Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) has held off from officially endorsing Vice President Harris as the Democratic presidential nominee, and he is seeking to help shape the focus of her campaign and her agenda if she is elected.
Sources close to Sanders say he has no intention of challenging Harris, who is on a glidepath to winning the nomination after President Biden’s decision to not seek reelection.
Harris has seen no significant opponent line up to challenge her, and a b...
Senate
GOP plots big Trump agenda despite past missteps
Senate Republicans hoping to win full control of Congress and the White House are crafting an ambitious legislative package that would go far beyond extending former President Trump's tax cuts.
The legislation, being cobbled together for budget reconciliation rules that would sidestep a Senate filibuster, would need to win the support of most or all elected Republicans to become law. That could be a difficult prospect, especially in a narrow majority.
Both part...
Trump’s endorsement puts Larry Hogan in a political bind
Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) is having to navigate tricky political terrain after Donald Trump endorsed him in the state’s Senate race — arguably a liability for a Republican in the deep-blue state.
Trump told Fox News last week that he would like to see Hogan win, despite the former governor having emerged as one of Trump’s most vocal GOP critics over the last several years.
Hogan has already taken steps to distance himself from Trump since then, including r...
Sanders calls for investigation into birth control insurance coverage
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is calling on a government watchdog to investigate why some health insurance plans are charging women for contraception, in violation of federal law that requires it to be free.
In all 50 states, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) guarantees coverage of women’s preventive services, including all birth control methods approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
But in a letter sent Monday to the Government Accountability Office, Sa...
McConnell seeks big influence over Trump-era GOP
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) is planning to have a major influence over Republican policymaking even after he steps down as party leader at the end of the year and is working behind the scenes to lay out an agenda for his party if it wins unified control of government.
Senate Republicans say McConnell is building the groundwork for a big budget reconciliation package that would extend the Trump-era tax cuts and provide a major boost for defense spending.
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Warren endorses Bowman in contentious NY primary
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) has endorsed Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.) amid a contentious primary he faces to keep his seat, Bowman's campaign announced in a press release.
"Corporate interests are spending millions against Congressman Jamaal Bowman because he's fighting hard to deliver good jobs, quality education, Medicare for All, and a Green New Deal," Warren said in the release.
The race between Bowman and Westchester County Executive George Latimer for the De...
Ted Cruz, Better Known For Derailing Bills, Tries on a New Hat: Legislator
The Texas Republican, who made a name for himself trying to shut down the government over the Affordable Care Act, took on an unfamiliar role as a critical player in pushing through a major aviation bill.
GOP senators amused as Ted Cruz seeks to move bill: ‘The foot’s on the other hand’
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) has become the subject of much bemusement among his Senate GOP colleagues as he has taken a detour from his role as a conservative rabble-rouser to playing the lead on reauthorizing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The Texas senator, long-known for stirring up trouble for leadership, has suddenly gone in the reverse as he has prodded Republicans against gumming up the works for the last must-pass bill in Congress for months.
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Becerra says rural health would improve if states expand Medicaid
Rural health outcomes would improve if more states expanded Medicaid, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra told a Senate panel Tuesday.
During a hearing on the administration's budget request, Sen. Cindy-Hyde Smith (R-Miss.) said she is particularly worried about maternal care deserts caused by hospital closures. Mississippi sees some of the worst maternal health outcomes in the country, she said, and often leads the country in infant mortality.
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Joe Lieberman, first Jewish vice-presidential nominee of a major party, dies at 82
Former Sen. Joe Lieberman (Conn.), who became the first Jewish vice-presidential candidate of a major party when Al Gore selected him as his running mate in the 2000 election, has died at age 82.
His family said he died Wednesday in New York City surrounded by family, including his wife Hadassah, after suffering complications from a fall.
His funeral will be held at the Congregation Agudath Sholom in Stamford, Conn., his hometown.
Sen. Chris Murphy...