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
7 Big Moments in William Barr’s Senate Testimony on Mueller Report
Amid partisan clashes over the aftermath of the special counsel’s Russia report, Attorney General William Barr faced tough questions Wednesday from Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee. Barr will not testify as scheduled Thursday before the House Judiciary Committee, however, after the Democrat-controlled panel voted to have staff lawyers question him. The attorney general has…Fred Lucas -
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Trio of Democratic Senators Introduces Environmental Justice Caucus to Fight ‘Systemic Racism’
Three Democratic senators revealed on Earth Day that they are launching the Environmental Justice Caucus in the Senate to raise awareness and address environmental justice issues such as “systemic racism” and “discrimination.” “We cannot achieve economic justice or social justice in this country without also addressing environmental justice,” New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker said in a statement released…Molly Prince -
- Opinion
Juan Williams Just Plain Wrong on Senate Rules Change on Nominations
In the April 8 edition of The Hill, commentator Juan Williams made a series of claims and accusations against Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell that cannot be allowed to go unchallenged. First, Williams claimed that on April 4, the Senate ditched “more than two centuries of U.S. Senate rules to reduce the time senators have…Thomas Jipping -
- Opinion
Senate Republicans Have Triggered the ‘Nuclear Option.’ They Are Completely Justified.
Most people agree that our system of government depends on an informed, participating citizenry. It can be hard enough to understand what Congress is doing, but it’s even harder to grasp how Congress operates. And yet, rules that govern how things get done often determine what those things end up being. As such, it’s…Thomas Jipping -
- Opinion
Senate Poised to Put More Disaster Spending on the Nation’s Credit Card
The Senate is at it again, maneuvering to consider another poorly targeted disaster aid package that would add billions of dollars in deficit spending. At a $13.5 billion price tag for this latest disaster bill, Congress continues to abuse the disaster and emergency spending designation as a means to circumvent the Budget Control Act spending…Justin Bogie -
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Senate Democrat Says He Can’t Support Equality Act in Current Form
Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., announced Monday that he cannot support the Democrats’ “gender equality” legislation as pushed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. “I strongly support equality for all people and do not tolerate discrimination of any kind,” Manchin said in a formal statement. “No one should be afraid of losing their job or losing their…Rachel del Guidice -
- Opinion
These 2 Senators Don’t Want Taxpayers Paying for ‘Plush’ Pensions for Wealthy Lawmakers
With the federal debt now over $22 trillion, does it really make sense to provide “plush” pensions to federal lawmakers—many of whom are millionaires in their own right? Freshman Sens. Mike Braun, R-Ind., and Rick Scott, R-Fla., don’t think so, and they’ve introduced the End Pensions in Congress Act, legislation to phase out congressional pensions. …Rachel Greszler -
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Senate Democrat Blocks Infanticide Ban
Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., blocked Monday night Republican Sen. Ben Sasse’s push to pass the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Act by unanimous consent. “We’re actually talking about babies that have been born,” Sasse, who represents Nebraska, said in a Senate floor speech Monday. “The only debate on the floor tonight is about infanticide.” The Born-Alive Abortion…Katrina Trinko -
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Republican Senators Look to End Death Tax
Sens. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and John Thune, R-S.D., reintroduced legislation this week to send the death tax to its grave. “Death should not be a taxable event, and I am proud to join with my colleagues to ensure working men and women, including America’s farmers, ranchers, and small business owners, are able to flourish,” Cruz…Courtney Joyner -
- Opinion
A Freshman Senator Outlines the Reforms He Will Push in Washington
Sen. Mike Braun, R-Ind., joins us to discuss how he’s ready to change Washington, D.C. The businessman-turned-politician shares why he advocates term limits and wants lawmakers to lose pay if they don’t pass a budget on time. Listen to the podcast or read the transcript below. We also cover these stories: Second lady Karen Pence…Robert B. Bluey -
