Senate

Stories 1 - 20 |  Next >>

Republicans Regain Senate for First Time in 4 Years

Ted Cruz survives in Texas, and Ohio Democrat Sherrod Brown is ousted

(Newser) - Republicans will regain control of the Senate for the first time in four years, the AP projects. In the current chamber, Democrats have a 51-49 advantage, but incumbents were playing defense Tuesday night in a number of competitive states. The GOP gained its first seat of the night when the...

For the New Senate, a Milestone
For the New Senate,
a Milestone
Nov 6, 2024 3:00 AM CST

For the New Senate, a Milestone

Two Black women will serve simultaneously for the first time

(Newser) - The new Senate will make history: For the first time, it will have two Black women serving simultaneously, reports the New York Times . Each is the first Black person to represent her state. Only three Black women have served in the chamber previously, one of them being Vice President Kamala...

Adam Schiff Bests Ex-MLB Star to Win Feinstein's Senate Seat

Democrat was heavily favored to win

(Newser) - Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff won the California US Senate seat long held by the late Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein on Tuesday after a lopsided, low-key contest, the AP reports. The Los Angeles-area congressman, who rose to national prominence as the lead prosecutor in then-President Trump's first impeachment trial, defeated...

Control of the House 'Rests on a Knife's Edge'
Control of the House
'Rests on a Knife's Edge'
the rundown
Nov 5, 2024 7:10 AM CST

Control of the House 'Rests on a Knife's Edge'

Election forecasters predict narrow majorities for either party

(Newser) - It's Election Day and an especially notable one: "The candidates and their supporters are describing it as the most important election of their lifetimes, with democracy and the American way of life at stake," per the Guardian . Tens of millions of people have already voted in-person or...

Races to Watch as GOP Tries to Flip the Senate
Races to Watch as GOP
Tries to Flip the Senate
the rundown
Nov 4, 2024 9:52 AM CST

Races to Watch as GOP Tries to Flip the Senate

Republicans have a strong chance of regaining control

(Newser) - Heading into Tuesday, Democrats control the Senate by the slimmest of margins at 51-49. Republicans, however, have a strong chance—somewhere around 70%—of retaking control after Election Day, reports the Hill . A look:
  • Overall: A total of 34 Senate races are on the ballot, but control of the chamber
...

In 53-Year First, Senate Holds Person in Criminal Contempt

Health care CEO Ralph de la Torre 'is not above the law,' Bernie Sanders says

(Newser) - Democratic and Republican senators were united Wednesday in voting to hold Steward Health Care CEO Ralph de la Torre in criminal contempt of Congress. After the unanimous vote, lawmakers said it was the first time since 1971 that the chamber had held a person in criminal contempt and asked the...

Senate Republicans Keep IVF Protections From a Vote

GOP argues the Democratic bill isn't needed and back a more limited one

(Newser) - A Democratic attempt to codify protections for in vitro fertilization hit a Republican wall in the Senate on Thursday, with GOP opponents calling the measure unnecessary. "Why should we vote for a bill that fixes a nonexistent problem? There's not a problem," Sen. John Cornyn told reporters,...

Democrats Put GOP on the Record on Contraception

Republicans block attempt to make access a federal right

(Newser) - Senate Republicans blocked a Democratic measure Wednesday to codify a federal right to contraception access. The bill would have prevented states from enacting legislation to limit access to forms of contraception including hormonal birth control and intrauterine devices, the Washington Post reports. Many Republicans called the bill unnecessary and government...

Aid for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan Advances in Senate
$95B Foreign Aid Package
Passes Senate 79-18
UPDATED
Apr 23, 2024 9:03 PM CDT

$95B Foreign Aid Package Passes Senate 79-18

'Very few things we have done have risen to this level of historic importance,' Schumer says

(Newser) - This story has been updated with new developments. The Senate has passed $95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars. The bill passed the...

House Vote Sends TikTok Ban to Senate
House Moves Against TikTok
Apr 20, 2024 1:15 PM CDT

House Moves Against TikTok

A previous version of a potential ban stalled, but measure is picking up support among senators

(Newser) - The House passed legislation Saturday that would ban TikTok in the US if the popular social media platform's China-based owner doesn't sell its stake within a year. That doesn't mean the app will go away anytime soon, the AP reports. The decision by House Republicans to include...

