Republican senators want changes to the "big, beautiful" House reconciliation bill, from Medicaid to tax cuts and more. And House appropriators begin writing their fiscal 2026 spending bills while the Trump administration tries to claw back already approved funding. CQ Roll Call's Paul M. Krawzak and David Lerman outline the fissures in the GOP rec…

The House-passed reconciliation bill containing most of President Donald Trump's agenda won't clear the Senate in its current form. CQ Roll Call's Caitlin Reilly, Peter Cohn and David Lerman outline the changes that could be on the table and the competing demands among Senate Republicans that will make final passage a tough slog. Learn more about y…

The House Energy and Commerce Committee has proposed Medicaid cuts to help pay for the GOP's budget reconciliation bill, though the cuts are less deep than some party moderates had feared and hard-right conservatives had sought. CQ Roll Call's Sandhya Raman, Jessie Hellmann and David Lerman outline the major changes to Medicaid that Republicans hav…

President Donald Trump's preliminary fiscal 2026 budget request, which takes a meat ax to domestic programs and foreign aid, is getting a frosty reception from Senate GOP appropriators and Democrats alike. CQ Roll Call's Aidan Quigley and David Lerman provide an early outlook for this year's appropriations process and the likely next steps. Learn m…

Vague promises from GOP leaders to seek deep spending cuts put down a rebellion from conservative holdouts and secured the adoption of a budget resolution this month. But now Republicans must begin writing a reconciliation bill enacting much of President Donald Trump's agenda with little sign of any resolution of the key conflicts that have divided…

Speaker Mike Johnson faces a rebellion within GOP ranks over a budget blueprint that squeaked through the Senate. CQ Roll Call's Caitlin Reilly, Paul M. Krawzak and David Lerman assess the outlook for final adoption of a budget resolution and the big fights over Medicaid cuts and whether to pay for extending tax cuts --- two key disputes that could…

The upcoming appropriations cycle faces some rough headwinds, as the Trump administration tries to freeze funding, fire thousands of public employees and gut federal agencies, while Republicans pursue a partisan reconciliation package that will further antagonize Democrats. Aidan Quigley, Caitlin Reilly and David Lerman discuss the challenging poli…

The six-month continuing resolution that avoided a partial government shutdown left Democrats deeply divided. CQ Roll Call's Mary Ellen McIntire and David Lerman explain the nature of the rift, whether it's likely to heal, and what it means for the party's ability to govern and combat the Trump administration. Learn more about your ad choices. Visi…

House GOP leaders must rally their razor-thin majority to pass a stopgap funding measure this week, while Senate Democrats must decide whether to vote against a bill they dislike and trigger a partial government shutdown. CQ Roll Call's Peter Cohn and David Lerman assess the prospects for a fiscal 2025 continuing resolution and discuss the state of…

A continuing resolution to head off a partial government shutdown is caught in the political crossfire of federal employee layoffs, funding freezes and a partisan dispute over the power of the purse. CQ Roll Call's Aidan Quigley, Caitlin Reilly and David Lerman assess the political pressures for passing a stopgap funding extension, and the state of…

A House vote this week will test the unity of Republicans for a budget blueprint that would pave the way for a sweeping package of tax cuts, border security, defense funding, spending cuts and more. CQ Roll Call's Paul M. Krawzak and David Lerman outline the competing pressures between GOP centrists and hardcore conservatives over a budget resoluti…

The Senate's plan for a slim budget blueprint focused on border security and defense could be upended by President Donald Trump's new endorsement of the House push for "one big, beautiful" reconciliation package enacting much of his agenda all at once. But the House plan faces political pressures of its own, as GOP moderates shy away from steep spe…

House leaders had to punt on plans for a Budget Committee markup early this week as Republicans continue to squabble over the size of a budget reconciliation package and how to pay for it. CQ Roll Call's Caitlin Reilly and David Lerman assess the status of budget negotiations, the timing for action, and how far Senate Republicans may get in their o…

Republicans are struggling to come together on a budget resolution that would pave the way for a mammoth reconciliation bill encompassing much of President Donald Trump's agenda, but there's no sign of a deal that would unite the conference. CQ Roll Call's Aidan Quigley and David Lerman discuss the latest on a budget resolution, the fight over spen…

A Trump administration directive to freeze spending on federal grants and loans pending a policy review outraged Democrats and reignited a debate over who controls the power of the purse. CQ Roll Call's Paul M. Krawzak and David Lerman outline the battle over presidential "impoundment" authority and what it may mean for appropriations. Learn more a…

Torn over strategy for passing Donald Trump's agenda, the House and Senate are on a collision course over how to use the budget reconciliation process to pass tax cuts, border security, defense funding and more. CQ Roll Call's Aidan Quigley and David Lerman outline the dispute, the political dynamics involved, and whether a leadership timeline for …

