INSIDER
AP Decision Notes: What to expect in Virginia's primaries
Read full article: AP Decision Notes: What to expect in Virginia's primariesVirginia Democrats will settle a crowded six-way primary for lieutenant governor on Tuesday as well as a contested nomination fight for state attorney general.
GOP tax bill would cost poor Americans $1,600 a year and boost highest earners by $12,000, CBO says
Read full article: GOP tax bill would cost poor Americans $1,600 a year and boost highest earners by $12,000, CBO saysThe Republican tax bill approved by the House would cost the poorest Americans roughly $1,600 a year while increasing the income of the wealthiest households by an average of $12,000 annually.
Democrats criticize latest effort by Congress to regulate college sports as setback for athletes
Read full article: Democrats criticize latest effort by Congress to regulate college sports as setback for athletesThe latest effort by Congress to regulate college sports is generating predictable partisan outrage.
Utah Republican proposes sale of more than 2 million acres of US lands
Read full article: Utah Republican proposes sale of more than 2 million acres of US landsMore than 2 million acres of federal lands would be sold to states or other entities under a budget proposal from Utah Republican Sen. Mike Lee.
Democratic governors defend immigration policies before Republican-led House panel
Read full article: Democratic governors defend immigration policies before Republican-led House panelRepublicans in Congress called several Democratic governors to Washington on Thursday to question them over policies limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
House approves Trump's request to cut funding for NPR, PBS and foreign aid
Read full article: House approves Trump's request to cut funding for NPR, PBS and foreign aidThe House has voted to cut about $9.4 billion in spending as President Donald Trump’s administration looks to follow through on work done by the Department of Government Efficiency when it was overseen by Elon Musk.
Study finds little agreement between Republicans and Democrats on media sources they trust
Read full article: Study finds little agreement between Republicans and Democrats on media sources they trustA new survey by the Pew Research Center finds little agreement between Republicans and Democrats in the media sources they trust.
Power bills in California have jumped nearly 50% in four years. Democrats think they have solutions
Read full article: Power bills in California have jumped nearly 50% in four years. Democrats think they have solutionsCalifornia lawmakers advanced several reform measures this week to rein in utility profits, slash electricity bills and potentially save consumers billions of dollars.
What is the CBO? A look at the small office inflaming debate over Trump's tax bill
Read full article: What is the CBO? A look at the small office inflaming debate over Trump's tax billA small government office with some 275 employees has found itself caught in the political crossfire as Congress debates President Donald Trump’s “one big beautiful bill.”.
Trump tax bill will add $2.4 trillion to the deficit and leave 10.9 million more uninsured, CBO says
Read full article: Trump tax bill will add $2.4 trillion to the deficit and leave 10.9 million more uninsured, CBO saysPresident Donald Trump’s big bill is likely to unleash trillions in tax cuts and slash spending, but also spike deficits by $2.4 trillion over the decade and leave some 10.9 million more people without health insurance.
Musk calls Trump's big tax break bill a 'disgusting abomination,' testing his influence over the GOP
Read full article: Musk calls Trump's big tax break bill a 'disgusting abomination,' testing his influence over the GOPElon Musk has blasted President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” of tax breaks and spending cuts as a “disgusting abomination."
Republican push for proof of citizenship to vote proves a tough sell in the states
Read full article: Republican push for proof of citizenship to vote proves a tough sell in the statesPresident Donald Trump and congressional Republicans have made it a priority this year to require people to prove citizenship before they can register to vote, but turning that aspiration into reality has proved difficult.
Supreme Court will consider reviving Republican challenge to Illinois law on mail ballots
Read full article: Supreme Court will consider reviving Republican challenge to Illinois law on mail ballotsThe Supreme Court has agreed to consider reviving a Republican challenge to an Illinois law that allows mail ballots to be counted if they are received up to two weeks after Election Day.
Utah lawmakers said gender-affirming care is harmful to kids. Their own study contradicts that claim
Read full article: Utah lawmakers said gender-affirming care is harmful to kids. Their own study contradicts that claimUtah Republicans passed a ban on gender-affirming health care for transgender youth in 2023 and argued it was needed to protect vulnerable kids from treatments that could cause long-term harm.
The Democrats' path back to power might start in places like this Appalachian town
Read full article: The Democrats' path back to power might start in places like this Appalachian townKentucky Democrats are trying to address the party's steep deficits in overwhelmingly white, conservative pockets of rural America.
