some older food-aid recipients and approving the Mountain Valley Pipeline. Conservative Republicans argued that the spending cuts were inadequate and threatened McCarthy’s leadership, while progressive Democrats opposed the work requirements and pipeline provision. Passage depended on centrist support in both parties, followed by rapid Senate approval to avert a potentially destabilizing default.

President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy reached an agreement in principle to raise the debt ceiling for two years and avert a potential U.S. default. The deal would largely freeze non-defense spending in fiscal 2024 and permit 1% growth the following year, fully fund veterans’ medical care, modify SNAP work requirements, and streamline environmental reviews for energy projects. It excludes proposed Medicaid work requirements and Republican efforts to repeal Biden’s student loan relief, which remains subject to a Supreme Court ruling. Conservative lawmakers criticized the agreement as insufficiently focused on deficit reduction, while Democrats objected to changes that could restrict access to food assistance.

President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy reached an agreement in principle to suspend the debt ceiling for two years while holding federal spending flat in 2024 and limiting its growth to 1% in 2025. The deal includes expanded food-assistance work requirements, with exemptions for veterans and homeless people, and changes intended to streamline environmental reviews. Congress must approve the package before the Treasury’s revised June 5 deadline to avoid a potentially catastrophic default. The compromise faces opposition from both progressive Democrats and hard-right Republicans, while McCarthy must balance securing Democratic votes with maintaining his narrow Republican majority.

President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy reached an agreement in principle to suspend the debt ceiling for two years while capping federal spending, expanding some food-stamp work requirements and streamlining environmental reviews for energy projects. Negotiators still needed to finalize the legislative text, and both leaders faced opposition from members of their own parties. The House was expected to vote Wednesday after Congress returned from Memorial Day, followed by Senate consideration that could be delayed by amendments or procedural objections. If both chambers approved the bill quickly, Biden could sign it before the Treasury Department’s projected June 5 default deadline, avoiding a potentially severe economic crisis.

Negotiations between the Biden administration and House Republicans over raising the $31 trillion debt limit repeatedly stalled, with the sides divided over spending cuts, tax increases and the size and duration of budget caps. Republicans sought major reductions and limits on future spending, while Democrats warned that the proposals could severely affect domestic programs and pressed for higher taxes on wealthy Americans. Biden expressed confidence that default could be avoided, but Republican negotiators remained uncertain. Markets fell as talks stopped, and officials warned that even the threat of default could trigger a recession and destabilize the global economy.

Debt-limit negotiations between House Republicans and the Biden administration stalled after lead Republican negotiator Garret Graves said talks should be paused because they were unproductive and unreasonable. Republicans are demanding major spending cuts that President Joe Biden has rejected, while both parties must ultimately support any agreement in the divided Congress. The negotiations were taking place under pressure from a possible U.S. default as early as June 1.

The House voted 221–204 along party lines to refer a resolution seeking George Santos’s expulsion to the House Ethics Committee, allowing Republicans to avoid a direct vote that could have threatened their narrow majority. Santos, who faces federal charges involving campaign funds, unemployment benefits and false statements about his finances, voted with Republicans and has pleaded not guilty. Democrats accused Republican leaders of protecting Santos, while Republican Anthony D’Esposito said he supported expulsion but believed there were not enough votes to reach the required two-thirds threshold. Republican leaders argued that Santos should have his day in court before Congress considers expulsion, consistent with precedents involving lawmakers convicted of federal crimes.

President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy have appointed four senior negotiators—Republican Rep. Garret Graves and Biden advisers Steve Ricchetti, Louisa Terrell and Shalanda Young—to resolve the debt-limit standoff before the Treasury Department’s projected June 1 default deadline. The negotiators bring experience in bipartisan dealmaking, congressional relations and federal spending. Graves is portrayed as a Republican facilitator trusted by House members, while Ricchetti, Terrell and Young are experienced Biden administration officials with strong Capitol Hill relationships. Their task is to overcome internal party divisions and reach an agreement that prevents a potentially severe economic crisis.

House Democrats moved to force a vote on expelling New York Republican Rep. George Santos, who has been indicted on charges including campaign embezzlement, fraudulently receiving unemployment benefits and lying to Congress. The effort is expected to fail because expulsion requires a two-thirds majority, while Republican leaders prefer referring the matter to the House Ethics Committee and allowing Santos to have his day in court. Santos has denied the charges, pleaded not guilty, rejected calls to resign and said he intends to seek reelection. Democrats are using the vote to pressure Republicans and connect Santos to the broader Republican brand.

Senate Democrats are using hearings to highlight the potential effects of the House Republican debt-ceiling bill, including spending caps that they say could reduce funding for services such as Head Start, Meals on Wheels, cancer research and veterans’ health care. The legislation would raise the borrowing limit while cutting projected deficits through measures including recouping unused COVID-19 aid, repealing clean-energy tax credits and reversing student-debt relief. Republicans argue that spending reductions are necessary and that President Joe Biden must negotiate before the debt ceiling is increased, while Democrats are expected to block the House bill. Economic analysts warn that the proposed cuts could cost about 790,000 jobs and increase recession risk. Witnesses also defended clean-energy incentives and methane-emissions charges, citing investment, public-health and climate benefits, as lawmakers face a potential default deadline around June 1.

Senate Democrats are developing a broad China-competition bill that could restrict U.S. technology and capital flows to Chinese companies, limit Chinese purchases of American farmland, expand scrutiny of foreign-made apps, strengthen supply chains, and deter aggression against Taiwan. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer hopes to build on the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act, but Republican control of the House and concerns about spending, debt, and inflation could make passage difficult. Lawmakers in both parties nevertheless see confronting China as an area for potential cooperation.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy secured passage of a Republican bill to raise the debt ceiling by $1.5 trillion while imposing major spending reductions and stricter work requirements for some benefit recipients. The measure is unlikely to pass the Democratic-controlled Senate, but Republicans view it as leverage to force President Joe Biden into negotiations. Biden and congressional Democrats insist the debt limit should be raised without conditions and warn that the Republican proposal threatens essential services. With the Treasury’s funds expected to run short by late July, analysts caution that even the threat of default could destabilize the economy, while McCarthy faces pressure from conservative Republicans to maintain a hard-line position.