Past Democratic presidential wannabes? Sign most Senate Republicans up.

Tulsi Gabbard and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. often talked like fairly conventional Democrats when they ran for that party’s presidential nomination. Senate Republicans are treating that past political history as water under the bridge. That’s not to suggest either nominee — both of whom very publicly left the Democratic Party — will get a free […]

Dems want answers on Billy Long’s tax credit work

Senate Democratic tax writers are demanding more details about former Rep. Billy Long’s work promoting a troubled pandemic era tax credit for businesses as they consider his possible nomination to head the IRS. In a pair of letters to companies Long (R-Mo.) said he worked with, the lawmakers want to know how much money he […]

Dems brace to bail out Johnson on stopgap spending package

House Democrats are once again likely to bail out Speaker Mike Johnson on a stopgap spending bill, as conservatives largely vow to oppose it on the floor. “I expect we’re going to pass the CR,” said Connecticut Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the top Democrat on the Appropriations Committee. “Because Republicans can’t pass this on their own, […]

Trump’s DOT landing team taking shape

The landing team for the Transportation Department includes an official from President-elect Donald Trump’s first term and a former aide to the chair of the House Transportation Committee, according to four people familiar with the matter. That includes Brigham McCown and Andrew Giacini, according to the people, who are former or current DOT officials or […]

DOJ opposes Jan. 6 defendant’s bid to attend Trump’s inauguration

The Justice Department is urging a federal judge to deny a Jan. 6 defendant’s request to attend President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration next month, saying she still “presents a danger to the D.C. community” and the police who protect the Capitol. “Many of these officers will, once again, be tasked in protecting the Capitol and Constitution […]

Ethics Committee secretly voted to release Gaetz report

The House Ethics Committee has taken the rare and controversial step of voting to release its investigative report into former Rep. Matt Gaetz, according to a person familiar with the matter. The private vote earlier this month means at least one Republican on the panel, which has membership that is evenly split between both parties, […]

Conservatives back border first, taxes later strategy in major party-line bills next year

Some of the most influential conservatives in Congress are throwing their weight behind a two-step approach to enacting President-elect Donald Trump’s agenda early next Congress. In a letter Wednesday led by Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) and House Freedom Caucus Chair Andy Harris (R-Md.), the influential bloc of Republicans voiced support for an initial effort aimed […]