The Latest: House passes Trump’s big tax bill in overnight session
Read full article: The Latest: House passes Trump’s big tax bill in overnight sessionHouse Republicans stayed up all night to pass their multitrillion-dollar tax breaks package, with Speaker Mike Johnson defying the skeptics and unifying his ranks to muscle President Donald Trump’s priority bill to approval.
Senate clears way to block clean air standards in California, including vehicle emission rules
Read full article: Senate clears way to block clean air standards in California, including vehicle emission rulesSenate Republicans have voted to establish a new precedent that will allow them to roll back clean air standards in California, including a rule phasing out the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035.
Trump's 'beautiful' bill spans more than 1,000 pages. Here's what's inside it
Read full article: Trump's 'beautiful' bill spans more than 1,000 pages. Here's what's inside itHouse Republicans are getting closer to passing President Donald Trump’s tax breaks, spending cuts and beefed-up border security.
Speaker Johnson and Republicans head to the White House as Trump’s tax breaks bill hits trouble
Read full article: Speaker Johnson and Republicans head to the White House as Trump’s tax breaks bill hits troubleDefying opposition from within his ranks, House Speaker Mike Johnson insisted late Wednesday that Republicans would march ahead on their multitrillion-dollar tax breaks package.
Senate will try to block California vehicle standards that would phase out gas-powered cars
Read full article: Senate will try to block California vehicle standards that would phase out gas-powered carsThe U.S. Senate will move this week to block California from enforcing a series of vehicle emissions standards that are tougher than the federal government’s, including first-in-the-nation rules phasing out the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035.
Trump on Capitol Hill implores divided Republicans to unify behind his big tax cuts bill
Read full article: Trump on Capitol Hill implores divided Republicans to unify behind his big tax cuts billPresident Donald Trump has implored House Republicans on Capitol Hill to drop their fights over his big tax cuts bill.
Senate advances legislation to regulate stablecoins, a form of cryptocurrency
Read full article: Senate advances legislation to regulate stablecoins, a form of cryptocurrencyThe Senate has voted to move forward with legislation to regulate a form of cryptocurrency called stablecoins, two weeks after Democrats blocked the measure.
Arizona prosecutors ordered to send fake elector case back to grand jury
Read full article: Arizona prosecutors ordered to send fake elector case back to grand juryArizona prosecutors pressing the case against Republicans accused of trying to overturn the 2020 election results in President Donald Trump’s favor were ordered to send the case back to a grand jury.
Trump looks to unite Republicans with visit to Capitol before key votes on tax cut bill
Read full article: Trump looks to unite Republicans with visit to Capitol before key votes on tax cut billPresident Donald Trump will look to build momentum for his sweeping tax cut and immigration bill, meeting with House Republicans as they try to work out their differences.
The old slang term '86' probably started as restaurant-worker jargon. Suddenly it's in the news
Read full article: The old slang term '86' probably started as restaurant-worker jargon. Suddenly it's in the newsThe slang term at the center of a political firestorm around former FBI Director James Comey likely originated as food-service-industry jargon before extending to other uses.
House Republicans include a 10-year ban on US states regulating AI in 'big, beautiful' bill
Read full article: House Republicans include a 10-year ban on US states regulating AI in 'big, beautiful' billHouse Republicans surprised tech industry watchers and outraged many state governments when they added a clause to Republicans’ signature “big, beautiful” tax bill that bans states and localities from regulating artificial intelligence for a decade.
Trump's 'beautiful' bill spans 1,116 pages. Here's what's inside it
Read full article: Trump's 'beautiful' bill spans 1,116 pages. Here's what's inside itRepublicans continue to make progress on President Donald Trump’s big bill of tax breaks, spending cuts and beefed-up border security, though considerable divisions remain as Speaker Mike Johnson attempts to bridge the differences in his conference.
Senate rejects Democratic measure to force more transparency on deportations to El Salvador
Read full article: Senate rejects Democratic measure to force more transparency on deportations to El SalvadorSenate Republicans have blocked a Democratic resolution to require more transparency from the Trump administration about deportations to El Salvador.
Americans are divided over DEI programs on college campuses, an AP-NORC poll finds
Read full article: Americans are divided over DEI programs on college campuses, an AP-NORC poll findsA new poll suggests that while the overall concept of diversity, equity and inclusion is divisive, some of the DEI initiatives being affected by the Trump administration’s policies are less controversial.
Republicans working on Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ want cuts to Medicaid, food stamps
Read full article: Republicans working on Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ want cuts to Medicaid, food stampsNegotiations continued in Congress as Republicans aimed to pass President Donald Trump’s “one big, beautiful bill.”
