The House is set to vote on a short-term extension of Section 702, but Democratic opposition over Bill Pulte’s appointment as acting intelligence chief could doom the measure. Lawmakers remain divided over civil liberties, national security and what happens if the authority expires Friday.
Posts tagged as “John Fetterman”
Graham Platner rejected new allegations about his past treatment of women as politically motivated, days before Maine Democrats choose a Senate nominee. The controversy has intensified Democratic concerns about the race against Republican Sen. Susan Collins.
Graham Platner met with Democratic senators in Washington as new reports about sexually explicit texts added to controversies surrounding his Maine Senate campaign. Key supporters, including Chuck Schumer and Bernie Sanders, continued to back him publicly.
The Senate narrowly rejects a resolution to limit President Trump’s military actions in Iran, with Democrats pledging to continue efforts to rein in the conflict. Some Republicans express concerns as the 60-day War Powers deadline approaches.
The Department of Homeland Security shutdown has entered its 41st day, causing severe delays at TSA checkpoints and increasing pressure on Senate lawmakers to reach a funding agreement before their upcoming recess. Negotiations remain deadlocked over funding and reform of ICE, with Republicans opposing Democratic demands for immigration enforcement reforms and Democrats insisting on them as part of any DHS funding deal. Meanwhile, internal GOP divisions and calls from former President Trump to end the filibuster complicate efforts to pass a resolution, leaving the shutdown unresolved as the Senate prepares for another vote.
President Donald Trump has avoided officially calling the military conflict with Iran a "war," citing constitutional limits on presidential war powers and the need for congressional authorization, though he has occasionally referred to it as such. The legal and political debate continues, with Democrats pushing to restrict the president’s military actions without congressional approval, while Republicans largely oppose these measures. Meanwhile, Ukraine is aiding Gulf nations against Iranian drone attacks by deploying anti-drone specialists, and Senate Republicans are advancing a budget reconciliation bill focused on conservative priorities, including military funding related to the Iran conflict.
Senator Markwayne Mullin was confirmed as the new Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security by a 54-45 Senate vote, replacing Kristi Noem amid controversy over her leadership. Mullin’s appointment comes during a prolonged DHS shutdown caused by Democratic demands for immigration enforcement reforms, which remain unresolved despite the leadership change. Known for bipartisan relationships, Mullin has pledged to empower personnel and implement policy shifts such as requiring judicial warrants for enforcement actions, while his confirmation drew both cross-party support and criticism.
The U.S. Senate advanced Senator Markwayne Mullin's nomination for Secretary of Homeland Security with bipartisan support despite controversy during his hearing. Meanwhile, a partial DHS shutdown due to a funding impasse has caused staffing shortages and operational disruptions, particularly at airports, prompting ICE agents to assist TSA officers. The shutdown results from ongoing disputes between Democrats and Republicans over immigration enforcement policies, with bipartisan negotiations ongoing to restore full DHS operations.