Author: Samantha-Jo Roth

Linda McMahon, President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Education Department, affirmed during her confirmation hearing on Thursday that shutting down the agency entirely would require congressional approval. Trump has repeatedly said he wants to shut down the department. While conceding that closing the agency would require congressional approval, McMahon, a former World Wrestling Entertainment CEO, made…

Former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, President Donald Trump’s pick to become the director of national intelligence, was confirmed by the Senate after Republicans rallied around her nomination. In a vote that fell mostly along party lines, the upper chamber voted 52-48 to confirm Gabbard to oversee and coordinate the work of the 18 intelligence agencies in…

Several progressive Democrats and left-leaning organizations urged Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency to take aim at portions of the Pentagon’s “oversized budget,” a clear difference in messaging from Democratic leadership. “It’s time for Republicans to understand the reality that national security also means health and housing and financial security, but no —…

Tulsi Gabbard, President Donald Trump’s pick to become director of national intelligence, cleared a key procedural hurdle on Monday to advance her nomination toward a final Senate vote. The Republican-led chamber, requiring only a simple majority, voted 52-46 to clear a procedural step and set the stage for confirmation later in the week.  Gabbard’s advancement…

Elon Musk and the Department of Transportation’s plan to “remake” U.S. airspace with rapid safety upgrades has raised new concerns that the billionaire’s involvement poses a “clear conflict of interest,” given his position at SpaceX.  Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA), the ranking member of the Commerce Committee sent a letter to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy asking…

EXCLUSIVE — A new report from the American Security Project revealed “extensive” financial and political ties between DeepSeek, a cutting-edge artificial intelligence tool, and the Chinese Communist Party. The nonpartisan Washington, D.C.-based think tank, started in 2006 by former Secretary of State John Kerry and former Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, found DeepSeek is deeply intertwined…

Democrats on a key Senate committee delayed Kash Patel‘s committee vote for one week, moving to “hold over” his nomination for FBI director, although he is still on track to be confirmed by the full Senate. Democrats voiced serious concerns about Patel’s nomination, saying the Trump ally frequently pushes conspiracy theories and misinformation, has close…

In an all-night marathon of speeches on the Senate floor, Democrats are protesting Russell Vought’s nomination to lead the Office of Management and Budget, warning his confirmation will supercharge Elon Musk’s efforts to upend federal government agencies. “Imagine a world where Russell Vought and the DOGE team team up, and it’s a team that can…

The Senate confirmed Scott Turner, President Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of housing and urban development, on Wednesday. The former NFL quarterback who served in Trump’s first administration was confirmed in a bipartisan 55-44 vote. Turner ran the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during Trump’s first term and is a former Texas state lawmaker.…

Top Democrats on Capitol Hill are leveraging all the tools at their disposal as they rail against Elon Musk’s efforts to gut federal agencies and recent access to the federal government’s payment system. Senate and House Minority Leaders Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) are playing the long game in their battle against what…