Divisions emerge among House Republicans over how much to cut taxes and Medicaid in Trump's bill
Read full article: Divisions emerge among House Republicans over how much to cut taxes and Medicaid in Trump's billThere were cheers when Republicans on the House Ways and Means Committee signed off on the GOP tax breaks bill after a round-the-clock session that pushed President Donald Trump’s package past overwhelming Democratic opposition.
What's in Trump's big bill? Trillions in tax cuts, changes to Medicaid and more
Read full article: What's in Trump's big bill? Trillions in tax cuts, changes to Medicaid and moreRepublicans in Congress are moving with rapid speed to advance President Donald Trump’s big bill of tax breaks, spending cuts and beefed-up border security funding.
Trump's plan to accept free Air Force One replacement from Qatar raises ethical and security worries
Read full article: Trump's plan to accept free Air Force One replacement from Qatar raises ethical and security worriesFor President Donald Trump, accepting a free Air Force One replacement from Qatar is a no-brainer.
House Republicans target clean energy tax credits and pollution rules in budget proposal
Read full article: House Republicans target clean energy tax credits and pollution rules in budget proposalHouse Republicans have proposed cutting billions of dollars in funding for Biden-era climate and environmental programs, including clean energy tax credits.
House Republicans unveil Medicaid cuts that Democrats warn will leave millions without care
Read full article: House Republicans unveil Medicaid cuts that Democrats warn will leave millions without careHouse Republicans have unveiled the cost-saving centerpiece of President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill.”.
A Republican push to sell public lands in the West is reigniting a political fight
Read full article: A Republican push to sell public lands in the West is reigniting a political fightCongressional Republicans say their plan to sell or transfer 460,000 acres of public land will generate revenue and offer space to build houses in Western cities.
Ousted top election official in key swing state urges civility toward 'caretakers of our democracy'
Read full article: Ousted top election official in key swing state urges civility toward 'caretakers of our democracy'The former North Carolina elections director who was ousted this week after a politically motivated move by Republicans said Friday she hopes the new leadership will approach elections in a nonpartisan way and called for an end to verbal attacks against those who oversee the voting process.
Trump revives, then discards, then revives again the idea of taxing the rich in big GOP bill
Read full article: Trump revives, then discards, then revives again the idea of taxing the rich in big GOP billAfter flirting with raising the tax rate for the wealthiest earners, President Donald Trump is backing off that call — sort of.
Democrats block stablecoin bill as they raise concerns about Trump's crypto ventures
Read full article: Democrats block stablecoin bill as they raise concerns about Trump's crypto venturesSenate Democrats have blocked legislation to regulate a form of cryptocurrency after arguing that the bill needed stronger protections.
House follows Trump's lead with a vote to change the Gulf of Mexico to 'Gulf of America'
Read full article: House follows Trump's lead with a vote to change the Gulf of Mexico to 'Gulf of America'The Republican-led House has passed a bill that would rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America and direct federal agencies to update their documents and maps to incorporate the new name.
More older Americans worry Social Security won't be there for them, an AP-NORC poll finds
Read full article: More older Americans worry Social Security won't be there for them, an AP-NORC poll findsA poll finds that as the Social Security Administration undergoes massive changes and staffing cuts ushered in by the Trump administration, an increasing share of older Americans, particularly Democrats, aren’t confident the benefit will be available to them.
The election director in North Carolina, a key swing state, is ousted after a Republican power play
Read full article: The election director in North Carolina, a key swing state, is ousted after a Republican power playNorth Carolina's elections board has ousted the agency’s executive director after Republicans gained control.
House GOP backing off some Medicaid cuts as report shows millions of people would lose health care
Read full article: House GOP backing off some Medicaid cuts as report shows millions of people would lose health careHouse Republicans appear to be backing off some, but not all, of the steep reductions to the Medicaid program as part of their big tax breaks bill.
House Republicans push to sell hundreds of thousands of acres of public lands in the West
Read full article: House Republicans push to sell hundreds of thousands of acres of public lands in the WestHouse Republicans have added a provision to their sweeping tax cut package that would authorize the sale of hundreds of thousands of acres of public lands in Nevada and Utah.
As Trump battles elite colleges, House GOP looks to hike endowment tax by tenfold or more
Read full article: As Trump battles elite colleges, House GOP looks to hike endowment tax by tenfold or moreAs Congress looks to slash spending and raise revenue for President Donald Trump’s tax bill, Republicans have turned attention to the huge endowments amassed by the country’s wealthiest colleges.