The election of Speaker Mike Johnson for another term underscored how difficult it will be for Republicans to govern with a razor-thin majority. CQ Roll Call's Jim Saksa and David Lerman recount what it took for Johnson to win the gavel and explain what it may mean for the legislative battles to come. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megapho…

A funding package that averted a partial government shutdown left Republicans bitterly divided and chastened. CQ Roll Call's Aidan Quigley and David Lerman examine the political fallout from a week of GOP infighting and what it means for President-elect Donald Trump's ambitious agenda next year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/…

Republicans are preparing to use the budget reconciliation process to push border security, tax cuts and more on party-line votes next year. CQ Roll Call's Caitlin Reilly, Aidan Quigley and David Lerman outline what GOP leaders have in mind and the challenges they face. They also have the latest on plans for a stopgap funding and disaster relief me…

President-elect Donald Trump's new Department of Government Efficiency isn't really a federal department, but it promises to take a meat ax to federal spending and regulations. CQ Roll Call's Peter Cohn and David Lerman assess what the outside agency can and can't do and what to expect from the new DOGE effort. We also look at President Joe Biden's…

Lawmakers are torn over the size and shape of a disaster relief package headed for a vote next month. CQ Roll Call's Aidan Quigley and David Lerman discuss the latest on disaster aid, overdue appropriations, a new Senate defense budget writer, and a House firebrand's new role in curbing government spending. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit m…

Congress returns for a lame-duck session with a major decision to make on fiscal 2025 spending: whether to pass an omnibus package by Christmas or punt spending bills into the new year. CQ Roll Call's Aidan Quigley, Caitlin Reilly and David Lerman assess the political ramifications of the choice, the crowded lame-duck agenda, and the challenge for …

Lawmakers will return to Washington after the elections with a heap of unfinished business and little time to get it done. Hurricane Helene may push disaster aid to the top of the agenda, while a year-end spending deal could be a heavy lift amid hopes for a farm bill and a defense policy bill. CQ Roll Call's Peter Cohn and David Lerman assess the p…

After weeks of partisan posturing, congressional leaders settled on a bipartisan bill to stave off a partial government shutdown next month. CQ Roll Call's Paul M. Krawzak and David Lerman assess the bumpy path to a continuing resolution and the final obstacles to passage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

With two weeks left before a partial government shutdown, there's been no sign of progress on a stopgap funding measure although both parties recognize what is needed for a deal. CQ Roll Call's Aidan Quigley, Peter Cohn and David Lerman assess the political pressures and legislative obstacles that stand in the way of passing a continuing resolution…

Congress has three weeks to pass an election-season funding extension to head off a partial shutdown. House Republicans hope to win political talking points by including a measure designed to ensure that non-citizens can't vote by requiring proof of citizenship to register. They also want to punt final spending bills into March in hopes of increasi…

Senate appropriators scrapped plans to take up their Homeland Security bill this week, while the House punted on three spending bills before leaving town for an extended summer recess. CQ Roll Call's Aidan Quigley, Valerie Yurk and David Lerman discuss the latest setbacks to the appropriations process and the challenge awaiting Congress this fall. …

House leaders decided to punt on two of the four spending bills they had hoped to pass this week, and plans for votes next week could be scrapped entirely. Senate appropriators, meanwhile, will try to mark up four more of their bills this week without a bipartisan agreement on discretionary spending limits. CQ Roll Call's Peter Cohn and David Lerma…

The presidential debate put Democrats on the defensive, led to calls for President Joe Biden to step aside, and left Republicans feeling emboldened. CQ Roll Call's Caitlin Reilly and David Lerman discuss what those political dynamics may mean for tax policy and the appropriations process, which ramps up in the Senate this week. Learn more about you…

A Commerce-Justice-Science spending bill drafted by House Republicans has triggered partisan disputes over federal law enforcement funding and policies as the GOP majority tries to rein in the Biden administration Justice Department. Senate appropriators, meanwhile, are preparing to begin their own markups as early as next week. CQ Roll Call's Ryan…

The House plans to take up its spending bills this week for the Homeland Security Department and the State Department and related agencies. CQ Roll Call's Rachel Oswald, Michael Macagnone and David Lerman preview the likely floor fights on those bills and what they mean for the appropriations process. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megapho…

A budget caps agreement for the coming fiscal year could be falling apart after the Senate Armed Services Committee approved a defense authorization bill that would bust the cap on defense spending by $28 billion. And Republicans are starting to plan for an extension of tax cuts that are set to expire next year. CQ Roll Call's Paul M. Krawzak, Cait…

The House is set to pass a defense policy bill authorizing a 1 percent spending increase, but Senate Republicans are pushing for a bigger defense increase that would bust a budget cap set last year. CQ Roll Call's Caroline Coudriet and David Lerman preview the coming battle over defense spending and the legislative action in both chambers on their …

