Kelly Phares

April 30

Congress extends controversial spy law for 45 days after Senate rejects House bill

The House approved a Senate-passed 45-day extension of FISA Section 702 punting a long-term solution to the controversial spying program until Congress returns in May.

April 14

Mike Johnson says he supports expelling Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick over dozens of ethics violations

Speaker Mike Johnson said he supports expelling Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick after an ethics panel found her guilty of more than two dozen violations.

April 2

GOP rails against 's--- sandwich' deal as all eyes turn to House to end DHS shutdown

House Republicans expressed frustration with Speaker Johnson over DHS funding strategy as the record-breaking 48-day partial shutdown continued.

February 11

Republican lawmaker's early retirement rumors send shockwaves through House GOP

House Republican Rep. Neal Dunn of Florida has announced his plan to retire at the end of this congressional term, but rumors of an early departure are swirling.

January 12

DHS funding threatened as Congress rolls out $80B spending bill amid shutdown fears

Congress unveils a nearly $80 billion funding package, but a government shutdown looms as Democrats threaten to block DHS funding over the Minneapolis ICE incident.

December 10

Moderate Republicans stage Obamacare rebellion as health cost frustrations erupt in House

Moderate Republicans filed a discharge petition to force a vote on a Obamacare subsidy extension, defying House GOP leadership in a dramatic floor action.

November 20

House Republican to move to expel Dem accused of stealing disaster relief money for campaign

Rep. Greg Steube, R-Fla., said he will file a resolution to expel Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, D-Fla., over an alleged $5 million FEMA fraud scheme.

November 5

House Dem crashes Mike Johnson press event as tensions erupt over shutdown

Democratic Rep. Chrissy Houlahan crashes Speaker Mike Johnson's government shutdown press conference, temporarily creating chaos as tensions explode on Day 36 of funding crisis.

October 30

Trump surgeon general nominee confirmation hearing postponed as she goes into labor

Trump surgeon general nominee Dr. Casey Means' confirmation hearing postponed as wellness influencer and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ally enters labor.

July 29

Republican congressman kicked by horse, breaks rib during farm accident

Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., was kicked in the chest by both hooves of his horse after a horsefly spooked the animal, breaking one rib but recovering.

July 22

Jeffrey Epstein case reopens focus on Ghislaine Maxwell as deputy AG steps in

DOJ Deputy AG Todd Blanche reaches out to Ghislaine Maxwell for cooperation in the Epstein investigation, marking a shift under Attorney General Pam Bondi.

July 1

Republicans scrap deal in 'big, beautiful bill' to lower restrictions on states' AI regulations

A deal between Sens. Marsha Blackburn and Ted Cruz over how states can regulate artificial intelligence has been pulled from President Donald Trump's "big, beautiful" bill.

June 28

Trump golfs with Republican senators Schmitt, Graham and Paul ahead of 'Big, Beautiful Bill' vote

President Donald Trump played golf with Republican senators as they work to pass the "Big, Beautiful Bill" by July 4, with Trump endorsing the latest revisions.

June 22

Watch: Bernie Sanders reacts to Trump's Iran strikes in real time at 'Fighting Oligarchy' rally

Bernie Sanders reacts to President Trump's Iran strikes during 'Fighting Oligarchy' rally, as crowd chants 'No more wars' while the senator argues only Congress has power to declare war.

June 18

Schumer rips Supreme Court decision upholding state ban on transgender treatments for minors: 'Awful'

Democrat Sen. Chuck Schumer condemned the Supreme Court's decision upholding Tennessee's state ban on transgender treatments for minors.

June 6

House Speaker Johnson: Dems who want ICE agents unmasked 'mandated mask wearing for years' during COVID

House Speaker Mike Johnson said Friday that Democrats who want ICE agents to unmask are the same "people who mandated mask wearing for years in America."

June 4

Johnson says Republicans 'don't have time' to craft new Trump plan despite Musk's call to 'KILL the BILL'

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., pushed back against Elon Musk again as the Tesla billionaire continued his warpath on President Donald Trump's 'big, beautiful bill.'

May 21

House Freedom Caucus heading to White House after delay play on Trump's 'big, beautiful bill'

House Freedom Caucus member are working to resolve differences with House GOP leaders ahead of a vote on President Donald Trump's reconciliation bill.

April 27, 2025

SCOOP: Republicans roll out $69B funding plan for new CBP agents, building border wall in Trump budget bill

House Republicans are unveiling their plans for how to handle the border in their massive Trump agenda bill.

April 2, 2025

Trump education sec drops in on House Dems press conference with non-partisan message: 'About the children'

Education Secretary Linda McMahon delivered a message at the House Democrats' press conference on nonpartisanship when it comes to America's children.

March 20, 2025

Dem senator on Schumer future: 'Important' to know 'when it's time to go'

Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., appeared less than confident in Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., during a town hall, remarking on the importance of knowing when to step back.

March 13, 2025

Chuck Schumer will vote to keep government open: 'For Donald Trump, a shutdown would be a gift'

Senate Minority Leader Schumer, D-N.Y., announced that he will vote to keep the government open and warned that a shutdown has worse consequences for Americans.

March 13, 2025

Dem heard screaming at colleagues despite Schumer’s unity claim as shutdown looms

Democrats in the Senate have different views on how they will vote on a Trump-backed bill to avert a government shutdown.

March 11, 2025

Trump-backed bill to avert government shutdown passes House despite mutiny threats

The House of Representatives passed a Trump-backed government funding bill on Tuesday.

January 22, 2025

Hegseth lawyer slams 'flawed and questionable affidavit' from ex-sister-in-law

Pete Hegseth's lawyer dissected and refuted a new affidavit from the defense secretary nominee's former sister-in-law in a letter to SASC chairman Wicker on Wednesday.

January 21, 2025

'Desperate attempt': Senators receive affidavit with allegations about Hegseth’s previous marriage

A new affidavit provided to senators claims secretary of defense nominee Pete Hegseth made his ex-wife feel unsafe at times. Senators are reviewing it.

January 17, 2025

Ohio Gov DeWine picks Lt Gov to fill Vice President-elect JD Vance's vacant seat

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine on Friday named Lt. Gov. Jon Husted as his selection to fill the Senate seat vacated by Vice President-elect JD Vance, who will be inaugurated on Monday.

January 16, 2025

Nancy Pelosi to skip Trump inauguration ceremony: report

Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., will not attend President-elect Trump's inauguration ceremony at the U.S. Capitol next week.

January 15, 2025

Confirmation delays stack up for Trump nominees as paperwork lags in federal offices

Paperwork delays have forced some Trump confirmation hearings to be postponed, with Republicans blaming bureacracy.

January 3, 2025

GOP lawmaker, 81, receives medical attention after fall at US Capitol

Rep. Virginia Foxx of North Carolina, the Republican House Education Committee chair, fell on on a staircase at the U.S. Capitol Friday.