Senate GOP finalizing scaled-down food stamp cuts after backlash

Senate Republicans are finalizing a scaled-down plan to force some federal food aid costs to states as a way to pay for President Donald Trump’s megabill, according to five people with direct knowledge of the matter. The move to downsize the controversial House GOP plan comes after intense pushback from Republican senators. That includes some […]

Senior House Republican sends warning to White House on funding clawbacks

At least one senior congressional appropriator isn’t interested in White House budget chief Russ Vought’s enthusiasm for so-called “pocket rescissions,” which would allow the Trump administration to make permanent cuts to federal spending without congressional approval. “I think it’s a bad idea,” Rep. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho), chair of the Interior-Environment subcommittee, told reporters Tuesday. “It […]

Eleanor Holmes Norton says she’s seeking re-election amid age questions

Eleanor Holmes Norton, D.C.’s nonvoting House delegate, told reporters Tuesday she intends to seek re-election amid mounting questions about her ability to serve in Congress. “Yeah, sure,” she said when asked about running for re-election. Asked how she would respond to critics who have questioned her abilities at age 87, replied, “I’m going to run. […]

Capitol agenda: GOP eyes cuts to Trump’s tax promises

Senate Finance Republicans are increasingly looking to dial back key items on President Donald Trump’s tax policy wish list. And it’s pitting them against the architect of the House-passed tax legislation, Ways and Means Chair Jason Smith — and potentially even the White House. The rub is this: The House version of the megabill would […]

Mark Green says he’ll retire from House after megabill vote

Rep. Mark Green said Monday he plans to resign from Congress after four terms to accept a private-sector job offer. The Tennessee Republican and Homeland Security Committee said his retirement would begin after the House votes again on the GOP’s domestic-policy megabill now under consideration in the Senate. “I am grateful to Speaker Johnson and […]

Thune hopes to pass stablecoin bill this week

Senate Republicans are aiming to pass landmark cryptocurrency legislation that would create new rules for dollar-pegged digital tokens this week, Majority Leader John Thune said Monday. “We’re trying to figure out if there’s still a path forward on amendments, but the goal is to have it across the floor” this week, Thune said in a […]

Democratic senator seeks guardrails as Trump deploys troops to LA

President Donald Trump’s decision to deploy troops to Los Angeles in response to protests is driving a new push in Congress to rein in presidential power. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) told POLITICO he is drafting new legislation to sharply limit a president’s ability to deploy troops on American soil — a move he says is […]