Thune bucks Trump on tying voter ID law to renewal of FISA spy bill: ‘Not realistic’ The Save America Act represents Trump’s second action complicating the Senate GOP’s work to renew FISA Section 702 The Independent UK · Jun 15
Congress must review Iran agreement, senators say Congress needs to be able to review the agreement between the Trump administration and Tehran that is intended to end the Iran war, senators in both parties said Monday. President Donald Trump announced Sunday that the United States and Iran had reached a memorandum of understanding to end the war,… Roll Call · Jun 15
Fight night: FISA and beyond Brawling in the ring at Sunday’s UFC fight came with a show of Republican unity, as congressional leaders like Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Speaker Mike Johnson turned up to watch the event on the White House lawn. But outside the Octagon and behind the scenes, another fight was… Roll Call · Jun 15
‘Lots of pain might have been avoided’: Trump’s new nominee for Intelligence Director praised after initial pick caused an uproar in Congress A Democrat noted that he will make “a terrific DNI.” We Got This Covered · Jun 15
Inside John Thune’s arithmetic John Thune is rubbing his jaw, one of his telltale signs he’s tired. What should’ve been a week of celebration after muscling through his party’s second budget reconciliation package as Senate majority leader — nearly a year and a half into his tenure — was instead spent navigating hurdles set… Roll Call · Jun 15
Senate plans fast action on Trump’s DNI pick Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters Thursday he will try to get President Donald Trump’s pick for director of national intelligence confirmed “as quickly as possible.” “I don’t know what realistic is, but we’re gonna probe the limits of it,” the South Dakota Republican said. Trump on Thursday afternoon… Roll Call · Jun 11
Trump has once again chucked a grenade on the Senate floor ahead of a key funding deadline ANALYSIS: Senate Majority Leader John Thune could well end up the loser of Trump’s war with Democrats over Bill Pulte simply because House Speaker Mike Johnson is closer to the president, writes John Bowden The Independent UK · Jun 11
Trump ‘frustrated with everyone’ from his White House to Congress as his agenda stalls: report ‘When you put him in a box, then Trump’s going to blow the box up,’ a MAGA operative said The Independent UK · Jun 11
Fund linked to key Trump allies backed push to sow doubt about 2024 election Guardian review finds group tied to Cleta Mitchell and Heather Honey funded misleading ads in swing states The Guardian - US · Jun 11
Surveillance reauthorization stuck amid Trump’s Pulte pick Congress spent another day stalled on the renewal of a key surveillance authority Tuesday, as President Donald Trump declined to help clear a legislative path and instead dug in on his temporary choice in Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence. Lawmakers and the White House are sliding closer… Roll Call · Jun 9
Trump Lashes Out at Thom Tillis, Labeling the Retiring Senator ‘A Loser’ After a Direct Challenge to His Top Pick for Attorney General Tillis has demanded that Blanche condemn the January 6 Capitol rioters or risk losing his vote. The Mary Sue · Jun 9
Partisan blame game falls on the Senate parliamentarian … again The Senate parliamentarian was never meant to be in the spotlight — let alone an office with political influence. But as Republicans lurch toward a habit of using the filibuster-proof budget reconciliation process to fund key government agencies, they are increasingly putting the fate of the party’s biggest spending priorities… Roll Call · Jun 9
The Latest: House poised to fund immigration enforcement for the rest of Trump's term House Republicans hope to approve nearly $70 billion for immigration enforcement on Tuesday, which would fund Homeland Security throughout President Donald Trump’s time in office The Independent UK · Jun 9
Thune hits breaking point with Trump The Senate majority leader has publicly aired his disagreements with Trump lately. Axios · Jun 7
Axios · Jun 7 Trump taps housing regulator turned MAGA enforcer as intelligence chief Pulte became an unlikely figure of Trump's campaign of political combat.
Axios · Jun 7 Pulte pick sparks a Senate GOP rebellion The choice for DNI is jeopardizing an extension of the government's surveillance authorities.
The Guardian - US · Jun 6 More Republicans are breaking with Trump. Is it conscience or politics? Congressional Democrats say GOP majority is unraveling, but moves may in fact be aimed at retaining power
Roll Call · Jun 5 FISA reauthorization stalls in early-morning Senate vote Senate Republicans early Friday could not muster enough votes to move forward on a long-term reauthorization of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, leaving the key surveillance power, which expires next week, in limbo as both chambers leave the Capitol for the weekend. The Senate voted 47-52 on…
The Guardian - US · Jun 5 Senate approves $70bn for immigration crackdown amid splits over Trump fund Body votes 52-47 to fund ICE and border patrol for three years, ending partial shutdown, with House still to vote
The Guardian - US · Jun 5 Trump urges pick for top intelligence official to fire ‘a lot of people’ President says he wants intelligence agencies to shrink as Senate blocks Fisa extension amid disquiet over Bill Pulte nomination
The Independent UK · Jun 5 Senate passes $70B immigration bill after rejecting efforts to permanently ban Trump’s ’slush fund’ The bill now advances to the House of Representatives, where it is anticipated to be considered next week
Roll Call · Jun 5 Photos of the week | May 29-June 4, 2026 It was a packed week on Capitol Hill, as former Attorney General Pamela Bondi, Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner, Texas Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and legendary football coach Nick Saban all made appearances. However, the absent Rep. Thomas H. Kean Jr., R-N.J. —…
The Independent UK · Jun 5 A surprise Trump pick just helped sink a key surveillance vote A procedural motion to set up a final vote on the extension next week failed 47-52, with some Republicans joining Democrats. This complicates efforts to renew the critical program before its June 12 expiration
The Independent UK · Jun 5 Trump’s pet project turns a simple vote into an all-night mess Democrats and a faction of Republicans have been actively seeking to permanently block the creation of this fund, which is designed to compensate individuals who claim political persecution
The Economic Times · Jun 5 Senate rejects first effort to bar Trump from creating $1.8 billion settlement fund Senate Republicans are facing challenges in passing funding for President Donald Trump's immigration agencies. Democrats are pushing for votes on various issues, including a settlement fund. Internal Republican disagreements are also surfacing. The bill aims to fund ICE and Border Patrol for three years. Republicans are trying to pass the…