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
Raw Account of Senator’s Weekend Trip to the Border
Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., traveled to Texas this weekend for a first-hand look at the security at the U.S. border with Mexico. The trip comes as Congress wrestles with how to fund the Department of Homeland Security with a deadline of Feb. 27. Conservatives hope to use the funding measure as leverage to attack President…Kelsey Lucas -
- Opinion
How This GOP Governor Is Bypassing His State’s Liberal Lawmakers to Promote Right-to-Work Laws
Newly elected Illinois governor Bruce Rauner is already trying to shake up his state: He just proposed local right-to-work laws, albeit at the local rather than state level. As the Associated Press reports: The states that are already growing don’t force unionization into their economy,” Rauner told an audience at Richland Community College in Decatur, a city…James Sherk -
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Under Republican Control, the Senate Returns to Work
In the lead-up to the November elections, Senate Republicans made a promise: If elected, we would get Washington working again. In particular, we would get the Senate working again. In 2014, the Democrat leadership allowed just 15 amendment roll call votes. After years of dysfunction under Democrat control, it was time for the Senate to…Sen. John Thune -
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Find Out How Your Senators Voted on the Keystone XL Pipeline
The Senate approved legislation on Thursday authorizing construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline, despite threats from the White House to veto it. The legislation was passed in a 62-36 vote. Supporters of the pipeline contend that it would create jobs and boost economic growth, and opponents worry about potential environmental ramifications. “Constructing Keystone would pump…Kate Scanlon -
- Opinion
Senate Hearing: Four Surface Transportation Policies Worth Knowing About
The latest bailout of the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) expires at the end of May, so the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee called a hearing to discuss the reauthorization of the federal highway and transit programs funded through the trust fund. Conspicuously absent from the discussion were calls to eliminate wasteful spending in reliable…Emily Goff -
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Your Guide to Loretta Lynch’s Confirmation Hearing in 42 Seconds
President Obama’s nominee for attorney general, U.S. Attorney Loretta Lynch, made her first appearance before lawmakers today, with Republican senators working to make sure Lynch could differentiate herself from her predecessor, Eric Holder. Lynch testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee this morning for the first part of her confirmation hearing. Democratic senators were adamant in…Melissa Quinn -
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Why Don’t Lawmakers Want to Update the Tax Code?
Lawmakers in Washington have plenty of work ahead of them this year, so the temptation to punt on everything but the “hot” issues will be strong. Here’s one they should tackle without hesitation: tax reform. It’s long overdue. One glance at the tax code, and you won’t be surprised to learn it’s been nearly 30…Ed Feulner -
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Defending the Filibuster: The Soul of the Senate
Taken together, the events in recent years threaten to change the U.S. Senate as we know it. Some inside the Senate and outside will cheer these developments. Many progressive organizations continue to demand an end to the filibuster. Whether they will continue this quest can only be surmised. In 2010, just a few months before…Richard Arenberg -
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Senator McCain’s Jones Act Amendment: Good for America
Senator John McCain (R–AZ) recently introduced an amendment to repeal harmful aspects of the Jones Act, a 1920 law that restricts the use of foreign-built or foreign-owned ships for transporting goods within the United States. According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, “The coastwise laws [like the Jones Act] are highly protectionist provisions that…Bryan Riley -
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At Least One Lawmaker Supports a Third Romney Run for President
HERSHEY, Pa. — Mitt Romney may not have support from Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky. But Rep. Jason Chaffetz of Utah is on board with a potential third run from the 2012 Republican presidential candidate. Speaking with reporters today at the joint Republican retreat in Hershey, Penn., Chaffetz, a Romney supporter, endorsed another White House…Melissa Quinn -
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Conservative Lawmakers Prepare to Split From Republican Study Committee
Move over Republican Study Committee. There’s about to be a new conservative group in town. Just two months after the 172-member organization elected Rep. Bill Flores of Texas as its new chairman, a group of nine lawmakers decided to split from the RSC and form its own conservative caucus. The group doesn’t yet have a name,…Melissa Quinn -
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Lawmaker Wants to Pass Law Requiring Local University to Have a Football Team
CULLMAN, Ala. — The University of Alabama may have not proven such a bully on the football field this year, taking it on the chin against Ohio State in the national playoff semifinal. But it may yet flex its muscle in state politics. While Bama and 75 other Football Bowl Subdivision teams played postseason games…Johnny Kampis -
- Opinion
Refusing to Wait for State Lawmakers to Act, These Counties Passed Right-to-Work Laws
A major economics story for conservatives slipped under the radar screen as Americans celebrated the New Year: Two more Kentucky counties passed local right-to-work laws. On December 30, Fulton and Simpson counties approved right-to-work ordinances; several more counties appear set to follow suit in the coming days. Right-to-work laws make union dues voluntary. Absent such laws,…James Sherk -
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Are These Solar Panel Companies Deceiving Consumers? Lawmakers Are Investigating.
Solar contractors, including SolarCity and Sunrun, are in the crosshairs of both Republicans and Democrats in Congress who seek an end to what they call “potentially deceptive sales tactics” associated with the companies’ zero-down, 20-year lease business model. Spurred by consumer complaints that the massive savings they were promised never materialized, 12 Republicans and four…Paul Runko -
- Opinion
The Two Key Passages from the Constitution All Lawmakers Should Read
For the third time in our nation’s history, the Constitution will be read out loud on the floor of the House of Representatives Friday. Cynics, or those who simply follow the antics of Congress, will likely roll their eyes and dismiss this as a stunt. But a public reading of the Constitution is not entirely…David Azerrad -
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Speaker Rebellion About ‘Party Unity, Not Infighting,’ Conservative Lawmaker Says
Rep. Jim Bridenstine, R-Okla., a leader among conservatives who hoped to dislodge House Speaker John Boehner from his post, told The Daily Signal in an on-camera interview today why he will fight to “stand up and make a change.” Bridenstine said he would support either announced challenger — Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Texas, or Rep. Ted…Josh Siegel -
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What Republicans Have at Stake in Senate Rules on Filibustering President’s Nominees
Little more than one year after Harry Reid, the Senate’s top Democratic leader, invoked the hotly disputed “nuclear option,” the change of rules may stand after the Republicans officially take over Jan. 6. As majority leader, Reid pushed through a change in Senate rules on advancing presidential nominations just over 14 months ago. At the time, Republicans…Melissa Quinn -
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Conservatives, Liberals Unhappy as Senate Passes Spending Bill, 56-40
The Senate tonight passed a $1.1 trillion bill to fund most of the federal government through the current fiscal year, averting another partial shutdown amid sharp disagreements on regulating immigration, financial institutions and election campaigns. The Senate’s bipartisan 56-40 vote, coming after an unusual Saturday session, cleared the way for President Obama to sign the…Josh Siegel -
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Tom Coburn’s Stirring Message to Fellow Senators, in 90 Seconds
In an emotional farewell address, Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., today encouraged fellow lawmakers to heed their oath of office, saying it doesn’t include securing goodies for their home states. Coburn, perhaps best known for combating government waste, took to the Senate floor for his remarks. The Oklahoma Republican reminded colleagues that they take an oath to…Melissa Quinn -
- Opinion
Spending Bill: House Caves to Senate on Transportation Funding
In last minute, high pressure negotiations over spending bills on Capitol Hill, the House often caves to the Senate’s higher, irresponsible levels of spending. On Tuesday, they did it again. This time, they caved with the omnibus spending bill for fiscal year 2015 spending. Higher spending levels emerged on a variety of programs that merit…Emily Goff