Congressional & Capitol Hill News

The Daily Signal delivers comprehensive congressional news with reporting and conservative commentary on House and Senate activities, legislative priorities, committee investigations, leadership battles, and the fight for conservative policy in both chambers of Congress.
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    • Opinion

    The Rich Legacy Orrin Hatch Will Leave in the Senate

    Washington, D.C., is filled to the brim with skilled politicians and bright people. What it has in short supply are people who possess those characteristics and who also are wonderful human beings. Orrin Grant Hatch, the senior United States senator from Utah and president pro tempore of the Senate, is one of that very small…
    Paul J. Larkin
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    • Opinion

    House and Senate Should Reconcile Their Bills to Replace Dodd-Frank

    In June, the House passed the Financial CHOICE Act, a comprehensive financial regulatory reform bill that would replace large parts of the 2010 Dodd-Frank law. Because the Republicans hold a slim majority in the Senate, passing such a comprehensive reform package is difficult, at best. Nonetheless, the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, led…
    Norbert Michel
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    • News

    House Passes Historic Tax Reform Bill, but Has to Vote Again

    Following the House’s 227-203 Tuesday vote to pass Republicans’ tax reform overhaul, the legislation will move to a vote in the Senate, expected Tuesday night or Wednesday morning. “Today is a momentous day for America,” Rep. Mark Meadows, R-N.C., chairman of the House Freedom Caucus, said in a statement. “The forgotten men and women of…
    Rachel del Guidice
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    • Opinion

    Liberal Lawmakers Trying to Bail Out Private Pensions With Taxpayer Money

    Last year, liberal lawmakers wanted to bail out the United Mine Workers of America’s pension plan to the tune of roughly $6 billion. This year, they’re at it again, except on a larger scale. Under pressure from a few very large and politically powerful unions—including the United Mine Workers of America and the Central States…
    Rachel Greszler
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    • News

    House Passes Concealed Carry Reciprocity Bill

    The House passed legislation Wednesday that will allow people with a concealed carry permit to also bring their guns across state lines in states that permit concealed carry.  “Today, the House took action to protect our citizens’ Second Amendment rights,” said House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., in a statement. “The truth is that concealed carry…
    Ian Snively
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    • Opinion

    The Right Side of History: Here’s What You Need to Know About the Impeachment Debate

    “The Right Side of History” is a podcast dedicated to exploring current events through a historical lens and busting left-wing myths about figures and events of America’s past. On this week’s episode, hosts Jarrett Stepman, a contributor to The Daily Signal, and Fred Lucas, The Daily Signal’s White House correspondent, discuss impeachment and the sudden surge…
    Jarrett Stepman
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    • News

    The Differences House, Senate Will Have to Resolve to Advance Tax Reform Bill

    Following the Senate’s 51-49 early Saturday morning vote to pass Republicans’ tax reform overhaul, the legislation will move to conference where the House and Senate will work to resolve their differences. “I think the differences are pretty minor between the two bills and I think will be pretty easily worked out,” Rep. Andy Harris, R-Md., told…
    Rachel del Guidice
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    • Opinion

    In 1 Chart, the Differences Between the House and Senate Tax Reform Bills

    The House and Senate have now each passed different versions of Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Both bills are a big improvement to America’s out-of-date tax code and could boost the economy by almost 3 percent, leading to more jobs and higher wages for working Americans. Both bills cut taxes for individuals and businesses, largely…
    Adam Michel
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    • Opinion

    This DC Mom Loves School Choice, and Senate Bill Would Greatly Expand It

    Two years ago, Christmas came early for Kofi Minor and her daughter, Elisa Thomas. “She was struggling in school,” says Minor, a resident of the District of Columbia. “When you have a child that is 5 or 6, it is imperative that a school be able to balance academics and nurturing.” She says she had…
    Jonathan Butcher
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    • Opinion

