INSIDER
Senate rejects effort from Bernie Sanders to block some weapons for Israel over Gaza deaths
Read full article: Senate rejects effort from Bernie Sanders to block some weapons for Israel over Gaza deathsThe Senate has rejected attempts by Sen. Bernie Sanders to block the sale of offensive weapons to Israel.
Speaker Johnson declares support for banning Sarah McBride's access to women's restrooms
Read full article: Speaker Johnson declares support for banning Sarah McBride's access to women's restroomsHouse Speaker Mike Johnson declared that lawmakers and staff will have to use the restroom corresponding with their biological sex.
House elections produced a stalemate. Can Republicans figure out how to work with a thin majority?
Read full article: House elections produced a stalemate. Can Republicans figure out how to work with a thin majority?After one of the most chaotic and least productive U.S. House sessions in modern history, voters made a surprising choice in elections ā they overwhelmingly stuck with the status quo.
John Cornyn loses longtime bid to be next Senate Majority Leader to John Thune
Read full article: John Cornyn loses longtime bid to be next Senate Majority Leader to John ThuneCornyn has for years signaled he wanted to succeed his close ally GOP leader Mitch McConnell. He lost in a vote decided by the Republican members of the Senate.
Speaker Mike Johnson wins GOP nomination to remain in job, faces full House vote in new year
Read full article: Speaker Mike Johnson wins GOP nomination to remain in job, faces full House vote in new yearRep. Mike Johnson has won the Republican nomination to remain as House speaker, on track to keep the gavel after a morning endorsement from President-elect Donald Trump ahead of a full House vote in the new year.
Speaker Mike Johnson says Republicans are 'ready to deliver' on Trump's agenda
Read full article: Speaker Mike Johnson says Republicans are 'ready to deliver' on Trump's agendaHouse Speaker Mike Johnson said Tuesday that Republicans are āready to deliverā on President-elect Donald Trumpās mandate.
Lawmakers prepare for final lame-duck sprint before making way for next Congress
Read full article: Lawmakers prepare for final lame-duck sprint before making way for next CongressCongress has a short but important to-do list as lawmakers return to Washington this coming week for what is known as a lame-duck session.
GOP picks up more key House seats while Democrats insist they still have a path to a majority
Read full article: GOP picks up more key House seats while Democrats insist they still have a path to a majorityHouse Republican leaders are projecting confidence that they will keep control of the U.S. House.
Infrastructure, housing funding top of mind in city briefing on federal legislative program
Read full article: Infrastructure, housing funding top of mind in city briefing on federal legislative programSan Antonioās Intergovernmental Relations Committee held a briefing this week on the cityās legislative program, which addresses city priorities and interests at the federal level for next yearās congressional session
How to stay politically engaged in between election cycles
Read full article: How to stay politically engaged in between election cyclesFrom engaging with representatives to joining advocacy groups, there are numerous ways to continue participating in democracy and shaping policy after the polls close.
Texas Democrats underperformed yet again. Now what?
Read full article: Texas Democrats underperformed yet again. Now what?Tuesday was another electoral blowout in which Democrats underperformed expectations, weakening their case that Texas is a battleground state worthy of investment and attention from the national party.
Who will certify Donald Trump's presidential win? Kamala Harris, that's who
Read full article: Who will certify Donald Trump's presidential win? Kamala Harris, that's whoDonald Trumpās presidential win is going to be certified in Congress in January by the candidate he beat, Vice President Kamala Harris.
U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar secures another term as criminal trial looms
Read full article: U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar secures another term as criminal trial loomsThe longtime Laredo congressman fended off Republican challenger Jay Furman despite a federal indictment accusing the incumbent of bribery and money laundering.
Vicente Gonzalez defeats Mayra Flores to hold onto South Texas congressional district
Read full article: Vicente Gonzalez defeats Mayra Flores to hold onto South Texas congressional districtBoth major parties poured hundreds of thousands of dollars into winning the seat, a rematch between Mayra Flores and Vicente Gonzalez.
Election Day updates: South Texas continues dramatic shift toward Donald Trump, GOP
Read full article: Election Day updates: South Texas continues dramatic shift toward Donald Trump, GOPTexas might not be a swing state, but many of its races will have major consequences to the national political landscape and on the lives of everyday Texans.
In final days of Senate race, Cruz courts Latino voters along the border and Allred rallies in his hometown
Read full article: In final days of Senate race, Cruz courts Latino voters along the border and Allred rallies in his hometownBoth candidates are making their closing arguments at the culmination of a heated and expensive race which could decide control of the U.S. Senate.
