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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Lawmaker Shares Why She Chose Life for Her Child When Doctors Said She Should Abort
A member of Congress said she chose life for her child even though doctors said she should have an abortion, and is encouraging society to take a chance for life. “We were told that our unborn baby had zero percent chance of survival, zero,” Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Wash., said during a speech Friday at…Rachel del Guidice -
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This Conservative Lawmaker Explains Why the Embassy Move to Jerusalem Matters
President Donald Trump’s administration is working to build peace in the Middle East, and a big part of that process is the administration’s recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, one lawmaker says. “In the Arab world, if you are acting swiftly and with strength, that is something that makes a big impression…Rachel del Guidice -
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1 Action Lawmakers Could Take to Make Food Stamp Reform Much More Likely
Congressional Republicans could imperil both the welfare reform and the farm bill reform efforts by failing to learn from history and making the same unforced errors they did three years ago. Next year, Congress is set to consider a comprehensive agriculture bill (aka “farm bill”), as well as reforms to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program…Marie Fishpaw -
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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