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 Hearing No One Asked for—Democrats Begging Lake for Apologies
Though Jay Clayton did not get to appear for his confirmation hearing this week, former Arizona television news anchor Kari Lake did. Thursday, she testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, standing her ground as Democrats demanded she apologize. President Donald Trump canceled Clayton’s Senate intelligence hearing to be confirmed as director of national intelligence…. -
exclusive
SCOOP: Rick Scott Moves to Terminate DHS Program That Incentivizes Hiring Foreign Grads
FIRST ON THE DAILY SIGNAL—Sen. Rick Scott introduced a bill designed to end the Optional Practical Training visa program, which incentivizes employers to hire foreign students. The Florida Republican’s Prioritizing American Talent Act would prohibit Department of Homeland Security funding from being used to help foreigners secure employment in the U.S. The Optional Practical Training program, created… -
news
Roberts Lobbies for Senate to Bundle SAVE America Act With FISA
The SAVE America Act must be passed by the Senate as soon as possible, Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts said on Wednesday. Roberts appeared on “The VINCE Show,” hosted by Vince Coglianese, and said he supports President Donald Trump pushing for the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act to include the SAVE America Act. “We’ve been saying… -
news
Pressure to Pass the SAVE America Act Intensifies
After the Senate failed to advance legislation backed by President Donald Trump, congressional Republicans are moving to attach voter ID provisions to must-pass bills such as the National Defense Authorization Act and a reauthorization of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. The SAVE America Act, authored by Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, would require voters to provide… -
news
A Closed-Door GOP Battle Erupts Over Trump’s Plan
Senate Republicans are refusing to follow President Donald Trump’s demands to add the SAVE America Act to the time-sensitive Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act extension. Behind a closed-door GOP lunch on Wednesday, senators piled on the one colleague fighting hardest for the SAVE America Act. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., expressed their… -
analysis
2 Surveillance Worlds Collide: FISA vs. Arctic Frost Probe of Americans
The senators who exposed the Biden administration’s snooping on Republicans and conservative groups have differing views on extending a surveillance provision for foreign intelligence gathering. The two matters are distinct, to be sure, as the latter involves intelligence, while the former was primarily a criminal investigation targeting President Donald Trump, expanded to include supporters. Still,… -
news
Republicans Face Last Chance Before Midterms to Protect Kids From Online Threats
Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., will soon introduce a bill encompassing her deal with the White House to pass kids’ safety legislation in exchange for preempting state AI laws. This could be Republicans’ last chance before the midterm elections to pass legislation to protect kids online and defend their claim of the pro-family party. “This is… -
opinion
The American Opportunity Agenda Is Key to Advancing America’s Economic Freedom
When economic freedom advances, prosperity follows. That critical relationship is the underlying finding of The Heritage Foundation’s 2026 Index of Economic Freedom, an annual benchmark study that assesses and compares economic policy environments of countries around the world. The latest edition of the Index points out, yet again, that what really matters is the direction… -
news
Trump Delays Nomination of Jay Clayton for Intelligence Director, Putting Spy Powers Vote in Peril
The Senate was set to confirm President Donald Trump’s new director of national intelligence as soon as Thursday, but Trump threw a wrench into Leader John Thune’s plans by stating nominee Jay Clayton cannot be confirmed until the Senate approves his replacement as U.S. attorney. Trump posted on Truth Social on Wednesday morning that Jamie… -
news
Alaska’s ‘Sham’ Dan Sullivan Booted From Primary Election Ballot
An Alaskan candidate for U.S. Senate who ran under the same name and party affiliation as incumbent Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan has been declared ineligible to appear on the primary ballot by the state’s elections director. On Monday, Alaska Division of Elections Director Carol Beecher stated in a letter to candidate Daniel J. Sullivan Jr…. -
news
Abdul El-Sayed Refutes Officer’s Claim That Staffer Charged With Conspiracy to Threaten Was ‘Full-Time’ Employee
A former staffer for Democrat U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed has been charged by the Justice Department with conspiring to threaten University of Michigan leaders to pressure them to sever ties with Israel. The former staffer, Mariam Muhammed Odeh, 24, was a student at the University of Michigan and a resident of Dearborn, Michigan. El-Sayed… -
opinion
Congress Must Use Reconciliation to End the Fed’s Interest on Reserve Payments
The cost of living has risen to unsustainable levels for millions of working Americans. Delivering immediate relief by lowering these costs and restoring affordability is essential. The first step is using budget reconciliation in the coming weeks to enact targeted spending reforms and structural changes that put money back in the pockets of families. Few… -
opinion
Graham Platner, the Modern Democratic Party’s Fresh Aryan Face
It would have been bad enough if Graham Platner had sported a swastika tattoo for 18 years, perhaps due to twisted respect for the tank-combat tactics of Nazi general Erwin Rommel’s Afrika Korps or maybe irrational exuberance for the propaganda of Nazi cineaste Leni Riefenstahl. Either rationale should sink any Senate bid. However, the Totenkopf tattoo on… -
news
The Largest Investment to Combat Child Trafficking Becomes Law
Nearly 90,000 unidentified children facing sexual abuse will finally be helped thanks to House Republicans funding the largest investment to fight child exploitation and trafficking. A provision included in the newly passed Department of Homeland Security funding bill will allow 200 new investigators to identify victims of child sexual abuse. “Right now, 89,000 unidentified image… -
opinion
For One Night on the Baseball Diamond, Washington Gets It Right
Since 1909, through two world wars, the Great Depression, and every period of political turmoil our country has faced in modern times, Congress has played baseball. That is not an accident. There is something about the game that has always outlasted the moment, that pulls people back to the field no matter what else is… -
analysis
‘Conservative Juggernaut’ Tim Scott Speaks on ‘The Tony Kinnett Cast’
During Monday’s episode of “The Tony Kinnett Cast,” the Daily Signal’s Tony Kinnett spoke with Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., whom he called a “conservative juggernaut” and one to watch. Many important topics were discussed during the program. Gerrymandering and Black Representation in Congress According to Scott, the Democrats’ narrative about redistricting and race rings hollow…. -
analysis
California’s Vote-by-Mail Mess Is Exactly Why We Need the SAVE America Act
California held its statewide primary on June 2. It’s now June 9, and votes are still being counted. That’s not a glitch in the system. That’s by design—and it’s fueling questions about the integrity of the election and renewed efforts to pass the SAVE America Act. Six years ago, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic,… -
opinion
How Reconciliation Can Help Reduce SNAP Fraud and Waste
Waste, fraud, and abuse in the welfare system have been on full display for the last several months, giving Congress a clear opportunity for reform. As lawmakers consider another budget reconciliation, they should prioritize improving the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, one of the federal government’s largest welfare programs. First, Congress could eliminate a major loophole… -
opinion
Budget Reconciliation Can Advance an American Opportunity Agenda
Congress must use budget reconciliation to begin adopting an American Opportunity Agenda by the fourth of July. Americans cannot wait for action by their elected officials to address affordability, accountability, and opportunity for the American people. Enactment of a follow-up to the “One Big, Beautiful Bill” (Public Law 119-21, OBBB) on its one-year anniversary would… -
opinion
Democrats’ Maine Senate Gamble Raises Questions About Standards
The Democratic Party’s approach to Maine’s Senate race has sparked a debate that extends well beyond the state’s borders. At the center of the controversy is Democrat Senate candidate Graham Platner, whose campaign has been dogged by a series of damaging allegations and personal scandals. Reports have highlighted Platner’s past online activity, including the presence…