House easily passes spending package as lawmakers work to avoid another shutdown
Read full article: House easily passes spending package as lawmakers work to avoid another shutdownThe House has passed a bipartisan package of three spending bills that would fund parts of the federal government through September.
House passes bill to extend health care subsidies in defiance of GOP leaders
Read full article: House passes bill to extend health care subsidies in defiance of GOP leadersThe House has passed legislation that extends expired health care subsidies for those who get coverage through the Affordable Care Act.
Senate pushes back on Trump's military threats against Venezuela with war powers vote
Read full article: Senate pushes back on Trump's military threats against Venezuela with war powers voteThe Senate has advanced a resolution that would limit President Donald Trump’s ability to conduct further attacks against Venezuela.
The Latest: House votes to extend health care subsidies in defiance of GOP leaders
Read full article: The Latest: House votes to extend health care subsidies in defiance of GOP leadersIn a remarkable rebuke of Republican leadership, the House has passed legislation that would extend expired health care subsidies for those who get coverage through the Affordable Care Act.
Sen. Graham says Trump has 'greenlit' sanctions bill aiming to punish Russia for war in Ukraine
Read full article: Sen. Graham says Trump has 'greenlit' sanctions bill aiming to punish Russia for war in UkrainePresident Donald Trump is now officially on board with a sanctions package aimed at Russia, according to a top GOP senator.
Georgia Republicans move to scrap state income tax by 2032 despite concerns
Read full article: Georgia Republicans move to scrap state income tax by 2032 despite concernsGeorgia is the latest state to consider eliminating its personal income tax, with Republican leaders in the Senate backing a proposal to phase it out by 2032.
What to know about new laws, recently signed legislation taking effect in Michigan in 2026
Read full article: What to know about new laws, recently signed legislation taking effect in Michigan in 2026As of Jan. 1, 2026, Michigan residents and businesses are now seeing a wave of new laws and policy changes take effect — from paychecks to cannabis sales, education to consumer protections.
Here are 4 Michigan laws taking effect Jan. 1, 2026
Read full article: Here are 4 Michigan laws taking effect Jan. 1, 2026Michigan residents and businesses will see a wave of new laws and policy changes take effect to ring in the new year— from paychecks to cannabis sales, education to consumer protections.
4 Michigan laws that will take effect Jan. 1, 2026
Read full article: 4 Michigan laws that will take effect Jan. 1, 2026As the calendar turns to 2026, Michigan residents and businesses will see a wave of new laws and policy changes take effect — from paychecks to cannabis sales, education to consumer protections.
Democrat Renee Hardman wins Iowa state Senate seat, blocking GOP from reclaiming a supermajority
Read full article: Democrat Renee Hardman wins Iowa state Senate seat, blocking GOP from reclaiming a supermajorityDemocrat Renee Hardman has been elected to the Iowa state Senate in a holiday-week special election, denying Republicans’ bid to reclaim two-thirds control of the chamber.
AP Decision Notes: What to expect in Iowa’s state Senate special election
Read full article: AP Decision Notes: What to expect in Iowa’s state Senate special electionVoters in a Democratic-leaning West Des Moines-area district will pick a new state senator Tuesday in a special election that could allow Iowa Republicans to regain a supermajority in the chamber.
Michigan’s ‘Taylor Swift’ bills signed into law aim to stop ticket bots, protect consumers
Read full article: Michigan’s ‘Taylor Swift’ bills signed into law aim to stop ticket bots, protect consumersGov. Gretchen Whitmer recently signed dozens of bills into law, including child care safety legislation and the Taylor Swift bills. Here's a list.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signs ‘Taylor Swift’ anti-bot legislation, dozens of other bills into law
Read full article: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signs ‘Taylor Swift’ anti-bot legislation, dozens of other bills into lawGov. Gretchen Whitmer recently signed dozens of bills into law, including child care safety legislation and the Taylor Swift bills. Here's a list.
Michigan child care centers can install temporary door locks under new law
Read full article: Michigan child care centers can install temporary door locks under new lawA new Michigan law allows child care centers in Michigan to install temporary door locks to keep children safe in the event of a shooting.
Judge chides Ghislaine Maxwell for mentioning victim names in papers seeking to overturn conviction
Read full article: Judge chides Ghislaine Maxwell for mentioning victim names in papers seeking to overturn convictionA judge has scolded Jeffrey Epstein’s longtime confidant Ghislaine Maxwell for including confidential victim names in court papers seeking to set aside her 2021 sex trafficking conviction and free her from a 20-year prison sentence.
