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.
-
opinion
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… -
news
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… -
news
‘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,… -
news
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… -
news
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… -
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.)… -
opinion
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… -
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… -
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… -
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… -
opinion
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… -
news
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…. -
news
‘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… -
opinion
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… -
opinion
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… -
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… -
opinion
Second GOP Congressman Renounces Vote for ‘Disrespect for Marriage Act’
Another one of the 47 House Republicans who voted for the so-called Respect for Marriage Act has withdrawn his support, charging Democrats with “failing to provide legitimate safeguards for faith-based organizations” that hold “deeply-held religious beliefs” about natural marriage. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., announced on Monday that he will reverse his vote in favor of H.R. 8404, which… -
opinion
Why Congress Should Reject Manchin’s Permitting Bill and Enact Genuine Reform in 2023
Both major political parties agree that America needs permitting reform. Not all reform proposals are helpful, though. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., has proposed a permitting reform bill that is a prime example of what not to do. Instead of focusing on permitting reform, Manchin’s bill proposes to nationalize the electricity grid. The Manchin bill proposes… -
news
United States Senate Passes Radical Respect for Marriage Act
The United States Senate has passed the Respect for Marriage Act without a vital amendment that conservatives had pushed to protect religious freedom. The bill's supporters have claimed that the much-discussed legislation protects religious liberty. But opponents of the Respect for Marriage Act, including religious institutions like the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, desperately warned… -
news
Senate Advances Radical Respect for Marriage Act
United States senators voted Monday on a motion to invoke cloture on an amendment to the so-called Respect for Marriage Act, advancing the legislation one step closer to passage. The Senate will now vote Tuesday afternoon on Republican Utah Sen. Mike Lee’s amendment (which is a 60-vote threshold), Republican Oklahoma Sen. James Lankford’s amendment, and…