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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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 -
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Second Senate Democrat Comes Out Against Iran Nuclear Deal
Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey, a key Democrat in the upper chamber, announced his opposition to the nuclear deal with Iran today, becoming the second Senate Democrat to do so. “I have looked into my own soul, and my devotion to principle may once again lead me to an unpopular course, but if Iran…Melissa Quinn -
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11 Questions Lawmakers Want Answered in Probe of Planned Parenthood’s Federal Funding
Republicans on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform are investigating how Planned Parenthood is using the federal funds that the organization receives. Reps. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, and Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, sent letters to U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell and Planned Parenthood President and CEO Cecile Richards inquiring about Planned Parenthood’s “potentially…Kate Scanlon -
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Local Voters Throw Water on Higher Taxes Sought by Firefighters Union, State Lawmakers
PROVIDENCE, R.I.—In a battle of political wills in Rhode Island, local voters so far have held their ground against efforts by union leaders and state officials to make them pay more for fire and rescue services. State lawmakers and local activists who side with the voters, however, see the situation as an ongoing threat to…Kevin Mooney -
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Bipartisan Group of Lawmakers Asks Treasury Department to Return $29,500 Taken From Innocent Dairy Farmers
A bipartisan group of lawmakers on the House Ways and Means Oversight Subcommittee is coming together to ask the Treasury Department to return nearly $30,000 it seized from Maryland dairy farmers in 2012. The letter, sent August 11 to Treasury Secretary Jack Lew, calls on the agency to return $29,500 the Internal Revenue Service seized…Melissa Quinn -
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Democratic Senator Defends Planned Parenthood Funding, After Revealing She Has Not Seen Videos
Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand said Tuesday the federal government should continue to fund Planned Parenthood, revealing she had not watched the covert videos showing top officials from the group discussing the sale of fetal tissue. Gillibrand told The Blaze she had no intention of watching the series of videos. “I think what Planned Parenthood does around…Natalie Johnson -
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Senate Republicans Allege Collusion Between EPA and Environmental Group Over Climate Regulations
A day after the Obama administration finalized a “historic” plan to regulate carbon dioxide emissions, Republicans on a prominent Senate committee are alleging that an outside group colluded with the Environmental Protection Agency to create the standards. The allegations are detailed in a report released by the majority staff of the U.S. Senate Committee on…Alex Anderson -
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How Lawmakers Can Beat Planned Parenthood’s Stalling Tactics
On Monday, federal district court Judge William Orrick ordered the Center for Medical Progress (CMP) not to publish undercover video taken at the National Abortion Federation’s (NAF) annual meetings in 2014 and 2015. CMP has released five undercover videos exposing Planned Parenthood’s program of selling aborted babies’ body parts—and they promise that more videos are…Hans von Spakovsky -
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How This GOP Senator Plans to Protect Religious Groups From Providing Health Insurance That Violates Beliefs
A Republican senator is rolling out a new bill that would protect religious organizations and other groups from having to provide health insurance coverage to employees that poses religious or moral objections, The Daily Signal has learned. Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., introduced the Health Care Conscience Rights Act today. The legislation protects religious organizations, private…Melissa Quinn -
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Did Your Senator Vote to Defund Planned Parenthood? See Here
A Senate bill to strip Planned Parenthood of its $500 million in federal funding fell short of the 60 votes needed to advance, gaining the support of 53 senators. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., voted no, which allows him to bring it back for a vote at a later time. Sen. Lindsey Graham R-S.C.,…Kelsey Bolar -
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What’s Wrong With the Senate Energy Bill
The Senate is attempting to move forward with allegedly non-controversial legislation, the Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015, which, according to proponents, contains no “poison pills.” But for anyone who wants to swallow a strong dose of government intervention and anti-market energy policy, this bill is chock-full of poison pills. Like the last two major…Nicolas Loris -
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How Rich Corporate Elites Are Lobbying Lawmakers to Crush Marriage Advocates
What do you do when you can’t persuade the American people to embrace your values? You use government coercion to impose those values on people. And you get rich corporate elites to lobby government on your behalf. That’s what’s taking place right now in the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s ruling on gay marriage. Last…Ryan T. Anderson -
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Democratic Lawmaker: ‘Black Lives Matter’ Protesters Should Be in Front of Planned Parenthoods
Democrat Bill Patmon, a state representative in Ohio, has introduced a bill to end Ohio state funding to Planned Parenthood. “Five thousand, four hundred and ninety-nine abortions are in Cuyahoga County, which I happen to represent,” Patmon said in a speech Tuesday. “And 63 percent of them are black women, 63 percent of them are of a certain hue…Daily Signal Staff -
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Senate Will Attempt to Defund Planned Parenthood Before Recess
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday the Senate will vote on a bill to defund Planned Parenthood before lawmakers leave Capitol Hill next week for August recess. Republican legislators have pushed heavily to strip federal funding from the group following the release of three undercover videos showing top Planned Parenthood officials discussing the sale…Natalie Johnson -
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What John Kerry Gets Wrong About the Senate, Treaties and the Iran Deal
At a hearing before the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Secretary of State John Kerry was asked why the administration did not submit the Iran nuclear agreement to the Senate for its advice and consent as an Article II treaty. Kerry responded that the agreement wasn’t treated as a treaty “because you can’t pass a treaty…Steven Groves -
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House Rejects Senate Highway Plan, Vows to Pass Short-Term Bill Without Saving Export-Import Bank
In a blunt rejection of the Senate’s attempt to enact a longer-term fix for the nation’s roads, rails and bridges, the House of Representatives plans to pass a patch extending the Highway Trust Fund for three months. The House then plans to quickly leave town for the month-long August recess, signaling that it has no…Melissa Quinn