Let’s start simply by listing some of what’s made Graham Platner one of the most stomach-turning political candidates in memory. Democrats seem set to choose the Maine “oyster farmer” and former Marine to try ousting five-term Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) in November’s midterm elections. If they do pick him, however, it will be despite knowing […]
The Senate voted early Friday morning to pass a $69.5 billion budget reconciliation package to fund immigration enforcement operations through 2029, overcoming the concerns of several Republicans who were upset the bill did not include language barring the Trump administration from creating a $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund to pay MAGA allies. The legislation passed 52-47,...
Six Republican senators voted early Friday morning with Democrats for an amendment sponsored by Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) to block the Trump administration from reviving a $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund to pay MAGA allies who feel they were prosecuted by the Biden-era Justice Department. Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Jon...
The House Armed Services Committee (HASC) late Thursday passed the annual Defense policy bill, sending the mammoth, nearly $1.15 trillion measure to the full House after debating a chunk of some 900 offered amendments for 14 hours. The measure, known as the fiscal 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), passed the panel by a 44...
Republican and Democratic senators say that Thursday’s vote-a-rama — a marathon series of votes on amendments to the budget reconciliation package — is dragging on because Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) is trying to perfect language to drive a stake through President Trump’s proposed $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund. Cassidy has spoken to Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough...
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday shared a letter asking Russian President Vladimir Putin for a face-to-face meeting while the U.S. remains "fully focused" on Iran. Zelensky told Putin that he has "spent nearly of half of your 26 years in power in Russia waging war against Ukraine." He expands on how much Russia's war...
Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner on Thursday denied parts of a New York Times report on new claims from past girlfriends, suggesting political motivation behind at least one woman who recounted that he could be physically rough. “There are some allegations in this piece that, I just want to be kind of unequivocal about,...
President Trump's name loomed large during Thursday's debate among candidates vying to represent New York’s 12th Congressional District and replace Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.). The president frequently came up as lawyer George Conway (D), former President Kennedy's grandson Jack Schlossberg (D), New York State Assemblymembers Alex Bores (D) and Micah Lasher (D) sparred on P1X11, the...
Former Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra (D) on Thursday advanced to November's general election in the race to become California's next governor, Decision Desk HQ projects. Trump-backed Fox News commentator Steve Hilton (R) and billionaire Tom Steyer (D) are currently battling for the second spot in November's election, when Golden State voters...
Progressive oyster farmer Graham Platner said on Thursday that “not once” has he considered dropping his Maine Senate primary bid after new allegations about his past behavior surfaced earlier that day. “No, not once,” Platner told MS NOW’s Chris Hayes, when asked in an interview if he had considered dropping out in the past week. “Amy...
Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) cast her 10,000th consecutive Senate vote on Thursday night, voting for a Democratic motion to commit the $70 billion budget reconciliation package back to the Judiciary Committee. Collins stood at her desk wearing a red dress underneath a blue blazer with bright brass buttons and announced “aye” when the clerk...
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is reviewing a $3 billion annual program that subsidizes internet access for schools and libraries, citing concerns over excessive screen time among children and its impact on their health. FCC Chair Brendan Carr announced on Wednesday that the commission will conduct a complete review of the E-Rate program and release...
The GOP-controlled House on Thursday passed legislation authorizing funding for military aid to Ukraine and sanctions on Russia, a largely symbolic move that nonetheless demonstrates some Republicans’ willingness to buck President Trump on foreign policy. Eighteen Republicans and Independent Rep. Kevin Kiley (Calif.) joined Democrats to pass the measure, which was brought to the floor...
President Trump on Thursday announced a rally in Washington to commemorate America’s 250th birthday after several artists dropped out of previous plans to perform at the upcoming “Great American State Fair” on the National Mall. “We don’t want singers with no talent, but big fees to put you to sleep, we’ve told them all to...