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
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… -
opinion
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… -
opinion
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… -
news
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… -
news
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… -
opinion
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: -
opinion
6 Ways the Senate Improves the House Tax Reform Bill
The House version of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is a long-awaited step toward updating America’s tax code. If you’re a middle-class taxpayer, the bill has a lot to like. Tax rates are lowered, the standard deduction is doubled, the child tax credit is increased to $1,600, and a parent and non-child dependent credit… -
opinion
Congress Could Soon Face a Budget Fight. Here’s How Lawmakers Can Rein in Spending.
Two thousand seventy-five dollars. That’s every American’s personal share of the fiscal year 2017 budget deficit. The total deficit? Six hundred sixty-six billion dollars. It’s the American people who are on the hook for Congress’ incessant spending appetite. The good news, though, is that Congress has a chance to address deficits and overspending as we… -
opinion
A Tale of 2 Tax Bills: Comparing the House, Senate Reform Plans
Last week, the House GOP released the first concrete details on how Republicans plan to update the federal tax code. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act provides tax relief to many Americans and has the potential to facilitate real economic growth through important business tax reforms. While the House proposal as a whole is certainly… -
news
How the Senate Tax Plan Differs From the House Legislation
Senate Republicans released a tax plan Thursday distinct from the House plan in that it delays the corporate tax cut until 2019, but would slightly cut the top individual rate and keeps the status quo in the number of brackets. The Senate Finance Committee proposal goes a step further than the House plan, released a… -
news
Why This State Lawmaker Wants the State and Local Tax Deduction Repealed
Repealing the state and local tax deduction on federal income taxes is critical to boosting the economy, a state lawmaker from Pennsylvania says. “I think if you look at the general principle of tax reform, it is not for more spending in government. It is actually to incentivize our economy and grow our economy,” state… -
opinion
The Senate Voted to Protect Banks, but It’s Actually a Win for You
January marked the start of the first serious effort at federal deregulation in decades. Yet the massive pile of Dodd-Frank rules has remained largely untouched—until last week. On Tuesday night, the Senate exercised its power under the Congressional Review Act to repeal Dodd-Frank’s controversial arbitration rule, which would have banned many financial consumers from using… -
news
McConnell Readies Senate Confirmation Votes for 4 Appeals Judges
Senate Republicans are heading into four votes this week to confirm appeals court judges. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell served notice late last week that the Senate will consider four of President Donald Trump’s nominees to federal circuit courts, the powerful appeals panels that give the final word on the overwhelming majority of cases in U.S…. -
news
Citing Tax Reform, Nominations, Sen. David Perdue Explains His Push for 24/7 Senate Schedule
This is a transcript of an interview Sen. David Perdue, R-Ga., gave The Daily Signal on Tuesday. Rachel Del Guidice: Hello, everyone, and welcome to The Daily Signal’s Facebook Live. I’m Rachel del Guidice and I am joined today by Sen. David Perdue from the great state of Georgia. Senator, thank you for joining us… -
news
Conservative Lawmakers List Main Goals for Tax Reform
Conservative lawmakers said any tax reform plan needs to benefit the middle class and begin to address the national debt. “Let’s just focus on designing a tax code that does those three things: allows families to keep more of their money, simplifies a totally cumbersome and ridiculous code, and one that will foster and promote… -
news
Conservative Lawmakers Oppose Bill to ‘Bail Out Insurance Companies’
Conservative lawmakers say they oppose the Alexander-Murray health care legislation because it would bail out health insurance companies. The congressmen discussed the issue Tuesday at the monthly Conversations With Conservatives panel on Capitol Hill. The health care legislation was introduced by Sens. Patty Murray, D-Wash., and Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., after multiple attempts by Senate Republicans… -
news
GOP Senator and Former CEO Warns: ‘Important’ to Do Tax Reform in 2017, Not Later
If Congress doesn’t pass tax reform, there could be significant economic consequences, a leading senator and business leader said Tuesday. “We are doing things differently with this bill than we did on the health care bill that ended up in disaster, so I feel like we’ve got a shot at getting it done this year…. -
opinion
Senate Budget a Major Step Toward Tax Reform, but Falls Short on Spending Reforms
The Senate passed its fiscal year 2018 budget resolution late Thursday night, paving the way for potentially the most comprehensive tax reform package in decades. The proposal is a significant step toward implementing the president and Congress’ tax reform agenda. However, it fails to make significant cuts to federal spending—an important piece of the puzzle… -
news
In 1986, Most Senate Democrats Voted for Tax Reform
More than 30 Senate Democrats voted for President Ronald Reagan’s Tax Reform Act of 1986—including one still in office today—and conservatives say Democrats today have no reason to vote against a similar tax reform package now before Congress. “If I hear any more Democrats talking about ‘the bottom rate is going up,’ I’ll remind them… -
news
11 GOP Senators Ask for 24/7 Schedule to Accomplish Trump’s Agenda
Eleven GOP senators wrote a letter asking Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to extend the chamber’s work hours to a 24/7 schedule “ to advance the president’s agenda.” “1,200 nominations are subject to Senate confirmation,” said Caroline Vanvick, deputy communications director to Sen. David Perdue, one of the signers of the letter, in an email…