House backs bill to speed permitting reviews for new energy and infrastructure projects
Read full article: House backs bill to speed permitting reviews for new energy and infrastructure projectsThe House has approved bipartisan legislation aimed at speeding up permitting reviews for new energy and infrastructure projects and limiting judicial review.
Senator pauses Coast Guard nomination over policy on swastikas, nooses and other hate symbols
Read full article: Senator pauses Coast Guard nomination over policy on swastikas, nooses and other hate symbolsA U.S. senator says she's pausing the nomination for the top Coast Guard job because leaders appeared to have “backtracked” on a commitment to ensure that swastikas and nooses are considered hate symbols and prohibited from being displayed.
Senate approves bill inspired by DC plane crash to ensure military aircraft will broadcast location
Read full article: Senate approves bill inspired by DC plane crash to ensure military aircraft will broadcast locationThe Senate has moved quickly to close a loophole that could allow military aircraft to fly without broadcasting their locations, just like an Army helicopter was doing last January before it collided with an airliner over Washington, D.C., killing 67 people.
Senate passes $901 billion defense bill that pushes Hegseth for boat strike video
Read full article: Senate passes $901 billion defense bill that pushes Hegseth for boat strike videoThe Senate has given final passage to an annual military policy bill that will authorize $901 billion in defense programs.
Michigan budget finished late as lawmakers trade blame over delays
Read full article: Michigan budget finished late as lawmakers trade blame over delaysMichigan’s top legislative leaders agree the state’s budget was finished late this year, and that the delay created real uncertainty, especially for schools.
House Speaker Johnson rebuffs efforts to extend health care subsidies, pushing ahead with GOP plan
Read full article: House Speaker Johnson rebuffs efforts to extend health care subsidies, pushing ahead with GOP planHouse Republican leaders are determined to push ahead with a health care bill that excludes efforts to address the soaring monthly premiums for Affordable Care Act recipients.
Michigan House Republicans cancel $645 million in spending -- What to know
Read full article: Michigan House Republicans cancel $645 million in spending -- What to knowThe final three days of the Michigan legislature are underway and the fight is intense. The Michigan House just slashed $645 million in state spending without the Senate’s approval.
As gerrymandering battles sweep country, supporters say partisan dominance is 'fair'
Read full article: As gerrymandering battles sweep country, supporters say partisan dominance is 'fair'State officials engaged in unusual mid-decade redistricting are pushing a new definition of what it means to have “fair maps” for Congress.
The Latest: Indiana GOP rejects redrawn congressional map despite pressure from Trump
Read full article: The Latest: Indiana GOP rejects redrawn congressional map despite pressure from TrumpIndiana’s Republican-led Senate has decisively rejected a redrawn congressional map that would have favored their party, defying months of pressure from President Donald Trump and delivering a stark setback to the White House ahead of next year’s midterm elections.
Senators seek to change bill that allows military to operate just like before the DC plane crash
Read full article: Senators seek to change bill that allows military to operate just like before the DC plane crashSenators from both parties are pushing to change a defense bill after crash investigators and victims' families warned it could undo key safety reforms.
Senate rejects extension of health care subsidies as costs are set to rise for millions of Americans
Read full article: Senate rejects extension of health care subsidies as costs are set to rise for millions of AmericansThe Senate has rejected legislation to extend Affordable Care Act tax credits, essentially guaranteeing that millions of Americans will see a steep rise in costs at the beginning of the year.
Indiana Republicans defy Trump and reject his House redistricting push in the state
Read full article: Indiana Republicans defy Trump and reject his House redistricting push in the stateIn a resounding rejection of a pressure campaign from the White House, Indiana Republican Senators voted down a new congressional map created to give the GOP an advantage in the upcoming 2026 election.
Fani Willis to face Georgia Senate questions about Trump prosecution, despite legal disputes
Read full article: Fani Willis to face Georgia Senate questions about Trump prosecution, despite legal disputesFulton County District Attorney Fani Willis is set to testify on Dec. 17 before a special Georgia Senate committee.
Affordable Care Act enrollment is slightly ahead of last year, despite expiring subsidies
Read full article: Affordable Care Act enrollment is slightly ahead of last year, despite expiring subsidiesInitial new federal data shows the number of Americans signing up for Affordable Care Act health insurance for 2026 is moderately higher than it was at a similar time last year.