US Senate OKs Spying Bill, Despite Privacy Worries

Bipartisan vote gives thumbs-up to reauthorization of FISA surveillance program

(Newser) - Barely missing its midnight deadline, the Senate voted early Saturday to reauthorize a key US surveillance law after divisions over whether the FBI should be restricted from using the program to search for Americans' data nearly forced the statute to lapse. The legislation approved 60-34 with bipartisan support would extend...

A Surprise Move in New Jersey Senate Race

Tammy Murphy ends her bid before Democratic primary

(Newser) - Tammy Murphy, wife of New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, has dropped out of the race for the Senate seat currently held by Bob Menendez. Menendez, who is facing federal corruption charges, has confirmed he won't run in this year's Democratic primary, though he said he could still run...

One Shutdown Averted, but Another Looms

Senate OKs $460B spending package to fund federal agencies right before deadline

(Newser) - The US Senate was able to fend off a partial government shutdown in the 11th hour on Friday, voting 75-22 to approve a six-bill, $460 billion spending package that will take care of budgets for various federal departments and independent agencies, reports Politico . Per that outlet and the Washington Post...

Report: Senators Will Swiftly Toss Impeachment

Sources tell 'New York Times' Senate could dismiss Mayorkas impeachment within days

(Newser) - The House's impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas was a months-long process, but the Senate might take just days to reject it. Sources tell the New York Times that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer hasn't decided exactly how to deal with the impeachment, but House managers plan...

Surprise Hogan Run Shakes Up Senate Math

Suddenly, Republicans have a shot at flipping a seat in Maryland

(Newser) - It's a major surprise in political circles: Former GOP Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan will run for an open Senate seat in his home state:
  • Hogan, known for his opposition to former President Trump , is vying for the seat being vacated by the retiring Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin. "My
...

Border Bill Defeated in Senate Vote
McConnell's Vote
Kills Border Bill
Feb 7, 2024 2:30 PM CST

McConnell's Vote Kills Border Bill

Border-foreign aid package falls well short of 60 votes in Senate

(Newser) - The border security and foreign assistance bill that a bipartisan group of senators spent months crafting failed in the Senate Wednesday after a collapse in Republican support. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who had championed the bill until his fellow Republicans turned against it amid pressure from Donald Trump, cast...

Schumer: I've Never Worked This Closely With McConnell Before

Senate unveils $118B package pairing border policies with aid for Ukraine, Israel

(Newser) - Senators on Sunday released a highly anticipated $118 billion package that pairs border enforcement policy with wartime aid for Ukraine, Israel, and other US allies, setting off a long-shot effort to push the bill through heavy skepticism from Republicans, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, the AP reports. The proposal could...

Oldest Serving Senator Hospitalized in DC

Chuck Grassley's office says he's being treated for infection, is expected to make full recovery

(Newser) - Sen. Chuck Grassley, who became the oldest serving senator after the death of Sen. Dianne Feinstein last year, is in a Washington, DC hospital with an infection and is receiving antibiotic infusions, his office says. "He is in good spirits and will return to work as soon as possible...

Rules Committee Backs Move to End Tuberville Blockade

GOP senator has been blocking military promotions for months

(Newser) - Senate Democrats pushed ahead Tuesday with a resolution that would allow for the quick confirmation of hundreds of military nominees, an attempt to maneuver around a blockade from Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville over a Pentagon abortion policy. The Senate Rules Committee voted 9-7 to approve a resolution that would allow...

During Hearing, Senator Challenges Union Chief to Fight

'You're a United States senator, sit down,' Bernie Sanders told Markwayne Mullin

(Newser) - "God knows the American people have enough contempt for Congress. Let's not make it worse," Sen. Bernie Sanders said as a Republican senator challenged the president of the Teamsters union to a fight during a hearing Tuesday. When it was his turn to ask questions during the...

Stories 1 - 20 |  Next >>
Most Read on Newser