Inspired by Harris, many Black sorority and fraternity members are helping downballot races
Read full article: Inspired by Harris, many Black sorority and fraternity members are helping downballot racesInspired by the candidacy of Vice President Kamala Harris, individual members of historically Black sororities and fraternities are working to help her presidential campaign and that of downballot candidates.
Indigenous people march in Brazil's capital against bill limiting land rights
Read full article: Indigenous people march in Brazil's capital against bill limiting land rightsHundreds of Indigenous people were marching Wednesday in Brazilās capital, urging Congress to drop a proposed constitutional amendment that has the potential to paralyze and even reverse land allocations.
Colin Allred courts Black voters in the final days of his bid to unseat Sen. Ted Cruz
Read full article: Colin Allred courts Black voters in the final days of his bid to unseat Sen. Ted CruzWith stops in Houston and the Rio Grande Valley, Allred hopes to make the race competitive by running up the tally with the core of the Democratic base.
The first presidential election since the Jan. 6 attack will test new guardrails from Congress
Read full article: The first presidential election since the Jan. 6 attack will test new guardrails from CongressThis presidential election will be the first since the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the Capitol.
A decade of racial justice activism transformed politics but landmark reforms remain elusive
Read full article: A decade of racial justice activism transformed politics but landmark reforms remain elusiveMichael Brownās fatal shooting by police a decade ago set off more than a week of protests by thousands of people in Ferguson, Missouri.
In complaint, Ted Cruz says Democrats broke campaign finance laws to help Colin Allred
Read full article: In complaint, Ted Cruz says Democrats broke campaign finance laws to help Colin AllredCruz alleged that national Democrats illegally exceeded contribution limits when it spent more than $10 million for television ads in Texas benefiting Allred campaign.
In final days of senate race, Colin Allred bests Beto OāRourkeās 2018 senate fundraising record
Read full article: In final days of senate race, Colin Allred bests Beto OāRourkeās 2018 senate fundraising recordColin Allred also continues to out raise Ted Cruz bringing in over $11.8 million in the first 16 days of October. Cruz raised $9.9 million in the same period.
BeyoncƩ endorses Kamala Harris while Donald Trump vows border crackdown in dueling Texas stops
Read full article: BeyoncĆ© endorses Kamala Harris while Donald Trump vows border crackdown in dueling Texas stopsHarris talked about reproductive rights to a stadium full of supporters in Houston. In Austin, Trump stumped to supporters and reporters at a private jet terminal and appeared on Joe Roganās podcast.
Republican incumbent De La Cruz defeats Democrat Vallejo in competitive rematch for US Representative District 15
Read full article: Republican incumbent De La Cruz defeats Democrat Vallejo in competitive rematch for US Representative District 15Republican incumbent Monica De La Cruz has been declared the winner in the reelection race for United States Representative District 15, according to the Associated Press.
Democratic incumbent Cuellar defeats Republican Furman for US Representative District 28
Read full article: Democratic incumbent Cuellar defeats Republican Furman for US Representative District 28Democrat incumbent Henry Cuellar stormed back from behind to narrowly defeat Republican challenger Jay Furman in the race for U.S. Representative District 28.
Facing election scrutiny, Texas prepares for Nov. 5 with paper ballots and strengthened security
Read full article: Facing election scrutiny, Texas prepares for Nov. 5 with paper ballots and strengthened securityOnly a handful of Texas counties will not have all in-person voters cast paper ballots at the polls. By 2026, all voting machines in Texas must produce a paper trail, per a 2021 state law.
The Biden administration has canceled student loans for more than 1 million in public service jobs
Read full article: The Biden administration has canceled student loans for more than 1 million in public service jobsA student loan cancellation program for public service workers has granted relief to more than 1 million Americans ā up from just 7,000 who were approved before it was updated by the Biden administration two years ago.
Hundreds of troops kicked out under 'don't ask, don't tell' get upgraded to honorable discharges
Read full article: Hundreds of troops kicked out under 'don't ask, don't tell' get upgraded to honorable dischargesThe Pentagon says more than 800 military personnel have seen their service records upgraded to honorable discharges after previously being kicked out of the military under its former ādonāt ask, donāt tellā policy.