- Opinion
Democratic Senators Are Getting Way Too Comfortable With Religious Tests
This new year will quickly reveal to the American people whether some Democrats in Washington have resolved to abandon their overused—and unconstitutional—religious test for office. Two Democrats in the Senate, Sens. Mazie Hirono of Hawaii and Kamala Harris of California, recently objected to the nomination of Brian Buescher to a U.S. district court in Nebraska…Lathan Watts -
- Opinion
Senate Vote on War in Yemen Risks Undermining US and Yemeni Interests, While Boosting Iran’s
The Senate voted twice on Thursday to challenge the Trump administration’s policies on Saudi Arabia and the Saudi-led war in Yemen. In a unanimous vote, the Senate held Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman responsible for the Oct. 2 killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. This statement went far beyond what the administration has been…James Phillips -
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3 Senate Democrats Sue to Stop Acting AG Whitaker From Serving
Accusing President Donald Trump of taking “dictatorial” action and “evading accountability,” three Senate Democrats are asking a federal court to prevent his acting attorney general, Matthew Whitaker, from serving in that capacity. The three Democrats, who all serve on the Senate Judiciary Committee, filed a complaint in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia…Fred Lucas -
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Senate Democrats Cite Problems at HUD, but Block Trump’s Nominees for Key Posts
Senate Democrats have stalled nominees to fill key posts in the Department of Housing and Urban Development, even while complaining about the agency’s performance. An NBC News report last week alleged that HUD’s staffing problems were the fault of President Donald Trump and HUD Secretary Ben Carson. HUD’s enforcement office is at its lowest level…Fred Lucas -
- Opinion
Senate Move to Block Arms Sales to Bahrain Would Undermine US Interests
The Senate is set to vote Thursday on a resolution of disapproval that would block the sale of what advocates describe as “offensive weapons” to Bahrain, an important U.S. ally that faces deadly threats from Iran. Advocates of the ban argue that this denial would somehow ease the humanitarian suffering in Yemen. In reality, it…James Phillips -
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Meet the 8 New Members of the Senate
While Republicans lost control of the House of Representatives in Tuesday’s elections, the GOP likely strengthened its Senate majority by three seats, to gain a 54-seat majority. One race, in Mississippi, won’t be decided until Nov. 27, as incumbent Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith, appointed in April, is set to face Democrat Mike Espy in a runoff because…Tristan Justice -
- Opinion
Senate Election Results Give Republicans Opportunity to Confirm More Judges Faster
The 2018 election results are encouraging, if for no other reason than that more progress can be made in filling judicial vacancies. First, a snapshot of where things stand right now. President Donald Trump has made almost 40 percent more nominations to life-tenured positions than the average for his five predecessors of both parties at…Thomas Jipping -
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With Her Win, Marsha Blackburn Could Become ‘Most Conservative Woman in Senate’
NASHVILLE, Tennessee—Lisa Williams, who cast her ballot Tuesday for Republican Marsha Blackburn in the suburb of Brentwood, said she voted to promote the 15-year House veteran to the Senate because of her character. “I voted for Marsha, I have met her, and I have watched her over the years. And she is as true to…Rachel del Guidice -
- Opinion
Senate Democrats Should Remember Their Own Advice From 2016
Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia died unexpectedly in February 2016, and President Barack Obama nominated Judge Merrick Garland to that vacancy on March 16, 2016. The left had a single mantra for the Senate: Do your job. Specifically, they demanded that the confirmation process move forward, starting with a Judiciary Committee hearing. They have changed…Thomas Jipping -
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Capitol Police Arrest Democratic Staffer Suspected of Doxing GOP Senators
U.S. Capitol Police have arrested a Democratic staffer suspected of posting the personal information of at least one U.S. senator to the internet. The home addresses and other personal information of three Republican senators, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Mike Lee and Orrin Hatch of Utah, were posted to Wikipedia on Sept. 27 by an…Andrew Kerr