Congress

Senate overrules parliamentarian and votes to undo California EV rule

The Senate parliamentarian advised lawmakers that they couldn't use the Congressional Review Act to revoke California's right to set vehicle standards. But they did it anyway. Expect a legal fight.

Here’s what’s in the GOP megabill that’s headed for a vote in the House

At the center of the sweeping bill is trillions in tax cuts, which Republicans aim to partially offset through changes to safety net programs like Medicaid and SNAP.

New studies show what’s at stake if Medicaid is scaled back

Researchers studied the health care program's effect on the health of millions of Americans and found tens of thousands of lives were saved.

Republicans voice concern over Trump’s support for a new Air Force One from Qatar

In a rare break with the president, some inside the GOP are expressing concern over the potential national security risks of accepting a luxury Boeing 747 jet from Qatar to replace Air Force One.

What to know about a federal proposal to help families pay for private school

Republicans want to use the federal tax code to create a national school voucher even in states where voters have fought such efforts.

Republicans face a crucial stretch this week as they aim to deliver on Trump’s agenda

Three key committees are putting pen to paper on Trump's "big, beautiful bill." But lawmakers are at odds over policies with far-reaching impacts on Americans' wallets and for many, their healthcare.

A fight over Medicaid cuts is threatening GOP plans for Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’

GOP lawmakers in swing districts insist they will not vote for any proposal that strips benefits, placing them at odds with more conservative lawmakers looking to secure deep cuts in spending.

Judges would be accountable for abuse even if they retired or resigned, under new bill

A new bill from a top Democrat seeks to close a loophole that federal judges have used to collect pension benefits despite facing credible accusations of wrongdoing by employees.

Sen. Dick Durbin, a top Senate Democrat, says he will not seek reelection

The Illinois Democrat has announced he will retire at the end of his term next year after nearly three decades in the Senate. His departure creates a key opening in Democratic leadership.

The next AOC? Young Democrats are aiming to topple incumbents inside their own party

Frustrated with their party's response to President Trump, a wave of young Democrats are challenging incumbents in safe blue districts, hoping to mirror Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's upset win in 2018.

Sen. Jack Reed calls for investigation into Pete Hegseth’s Signal chat

NPR asks Sen. Jack Reed, top Democrat on the Armed Services Committee, why he wants an investigation into whether Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shared classified intelligence in a Signal chat.

Top House Democrat says DOGE data access at NLRB may be ‘technological malfeasance’

A top House Democrat is asking independent agency watchdogs to investigate after NPR reporting revealed DOGE may have taken sensitive data from the National Labor Relations Board.

Senate GOP passes budget plan, setting up a critical next phase for Trump agenda

The vote brings Republicans a step closer to finalizing a sweeping plan to address defense, energy, immigration and tax policy. But a number of potential wildcards must still be sorted out.

Word of the Week: The swashbuckling origins and evolution of ‘filibuster’

Sen. Cory Booker's record-breaking Senate speech wasn't technically a filibuster, but it still put the word in focus. Here's what to know about its history, from the swashbuckling to the stonewalling.

Sen. Cory Booker on his marathon, 25-hour speech on the Senate floor

Sen. Cory Booker, a Democrat from New Jersey, told NPR's Juana Summers he stopped eating and drinking before his record-breaking speech.

Senate Republicans move forward with their budget plan to promote Trump’s agenda

If passed, the package could become a hallmark of President Trump's second term. But a number of obstacles remain ahead.

2 mothers bring the House to a halt over push to allow proxy voting for new parents

GOP leaders tried to block a bipartisan measure to allow proxy voting, but nine Republicans joined with Democrats to overcome it.

Cory Booker’s anti-Trump speech on the Senate floor has lasted 15 hours and counting

The New Jersey Democrat has been criticizing the Trump administration's policies on immigration, education, the economy and more since 7 p.m. Monday. Here's what to know about his marathon speech.

GOP leaders accused of making threats to block bill to let new moms vote remotely

Lawmakers from both parties teamed up to force a House vote on a measure allowing new parents to vote by proxy for 12 weeks, but House Speaker Mike Johnson opposes it on Constitutional grounds.

‘Mad House’ exposes Congressional disfunction, from petty feuds to physical threats

The MAGA-controlled 118th House passed only 27 bills that became law — the lowest number since the Great Depression. Journalists Annie Karni and Luke Broadwater examine the chaos in a new book.

Intelligence leaders will testify before Congress, fresh off the group chat fiasco

Some of the nation's top intelligence officials are due to appear before Congress in a pair of hearings this week. Two were participants in a widely-criticized war plans group chat on Signal.

Senate passes spending bill to avoid a government shutdown

The Senate voted 54 to 46 to approve a spending bill to fund the government through the end of September.

Senate Democrats face major dilemma: help GOP pass funding bill or trigger shutdown

The government runs out of funding Friday at midnight, leaving Democrats to decide whether to help Republicans pass a bill to avoid a shutdown or block the bill and be blamed for triggering one.

A second federal judge has ruled to block the Trump administration’s spending freeze

U.S. District Judge John McConnell Jr. said the attempt to pause trillions in federal spending "fundamentally undermines the distinct constitutional roles of each branch of our government." 

Spanish-language rebuttal to Trump’s joint address focuses on immigration

New York Rep. Adriano Espaillat delivered the Democrats' Spanish-language rebuttal to President Trump's joint address, focusing on the president's immigration policy.

Follow NPR’s annotated fact check of President Trump’s address to Congress

As President Trump addresses a joint session of Congress tonight, reporters from across NPR's newsroom will fact check and offer context as the speech unfolds.

Trump will address a joint session of Congress tonight. Here’s what to expect

The president's address to a joint session of Congress is expected to touch on everything from DOGE and immigration to tariffs and the future of U.S. support for Ukraine.

Fired federal workers are among the guests invited to Trump’s speech to Congress

The Trumps and lawmakers from across the aisle have invited guests to Tuesday's joint address, representing some of the administration's top priorities. Here's a look at some of the names on the list.

What you need to know about Trump’s address to joint session of Congress

President Trump will lay out his second term agenda in an address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night. From talk on tariffs to the U.S. role in the world, here's what to expect.

What will Trump say in his Tuesday address? We look to the past for some clues

Delivered the day before he was acquitted in his first impeachment case, and as COVID began to spread, President Trump's 2020 address was part reality TV, part gameshow and part WWE smackdown.

House budget vote marks a key test for Trump’s agenda, with GOP support still unclear

With a final vote fast approaching, GOP leaders were still working to wrangle support from inside the party for a sweeping multitrillion plan to address defense, energy, immigration and tax policy.

Senate adopts budget resolution after marathon vote-a-rama. Now what?

The Senate's budget framework is at odds with the House's approach, and both chambers ultimately have to be on the same page to get the legislation across the finish line.