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
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 -
- News
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 -
- News
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 -
- News
Old Friends Go Head-to-Head for Top Spot on Senate Budget Committee
Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., is going up against one of his closest friends in the U.S. Senate for the plum post of Budget Committee chairman — a matchup that could determine, in part, the policy agenda as Republicans take control of the upper chamber next month. Sessions, the ranking minority member of the Budget Committee,…Melissa Quinn -
- News
The Anti-Gruber: This State Senator Unafraid to Outline Costs of Vermont’s Single-Payer Health Care Plan
For two years, Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin has concealed his plans for financing single-payer health care. His lead consultant, Jonathan Gruber, has admitted to deceptive policymaking and called lack of transparency “a huge political advantage.” But at least one man knows what Vermonters can expect to pay for Green Mountain Care and isn’t afraid to…Bruce Parker -
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Lawmakers, Lobbyists Eye ‘Green’ Energy Subsidies in Lame-Duck Congress
As the lame-duck Congress limps to the finish line, billions of dollars in federal energy subsidies could be up for grabs. The perennial procrastination has solar and wind-power lobbyists scrambling for tax credits. Last week, lawmakers reached a deal on a $440 billion tax package only to have President Obama threaten a veto. The package would have…Kenric Ward -
- News
House Panel’s Benghazi Report ‘Full of Crap,’ Senator Says
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., today said a new House committee report on the 2012 terrorist attacks in Benghazi is “full of crap.” The report by the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, two years in the making and released Friday evening, asserts that intelligence and military officials responded appropriately during the attacks on the U.S….Josh Siegel -
- Opinion
Republican Senator Calls for Benghazi Select Committee
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., called for the creation of a Senate Select Committee on Benghazi in an interview this week on Hugh Hewitt’s radio show. Graham has been one of the most persistent critics of the Obama administration’s handling of Benghazi since day one. The administration was under threat from Graham to hold up the…Helle Dale -
- News
3 Lawmakers Offer Their Political Smarts to Head This ‘Study’ Group
One of a trio of Republican congressmen will take over a conservative caucus in the U.S. House with a 40-year history that some members see as compromised. Although a front-runner has emerged, insiders warn a bump in support for a candidate favored by House leadership could affect the outcome. Next Tuesday, three lawmakers seek the chairmanship…Melissa Quinn -
- News
From the Classroom to the Capitol: America’s Youngest Lawmaker Is All About Ideas
She has to go through freshman orientation again. But this time, as the newest representative from the 59th District of the West Virginia House of Delegates. This spring, college freshman Saira Blair will skip class for the state capital to be sworn in as the youngest state representative in the nation. While still a senior…Philip Wegmann -
- Opinion
How the New GOP-Run Senate Can Help Investigate Benghazi
When the new Republican-led Congress convenes in January, unraveling the Benghazi scandal should be a top priority. The House Select Committee on Benghazi started its work this summer. Soon the Senate will be in position to contribute. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., one of the most vocal critics of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and…Helle Dale -
- News
It’s a Wave: Republicans Take US Senate, Build Majority in House, Grab Governorships
It was a GOP wave. In a near-sweep of yesterday’s midterm elections, Republicans shifted the balance of power in the U.S. Senate, gaining at least seven seats, widened their majority in the House by at least 11 seats and defeated Democrats in 24 governor's races. "We are headed to Washington and we are going to make ’em squeal,"…Josh Siegel -
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Who’s Up, Who’s Down: 11 Hot Senate Races on Election Day
With only hours to go before the polls open on Election Day, six races that could determine whether Republicans take back the U.S. Senate look to be tight as a tick. Of the nine Senate races identified by The Daily Signal as instrumental to the balance of power, just one — Iowa — is a…Melissa Quinn -
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Poll: More Hispanics Want Republicans to Control Senate than Democrats
Half of Hispanics don’t think it matters who controls the senate after the November election, according to a new poll. When asked. “If control of the Senate switched from the Democrats to the Republicans after this election, do you think that would be a good thing, a bad thing, or wouldn’t it make any difference?”…Kate Scanlon -
- News
Reporter Covering N.H. Senate Race Ordered to Leave Democrat’s Press Conference
Breitbart News reporter Matthew Boyle was removed, without explanation, from a campaign event for Sen. Jeanne Shaheen in Exeter, N.H., yesterday despite the event having been advertised as a press conference open to media. According to Boyle’s account, campaign staffers for the Democratic senator checked Boyle in and directed him to the back of the…Gabriella Morrongiello