Small business disaster loan program is out of money until Congress approves new funds
Read full article: Small business disaster loan program is out of money until Congress approves new fundsThe Small Business Administration has run out of money for its disaster assistance loans, delaying much needed relief for people applying for aid in the wake of the destruction caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
A Texas rematch: Republican Mayra Flores aims to beat Democrat Vicente Gonzalez for U.S. House seat
Read full article: A Texas rematch: Republican Mayra Flores aims to beat Democrat Vicente Gonzalez for U.S. House seatFlores briefly represented the district after winning a 2022 special election. Gonzalez went on to beat her by nearly 9 points in the general.
South Texas congressional races remain the most competitive ā but this time Democrats are playing offense
Read full article: South Texas congressional races remain the most competitive ā but this time Democrats are playing offenseThe same candidates will be running in Texasā 15th and 34th Congressional Districts, though the presidential and Senate races could mix things up.
Trump's protests aside, his agenda has plenty of overlap with Project 2025
Read full article: Trump's protests aside, his agenda has plenty of overlap with Project 2025Donald Trump insists that Project 2025, a nearly 1,000-page blueprint for a hard-right turn in American government and society, does not reflect his priorities for a White House encore.
In Pacific Northwest, 2 toss-up US House races could determine control of narrowly divided Congress
Read full article: In Pacific Northwest, 2 toss-up US House races could determine control of narrowly divided CongressNational Republicans and Democrats are keenly eyeing the Pacific Northwest, where two of the most competitive U.S. House races in the country are playing out.
Immigrants brought to the US as children ask judges to keep protections against deportation
Read full article: Immigrants brought to the US as children ask judges to keep protections against deportationImmigrants who were brought to the U.S. illegally as children were among more than 200 demonstrators who gathered outside a federal courthouse in New Orleans where appellate judges heard arguments over a policy shielding them from deportation.
Colin Allred raises $30 million in third quarter of 2024, outpacing Ted Cruz
Read full article: Colin Allred raises $30 million in third quarter of 2024, outpacing Ted CruzThe staggering fundraising numbers mean that Cruz and Allred have collectively raised at least $132 million, surpassing the final combined haul from 2018.
Biggest Kashmir party opposed to India's stripping of region's autonomy wins most seats in election
Read full article: Biggest Kashmir party opposed to India's stripping of region's autonomy wins most seats in electionKashmirās biggest political party opposed to Indiaās stripping of the regionās semi-autonomy has won most seats in a local election.
Votes are being counted in the election for a truncated government in Indian-controlled Kashmir
Read full article: Votes are being counted in the election for a truncated government in Indian-controlled KashmirVotes are being counted in the recent election for a largely powerless local government in Indian-controlled Kashmir.
Hereās how to register to vote in Texas before the Oct. 7 deadline
Read full article: Hereās how to register to vote in Texas before the Oct. 7 deadlineOur guide can help you determine how to register, who is eligible to vote, whether youāre still registered and more in advance of Election Day.
Departures in House create crucial Republican targets in the fight for majority control
Read full article: Departures in House create crucial Republican targets in the fight for majority controlAfter a tumultuous and unproductive session of Congress, nearly 50 House members have decided either to not seek reelection or to run for a higher office.
Abortion, private school vouchers and legislative control are the key issues in Texasā 2024 election
Read full article: Abortion, private school vouchers and legislative control are the key issues in Texasā 2024 electionTexan voters will have significant influence in November, both within and outside the state. They will be electing a U.S. senator, 38 U.S. House members, 150 state House members, as well as various judges and local elected officials. Additionally, they will have influence over important questions.
Mayorkas warns FEMA doesn't have enough funding to last through hurricane season
Read full article: Mayorkas warns FEMA doesn't have enough funding to last through hurricane seasonHomeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas says the agency tasked with helping communities recover from Hurricane Helene and other natural disasters does not have enough money to make it through the hurricane season.
Pennsylvania Republican in key swing-state Senate race backs using military to fight fentanyl
Read full article: Pennsylvania Republican in key swing-state Senate race backs using military to fight fentanylThe Republican challenger trying to flip the U.S. Senate seat in swing-state Pennsylvania says he'll press for U.S. military action in Mexico to target fentanyl trafficking networks.
In South Texas congressional race, Monica De La Cruz and Michelle Vallejo spar over health care
Read full article: In South Texas congressional race, Monica De La Cruz and Michelle Vallejo spar over health careThe topic is playing a major role in one of Texasā only competitive congressional races this year as the competitors debate Medicare, abortion and expanding coverage.
Bernie Sanders tells Texas progressives to back Harris, says Allred win would āmake all the differenceā
Read full article: Bernie Sanders tells Texas progressives to back Harris, says Allred win would āmake all the differenceāJoining Sanders as he campaigns up and down the I-35 corridor are Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rep. Greg Casar, and former El Paso congressman Beto OāRourke.
