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
Conservative Lawmakers Ask the National Portrait Gallery to Remove Margaret Sanger Bust
Lawmakers have requested that a bust of Margaret Sanger, the founder of Planned Parenthood, be removed from the National Portrait Gallery. Sen. Ted Cruz and Rep. Louie Gohmert, both Texas Republicans, sent a letter to Kim Sajet, the director of the National Portrait Gallery, demanding the bust’s removal. Twenty-four House Republicans also signed the letter. In a…Kate Scanlon -
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As US Begins to Admit More Syrian Refugees, Senators Seek to Know It’s Safe
As the United States begins to wade into the refugee crisis straining Syria’s neighbors, national security concerns competing against a swift resettlement response are dividing lawmakers along party lines. Obama administration immigration and refugee officials traveled to Capitol Hill Thursday to smooth security concerns at a congressional hearing as the U.S. begins to open its…Natalie Johnson -
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Sentencing Reform Advances in the Senate
A powerful bipartisan group of senators announced their intention today to introduce The Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2015. The bill addresses “front end” reform and contains some of key provisions (albeit in modified form) of what had been the Smarter Sentencing Act of 2015 (“SSA”), which had been introduced by Senators Mike Lee,…John G. Malcolm -
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Why One State Lawmaker Is Criticizing GE for Using the Export-Import Bank as a ‘Scapegoat’
A Wisconsin state lawmaker is criticizing General Electric for blaming its decision to move out of the state on the Export-Import Bank’s expiration. Wisconsin state Rep. Scott Allen accused the company of using the embattled agency as a “scapegoat.” In a statement released Monday, Allen said GE spokesman Patrick Theisen encouraged him to blame the…Melissa Quinn -
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Senators Reach Long-Elusive Deal to Reduce ‘Unjust’ Prison Sentences
A bipartisan group of senators have reached a long-elusive deal on criminal justice reform, with a proposal that would reduce mandatory minimum prison sentences for certain nonviolent drug offenses and allow well-behaved inmates to earn time off their prison terms. After months of negotiations, the Senate Judiciary Committee’s agreement — dubbed the Criminal Justice Reform…Josh Siegel -
- Opinion
How Senate GOP Leadership Is Silencing Americans’ Voices With Procedural Tricks
As you may have heard, bad things are happening on Capitol Hill. Here’s the really bad news: it’s even worse than you probably think. In addition to GOP leadership caving on issue after issue, they are also stripping other members of Congress, and therefore the American people, of their ability and rights to have…Genevieve Wood -
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Find Out How Your Lawmakers Voted on Government Spending Bill That Averts Shutdown, Funds Planned Parenthood
On the last day of the fiscal year, Congress approved a short-term spending measure that keeps the federal government operating through Dec. 11. The bill passed easily in the Senate, 78-20: The bill faced strong dissension in the House, where 151 Republicans voted against it because the bill does not cut off federal funding for…Josh Siegel -
- Opinion
Lawmakers Are Saying They Can’t Defund Planned Parenthood. Here’s How to Respond to 8 of Their Claims.