What's in Trump's big bill? Money for migrant clampdown but tax breaks and program cuts hit 'bumps'
Read full article: What's in Trump's big bill? Money for migrant clampdown but tax breaks and program cuts hit 'bumps'Congress is drafting President Donald Trump’s big bill of tax breaks, spending cuts and beefed-up border security and deportation funds.
Former Maine Gov. Paul LePage to run for Congress in Trump-friendly district held by Democrat Golden
Read full article: Former Maine Gov. Paul LePage to run for Congress in Trump-friendly district held by Democrat GoldenFormer Maine Gov. Paul LePage, an early supporter of President Donald Trump’s first successful White House bid and a polarizing figure in state politics, says he is running for Congress in a competitive district.
Balancing Trump criticism and bipartisanship, Democrat Jon Ossoff walks a fine line in Georgia
Read full article: Balancing Trump criticism and bipartisanship, Democrat Jon Ossoff walks a fine line in GeorgiaGeorgia Sen. Jon Ossoff is among many Democrats looking to find the right path to challenge President Donald Trump and Republicans after the GOP won the White House and congressional majorities in 2024.
Senate Democrats plan to force a vote on resolution for transparency on deportations to El Salvador
Read full article: Senate Democrats plan to force a vote on resolution for transparency on deportations to El SalvadorSenate Democrats plan to force a vote in the coming weeks on a resolution to require more transparency from President Donald Trump’s administration about deportations to El Salvador.
Funding cuts threaten to deepen hunger crisis as rising costs send more families to food banks
Read full article: Funding cuts threaten to deepen hunger crisis as rising costs send more families to food banksFood banks say income stagnation and rising living costs are increasing demand at their organizations across the country — all as the federal government shuts off funding streams that provide millions with healthier, harder-to-get groceries.
The Senate votes down resolution to block Trump's global tariffs amid economic turmoil
Read full article: The Senate votes down resolution to block Trump's global tariffs amid economic turmoilSenate Republicans have narrowly voted down a Democratic resolution that would have blocked global tariffs announced by Donald Trump earlier this month, giving the president a modest win Wednesday as lawmakers in both parties have remained skeptical of his trade agenda.
Democratic Leader Jeffries says Trump's 100 days filled with 'chaos, cruelty and corruption'
Read full article: Democratic Leader Jeffries says Trump's 100 days filled with 'chaos, cruelty and corruption'House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said President Donald Trump’s 100 days in office have been an assault of Americans’ very way of life.
House GOP wants to pump billions into Trump's deportations and detentions as part of tax bill
Read full article: House GOP wants to pump billions into Trump's deportations and detentions as part of tax billRepublicans in Congress are working to pump billions of dollars into President Donald Trump’s mass deportation and border security program.
Georgia Democrat Jon Ossoff says Trump's 'chaos and uncertainty' hurts the economy
Read full article: Georgia Democrat Jon Ossoff says Trump's 'chaos and uncertainty' hurts the economyDemocratic Sen. Jon Ossoff of Georgia says President Donald Trump’s unsettled economic policy is the biggest problem facing his state.
Wesley Hunt has met with White House aides about entering the Texas Senate primary, AP sources say
Read full article: Wesley Hunt has met with White House aides about entering the Texas Senate primary, AP sources sayU.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt of Texas may enter his state’s Republican primary for a Senate seat, adding more intrigue to what is already a marquee midterm contest.
Takeaways from AP’s report on pardoned Jan. 6 rioters being embraced in Republican politics
Read full article: Takeaways from AP’s report on pardoned Jan. 6 rioters being embraced in Republican politicsPresident Donald Trump pardoned about 1,500 Capitol rioters on his first day in office, and now some of those involved in the Jan. 6 attack are getting a platform to tell their version of events.
Surprise open governor's seat in Iowa signals competitive GOP primary, glimmer of hope for Democrats
Read full article: Surprise open governor's seat in Iowa signals competitive GOP primary, glimmer of hope for DemocratsIowa looked a lot different in 2010, when Republican Kim Reynolds was first elected to statewide office.
Democrats flood competitive Michigan district as GOP incumbent seeks governor's office
Read full article: Democrats flood competitive Michigan district as GOP incumbent seeks governor's officeA number of Democrats are launching bids in a suddenly competitive House district in Michigan after the Republican incumbent earlier this week announced a run for governor.
In the Texas GOP Senate primary, Paxton and Cornyn trade early attacks
Read full article: In the Texas GOP Senate primary, Paxton and Cornyn trade early attacksA supercharged U.S. Senate GOP primary in Texas between Sen. John Cornyn and state Attorney General Ken Paxton is off to a fast start of personal attacks and expectations of a high-spending race.