House leaders begin a two-month sprint this week to move all 12 of their GOP-backed fiscal 2025 spending bills across the floor before the August recess. CQ Roll Call's David Lerman and Aidan Quigley assess the obstacles to that goal, the potential impact of Donald Trump's felony convictions, and the primary election threat facing the new House App…

An ideological fight over food stamp benefits threatens to derail the five-year farm bill reauthorization. CQ Roll Call agriculture reporter Olivia Bridges and host David Lerman discuss the partisan divide over the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and other major sticking points in farm bill negotiations. Learn more about your ad choices. …

House appropriators kick off their annual markups this week while the House Armed Services Committee marks up its defense authorization bill. But a tight cap on defense spending has left defense hawks frustrated, and proposed cuts to nondefense spending have Democrats gearing up for a protracted battle. CQ Roll Call's David Lerman, Aidan Quigley an…

The Biden administration decision to hold up a shipment of weapons to Israel has triggered an outcry from Republicans, as the House pushes a new bill to lift the freeze and hold some spending hostage. CQ Roll Call's David Lerman and Peter Cohn assess the latest on the Gaza war, House appropriations, the FAA bill and more. Learn more about your ad c…

Congress is scrambling to complete work this week on the Federal Aviation Administration bill before key authorities expire on May 10. But a push for amendments, including some with hefty price tags, is threatening to gum up the works. CQ Roll Call's David Lerman and Valerie Yurk outline the major obstacles to the five-year FAA bill and assess its …

House Republicans are imposing new restrictions on earmarks as a partisan divide over cultural issues widens. CQ Roll Call's David Lerman and Aidan Quigley explain the latest battle over congressionally directed funding and what the changes mean for the appropriations process. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

The House finally broke a logjam that held up Ukraine aid for months, but a majority of Republicans voted against the aid and Speaker Mike Johnson's job is on the line as a result. CQ Roll Call's David Lerman and John M. Donnelly assess the shifting politics over Ukraine and foreign policy in the Republican Party of Donald Trump. Learn more about y…

Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., faces pressure from all sides after promising to take up an aid bill for Israel this week that may or may not include money for Ukraine. CQ Roll Call's David Lerman and Peter Cohn assess the embattled speaker's options on a national security supplemental spending package. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphon…

Final fiscal 2024 appropriations came nearly six months late, left Republicans divided and bitter, triggered the ouster of a House speaker, and put a new speaker on notice that his own ouster could come next. CQ Roll Call's David Lerman and Aidan Quigley recap the drama of the just-completed appropriations cycle and assess what it means politically…

President Joe Biden's fiscal 2025 budget request offers up election-year domestic initiatives from child care to affordable housing while promising to reduce deficits from projected levels over the coming decade. CQ Roll Call's David Lerman, Aidan Quigley, Caitlin Reilly and Paul M. Krawzak dissect the budget request and its prospects in Congress i…

Both parties claimed victories in the six-bill appropriations package unveiled Sunday for the current fiscal year. CQ Roll Call's David Lerman, Aidan Quigley and Peter Cohn outline some of the winners and losers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy CQ Roll Call

Congress is barreling toward a March 1 funding deadline with all signs pointing to gridlock on appropriations bills. CQ Roll Call's David Lerman, Aidan Quigley and Paul M. Krawzak dissect the latest setback and potential next steps on both appropriations and a stalled war funding package. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoic…

The Senate appeared on a glide path toward passing a $95.3 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan after months of stalemate over efforts to better secure the U.S. southern border. CQ Roll Call's David Lerman and Peter Cohn assess the prospects for the long-stalled aid package and the obstacles that still lie ahead. Learn more about your…

A $118 billion package for Ukraine, Israel and border security now faces tough sledding in the Senate and even longer odds in the House. CQ Roll Call's David Lerman, Mark Satter and Caitlin Reilly assess the prospects for the long-stalled emergency spending measure and two tax bills waiting in the wings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit mega…

Top appropriators reached a deal on fiscal 2024 spending allocations, while a bipartisan tax package faces a backlash. CQ Roll Call's David Lerman, Aidan Quigley and Caitlin Reilly assess the state of play on appropriations, taxes, and the Senate's war funding and border security package. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoic…

House tax writers approved a package of tax breaks for businesses and low-income families, while Senate leaders appeared increasingly optimistic about reaching a border security compromise that would clear the way for aid to Ukraine and Israel. CQ Roll Call's David Lerman, Caitlin Reilly and John M. Donnelly assess the prospects for both measures a…

Congress is scrambling to pass another stopgap funding bill this week to avoid a partial government shutdown. CQ Roll Call's David Lerman, Aidan Quigley and Paul M. Krawzak outline the political and logistical obstacles lawmakers face while they also try to make headway on final appropriations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/a…