U.S. Senate News
This section focuses on the upper chamber of Congress, from major policy debates to confirmation hearings. The Daily Signal provides a conservative look at Senate priorities.
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- News
Republican Senators Hold Listening Session With Parents Fighting Indoctrination in Schools
Republican senators met Wednesday with a group of parents to discuss the state of education in the U.S. and school systems affected by woke ideology and critical race theory. Sens. Tommy Tuberville and Katie Britt of Alabama joined Sens. Ted Budd of North Carolina, Eric Schmitt of Missouri, and Roger Marshall of Kansas at the listening…Mary Margaret Olohan -
- Opinion
Senate Opens Door to Massive Carbon Tax Despite Critical Economic Concerns
This week, Congress took a step toward passing a carbon tax—an inflationary, regressive tax on all products that would lower economic growth; make all Americans worse off; and disproportionately harm poor people, farmers, and small businesses. Politicians have rightly rejected carbon taxes in the past and should continue to do so. On Jan. 18, the…Diana Furchtgott-Roth -
- Opinion
Concerns About Proposed Senate Border Security Compromise: The BorderLine
The BorderLine is a weekly Daily Signal feature examining everything from the unprecedented illegal immigration crisis at the border to immigration’s impact on cities and states throughout the land. We will also shed light on other critical border-related issues like human trafficking, drug smuggling, terrorism, and more. ——————————————————— In 1910, future president Calvin Coolidge told his father—a newly…Simon Hankinson -
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3 Reasons Congress Can’t Seem to Dismount From Government Shutdown Merry-Go-Round
We’re in a new year, but the headlines from Capitol Hill feel old. Once again, Congress has been debating its annual spending bills. And once again, a fiscal deadline looms: There will be a partial government shutdown on Friday unless Congress passes something in time. Considering that the gross national debt is now more than $100,000 for…David Ditch -
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‘DEEPLY DISTURBING’: GOP Senators Slam Biden Admin for Using SPLC on ‘Domestic Terrorism’
FIRST ON THE DAILY SIGNAL—Republican senators condemned as “deeply disturbing” the Biden administration’s decision to reach out to the Southern Poverty Law Center for advice in combating the “domestic terror threat.” “Since January 2021, the Biden administration has consistently attempted to weaponize the federal government against its political opponents,” Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., told The…Tyler O’Neil -
- Opinion
Why Is Hunter Biden Defying Congress?
Two House committees approved resolutions Wednesday recommending that Hunter Biden be held in contempt of Congress for defying a subpoena to testify and that the matter be referred to the Justice Department for criminal prosecution. But the question is: Why isn’t President Joe Biden’s embattled son already in jail? The younger Biden displayed his…Hans von Spakovsky -
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‘Breach of Trust’: Senate Republicans Demand Briefing From Pentagon on Defense Secretary’s Unknown Hospitalization
Republicans on the Senate Armed Services Committee demanded a formal briefing from Department of Defense officials on the circumstances surrounding Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin’s unexplained absence in a letter sent Wednesday. Mississippi Sen. Roger Wicker, the top Republican on the panel, led 11 of his GOP colleagues in requiring a briefing from all relevant…Micaela Burrow -
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Congress Has to ‘Go to War’ With President Over Border, Says Lawmaker at Mayorkas Impeachment Hearing
House Republicans conducted a hearing Wednesday to press the impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas for allowing millions of illegal aliens to enter the United States. During a House Homeland Security Committee hearing chaired by Rep. Mark Green, R-Tenn., lawmakers discussed the need to impeach and remove Mayorkas from office in the wake of…Jarrett Stepman -
- Opinion
What Video of Gay Sex in Senate Hearing Room Says About America
Next time you tune in to a high-profile Senate hearing—perhaps to view a Supreme Court nominee sit to be questioned during his or her nomination process—consider this: A man sodomized another man in that very room, in one of the very seats that a U.S. senator would sit to engage in constitutional duties. The person…Armstrong Williams -
- Opinion
Uncovering COVID-19 Origins: Why Congress Must Breach Biden’s Stonewall
Next month, the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic will interview Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. After two days of behind-closed-doors interviews, the subcommittee will schedule a public hearing to take his sworn testimony. Fauci’s testimony will doubtless cover a wide variety of topics, ranging from masking to vaccine…Robert Moffit -