Indiana Senate committee advance redistricting legislation backed by Trump toward final floor vote
Read full article: Indiana Senate committee advance redistricting legislation backed by Trump toward final floor voteAn Indiana state Senate committee took the first step toward enacting a new congressional map.
Campbell Soup VP controversy leads Michigan lawmaker to call for lab-grown meat label
Read full article: Campbell Soup VP controversy leads Michigan lawmaker to call for lab-grown meat labelThe controversy surrounding the vice president of Campbell Soup Company has led a Michigan lawmaker to call for lab-grown meat labeling on products.
OpenAI awards $40.5M to a wide range of nonprofits under new foundation structure
Read full article: OpenAI awards $40.5M to a wide range of nonprofits under new foundation structureOpenAI has awarded $40.5 million to more than 200 nonprofits in the first round of grants it has made since it rebranded its nonprofit as the OpenAI Foundation in October.
Progressive group targets Senate Democrats for backing Trump's judicial nominees
Read full article: Progressive group targets Senate Democrats for backing Trump's judicial nomineesA progressive group is targeting two Senate Democrats and an independent senator who voted to confirm some of President Donald Trump's judicial nominees.
Schumer says three of his New York offices were targeted with bomb threats
Read full article: Schumer says three of his New York offices were targeted with bomb threatsSenate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer says three of his New York offices were targeted with emailed bomb threats from an email address alleging the “2020 election was rigged.”.
Senators want answers from Coast Guard on how it probes displays of swastikas or other hate symbols
Read full article: Senators want answers from Coast Guard on how it probes displays of swastikas or other hate symbolsTwo senators who lead a bipartisan antisemitism task force say they want more information from the U.S. Coast Guard about its policy regarding displays of swastikas, nooses or other hate symbols.
Coast Guard reverses course on policy to call swastikas and nooses 'potentially divisive'
Read full article: Coast Guard reverses course on policy to call swastikas and nooses 'potentially divisive'The U.S. Coast Guard has released a new, firmer policy addressing the display of hate symbols like swastikas and nooses just hours after it was publicly revealed that it made plans to describe them as “potentially divisive” — a term that prompted outcry from lawmakers and advocates.
House votes to repeal provision that allows senators to sue over phone record seizures
Read full article: House votes to repeal provision that allows senators to sue over phone record seizuresThe House has voted to repeal part of a new law that lets senators sue the federal government for millions of dollars if their personal or office data is accessed without their knowledge.
Trump doubles down on redistricting in Indiana even as lawmakers rebuke special session
Read full article: Trump doubles down on redistricting in Indiana even as lawmakers rebuke special sessionPresident Donald Trump continues to call on Indiana lawmakers to redraw the state's congressional boundaries, even as state senators do not have enough votes to do so.
Congress acts swiftly to force release of Epstein files, and Trump agrees to sign bill
Read full article: Congress acts swiftly to force release of Epstein files, and Trump agrees to sign billBoth the House and Senate have acted decisively to pass a bill to force the Justice Department to publicly release its files on the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Indiana Senate won't vote on redistricting, defying Trump's push
Read full article: Indiana Senate won't vote on redistricting, defying Trump's pushThe leader of the Indiana state Senate, a Republican, has said that his chamber will no longer meet in December as planned to vote on redistricting, citing lack of support from his members.
Republicans promised health care negotiations after the shutdown, but Democrats are wary
Read full article: Republicans promised health care negotiations after the shutdown, but Democrats are waryNow that the government shutdown is over, House and Senate Republicans say they'll negotiate with Democrats on whether to extend COVID-era tax credits that help tens of millions of Americans afford their health care premiums.
Bible described as the ‘Mona Lisa of illuminated manuscripts’ goes on display in Rome
Read full article: Bible described as the ‘Mona Lisa of illuminated manuscripts’ goes on display in RomeOne of the most spectacular examples of Renaissance illuminated manuscripts is going on rare public display as part of the Vatican’s Holy Year celebrations.
President Trump signs government funding bill, ending shutdown after a record 43-day disruption
Read full article: President Trump signs government funding bill, ending shutdown after a record 43-day disruptionPresident Donald Trump has signed a government funding bill that ends a record 43-day shutdown.
Speaker Johnson faces an unruly House as lawmakers return for shutdown vote
Read full article: Speaker Johnson faces an unruly House as lawmakers return for shutdown voteAfter refusing to convene the U.S. House during the government shutdown, Speaker Mike Johnson is recalling lawmakers back into session.
