House Republicans weigh vote on Obamacare extension

Trump signs order to fight state AI laws

President Trump signed Thursday night an executive order to impose a national AI standard, a move that would limit states’ efforts to enact their own AI laws. “We have to be unified. China is unified because they have one vote and that’s President Xi [Xinping],” Trump said,

Senate ACA votes fail

Presented by the Coalition to Strengthen America's Healthcare {beacon} Health Care Health Care PRESENTED BY COALITION TO STRENGTHEN AMERICA'S HEALTHCARE The Big Story Senate ACA votes fail The Senate rejected dueling proposals championed by Democrats and Republicans that each

New chair of CDC vaccine panel fired from pediatric practice, wife says

The wife of the newly appointed chair of the vaccine advisory panel that recently voted to roll back infant hepatitis B vaccination guidelines said Thursday that he had been fired from his pediatric cardiology practice because of his position on the committee. Kimberly Milhoan,

FactChecking Trump’s Economic Speech

In a campaign-style rally in Pennsylvania on Dec. 9, President Donald Trump honed a message of "lower prices, bigger paychecks" ahead of next year's midterm elections. Some of his talking points on the economy missed the mark. The post FactChecking Trump’s Economic Speech

FEMA council meeting canceled

{beacon} Energy & Environment Energy & Environment The Big Story Highly anticipated FEMA reform meeting canceled A highly anticipated meeting at which the Trump administration was expected to reveal its plans to reform the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was

General contradicts Trump on 'enemy within' during National Guard hearing

The head of U.S. Northern Command on Thursday contradicted President Trump’s assertion that an “invasion [from] within” or an “enemy within” justifies the commander in chief’s National Guard deployments to American cities. “I do not have any indications of an enemy within,”

West Virginia governor: Hospitalized National Guard member's parents 'optimistic' about recovery

West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey (R) on Thursday gave a positive update on the condition of U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, who was shot in Washington, D.C., last month. At a news conference, Morrisey said that Wolfe, while hospitalized, is smiling, moving more of

White House doubles down on TikTok with 'Cabinet' account

The White House is doubling down on their use of TikTok with an account for the Trump administration Cabinet. “NEW ON TIKTOK: The great U.S. Cabinet!” the White House posted Thursday on the social platform X. Breitbart first reported about the account. The first post on the

6 more states approved for food stamp soda bans

The Trump administration has approved six additional states for bans that would prevent people from using food stamps to buy sugary sodas and unhealthy foods, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said Wednesday. The six additional states that will be able to impose the

Democrats sound the alarm over escalation with Venezuela after US seizes oil tanker

Democrats are sounding alarm bells after the Trump administration seized a Venezuelan oil tanker Wednesday, with lawmakers worrying that the move could lead to increased conflict or even war in the region. The U.S. has been attempting to ratchet up pressure on Caracas in recent

Trump's economy pitch rankles Senate GOP

Welcome to The Hill's Business & Economy newsletter {beacon} Business & Economy Business & Economy The Big Story GOP senators rip Trump for brushing off affordability “You can’t call it a hoax and suggest that people are going to believe it,” Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska)

Powerball jackpot reaches $1B for second time in 2025

For the second time this year, the Powerball jackpot has reached $1 billion, giving players a chance at one of the largest prizes in game history.

Mortgage rates could dip in 2026 but not by much, forecasts show

Mortgages rates may dip in 2026 — but don't expect a big drop.

Cinnamon recalled in 14 states over potential lead contamination

"For adults, chronic lead exposure is associated with kidney dysfunction, hypertension, and neurocognitive effects," a recall notice explains.

