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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- Opinion
One Lawmaker’s Plan to Reform the EPA
Americans, or at least those on the left, have become so accustomed to a heavy-handed Environmental Protection Agency that any adjustment not in the direction of even greater expansion seems to them “revolutionary.” It should come as no surprise, then, that Texas Rep. Sam Johnson’s efforts to bring sanity back to an expansive EPA are…Katie Tubb -
- News
Conservative Lawmakers Warn Congress Not to Reinstate Earmarks
Former and current Republican congressional lawmakers raised concern against reinstating the practice of earmarks during a discussion hosted by the largest conservative caucus in Congress on Tuesday. “I'm astounded that you're even having this conversation,” former Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., said during the Republican Study Committee discussion. “If the Republicans really want to give up…Rachel del Guidice -
- Opinion
How Senate Republicans Can Break a Supreme Court Filibuster
President Donald Trump’s nominee to fill the open seat on the Supreme Court—whoever it may be—can expect rough treatment from Senate Democrats. Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., has pledged to filibuster any nominee he disapproves of, even if it means leaving the nation’s highest court short-handed for years. Doubtless, some Republicans will call for…James Wallner -
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What Republican Lawmakers Say About Trump’s Order on Refugees
Republicans in Congress had mixed reactions in the immediate wake of President Donald Trump’s executive order Friday stopping individuals from seven countries where Islamist terrorists operate from entering the country for 90 days. Some GOP lawmakers, such as Sens. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., and Marco Rubio, R-Fla., expressed concerns about who the order targeted and how…Rachel del Guidice -
- News
13 of Trump’s Cabinet Nominees Await Senate Approval, Leaving Agencies Without a Leader
President Donald Trump moved at a blistering pace to fulfill several campaign promises during his first week in the White House. At the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue, however, 13 of his Cabinet nominees continue to wait for confirmation votes. Obama had 11 of his 15 Cabinet secretaries in place after his first week. Trump has…Rob Bluey -
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Republican Lawmakers Call for Swift Confirmation of Betsy DeVos
Republican senators Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska announced Wednesday they would not vote for Betsy DeVos’ confirmation as education secretary. “Secretary-designate Betsy DeVos has been a champion of education choice,” said Lindsey Burke, an education policy expert at The Heritage Foundation. “Options like the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program, which has already…Rachel del Guidice -
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2 Judges on Trump’s Short List Received Unanimous Senate Approval
Two of the judges on President Donald Trump’s reported short list for the Supreme Court received unanimous Senate approval during their respective Senate confirmations. Judge Neil Gorsuch was confirmed by the Senate on July 20, 2006, to serve as the judge for the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Judge Thomas Hardiman was confirmed by…Rachel del Guidice -
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Lawmaker Channels Trump’s ‘Power to the People’ Message to Reform Education
The leader of the House’s largest Republican caucus is putting his weight behind a proposal to ensure that parents and communities make education choices, not the federal government. Rep. Mark Walker, R-N.C., chairman of the Republican Study Committee, has a solution to fix problems within the education system. Speaking at a Heritage Foundation event Tuesday, Walker…Morgan Walker -
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Lawmakers Plot Push to Break Up the Most Liberal Federal Court
A group of Republican senators will introduce legislation splitting the country’s largest—and some say most liberal—appeals court into smaller, separate jurisdictions. The effort is led by GOP Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona, who argues the burgeoning docket on the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has dramatically slowed the pace of justice. “With regard to…Kevin Daley -
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Upcoming Senate Votes Put Pressure on These 12 Vulnerable Democrats
Confirmation votes for Donald Trump’s Cabinet nominees could be the first indicator of how Senate Democrats from states that went for Trump prepare for re-election challenges in 2018. “Democrats will have to balance their party affiliation with the way their states voted,” @InsideElections says. Democrats must defend 25 of the 33 Senate seats that will…Fred Lucas -
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7 Ways This Senator Says Government Wastes Your Tax Dollars
As Congress enters debate on a new budget, Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., is making sure wasteful spending remains at the forefront with a report citing examples ranging from a study of how college students party to research on whether dinosaurs could sing. Flake told The Daily Signal that he released the report, “Wastebook: PORKémon Go,”…Rachel del Guidice -
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Why This Senator Wants to Extend the Ban on Earmarks
The Senate’s temporary moratorium on earmarks in the federal budget is about to expire, but one senator says he wants to make sure earmarks don’t make a comeback. “You can’t drain the swamp by feeding pork to the alligators.” —@JeffFlake Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., said he will propose Tuesday to extend the moratorium on earmark…Rachel del Guidice -
- Opinion
3 Steps Lawmakers Could Take to Roll Back Government Control of School Lunches
Last year, both the House and Senate introduced bills to reauthorize child nutrition programs, but reauthorization ultimately stalled by the end of 2016. This is good news though, because both bills would have simply doubled down on heavy-handed policies put into place by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. Congress should now take the…Rachel Sheffield -
- News
Term Limits Would Infuse Congress With ‘New Blood,’ Lawmakers Argue
Two conservative lawmakers plan to fight for term limits in the next Congress, saying the effort will foster accountability and complement President-elect Donald Trump’s promise to “drain the swamp.” Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Rep. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., announced they will introduce a constitutional amendment that would limit members of the House to three two-year…Rachel del Guidice -
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Senate Democrats Retreat, Help Pass Spending Bill to Avert Government Shutdown
Senate Democrats, digging in their heels Friday over health benefits for retired coal miners, threatened to shut down the government over the weekend for lack of a short-term spending agreement by a midnight deadline. “ We’re not going to shut down the government.” —@SenSchumer But Democrats gave in Friday evening, saying they would fight on…Rachel del Guidice -
- Opinion
Senators Vow to ‘Use Any Means Necessary’ to Ensure Taxpayer Bailout of Private Union Pension Plan
As Congress closes up shop for 2016, a group of four Democratic senators is determined to “use whatever means necessary” to secure a special-interest taxpayer bailout for the United Mine Workers of America union. According to the senators, those “means” will include “blocking other bills” until the bailout is secure. The UMWA represents roughly 100,000…Rachel Greszler -
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Sen. Mike Lee Calls for 12-Year Term Limits for Lawmakers
The 2016 election cycle has sent a signal “loud and clear” that the federal government needs fixing, a U.S. senator said Tuesday. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, voiced his support for 12-year term limits on members in either body of Congress while speaking at The Heritage Foundation this week. “I’m distressed any time I see the…Leah Jessen -
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Conservative Lawmakers Say Current Welfare System Is ‘Anti-Family’
With a new Republican administration in tow, conservative lawmakers are renewing their call for welfare reform that incentivizes families rather than punishing them. “When we look at what we want for our society, when we look at the key ingredients that have to be contained within any thriving civilization, there are a couple of common…Kelsey Bolar -
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House Passes Bill Blocking Sale of Aircraft to Iran
House Republicans voted Thursday to block the sale of aircraft to Iran, a move GOP lawmakers and some Democrats said would protect taxpayer dollars from being used to finance the export of airplanes to Tehran. The House voted 243 to 174 to pass legislation sponsored by Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Mich., prohibiting the secretary of the…Melissa Quinn -
- News
Lawmaker Proposes Bill That Could Defund Post-Election Student Coping Sessions
“Suck it up, buttercup,” an Iowa lawmaker tells college students upset over President-elect Donald Trump’s win. “I’m trying to prepare kids for the fact that life is going to hand you lemons,” Iowa state Rep. Bobby Kaufmann, R-Wilton, told The Daily Signal. “And every time it does, if you don’t get your way, you don’t…Leah Jessen