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House Passes G.O.P.’s $70 Billion Immigration Bill

The vote gave final passage to Republicans’ megabill to fund immigration enforcement through the remainder of President Trump’s term, clearing it for his signature.

© Ashley Wu/The New York Times

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Collins: Platner ‘owes the people of Maine a detailed answer’ in light of allegations

Maine Sen. Susan Collins (R) accused her Democratic opponent on the day of the state’s Senate primary race of shying away from addressing accusations about his alleged past conduct toward women.  “The allegations against Graham Platner are extremely troubling and serious, and he owes the people of Maine a detailed answer,” Collins told reporters on…

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Collins: Platner ‘owes the people of Maine a detailed answer’ in light of allegations

Maine Sen. Susan Collins (R) accused her Democratic opponent on the day of the state’s Senate primary race of shying away from addressing accusations about his alleged past conduct toward women.  “The allegations against Graham Platner are extremely troubling and serious, and he owes the people of Maine a detailed answer,” Collins told reporters on…

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Maine votes as scandal-ridden Graham Platner seeks Senate primary win

Oysterman and marine veteran favored to win Democratic primary amid a string of controversies

Voters are headed to the polls on Tuesday for primary elections that include a crucial Senate race involving the scandal-haunted Graham Platner.

In Maine, Platner is favored to win the Democratic primary after his main opponent, former governor Janet Mills suspended her campaign. Incumbent senator Susan Collins remains safely at the top of the Republican ticket – just slightly behind newcomer Platner’s lead in polling.

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© Photograph: Robert F Bukaty/AP

© Photograph: Robert F Bukaty/AP

© Photograph: Robert F Bukaty/AP

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Collins, McConnell: ‘Safe to conclude’ third reconciliation bill not happening

Two senior Republican senators on Tuesday agreed Congress is unlikely to pass a third reconciliation bill, cautioning against relying on the possibility for defense funding. During a hearing Tuesday morning about next year’s budget for the Air Force, Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins (R-Maine) questioned Air Force Secretary Troy E. Meink about a low…

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Collins, McConnell: ‘Safe to conclude’ third reconciliation bill not happening

Two senior Republican senators on Tuesday agreed Congress is unlikely to pass a third reconciliation bill, cautioning against relying on the possibility for defense funding. During a hearing Tuesday morning about next year’s budget for the Air Force, Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins (R-Maine) questioned Air Force Secretary Troy E. Meink about a low…

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Thune: White House weighing pick to replace Pulte as long-term DNI

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) says the White House is “weighing seriously” a long-term nominee to replace Bill Pulte as the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), a move that could resolve the Democratic blockade of enhanced intelligence surveillance authorities that are due to expire on Friday. Thune said he has been in contact with…

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Thune: White House weighing pick to replace Pulte as long-term DNI

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) says the White House is “weighing seriously” a long-term nominee to replace Bill Pulte as the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), a move that could resolve the Democratic blockade of enhanced intelligence surveillance authorities that are due to expire on Friday. Thune said he has been in contact with…

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White House negotiating federal preemption of state AI laws in exchange for Hill priorities

The White House is negotiating with Capitol Hill to secure federal preemption of some state regulations on AI in exchange for technology policies related to kids safety and deepfake protections. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) is “spearheading” the negotiations with the White House to finalize text for an AI preemption package, the senator’s spokesperson told The…

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White House negotiating federal preemption of state AI laws in exchange for Hill priorities

The White House is negotiating with Capitol Hill to secure federal preemption of some state regulations on AI in exchange for technology policies related to kids safety and deepfake protections. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) is “spearheading” the negotiations with the White House to finalize text for an AI preemption package, the senator’s spokesperson told The…

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Ken Paxton’s ex-lawyer endorses rival James Talarico in Texas Senate race

Attorney Dan Cogdell backs Paxton’s Democratic opponent and says the Republican is too focused on appeasing Trump

A lawyer who represented Ken Paxton, Texas’s attorney general, for nearly a decade over accusations of corruption and securities fraud is supporting Democrat James Talarico – and not his former client – in one of the biggest US Senate races.

Talarico on Monday drew attention to his campaign winning the endorsement of Houston attorney Dan Cogdell, who was part of Paxton’s defense team during the Republican’s historic impeachment trial in 2023 that ended in acquittal.

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© Photograph: Joel Angel Juarez/Reuters

© Photograph: Joel Angel Juarez/Reuters

© Photograph: Joel Angel Juarez/Reuters

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Pulte appointment ups pressure for Congress to punt on reauthorizing spy powers

The looming deadline to renew the nation’s warrantless spy powers is clashing with a pressure campaign on the White House to yank the appointment of Bill Pulte, a controversial figure tapped to lead the intelligence community.  A growing number of Democrats have said they will not vote to renew Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence…

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South Carolina GOP gubernatorial primary tests Trump’s influence: 5 races to watch Tuesday

The South Carolina Republican gubernatorial primary on Tuesday will offer another key test of President Trump’s influence after the president suffered his first major statewide primary loss last week. Trump endorsed Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette (R) over the rest of a crowded GOP field, including top Republicans such as state Attorney General Alan Wilson, and Reps. Ralph Norman…

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GOP cries foul over California, but fails to echo Trump claims

Republican lawmakers are crying foul over progressive Democratic candidate Nithya Raman’s remarkable comeback in the Los Angeles mayor’s race, where Republican candidate Spencer Pratt appeared to be solidly in second place when the in-person polls closed on June 2 but then saw his eight-point lead over Raman evaporate. But GOP leaders are stopping short of…

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Pulte appointment ups pressure for Congress to punt on reauthorizing spy powers

The looming deadline to renew the nation’s warrantless spy powers is clashing with a pressure campaign on the White House to yank the appointment of Bill Pulte, a controversial figure tapped to lead the intelligence community.  A growing number of Democrats have said they will not vote to renew Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence…

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