House panel advances kids safety bills despite Democratic opposition

A House Energy and Commerce subcommittee advanced a slate of 18 kids' online safety bills to the full panel Thursday despite Democratic opposition to key legislation that could complicate the effort down the line. While lawmakers cleared about a dozen bills without any

Judge bars Trump from axing FEMA disaster preparedness grants

A federal judge in Massachusetts on Thursday blocked the Trump administration from cutting a program meant to make communities better prepared for storms. Judge Richard Stearns, a Clinton appointee, ruled that the administration cannot terminate the Building Resilient

Sanders: Kushner connection to Warner Bros. takeover bid sign of 'authoritarianism'

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) on Wednesday condemned Jared Kushner's involvement in Paramount's hostile takeover bid to acquire Warner Bros., arguing President Trump's apparent effort to intervene in the massive media deal amounted to "authoritarianism." "A handful of giant

DOJ portrays Franklin the turtle as 'deportation judge'

In the second Trump administration post of its kind, the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Thursday portrayed Franklin, the anthropomorphic turtle character from a children's book series, as a "deportation judge." Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth posted a similar image with Franklin

Senate Republican 'concerned' with Trump approving Nvidia chip exports to China

Republican Sen. Dave McCormick (Pa.) is not fully on board with the Trump administration permitting Nvidia to sell its H200 chips in China. “I’m concerned. I’m not clear on why that is the right path for us,” McCormick said Wednesday at the Aspen Security Forum. The

White House Struggles to Defend Trump Idea to Limit Kids’ Presents

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt lost it Thursday when CNN’s Kaitlan Collins quoted President Trump’s own statements on the economy and Christmas. “If the economy is as strong as the president has said it is, then why is he telling parents two weeks before Christmas

Indiana Senate rejects new House map, defying Trump

The Indiana Senate failed to pass a new GOP-favored House map on Thursday, dealing a major blow to President Trump after he had publicly pressured state lawmakers to approve the new lines. The upper chamber voted against the map on a 19-31 vote, drawing applause from some

Noem worldwide threats hearing ends in subpoena bid: 4 things to know

An annual hearing to review the threats facing the U.S. ended with an effort by Democrats to subpoena Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem after she exited the hearing early. The "Worldwide Threats to the Homeland" hearing was a deviation from past events in many respects.

Trump Wants People to Submit DNA Just to Get a Tourist Visa

Want to visit the United States? Customs and Border Patrol will make you submit your social media history—and your family history and DNA too. In an 11-page notice published in the Federal Register on Wednesday, CBP outlined several proposed changes to the Electronic System for

Kelly: Trump only concerned with trying to 'fleece the American people'

Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) said President Trump is only concerned with trying to “fleece” the American people out of their money, as the White House renews its focus on a message of affordability. Kelly, in an interview on “The Jim Acosta Show” on Wednesday, said when it comes

Carville weighs in on Trump: 'He’s done. It’s over'

Democratic strategist James Carville on Wednesday said President Trump’s controversial comments about immigrants have begun to lose traction with voters ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. “He’s done. It’s over. You’re a loser, dude. You’re losing everywhere, and you’re going

DOJ fails a second time in securing new Letitia James indictment from grand jury

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has failed again to secure a new indictment against New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) after its initial case against her was dismissed, the second time a grand jury has refused to approve charges this month. It’s the latest stumble for

Greene on Epstein files release: 'I'll only believe it when I see it'

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) said that when it comes to the full release of files linked to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, she’ll “only believe it when” she sees it. “Are you confident that the Trump administration will release the full Epstein files?” CBS

Kristi Noem Literally Runs Out of House Hearing to Avoid Dem Questions

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem abruptly ended her time before the House Homeland Security Committee Thursday, angering lawmakers by stepping away from the hot seat to attend a highly anticipated meeting on the future of FEMA. Except that meeting never happened. The

Trump allies ramp up pressure on Indiana GOP ahead of final redistricting vote

High-profile Republicans ramped up pressure on Indiana Republican senators to pass a new GOP-favored map Thursday as the lawmakers convened in the state Legislature to weigh whether to pass new congressional lines ahead of 2026. “Rod Bray, the Senate leader in Indiana, has

Cruz: Crockett 'the face of the Democratic Party'

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) said Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) was the “face” of the Democratic Party after she launched a bid for the Senate earlier this week. “I don't know Jasmine Crockett, I've never met her, but I think she is the face of the Democratic Party. And I welcome

Zelensky says he discussed Ukraine peace deal with Rubio, Hegseth

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he had a “constructive” conversation Thursday with a U.S. team that included Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and President Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner amid a

