A bill advanced by Florida Republicans on Wednesday would ban teachers and other government employees from displaying a rainbow flag -- even wearing one as a lapel pin for a day -- but they could hang the full-size flag of any "recognized nation" as long as they want, according to the bill's sponsor.

Quite a few political analysts have kept an eye on Sen. Joe Manchin III in recent months, looking for signs that the West Virginia Democrat might be considering an independent run for the White House on a "unity ticket." Mr. Manchin is now under scrutiny for an additional reason. He could be seeking to sway President Biden in a very specific way.

House Speaker Mike Johnson emerged from the White House after a meeting Wednesday and rejected President Biden's bid for some concession on border policy in exchange for more war aid to Ukraine.

A House Republican who voted to boot former Speaker Kevin McCarthy last year wants to keep the same maneuver available for his successor.

Senate Republicans want their party colleagues in the House to fall in line behind whatever southern border policies are produced from ongoing bipartisan negotiations in the upper chamber.