NCAA president Charlie Baker decries 'dysfunction' in NIL, urges Congress to act
Read full article: NCAA president Charlie Baker decries 'dysfunction' in NIL, urges Congress to actThe president of the NCAA lashed out at āevidence of dysfunction in todayās NIL environmentā while reiterating his desire to see Congress create national guidelines to set the template for the so-called name, image and likeness endorsement deals that are reshaping college sports.
Biden signs temporary funding bill that avoids a shutdown before the election
Read full article: Biden signs temporary funding bill that avoids a shutdown before the electionPresident Joe Biden has signed a temporary government spending bill that keeps agencies operating into December, after Congress punted key spending decisions until after the November election.
Senate Democrats boost Colin Allredās bid against Ted Cruz with multimillion dollar investment
Read full article: Senate Democrats boost Colin Allredās bid against Ted Cruz with multimillion dollar investmentThe late-cycle investment signals the party is taking Texas seriously ā a shift from past cycles.
CrowdStrike executive apologizes to Congress for July global tech outage
Read full article: CrowdStrike executive apologizes to Congress for July global tech outageAn executive at cybersecurity company CrowdStrike apologized in testimony to Congress for sparking a global technology outage over the summer.
In his podcast, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz reveals his unfiltered side as he strives to expand his base ā and his influence
Read full article: In his podcast, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz reveals his unfiltered side as he strives to expand his base ā and his influenceCruzās thrice-weekly podcast, āVerdict,ā has become an integral part of his day-to-day life as a senator ā and a tool in his effort to win reelection this fall.
FTC report: Social media, streaming companies engaged in mass surveillance, failed to protect kids
Read full article: FTC report: Social media, streaming companies engaged in mass surveillance, failed to protect kidsA new report from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reveals that major social media and video streaming services are collecting and monetizing vast amounts of user data, often without adequate protections, especially for children and teens.
House unanimously votes to boost Trump security as Congress scrambles to ensure candidate safety
Read full article: House unanimously votes to boost Trump security as Congress scrambles to ensure candidate safetyLawmakers are scrambling to ensure that the U.S. Secret Service has enough money and resources to keep the nationās presidential candidates safe amid repeated threats of violence.
Conservative group asks FEC to probe effort to promote spoiler candidates
Read full article: Conservative group asks FEC to probe effort to promote spoiler candidatesA secretive group that recruited Donald Trump supporters to run as third-party spoiler candidates in some of the nationās most competitive congressional districts was accused of violating campaign finance law.
Railroads and regulators must address the dangers of long trains, report says
Read full article: Railroads and regulators must address the dangers of long trains, report saysA new report says the U.S. has seen an increase in the number of a certain kind of derailment related to the forces created when railcars push and pull against each other as freight trains have gotten longer.
Congress is gridlocked. These members are convinced AI legislation could break through
Read full article: Congress is gridlocked. These members are convinced AI legislation could break throughA bipartisan group of lawmakers on Tuesday introduced legislation that would prohibit political campaigns and outside political groups from using artificial intelligence to misrepresent the views of their rivals by pretending to be them.
Argentina's President Milei presents 2025 budget, vowing austerity and setting up a showdown
Read full article: Argentina's President Milei presents 2025 budget, vowing austerity and setting up a showdownLibertarian President Javier Milei of Argentina has presented the 2025 budget to Congress, outlining policy priorities that reflected his key pledge to kill the countryās chronic fiscal deficit and signaled a new phase of confrontation with lawmakers.
Congress targets Chinese influence in health tech. It could come with tradeoffs
Read full article: Congress targets Chinese influence in health tech. It could come with tradeoffsA San Jose-based biotechnology company that helps doctors detect genetic causes for cancer is among those that could be cut out of the U.S. market over ties to China.
Nearly $6 billion in funding for Ukraine will expire if Congress doesn't act by the end of the month
Read full article: Nearly $6 billion in funding for Ukraine will expire if Congress doesn't act by the end of the monthU.S. officials say nearly $6 billion in funding for aid to Ukraine will expire at the end of the month unless Congress acts to extend the Pentagonās authority to send weapons from its stockpile to Kyiv.
US cites Egypt's help in Gaza as Washington sends full military aid despite human rights concerns
Read full article: US cites Egypt's help in Gaza as Washington sends full military aid despite human rights concernsThe Biden administration is sending Egypt its full $1.3 billion allocation of military aid.