Navy submits report on Kelly’s potential punishment over 'illegal orders' video

The U.S. Navy has submitted its report on the potential punishments for Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) over a recent video where he and other Democratic lawmakers told U.S. service members to disobey “illegal orders.” The report, which was ordered by the Defense Department and

US imposes new sanctions on Maduro family members, oil ships

President Trump on Thursday announced new sanctions on the family members of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and Venezuelan businesses, a day after the U.S. seized a Venezuelan oil tanker in an escalation of the administration's pressure campaign on the country. The U.S. is

Newsom: Trump most destructive president in my life

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) on Wednesday accused President Trump of being the nation's "most destructive" president ever during an appearance on New York Times columnist Ezra Klein's podcast. "I think Trump is one of the most destructive presidents and human beings in my

Florida attorney general sues Starbucks over 'reverse discrimination'

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has filed a lawsuit against Starbucks, claiming the company's DEI initiatives constitute racial discrimination.

La Niña likely for next month, NOAA says. Here's what it means for winter weather

The climate phenomenon is expected to "continue for the next month or two," national forecasters said in an update Thursday.

Older voters leaning toward Republicans ahead of midterms: Survey

U.S. voters ages 50 and up are now trending Republican, less than a year ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, according to a new poll. The Reuters/Ipsos survey, released Thursday, found that 46 percent of registered voters 50 years old and above say they support GOP candidates,

Leavitt points to testy exchange with Kaitlan Collins as 'evidence' CNN needs new ownership

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt blasted CNN after reporter Kaitlan Collins pressed her on the voter concerns with the U.S. economy and said her line of questioning shows changes are needed at the cable news network. "I think the president's comments on CNN and new

Noem Accidentally Admits to Congress That She’s Breaking the Law

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem didn’t deny that the Trump administration was illegally deporting people with ongoing asylum cases. Noem spiraled out during a House Homeland Security Committee hearing Thursday, after Representative Dan Goldman pressed her on the

Leavitt says Trump doesn't view seizure of oil tanker as escalation with Venezuela

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Thursday that President Trump does not view the U.S. seizure of a Venezuelan oil tanker as an escalation toward war with Caracas. “I think the president considers the seizure of the oil tanker as effectuating the

List of Every Republican Who Voted to Make Obamacare More Expensive

Health care bills are going to skyrocket next year after the Senate voted down a bill that would have extended subsidies for the Affordable Care Act on Thursday. The bill needed 60 votes to pass, but only four Republicans broke with their party and voted to extend the subsidies

Noem defiant as Democrats decry Trump administration treatment of migrants

Several names have been floated as replacements to the Homeland Security secretary amid questions about her future in the Trump administration.

House tables Trump impeachment as Democratic leaders vote ‘present’

The House on Thursday voted to table a resolution to impeach President Trump after Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) forced a vote on the matter, scuttling the snap impeachment push with the help of Democratic leaders voting “present” rather than aiding Green with the effort. A

Hungary's Orbán: Trump understands 'Europe's decline'

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on Thursday said President Trump understands "Europe's decline" and can see "that Europe has hit the wall of a long economic dead end." The remarks come after Trump last week released his National Security Strategy, which accuses the

Highly anticipated meeting on the future of FEMA abruptly canceled

A highly anticipated meeting at which the Trump administration was expected to reveal its plans to reform the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been abruptly canceled. A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) told The Hill via email that

Trump Confirms His Disparaging Remark About ‘Shithole Countries’ at Immigration Meeting

Nearly eight years ago, President Donald Trump denied using the word “shitholes” to describe African countries during an Oval Office meeting on immigration. But now he has fessed up. The post Trump Confirms His Disparaging Remark About ‘Shithole Countries’ at Immigration

Noem accused of misleading Congress about early hearing departure to canceled meeting

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was accused of misleading House Homeland Security Committee members when she said she was departing a Thursday hearing early to attend another meeting that was actually canceled. It’s an assertion denied by Noem’s office, which said she

Should due process be observed in House ethics cases?

The House of Representatives recently debated a resolution to censure Del. Stacey Plaskett (D-Virgin Islands), raising questions about whether members accused of wrongdoing should be entitled to due process before being punished.

Henry Cuellar will retake key spending post after Trump pardon