Johnson on Trump’s Hormuz plan

Speaker Mike Johnson said he supports President Donald Trump’s effort to build a global coalition ensure safe passage of commerce through the Strait of Hormuz — even if Trump “didn’t anticipate it” being necessary before launching airstrikes against Iran. Speaking to reporters after attending a Washington event with Trump, Johnson said the president told him […]

One month later, the DHS shutdown shows no signs of ending

Top Democrats and White House officials are nowhere near close to a breakthrough in negotiations to end the Homeland Security shutdown as the funding lapse is due to hit its one-month mark Saturday and real pain begins. It’s been more than two weeks since the White House laid out its latest proposal for restoring full […]

Who’s on the Gonzales probe

The House Ethics Committee named members to the investigative subcommittee that will probe allegations against embattled Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas), who allegedly had an affair with a staffer who later died by suicide. The panel will be chaired by Rep. Michael Guest (R-Miss.) and include Reps. Deborah Ross (D-N.C.), Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa) and Greg Stanton […]

Ernst pushes spending cuts for another party-line policy package

House Republicans discussed plans for a second party-line megabill during their policy retreat in Florida this past week, and now GOP senators want in on the action. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), in her capacity as head of the Senate DOGE Caucus, sent a letter to Speaker Mike Johnson and House Budget Chair Jodey Arrington (R-Texas) […]

Capitol agenda: House revolt ahead for housing bill

The Senate is on track to easily pass a housing affordability package Thursday that is dead in the House as is — an ominous sign for any GOP affordability measures. The bipartisan package, aimed at lowering high housing costs, is expected to sail through the Senate after an 89-9-1 procedural vote earlier this week. But […]

Oklahoma Rep. Hern launches bid to succeed Mullin in Senate

GOP Rep. Kevin Hern announced his campaign Wednesday for an open Senate seat in Oklahoma to replace Sen. Markwayne Mullin, who President Donald Trump tapped to lead the Department of Homeland Security. Hern, who chairs the Republican Policy Committee, is the first high-profile GOP candidate to officially enter the race for Mullin’s seat, which was […]