Government Operations

Senate Ends Years-Long Leadership Vacuum at Gun Enforcement Agency

The Senate confirms Trump's pick to lead the ATF

Defense

Congress Deeply Divided on Israel Military Support Conditions

A newly updated Congressional Research Service report tracking congressional votes on the Israel-Hamas conflict offers the most complete legislative...

Environment

Great Salt Lake Crisis Demands Immediate Federal Action

A new Congressional Research Service report on Great Salt Lake restoration lands at a moment of sharp contradiction: the Trump administration has signaled...

Immigration

Congress Locks In $140 Billion Immigration Enforcement Funding

Congress is moving to lock in funding for immigration enforcement in a way that would be difficult for future lawmakers to undo. The FY2026 Budget...

Legislation

Federal Vaccine Policy Overhaul Forces Congressional Action

A new Congressional Research Service report published April 28, 2026 lays out the legal and financial fallout from the most significant restructuring of...

Public Lands

Army Corps Faces 36 Percent Budget Cut Proposal

The Trump Administration's FY2027 budget request for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers proposes cutting Corps of Engineers funding by roughly 36 percent...

Government Operations

Congress Resists Trump's Proposed Budget Cuts

A new Congressional Research Service report reveals a widening gap between the Trump Administration's proposed spending cuts and what Congress is actually...

Legislation

Rural Hospital Medicare Programs Face 2027 Expiration Deadline

Two federal programs that funnel hundreds of millions of dollars annually to rural hospitals are set to expire on January 1, 2027, and a new Congressional...

Law and Order

Report Defines Legal Limits on Executive Power During Government Shutdowns

A new Congressional Research Service report published May 1, 2026 lays out the legal architecture governing what the federal government can and cannot do...

Legislation

House Republicans Advance Agriculture Spending Bill to Floor Vote

Why it matters: The H.R. 8646 bill, the fiscal year 2027 appropriations measure covering the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Food and Drug...

Defense

House Set to Vote on $49.8 Billion National Security and Diplomacy Bill

Why it matters: H.R. 8595, the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2027, is now on the House...

Space

Congress Rejects NASA's 23% Budget Cut Again

Why it matters: NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman faced a bipartisan wall of skepticism at the NASA Budget Hearing on April 27, 2026, as House appropriators...

Legislation

Farm Bill Reauthorizing Food Aid and Crop Support Passes 416 to 8

The House passed the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 on April 30, with the HR 7567 floor vote drawing 416 yes votes against just 8 no votes, a...

Lobbying Activity

Senate Examines Special Operations Command's Critical Capabilities

The Senate Armed Services Committee's Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities is set to examine U.S. Special Operations Command on May 12, and the...

Defense

Senate Examines Army Budget Amid Iran Conflict

The Senate Armed Services Committee convenes May 12 to review the Department of Army's defense authorization request for Fiscal Year 2027, a hearing that...

Legislation

Bank Capital Rules Clash: Main Street vs. Risk

Why it matters: The House Financial Services Committee convened a congressional hearing roundup on bank capital requirements Tuesday, April 28, with...

Government Operations

Coast Guard Faces Crisis as Budget Hearing Unfolds During Shutdown

Why it matters: The House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation's April 28 Coast Guard budget hearing unfolded against a jarring backdrop:...