Trump-backed Gallrein officially launches bid to unseat Massie

Kentucky GOP Rep. Thomas Massie has officially drawn a Donald Trump-backed challenger. Ed Gallrein, who preemptively earned the president’s endorsement last week, launched his campaign Tuesday to oust the seven-term lawmaker Trump began targeting earlier this year over Massie’s opposition to Republicans’ megalaw. “This district is Trump Country. The President doesn’t need obstacles in Congress […]

Capitol agenda: Time for a new CR?

Republicans know the House-passed funding patch is probably no longer viable as the shutdown inches closer to the Nov. 21 expiration date. But they’re split over how much more time they should give themselves to come up with a plan to fund the government for a full fiscal year. Some fiscal hard-liners, who generally don’t […]

GOP leaders map out potential Obamacare extension as hard-liners warm to health talks

Republican leaders on Capitol Hill are quietly ramping up talks within their senior ranks and with White House officials over how to structure and advance a potential extension of key Affordable Care Act insurance subsidies before the end of the year, according to three people granted anonymity to describe the conversations. One option under serious […]

Thune hopes White House withdraws Ingrassia nomination

Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Monday he hopes the White House withdraws Paul Ingrassia’s Office of Special Counsel nomination, after POLITICO reported on texts that showed him making racist remarks to fellow Republicans. “He’s not gonna pass,” the South Dakota Republican told reporters. Ingrassia is scheduled to testify on his nomination Thursday before the […]

Rick Scott will oppose embattled Trump nom Ingrassia

Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) says he will oppose Paul Ingrassia’s nomination to lead the White House Office of the Special Counsel following a POLITICO report on texts that showed he made racist and antisemitic remarks. “I’m not supporting him,” said Scott in an interview Monday evening. “I can’t imagine how anybody can be antisemitic in […]

Russia sanctions bill on hold for now, Thune says

Senate Majority Leader John Thune indicated Monday that legislation slapping new sanctions on Russia and its trading partners is on hold until after an upcoming meeting between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. “I think they’re thinking that — see how this meeting goes in a couple of weeks with Putin,” Thune told […]

John E. Sununu to announce New Hampshire Senate bid this week

Former Sen. John E. Sununu is expected to launch a Senate comeback bid in New Hampshire this week, according to two people granted anonymity to discuss the campaign-in-waiting. Sununu has been exploring a run since September for the seat he held for a single term before being ousted by Democrat Jeanne Shaheen in 2008. Shaheen […]

Mike Johnson says Trump was ‘using satire to make a point’ with AI poop-bombing video

Speaker Mike Johnson gamely defended President Donald Trump’s weekend social media post showing him dropping apparent human excrement on liberal protesters in comments to reporters Monday, calling it “satire.” Trump on Saturday evening posted an AI-generated video on Truth Social showing him wearing a crown at the stick of a warplane emblazoned with “King Trump.” […]