The Latest: Supreme Court keeps a block on SNAP payments, as shutdown potentially nears an end
Read full article: The Latest: Supreme Court keeps a block on SNAP payments, as shutdown potentially nears an endThe Supreme Court has extended an order blocking full SNAP payments amid signals that the government shutdown could soon end and food aid payments resume.
Senate approves bill to end the shutdown, sending it to the House
Read full article: Senate approves bill to end the shutdown, sending it to the HouseThe Senate has passed legislation to reopen the government, bringing the longest shutdown in history closer to an end after a small group of Democrats struck a deal with Republicans.
Senate takes first step toward ending the government shutdown
Read full article: Senate takes first step toward ending the government shutdownThe Senate has taken the first step to end the government shutdown after a group of moderate Democrats agreed to proceed without a guaranteed extension of health care subsidies.
Senate Republicans vote down legislation to limit Trump’s ability to attack Venezuela
Read full article: Senate Republicans vote down legislation to limit Trump’s ability to attack VenezuelaSenate Republicans have rejected legislation that would have put a check on President Donald Trump’s ability to launch an attack against Venezuela.
Trump pressures GOP senators to end the government shutdown, now the longest ever
Read full article: Trump pressures GOP senators to end the government shutdown, now the longest everPresident Donald Trump lashed out at Senate Republicans to end the government shutdown, now the longest ever at 36 days.
Government shutdown could become longest ever as Trump says he 'won't be extorted' by Democrats
Read full article: Government shutdown could become longest ever as Trump says he 'won't be extorted' by DemocratsThe Trump administration is indicating in court that it will only partially fund the federal food assistance program as the government shutdown reaches into a second month.
Trump says he 'won't be extorted' by Democrats, shuns negotiations as shutdown drags on
Read full article: Trump says he 'won't be extorted' by Democrats, shuns negotiations as shutdown drags onPresident Donald Trump says he “won’t be extorted” by Democrats to reopen the government, making clear that he has no plans to negotiate as the government shutdown will soon enter its sixth week.
Community groups move to fill food gaps as Michigan lawmakers work to address SNAP cuts
Read full article: Community groups move to fill food gaps as Michigan lawmakers work to address SNAP cutsTwo days before November SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits are set to be reduced for an estimated 1.4 million Michiganders, state and community leaders are racing to soften the blow.
France expected to adopt consent-based rape law in the wake of landmark Gisèle Pelicot case
Read full article: France expected to adopt consent-based rape law in the wake of landmark Gisèle Pelicot caseFrance's Senate is expected to approve a bill defining rape and sexual assault as any non-consensual sexual act.
Senate votes to block tariffs on Brazil. It shows some pushback to Trump trade policy
Read full article: Senate votes to block tariffs on Brazil. It shows some pushback to Trump trade policyThe Senate approved a resolution Tuesday evening that would nullify President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Brazil, including oil, coffee and orange juice, as Democrats test GOP senators’ support for Trump’s trade policy.
Vice President Vance says troops will be paid as pressure builds on Congress to end the shutdown
Read full article: Vice President Vance says troops will be paid as pressure builds on Congress to end the shutdownVice President JD Vance says that he believes U.S. military members will be paid at the end of the week as the Trump administration reconfigures funding in the second-longest government shutdown.
The Latest: Judge orders senior Border Patrol official to meet her daily to discuss use of force
Read full article: The Latest: Judge orders senior Border Patrol official to meet her daily to discuss use of forceU.S. District Judge Sara Ellis has ordered a senior U.S. Border Patrol official to meet with her daily “to hear about how the day went” after weeks of confrontations between immigration agents and the public in the Chicago area.
What lawmakers are saying about Trump's demolition of the East Wing
Read full article: What lawmakers are saying about Trump's demolition of the East WingMembers of Congress are divided largely along party lines on the demolition of the East Wing of the White House to make room for a 90,000-square-foot ballroom that President Donald Trump wants to build.
Democratic Sen. Merkley of Oregon stages marathon speech to protest Trump amid shutdown
Read full article: Democratic Sen. Merkley of Oregon stages marathon speech to protest Trump amid shutdownDemocratic Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon is staging a marathon speech to protest what he calls President Donald Trump’s “tightening authoritarian grip on the country” amid the government shutdown.