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15 GOP Senators Warn Against Secret Border Deal With Democrats
Nearly one-third of Senate Republicans are asking their leaders not to finalize a border agreement with President Joe Biden and other Democrats without allowing members to review it. The 15 GOP members sent a letter dated Sunday to Republican Conference Chairman John Barrasso, R-Wyo., to ask for a meeting of all Senate Republicans no sooner…Fred Lucas -
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Senator Blocks Air Force Colonel’s Military Promotion Over ‘Divisive DEI Policies’
When the U.S. Senate unanimously approved 425 military promotions earlier this month, one person was missing from the list: Col. Ben Jonsson, the Air Force officer who espoused controversial views on race and diversity. Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., stepped in to hold Jonsson’s ascension to brigadier general after a 10-month blockade of all military promotions…Rob Bluey -
- Opinion
By Ending Forced Representation, New Proposal in Congress Could Benefit Workers and Unions Alike
What if some of the antagonism around labor unions in the United States could be reduced by eliminating laws that force workers and unions alike to do things against their will? That’s what the Worker’s Choice Act, introduced Wednesday by Rep. Eric Burlison, R-Mo., would do. Current law forces workers in unionized workplaces to be…Rachel Greszler -
- Opinion
Hits and Misses: What Congress Achieved in 2023, What’s Ahead for New Year
Only 17 days remain in 2023, and members of Congress are preparing to leave Washington to return to their districts for Christmas. It has been a lively, and sometimes contentious, first session for the 118th Congress. The removal in October of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., by his own party likely will be remembered as…Virginia Allen -
- Opinion
SEE WHAT THEY DID THERE: Senate Republicans Pretend to Fight for Life While Enabling Biden’s Abortion Policy
Republicans in the U.S. Senate voted to trick the American people Tuesday. The Senate voted on a motion to table an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act. Theoretically, if the vote had passed, Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, would have then proposed her own amendment dealing with pro-life policy, but the vote was never going…Eric Teetsel -
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Pro-Life Senator Ends Holds on Most Military Promotions in His Fight Against Pentagon Pro-Abortion Policy
In a reversal in the Senate on Tuesday, Sen. Tommy Tuberville backed off his long-running pro-life fight. Tuberville, R-Ala., had been blocking hundreds of military promotions as a lever to challenge a Pentagon policy promoting abortion. On Tuesday, the Alabama lawmaker said he would free up most of the promotions to proceed after blocking them…Virginia Allen -
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4 Key Takeaways From FBI Director Chris Wray’s Senate Testimony
FBI Director Christopher Wray testified Tuesday before the Senate Judiciary Committee, fielding topics from border security and China to the Hunter Biden investigation. Wray’s testimony came as the FBI faces continued scrutiny by a House investigation into “weaponized” government under the Biden administration. Here are key takeaways from Wray’s appearance. 1. ‘Hiding Behind the Skirts…Fred Lucas -
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Threat of Terrorist Attack Against US Has Reached a ‘Whole ‘Nother Level,’ FBI Director Tells Congress
Foreign terrorists are more likely to attack the United States, according to FBI Director Christopher Wray. “In a year where the terrorism threat was already elevated, the ongoing war in the Middle East has raised the threat of an attack against Americans in the United States to a whole ‘nother level,” Wray said. “Since…Virginia Allen -
- News
‘You Have Broken Your Promise’: 27 Senate Republicans Demand Lloyd Austin Drop Abortion Policy
FIRST ON THE DAILY SIGNAL—Twenty-seven Senate Republicans sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin Monday, demanding that he rescind an abortion travel policy that they claim violates U.S. law by circumventing Congress. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., has vocally opposed this policy. "You have broken your promise to the American people not to politicize…Tyler O’Neil -
- Opinion
The BorderLine: Senate Hearing Shows—Again—Why Mayorkas Should Be Impeached
The BorderLine is a weekly Daily Signal feature examining everything from the unprecedented illegal immigration crisis at the border to immigration’s impact on cities and states throughout the land. We will also shed light on other critical border-related issues like human trafficking, drug smuggling, terrorism, and more. ———————————————————- At a recent Senate hearing on threats to the homeland,…Simon Hankinson