Burgess Everett

Roger Marshall is among the Senate Republicans who signed onto a letter vowing to oppose new domestic spending, expedite non-security related legislation and oppose “political and judicial appointees” in the wake of former President Donald Trump’s felony conviction. On Tuesday he voted for one of President Joe Biden’s nominees. The Kansas senator backed Chris Hanson’s nomination to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, saying the letter is worded with some wiggle room to not just to oppose everything. "The word of the letter gives me some flexibility. My focus is going to be on judicial nominees,” Marshall said Tuesday. "This was not a political nominee, our focus is on the weaponization of the judicial system and those are the ones we're going to be locked in on.” Hanson was first confirmed during the presidency of Donald Trump, making him somewhat unique. Notably, Iowa's Joni Ernst, the No. 4 Republican who is running for conference chair, signed onto the letter. Asked about the letter Tuesday, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell demurred: “The solution is to have a Republican majority and then we'd be in a position to determine what the agenda was going to be."

“I think he’s going to,” Sen. Steve Daines said of the former president backing Sam Brown. “This is a situation where President Trump helps Sam Brown. I think Sam Brown helps President Trump."

For much of Joe Biden's time in office, the White House has held The Wall Street Journal's news operation in high regard.

Senate Democrats are assessing whether Republicans will allow a bipartisan bill on rail safety to advance, a sign of movement for the long-stalled response to the toxic rail spill in East Palestine, Ohio. Democrats are running a so-called hotline for the bill, which allows senators to register their objections to swift passage. It's likely that one or more Republicans will oppose quick action on the legislation, which would stick the bill in limbo again. The bill, co-written by Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), would enact minimum two-person train crews and new safety procedures for hazardous materials. It's been largely dormant for over a year as many Republicans have privately balked at the legislation's requirements, but it's a priority for a bipartisan coalition of senators and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.

Live updates and analysis from POLITICO’s Congress team

It’s been more than four months since the House passed a bipartisan tax bill marrying business tax breaks with an expanded child tax credit. And despite Congress' full-on slide into election season, Sen. Chuck Schumer says the bill is still alive. As many of his members clamor for a vote on the legislation before the election, the Senate majority leader said Tuesday the measure is “not dead.” “I supported it the minute it was announced, I think it’s a good bill,” Schumer said Tuesday, touting the legislation's low-income housing tax credits. “I’m currently working with Chairman Wyden to try and get something done.” The Senate has yet to act on several bipartisan pieces of legislation, from the tax bill to a cannabis banking bill and a rail safety bill, in part because of their uncertain prospects. At the moment, Schumer is focusing his legislative prerogatives on IVF and contraceptive access — key cogs of the Democratic campaign to hold the Senate. But he's made clear if there's a deal to pass key legislation, he will put it on the floor.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday he will attend the Republican National Convention, signaling a continued collaboration with former President Donald Trump as the two try to flip both the White House and Senate. McConnell, who is stepping down as GOP leader at the end of the year, said he was not sure whether he will be speaking at the event but affirmed he will be in Milwaukee. “I don't know what role I‘m going to play, but I am going to be chairman of the Kentucky delegation as I have been for a number of years. And I’ll be there,” McConnell said. The GOP leader has always steadfastly said he would support the Republican nominee, whether it was Trump or not, despite his highly critical remarks about Trump’s actions during the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. Still, the two did not speak for years — an icy turn now thawing. McConnell spoke to Trump at a meeting with GOP senators last week and next month will appear at the convention as the GOP nominates Trump for the third straight election.

Senate conservatives have a list of early demands for anyone who wants to replace Mitch McConnell : Commit to term limits on the top spot, revamp

Democrats once nicknamed Mitch McConnell the "Grim Reaper" for killing their bills. Conservatives say the next Senate GOP leader needs to go further.

The News The US and world are bracing for post-election chaos in Washington on Jan. 6, 2025, as Congress prepares to name a presidential winner.