Louvre director acknowledges failure after jewel heist and says she offered to resign
Read full article: Louvre director acknowledges failure after jewel heist and says she offered to resignThe Louvre's director has acknowledged a ″terrible failure″ at the Paris tourist attraction after a daylight crown jewel heist over the weekend.
Trump hosts Senate Republicans at renovated White House as the shutdown drags into fourth week
Read full article: Trump hosts Senate Republicans at renovated White House as the shutdown drags into fourth weekAs the government shutdown enters its fourth week, President Donald Trump is welcoming Senate Republicans for lunch at the White House.
GOP turns Schumer print quotes into AI-generated video of him saying shutdown good for Democrats
Read full article: GOP turns Schumer print quotes into AI-generated video of him saying shutdown good for DemocratsSenate Republican campaign leaders are using artificial intelligence-generated video to falsely depict Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer appearing to say on camera comments he made in a print publication interview about the political impacts of the partial government shutdown.
Daniel Cameron banking on his name ID to overcome lackluster fundraising in Kentucky Senate race
Read full article: Daniel Cameron banking on his name ID to overcome lackluster fundraising in Kentucky Senate raceKentucky Senate candidate Daniel Cameron is banking on his familiarity with voters to overcome lackluster fundraising.
Senate Democrats, holding out for health care, reject government funding bill for 10th time
Read full article: Senate Democrats, holding out for health care, reject government funding bill for 10th timeSenate Democrats are rejecting for the 10th time a stopgap spending bill that would reopen the government.
US Senate unanimously endorses repeal of 2002 Iraq war resolution
Read full article: US Senate unanimously endorses repeal of 2002 Iraq war resolutionThe Senate has voted to repeal the resolution that authorized the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq, following a House vote last month that would return the basic war power to Congress more than two decades later.
Senators struggle to find a way forward as government shutdown enters ninth day
Read full article: Senators struggle to find a way forward as government shutdown enters ninth daySenators are laboring to find a way to reopen the government but find themselves struggling to overcome a fundamental lack of trust between the two parties.
Trump has yet to provide Congress hard evidence that targeted boats carried drugs, officials say
Read full article: Trump has yet to provide Congress hard evidence that targeted boats carried drugs, officials sayThe Trump administration hasn't provided evidence to lawmakers that recent U.S. military strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats were justified.
Senate Republicans vote down legislation to check Trump's use of war powers against cartels
Read full article: Senate Republicans vote down legislation to check Trump's use of war powers against cartelsSenate Republicans have voted down legislation that would have put a check on President Donald Trump’s ability to use deadly military force against drug cartels.
Trump says he's open to health care deal but government must reopen first
Read full article: Trump says he's open to health care deal but government must reopen firstPresident Donald Trump cracked the door slightly to negotiations with Democrats on the health care subsidies they’ve made central to the shutdown fight, then abruptly closed it Monday, leaving the two sides once again at a seemingly intractable impasse.
The GOP says it's winning the shutdown. Some fear Trump's cuts may change that
Read full article: The GOP says it's winning the shutdown. Some fear Trump's cuts may change thatPresident Donald Trump is using the federal shutdown to push deep spending cuts in states that backed Democrat Kamala Harris in 2024.
The Oval Office meeting didn't stop a shutdown, but the Trump 2028 hats and a sombrero set a tone
Read full article: The Oval Office meeting didn't stop a shutdown, but the Trump 2028 hats and a sombrero set a toneHalfway through Donald Trump’s inaugural White House meeting with congressional leadership, the red "Trump 2028" hats appeared on the president’s desk.
New Mexico governor signs bills to counter federal cuts, support health care and food assistance
Read full article: New Mexico governor signs bills to counter federal cuts, support health care and food assistanceNew Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has signed a package of bills aimed at shoring up food assistance, rural health care and public broadcasting in response to recently enacted federal cuts.
The Latest: Trump uses government shutdown to dole out firings and punishment
Read full article: The Latest: Trump uses government shutdown to dole out firings and punishmentPresident Donald Trump has seized on the government shutdown as an opportunity to reshape the federal workforce and punish detractors, by threatening mass firings of workers and suggesting “irreversible” cuts to programs important to Democrats.
Democrats voted for a shutdown. Now they have to find a way out
Read full article: Democrats voted for a shutdown. Now they have to find a way outSenate Democrats kept their promise to reject any Republican spending bill that didn’t extend or restore health care benefits, choosing instead to force a government shutdown.