Washington Power Brief

Congressional Pushback on White House Priorities

• 🔥 Senate GOP Strips Ballroom Funding: Senate Republicans removed funding for the White House...

Former Obama White House staffer Jim Messina is busting the most dangerous myths shaping Democratic strategy, messaging, and coalition-building ahead of the midterms in the final installment of his series.

Senate Republicans removed ballroom funding from an immigration spending bill after bipartisan backlash and procedural hurdles.

• Bipartisan...

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent faced dual pressure in congressional hearings, defending Trump's economic record while dodging questions on a...

Sen. Collins pressed Secretary Rubio on potential oil disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz, as Rubio defended the administration's Iran actions to block nuclear advances during a heated Senate hearing on foreign policy and global health funding.

President Trump launched the DOJ Model Cities Initiative, allocating $300 million in grants to cities with populations exceeding 100,000.

• Funds...

Trump signed an executive order requiring companies to allow federal oversight of new AI models before public release, reversing his earlier signals of a relaxed regulatory approach toward the technology.

The Supreme Court's 6-3 decision allows Alabama's GOP-friendly map for midterms despite prior findings of racial discrimination.

• Justice Sotomayor...

The Trump administration claims its immigration agenda upholds the rule of law but instead violates constitutional rights, ignores statutory limits,...

Trump's $1.8B 'anti-weaponization' fund stems from a collusive IRS lawsuit settlement, with payments controlled by his appointees and potential...

New Jersey’s 7th remains a key battleground for House control, with Republican incumbent Tom Kean Jr. unopposed.

Four Democrats seek the nomination...

Alabama AG Steve Marshall asked the Supreme Court on May 28 to fast-track a decision on the state's 2023 congressional map.

• June 1: Challengers...

Arizona Democrat Sen. Ruben Gallego is pushing to overturn a Trump policy forcing many green card applicants to leave the U.S. for consular...

Daniel Grand is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review his lawsuit after lower courts upheld University Heights' order barring daily prayer services...

Rep. Greg Steube introduced the Stop ANTIFA Act as the House companion to Sen. Rick Scott’s legislation, designating ANTIFA a domestic terrorist...

New Fed Chair Kevin Warsh vowed a "reform-oriented" approach focused on lower inflation and stronger growth while insisting on independence during his...

Senate Democrats led by Jeff Merkley and Alex Padilla are demanding Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick immediately cease any role in implementing...

House Democrats held their weekly press conference featuring Caucus Chair Aguilar and Vice Chair Ted Lieu to outline positions on economic issues,...

Congress is showing rare bipartisan pushback on Trump's Iran strategy through separate actions in both chambers.

• The House passed a war powers...

The Supreme Court approved a consent decree resolving Texas's long-running Rio Grande water dispute with New Mexico and Colorado.

• Key outcome:...