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
Senate Panel Turns to Defunct Constitutional Amendment Phyllis Schlafly Helped Defeat 40 Years Ago
The Equal Rights Amendment has been a topic of debate in the halls of Congress on and off for 50 years. On Tuesday, the controversial amendment will again be up for debate during a Senate committee hearing. Despite the deadline for ratification having expired—depending on who you ask—in either 1979 or 1982, the Senate…Virginia Allen -
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4 Things to Know About the Senate Probe That Inspired the House Weaponization of Government Investigation
The House Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government, which had its first hearing last week, is modeled largely after a similar Senate committee that investigated U.S. intelligence agencies during the mid-1970s. The Senate Select Committee to Study Governmental Operations with Respect to Intelligence Activities was better known as the Church committee, named…Fred Lucas -
- Opinion
Will Congress Finally Take Back Some Power and End Outdated Iraq War Authorizations?
A remarkable thing happened in Washington Thursday morning, especially given the vituperative atmosphere of politics today. Legislators introduced substantive legislation that is good policy, and a policy that The Heritage Foundation has been advocating for years. A large bipartisan group of 22 Senators introduced legislation to repeal the 1991 and 2002 Iraq Authorizations for the…Cully Stimson -
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Congress Must Cut Spending to Match Hike in Debt Ceiling ‘Dollar for Dollar,’ Heritage Foundation President Says
Ahead of President Joe Biden’s meeting about the nation’s debt ceiling Wednesday with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., it’s clear some negotiation will be required, Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts told reporters. McCarthy’s fellow House Republicans’ metaphor is that they will be “using the debt ceiling fight today, this week, this spring, as an opportunity…Fred Lucas -
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Senators Quote Taylor Swift Lyrics While Grilling Ticketmaster
Republican and Democratic senators alike tore into Ticketmaster on Tuesday after the company’s dominance in the ticketing industry created “bad blood” with singer Taylor Swift’s fans. The Senate Judiciary Committee debated possible actions to prevent ticket-sale calamities like the one that beset Swift’s “Eras” tour that left fans waiting in digital lines for hours. While…Kristen Eichamer -
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Hawley’s ‘PELOSI Act’ Would Outlaw Insider Trading for Congress
Lawmakers and their spouses would be prohibited from using privileged information to trade stocks under legislation introduced Tuesday by Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo. Hawley’s bill follows news last year that then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband, Paul Pelosi, traded between $1 million and $5 million worth of semiconductor stocks shortly before Congress allocated $52 million to…Elizabeth Troutman Mitchell -
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‘Making a Mockery of the Military’: 13 GOP Senators Vote to Confirm Green Activist for Energy Post in Defense Department
Update: The U.S. Senate confirmed Brendan Owens to the position of assistant secretary for energy, installations, and environment in the Defense Department on Monday night. Owens received 60 "yea" and 35 "nay" votes. The following Republicans voted to confirm Owens: Sens. Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia, Susan Collins of Maine, John Cornyn of Texas, Joni Ernst of Iowa,…Samantha Aschieris -
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Babies and Mothers Go to Congress, Share How Pregnancy Resource Centers Helped Them in Time of Need
Babies and toddlers are not a common sight in the U.S. Senate. But, on Thursday, one day before the 50th March for Life, moms and little ones arrived on Capitol Hill to explain how pro-life pregnancy resource centers and maternity homes helped them in their time of greatest need. “Had I not come in contact…Virginia Allen -
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House Passes Bill Protecting Babies Born Alive in Botched Abortions
House Democrats almost unanimously voted Wednesday against a bill to protect babies who are born alive though botched abortions. The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act passed 220 to 210. The legislation would amend Title 18 of the United States Code to “prohibit a health care practitioner from failing to exercise the proper degree of care…Mary Margaret Olohan -
- Opinion
Here’s What You Should Expect From the 118th Congress
Congress is back in session, and members have their work cut out for them. “I agree that it is one of—if not the most critical time in our nation’s history,” says Ryan Walker, vice president for government relations at Heritage Action for America. (Heritage Action for America is the grassroots partner organization of The Heritage Foundation.)…Virginia Allen -