Republican bill requiring proof of citizenship for voting passes US House
Read full article: Republican bill requiring proof of citizenship for voting passes US HouseVermont's Democratic secretary of state says Republican legislation passed by the U.S. House that would require proof of citizenship when registering to vote for federal elections is part of a strategy to make voting harder.
Republican-led House passes bill to limit nationwide orders from federal district judges
Read full article: Republican-led House passes bill to limit nationwide orders from federal district judgesThe House has passed a bill that limits the authority of federal district judges to issue nationwide orders.
House GOP holdouts threaten Trump’s ‘big, beautiful’ budget bill as Speaker Johnson postpones vote
Read full article: House GOP holdouts threaten Trump’s ‘big, beautiful’ budget bill as Speaker Johnson postpones voteHouse Republicans have abruptly postponed a late evening vote on their budget framework as grave misgivings from conservative GOP lawmakers threw it in flux.
State Supreme Courts have become an electoral battleground. But some states choose a different path
Read full article: State Supreme Courts have become an electoral battleground. But some states choose a different pathThe recent election that determined control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court saw millions of dollars flooding in from billionaires, featured attack ads and drew national political attention.
Takeaways from the Senate budget vote: Tariff pressure, debt worries and signs of GOP unease
Read full article: Takeaways from the Senate budget vote: Tariff pressure, debt worries and signs of GOP uneaseThe political battle lines are drawn for a debate in Washington and beyond over a Republican budget plan that’s a cornerstone of President Donald Trump’s domestic agenda.
Senate GOP approves framework for Trump's tax breaks and spending cuts after late-night session
Read full article: Senate GOP approves framework for Trump's tax breaks and spending cuts after late-night sessionThe Republican-controlled Senate has approved a budget framework that includes multitrillion-dollar tax breaks and spending cuts.
Trump administration fires staff of program that helps low-income households pay for heat
Read full article: Trump administration fires staff of program that helps low-income households pay for heatThe Trump administration has laid off the entire staff of a $4.1 billion program that helps low-income households nationwide pay for heat.
Georgia Democrats' frustration with anti-transgender bills boils over into a walkout
Read full article: Georgia Democrats' frustration with anti-transgender bills boils over into a walkoutBoxed into a vote on outlawing spending on gender affirming care for transgender prisoners, Georgia Democrats chose a third option Wednesday.
Senate rebukes Trump’s tariffs as some Republicans vote to halt taxes on Canadian imports
Read full article: Senate rebukes Trump’s tariffs as some Republicans vote to halt taxes on Canadian importsThe Senate has passed a resolution that would thwart President Donald Trump’s ability to impose tariffs on Canada.
Wisconsin Supreme Court to tackle abortion, unions and redistricting after a liberal's win
Read full article: Wisconsin Supreme Court to tackle abortion, unions and redistricting after a liberal's winSusan Crawford’s Wisconsin Supreme Court election victory over a conservative candidate backed by President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk cements a liberal majority on the state’s top court for at least three more years.
More Republicans want the US to focus on ceasefires in Ukraine and Gaza, a new AP-NORC poll finds
Read full article: More Republicans want the US to focus on ceasefires in Ukraine and Gaza, a new AP-NORC poll findsA new AP-NORC poll finds that while most Americans disapprove of President Donald Trump’s handling of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the conflict is not weighing as heavily on his public perception as it did on President Joe Biden.
The key places to watch in Tuesday's elections in Wisconsin and Florida
Read full article: The key places to watch in Tuesday's elections in Wisconsin and FloridaA handful of elections in Florida and Wisconsin have become key tests of President Donald Trump’s political standing just over two months into his second term in the White House.
Justice Department instructed to dismiss legal challenge to Georgia election law
Read full article: Justice Department instructed to dismiss legal challenge to Georgia election lawU.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has instructed the Justice Department to dismiss a lawsuit challenging a sweeping 2021 election law in Georgia.
New Jersey's GOP primary for governor could pivot on Trump, a part-time resident
Read full article: New Jersey's GOP primary for governor could pivot on Trump, a part-time residentThe most important Republican in New Jersey’s race for governor this year might well be a part-time resident who burnished his reputation and his brand near the Atlantic City Boardwalk.
No timetable from Texas governor on filling late Democratic congressman's vacant seat
Read full article: No timetable from Texas governor on filling late Democratic congressman's vacant seatThe race to fill a Texas congressional seat has candidates but no election date more than three weeks after Rep. Sylvester Turner’s death left a vacancy in a stronghold for Democrats, who are eager to cut into Republicans’ narrow U.S. House majority.