Mexico will amend its constitution this weekend to require all judges to be elected
Read full article: Mexico will amend its constitution this weekend to require all judges to be electedMexico is poised to amend its constitution this weekend to require all judges to be elected as part of a judicial overhaul championed by the outgoing president but slammed by critics as a blow to the countryās rule of law.
Speaker Johnson postpones vote on a bill to avoid a partial government shutdown
Read full article: Speaker Johnson postpones vote on a bill to avoid a partial government shutdownSpeaker Mike Johnson has postponed a vote on a temporary spending bill that would keep federal agencies and programs funded for six months.
National Dems target Texas, but focus remains on protecting Senate incumbents
Read full article: National Dems target Texas, but focus remains on protecting Senate incumbentsU.S. Rep. Colin Allred, D-Dallas, is challenging Sen. Ted Cruz this November, but the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee has vulnerable incumbents to defend first.
Speaker Johnson pushes ahead on funding bill with proof of citizenship mandate despite dim prospects
Read full article: Speaker Johnson pushes ahead on funding bill with proof of citizenship mandate despite dim prospectsHouse Speaker Mike Johnson is vowing to press ahead with requiring proof of citizenship for new voters as part of a bill to avoid a partial government shutdown.
Austin congressman leads GOP rebuke of Biden administrationās Afghanistan withdrawal
Read full article: Austin congressman leads GOP rebuke of Biden administrationās Afghanistan withdrawalThe House Foreign Affairs Committee, which U.S Rep. Michael McCaul chairs, accused Biden of ignoring warnings from his staffers and allies, leaving American interests vulnerable to the Taliban takeover.
Pentagon chief says a six-month temporary budget bill will have devastating effects on the military
Read full article: Pentagon chief says a six-month temporary budget bill will have devastating effects on the militaryDefense Secretary Lloyd Austin says passage of a six-month temporary spending bill would have widespread and devastating effects on the department and the military.
House Republicans push to link government funding to a citizenship check for new voters
Read full article: House Republicans push to link government funding to a citizenship check for new votersHouse Speaker Mike Johnson has teed up a vote this week on a bill that would keep the federal government funded for six more months.
House Republican unveil bill to avoid shutdown. Senate Democrats say they're wasting precious time
Read full article: House Republican unveil bill to avoid shutdown. Senate Democrats say they're wasting precious timeHouse Republicans have unveiled legislation to avoid a partial government shutdown at the end of the month.
Whatās at stake in Mexico's judicial system under sweeping overhaul pushed by the president
Read full article: Whatās at stake in Mexico's judicial system under sweeping overhaul pushed by the presidentMexicoās governing party says judges in the current court system are corrupt, and it wants to push through a unusual proposal to make the countryās entire judicial branch ā some 7,000 judges āstand for election.
U.S. Chamber of Commerce backs Ted Cruz for Senate over Colin Allred
Read full article: U.S. Chamber of Commerce backs Ted Cruz for Senate over Colin AllredAllred, who had previously gotten the Chamberās endorsement in his House races, had long used the endorsement as proof of his bipartisan credentials.
Hawaii lawmakers say Congress should replenish disaster relief fund to help Maui
Read full article: Hawaii lawmakers say Congress should replenish disaster relief fund to help MauiHawaii's congressional representatives say the nationās disaster relief fund needs to be replenished so the U.S. government can continue to help survivors of Mauiās deadly wildfires and other disasters around the country.
As Mexican protesters block Congress over judicial overhaul, lawmakers head to vote in nearby gym
Read full article: As Mexican protesters block Congress over judicial overhaul, lawmakers head to vote in nearby gymProtesters in Mexico City are blocking the entrance to Congress over proposals that would make judges stand for election.
Data indicates voting by noncitizens is rare. Republicans are pressing measures to make sure of it
Read full article: Data indicates voting by noncitizens is rare. Republicans are pressing measures to make sure of itFederal law already allows only U.S. citizens to vote in elections for president and Congress.
Colin Allredās understated campaign strategy draws mixed reviews from fellow Democrats
Read full article: Colin Allredās understated campaign strategy draws mixed reviews from fellow DemocratsAllredās sharp divergence from Beto OāRourkeās more active campaign style has stirred dissent among some Democrats. His allies say itās working.
Protesters against judiciary overhaul plan urge Mexican president to 'respect democracy'
Read full article: Protesters against judiciary overhaul plan urge Mexican president to 'respect democracy'Protesters have marched across Mexico in the latest opposition to Mexican President AndrĆ©s Manuel LĆ³pez Obradorās proposed judicial overhaul and other moves by the governing party that critics say will weaken democratic checks and balances.