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As 118th Congress Debuts, Still No Plausible Defense for 18 Senate Republicans’ Shameful Omnibus Surrender
“With friends like these, who needs enemies?” is an observation attributed to the late comedian and New York Post “Strictly for Laughs” columnist Joey Adams. After the Dec. 22 betrayal by 18 Senate Republicans of their House GOP colleagues—to say nothing of Republican voters—in inexplicably helping Democrats ram through a disgracefully pork-laden $1.85 trillion omnibus…Peter Parisi -
- Opinion
New Congress Should Investigate Black Lives Matter Riots
America enters 2023 as a radically different society because of the 2020 violence linked to Black Lives Matter. It took years to knit the revolutionary network that would provoke this sea change. And, indeed, the organizers of the protests met for years to plan how to “disrupt and transform” America. Most of you don’t know any of this because…Mike Gonzalez -
- Opinion
Congress Guts Budget Rules and Misses Chance to Cut Spending
Republicans in Congress missed a huge opportunity to begin putting our country’s fiscal house in order. Inflation caused by runaway government spending and money printing was the top issue on the minds of voters in the November midterm elections. The Left’s reckless pursuit of these disastrous policies has been a boon for fiscally conservative politicians…Matthew Dickerson -
- Opinion
The Consequences of Senate Republicans’ Omnibus Surrender
The GOP’s omnibus betrayal is complete. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and 17 other Republicans joined Democrats as the Senate passed a $1.85 trillion monstrosity of a spending bill Thursday that does a whole lot more than just waste money. The vote was 68-29. The bill moves to the House of Representatives, where the…Jarrett Stepman -
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Sen. Mike Lee to GOP Senators: Don’t Leave Washington During Spending Fight
As debate continues in the Senate regarding the $1.85 trillion omnibus spending bill, one conservative senator is asking his Republican colleagues to stay in Washington. “Republican senators: DO NOT LEAVE WASHINGTON. We need you here to support Title 42,” tweeted Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, Wednesday night. Lee’s plea came amid his fight to get a…Katrina Trinko -
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Warning Shot: House Conservatives Threaten Revenge If GOP Senators Vote for Pelosi-Schumer Spending Bill
UPDATE: 11:21 a.m., Dec. 20—House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy promised to enforce the conservatives’ demands if elected speaker in the 118th Congress. Details below. A group of House conservatives is promising to oppose and stymie the legislative priorities of any Republican senator who votes in favor of the $1.7 trillion omnibus spending bill this week….Rob Bluey -
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‘Slap in the Face’: GOP Senators Speak Out Against Lame-Duck Omnibus Spending Bill
Republican senators are speaking out against Democrats’ efforts to pass a huge spending bill before Jan. 3, when the GOP retakes the House majority. “The American people voted for a Republican House, and it would be a slap in the face to those voters for Republicans in the Senate to allow [House Speaker] Nancy Pelosi…Samantha Aschieris -
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Republican Defectors Only Way Congress’ Colossal Lame-Duck Spending Bill Might Pass
Congressional Democrats—with some Republican help—are close to passing a colossal spending bill, reports indicate. It’s bad news for America. The omnibus was on my list of lame-duck legislation to watch out for, and as of now the so-called omnibus bill looks like it’s on track to pass and land on President Joe Biden’s desk. As…Jarrett Stepman -
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Enough Is Enough: Senate Republicans Shouldn’t Cave and Pass Massive Spending Bill
Once again, Congress has blown past the end of the fiscal year without passing appropriations bills, thus setting up a government spending fight just before Christmas. The defeated outgoing Democratic House majority is hoping some Hollywood-style flair will hide their true aim; namely, to stuff trillions of dollars in new spending down the throats of…Richard Stern -
- Opinion
Senate Poised to Vote on Whether to Protect Charter Schools
The Senate is expected to vote this week on a resolution to “nullify the Biden administration’s new rules adding burdensome requirements” on charter schools in applying for federal grants. Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., and 21 co-sponsors introduced Joint Resolution 60 in September. The problem is that the Department of Education’s new requirements for Charter Schools…Adam Kissel