Abortion giant Planned Parenthood has been a recipient of federal funding under Title X of the Public Health Service Act and via Medicaid reimbursements, among other sources. Last reporting year, Planned Parenthood received $528 million—41 percent of its total revenue—a significant portion of which comes from these federal government programs. This issue is now before Congress…Nick Barden -
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McCarthy Speakership Could Challenge GOP Senate Leadership
House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy announced Monday that he will be running for House speaker. If elected, McCarthy will replace Speaker John Boehner, who is set to resign at the end of October. “We have made real progress towards shrinking an overgrown federal government and reforming our broken entitlement system,” McCarthy wrote in an email…Sara Jones -
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Senate Advances Spending Bill With Funding for Planned Parenthood
The Senate voted 77-19 Monday to advance a short-term government spending bill, narrowing the chances of a federal shutdown days before Wednesday’s deadline. The Senate’s continuing resolution leaves intact taxpayer funding for Planned Parenthood, shelving a fight that conservatives wanted Republican leadership to wage with President Barack Obama. Planned Parenthood, America’s largest abortion provider, is under scrutiny following a series…Natalie Johnson -
- Opinion
Failure Theater in the Senate
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has scheduled a vote for Monday that would fund the government through Dec. 11. The vote would not end taxpayer funding for Planned Parenthood, but rather kick the can down the road for two-and-a-half months. Make no mistake: If Planned Parenthood is not dealt with now, Congress will have zero political will to…Jim DeMint -
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Senators Block Spending Bill Defunding Planned Parenthood for One Year
A government spending bill that prohibited Planned Parenthood from receiving federal dollars for one year and kept the government operating failed in the Senate today. The continuing resolution, introduced earlier this week by Senate Republican leaders, fell short of the 60 votes needed to advance in the upper chamber after senators blocked the measure, 47-52. Republican…Melissa Quinn -
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Senate Republican Leaders Introduce Government Spending Bill Withholding Planned Parenthood Funding for One Year
Senate Republican leaders unveiled a continuing resolution today that would fund the government for just under three months and prohibit Planned Parenthood from receiving federal funding for one year. The Senate is expected to vote on the bill Thursday, which funds the government at a rate of $1.017 trillion annually until Dec. 11 and places…Melissa Quinn -
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Senate Democrats Block Bill Banning Late-Term Abortions
Senate Democrats have blocked the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act from moving forward in the Senate. The Pain-Capable Act needed 60 votes in order to invoke cloture, but failed Tuesday in a 54-42 vote. Sens. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va.; Bob Casey, D-Pa.; and Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., were the only Democrats to support the bill. Sens. Mark…Kate Scanlon -
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Lawmakers Push to Declare ISIS’ Targeting of Christians ‘Genocide’
U.S. lawmakers introduced a bipartisan resolution Wednesday to formally declare the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria’s targeting of Christians “genocide.” “Christianity in the Middle East is shattered,” Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, R-Neb., said in a statement. “The ancient faith tradition lies beaten, broken, and dying.” In its fight to establish a caliphate governed by strict Sharia…Natalie Johnson -
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Conservative Lawmakers Criticize Leadership on Planned Parenthood Fight: What Would Be Different If ‘Reid Were in Charge’?
Conservatives in Congress are gearing up for battle this fall over the issue of Planned Parenthood’s federal funding—hoping to leave President Obama in a difficult position. The goal is to back the president into a corner by forcing him to choose between signing a bill that would strip Planned Parenthood of its taxpayer dollars and…Kelsey Bolar -
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Will Boehner’s Leadership Be Challenged? Conservative Lawmaker Says It Depends on Budget, Planned Parenthood
GLEN ALLEN, VA.—For one conservative lawmaker, Congress’s upcoming debate on funding the government and stripping Planned Parenthood of federal dollars could play a significant role in whether a challenge to House Speaker John Boehner is mounted. In an interview with The Daily Signal, Rep. Dave Brat, R-Va., warned that Boehner’s, R-Ohio, future as the party…Melissa Quinn -
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Bipartisan Group of Senators Set to Announce Deal to Reduce Prison Population
When Congress returns from recess early next month, lawmakers will face a bevy of partisan-infused battles on issues such as the Iran nuclear deal, Planned Parenthood, and government funding. But along with the bickering, there will also likely be harmony—and action—on an issue uniting both sides of the aisle and even President Obama: criminal justice reform….Josh Siegel -
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4 Ways the Senate Could End Taxpayer Funding of Planned Parenthood
As the war on Planned Parenthood heats up, so does the Republican divide on how to best go about taking away the organization’s federal funding. Leadership in both chambers of Congress signaled they’re willing to go only so far in their fight to strip the organization of its government dollars—putting them at odds with conservatives…Kelsey Bolar -
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The Iran Deal Whip Count: How Will Lawmakers Vote on the Accord?
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said this week President Barack Obama has “a great likelihood of success” in overcoming congressional opposition to his historic Iran nuclear deal. But as a growing number of Democrats have announced their opposition to the deal, Republicans are holding out hope to override a presidential veto. Republicans in both the House and Senate are expected…Natalie Johnson