    Senate Should Repeal Regressive Tax on the Uninsured

    Senate Democrats who fret over the distributional effects of tax cuts should thank their GOP colleagues for giving them the chance this week to vote on repealing one of the most regressive taxes: the Obamacare tax on the uninsured. This tax disproportionately falls on those with incomes less than $50,000, while exempting many households earning…
    Doug Badger
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    • Opinion

    4 Ways the Senate Could Ruin Good Tax Reform

    The Senate version of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act has successfully passed both the Finance and Budget committees and is now on the Senate floor. As it currently stands, the Senate bill is a big improvement to America’s out-of-date tax code and could boost the economy by almost 3 percent. There is a lot…
    Adam Michel
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    • News

    As Vote Nears, Where GOP Senators Are on Tax Reform

    With no Democrat senators signalling support for the tax reform bill and 51 votes needed to pass the measure, every Republican senator’s vote matters. With the tax vote expected this week, it’s still unclear how many Republican senators support the legislation. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., has not taken an official position on the Senate tax…
    Rachel del Guidice
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    • News

    The Secretive, Taxpayer-Financed Settlement Fund Used by Lawmakers Accused of Sexual Harassment

    Staffers who are the targets of unwanted sexual advances on Capitol Hill should not have to endure a lengthy mediation process and pay the legal bills as lawmakers secretly draw on a mysterious slush fund to settle the accusations against them, an advocate for taxpayers argues. In the event of a monetary settlement of sexual…
    Kevin Mooney
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    • Opinion

    After Months of Inaction, Senate Republicans Must Seize Chance to Pass Tax Reform

    After nearly 11 months of careening from one disappointment to another, Congress is on the verge of a major breakthrough on tax reform. I won’t begrudge you if you’re pessimistic, but past performance does not always indicate future results. And when it comes to the aptly named Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, there is reason…
    Mike Needham
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    • Opinion

    8 Senators Announce Support for Colonel Under Fire for Marriage Views

    Air Force Col. Leland Bohannon needed reinforcements—and thanks to eight senators, he got them. The Christian combat pilot has been grounded since spring, when his superiors decided that the colonel’s decision not to sign a “certificate of appreciation” for a same-sex spouse was enough to suspend him from duty. For Bohannon, a 20-year veteran with…
    Tony Perkins
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    • News

    Mistrial: Democrat Senator Escapes Conviction After Jury Deadlocks

    The jury in the corruption trial of Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., said for a second time Thursday that it is deadlocked on the counts of the indictment, prompting U.S. District Judge William Walls to declare a mistrial. “We cannot reach a unanimous decision,” a note from the jurors read. “Nor are we willing to move…
    Kevin Daley
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    • News

    It’s the Senate’s Turn After House OKs GOP Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

    Following the House’s 227-205 vote Thursday to pass its version of the Republicans’ tax reform bill, all eyes now move to the Senate, where a committee vote is expected Friday. “I commend [House] Speaker Paul Ryan, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady, and all the members of the House who have worked tirelessly to…
    Rachel del Guidice
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    • Opinion

    In 1 Chart, the Differences Between the House and Senate Tax Reform Bills

    The House has now passed its version of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The Senate is still working on the final details of its reform package. The Senate plan improves on the House bill in many places and misses important opportunities elsewhere. Here are the differences you need to know about:
    Adam Michel
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    • Opinion

    6 Ways the Senate Improves the House Tax Reform Bill

    The House version of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is a long-awaited step toward updating America’s tax code. If you’re a middle-class taxpayer, the bill has a lot to like. Tax rates are lowered, the standard deduction is doubled, the child tax credit is increased to $1,600, and a parent and non-child dependent credit…
    Adam Michel
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    • News

    Democrats Introduce Articles of Impeachment Against Trump

    A group of six Democratic House members introduced articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump, claiming the president has violated federal law and the public trust, and should be charged with high crimes and misdemeanors. Democratic Reps. Steve Cohen of Tennessee, Luis Gutierrez of Illinois, Al Green of Texas, and Adriano Espaillat of New York introduced five…
    Robert Donachie
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