Senate Advances Defense Policy Bill After Weeks-Long Stalemate
Last Thursday, the Senate approved its version of the annual defense policy bill (S.2296) in a 77-20 vote. The measure authorizes $925.8 billion in national defense spending, $32.1 billion above the levels requested by the Trump administration. The vote ends a nearly month-long impasse over the amendment process that had stalled the bill since early September.
Negotiations Continue, Agencies Release Shutdown Directives, and the Executive Branch Retaliates
The federal government officially shut down at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, October 1, following the Senate’s failure to pass the House-approved continuing resolution (CR) [217 - 212]. The House remains in recess, leaving the Senate as the only chamber currently in session and capable of taking action to reopen the government.
State of the Shutdown: Updates We’ve Been Watching
The threat of a government shutdown continues to loom over Washington after a week of dueling proposals. The Republican stopgap was rejected by Democrats on a 48-44 vote after passing the House on Friday morning. Sen. Fetterman (PA) was the only Democrat to vote for the GOP proposal, while Sen. Murkowski (AK) and Sen. Paul (KY) voted against it. The Democratic counterproposal was also rejected in a 47-45 vote. These outcomes were expected, The GOP bill does not extend the ACA subsidies slated to expire Dec. 31, and Democratic leaders vowed to oppose any bill that doesn’t extend them.
House Rescission Package Deep-Dive
A rescission package refers to a proposal by the President to cancel or amend previously approved government spending, often targeting specific programs already set in place. In simple terms, it is the President’s way to propose budget cuts on a national level. The process involves the President submitting their rescission package to Congress, who, in turn, have 45 days to approve, reject, or change the proposed package.
House Passes a $9.4 Billion Rescission Package in funding for Foreign Aid, NPR, PBS
On Thursday, June 12th, the House approved a rescissions package request from the White House to rescind funding for NPR, PBS, and international aid that lawmakers had previously. In a 214 to 212 vote, all but four House Republicans voted in favor of the measure, with all Democrats opposing.
Bill Analysis: The Big, Beautiful Bill Act Advances to Senate
President Donald Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ narrowly cleared the House of Representatives on Thursday morning, advancing a major legislative package designed to prevent a year-end tax increase and adjust several critical government programs.
House vs. Senate: GOP Budget Battle Reveals Deep Divisions
The Republican Party’s struggle to advance its budget blueprint highlights deep divisions between House and Senate members. As House Republicans push the Senate to adopt their framework to expedite President Trump’s ambitious policy agenda, Senate Republicans are charting their own course.
Navigating the FY25 Funding Deadline, FY26 Negotiations, and the Budget Reconciliation Showdown
As the Trump Administration enters its second month, the federal budget process is emerging as one of the most closely watched political battlegrounds.
Budget Reconciliation 101
Budget Reconciliation was born out of The Congressional Budget Act of 1974, which established the congressional budget process for determining national priorities. Reconciliation is a fast-track budgetary mechanism that enables policy changes related to spending, revenues, and federal debt limits to be enacted into law.
Brooke Rollins Inches Closer to Confirmation as Agriculture Secretary
Lawmakers on the Senate Agriculture Committee have voted unanimously to advance Brooke Rollins, nominee for Secretary of Agriculture, to the full Senate for final confirmation. In her confirmation hearing, Rollins underscored her commitment to America’s farmers, ranchers, and rural communities. Rollins, who hails from a small agricultural town in Texas, spoke passionately about her deep-rooted connection to farming and ranching.
The Politics & Process Behind Upcoming Speaker Election
On January 3, the 119th Congress will convene, and the U.S. House of Representatives faces the critical task of electing its Speaker, the chamber's presiding officer.