All Politics
Speaker fight: GOP has weaponized chaos 鈥� against itselfTwo weeks have passed with House Republicans unable to elect a speaker, amid signs of rancor within their conference. Has an ethos of brinkmanship gone too far?
Iran, tormentor of US presidents, tests Joe BidenFrom the 1979 hostage crisis to support for Islamic militants, Iran has afflicted U.S. presidents. Now it鈥檚 testing President Joe Biden in the Israel-Hamas war, as well as in Ukraine.聽
First LookBiden wants $105 billion for wars, humanitarian aid. Can he get it?Congressional chaos and opposition will be a hurdle for President Joe Biden as he pushes for $105 billion in funding for Israel, Ukraine, border security, humanitarian assistance, and countering China.聽
First LookTrump lawyer pleads guilty in 2020 election case. What about others?In a 鈥渟ignificant win鈥� for the district attorney prosecuting Donald Trump鈥檚 fraudulent聽election claims, lawyer Sidney Powell pleads guilty to six misdemeanors. She will serve probation, pay a fine, and must write an apology letter to Georgians.
Speaker election falters. Should an interim post become Plan B?The fact that discussion has turned to the idea of an interim speaker of the House speaks to the remarkable place this Congress now finds itself in 鈥� with no real precedent and no clear guidelines.
GOP fails to elect a speaker. This time it鈥檚 not due to hard-liners.In a show of backbone that surprised many, moderate Republicans declined to coalesce behind hard-liner Jim Jordan, so as not to reward tactics that brought on the chaos of the past few weeks.
First LookMigrant influx strains 鈥榬ight-to-shelter鈥� system in Massachusetts, NYCBoth New York City and Massachusetts聽have 鈥渞ight-to-shelter鈥� provisions. But with an influx of migrants arriving to the U.S., both are scrambling to find alternatives as their housing systems reach capacity.
Why Republicans seem stuck in selecting a new House speakerTurmoil over the House speakership stems from personalities, polarization, and a GOP identity crisis, but also from broader institutional neglect in Congress.
Matt Gaetz has made enemies. That鈥檚 part of his pitch.As House Republicans seek to elect a new speaker, still simmering in the background is anger about how the prior one was ousted. But will they kick out one of their peers over it?
After attack on Israel, why US leadership matters profoundlyThe Hamas attack on Israel has strongly reinforced the United States-Israel relationship, which only a short while ago was seen as ebbing. Now President Joe Biden is unequivocal in his backing, and in Congress, bipartisan majorities are pledging support.
As GOP faction challenges Ukraine policy, does Biden have an answer?Amid weakening support for the Ukraine war effort, it鈥檚 a dramatic shift in Washington that has Kyiv and Western leaders most concerned.
What鈥檚 at stake in Trump鈥檚 fraud trial 鈥� and other civil casesFormer President Donald Trump鈥檚 attendance at the start of a civil court case this week could be a preview of how he handles future trials.聽
First LookColumbus Day dispute: A once-removed statue reappears in Rhode IslandA Christopher Columbus statue was relocated to Johnston, Rhode Island, after removal from the state鈥檚 capital three years ago. Critics say it celebrates genocide, while Johnston Mayor Joseph Polisena Jr. argues it celebrates Italian heritage and history.
The first Democratic primary is approaching. But where?A Democratic Party dispute over which state鈥檚 primary election should come first 鈥� in New Hampshire or South Carolina 鈥� could affect voter participation and enthusiasm.聽
Help wanted: What will it take to be next House speaker?As the 鈥減eople鈥檚 house鈥� searches for a new speaker, one challenge is that the need for leadership is paired with pressure from an anti-establishment Republican base 鈥渕ore willing to blow up the place,鈥� as one analyst puts it.
Speaker McCarthy ousted: Is GOP House ungovernable?A small group of hard-line conservatives combined with Democrats to throw Kevin McCarthy out of his speakership 鈥� and the House into disarray.
Behind impasse in Congress: Rising deficits, record debtThe risk of a government shutdown has elements of political theater.聽But behind the unfinished drama are difficult challenges of debt and deficits.
First LookLaphonza Butler named to fill Feinstein鈥檚 U.S. Senate seatLaphonza Butler has been selected by Governor Newsom to fill the seat of Sen. Dianne Feinstein in the聽U.S. Senate. Ms. Butler will be the only Black woman serving in the Senate and the first openly LGBTQ+ person to represent California in the chamber.
First LookShutdown averted? House passes short-term funding plan, sends to SenateThe House鈥檚 swiftly-approved plan is now with the Senate, which is meeting late on Saturday with just hours to go before the midnight deadline to fund the government.
Freedom Caucus: The Fight Club of CongressLong a thorn in the side of GOP leaders, the group can鈥檛 agree on demands, reducing its influence. But key individuals have more leverage than ever.
