Four senior senators, two Democrats and two Republicans, are calling on Congress to tackle the “hard” debate over how to extend the solvency of Social Security after the program’s trustees issued a new report this week projecting it will face a significant shortfall at the end of 2032. “It’s clear now that Congress shouldn’t delay…

Four senior senators, two Democrats and two Republicans, are calling on Congress to tackle the “hard” debate over how to extend the solvency of Social Security after the program’s trustees issued a new report this week projecting it will face a significant shortfall at the end of 2032. “It’s clear now that Congress shouldn’t delay…

An attempt to negotiate a three-week extension on the nation’s warrantless spy powers is already facing objections from Democrats.  Efforts to fast-track an extension of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) until July 2 were largely rejected by Democrats unless President Trump rescinds the appointment of Bill Pulte as acting Director of…

An attempt to negotiate a three-week extension on the nation’s warrantless spy powers is already facing objections from Democrats.  Efforts to fast-track an extension of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) until July 2 were largely rejected by Democrats unless President Trump rescinds the appointment of Bill Pulte as acting Director of…

Republicans are struggling to extend a powerful surveillance authority set to lapse this weekend after President Trump alienated lawmakers with his choice of acting spy chief.

© Eric Lee/The New York Times

She is the rare Republican who sometimes can boost her own popularity back home by keeping her distance from President Donald Trump, and she has perfected that delicate dance even as his tightening grip on the party has cost two of her Senate Republican colleagues their reelection.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) says that a third budget reconciliation package to fund the military amid the ongoing conflict with Iran is on the table, even though senior Republicans on the Senate Appropriations Committee earlier this week expressed their doubts about reconciliation 3.0. “If there’s a good reason to do another reconciliation bill,…

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) says that a third budget reconciliation package to fund the military amid the ongoing conflict with Iran is on the table, even though senior Republicans on the Senate Appropriations Committee earlier this week expressed their doubts about reconciliation 3.0. “If there’s a good reason to do another reconciliation bill,…

Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) on Wednesday said he will launch an inquiry into entrance fees for the U.S. National Park Service (NPS) going toward President Trump’s “vanity projects.” Schiff, along with several other senators, wrote in a letter to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum that visitors to the parks contribute to the NPS budget “by purchasing…

Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) on Wednesday said he will launch an inquiry into entrance fees for the U.S. National Park Service (NPS) going toward President Trump’s “vanity projects.” Schiff, along with several other senators, wrote in a letter to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum that visitors to the parks contribute to the NPS budget “by purchasing…

President Trump congratulated key ally Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) on locking down a primary race Tuesday, while calling for a focus on passing the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE America) Act. “Congratulations to Senator Lindsey Graham of the Great State of South Carolina on his BIG WIN tonight. With almost 60% of the vote against…

President Trump congratulated key ally Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) on locking down a primary race Tuesday, while calling for a focus on passing the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE America) Act. “Congratulations to Senator Lindsey Graham of the Great State of South Carolina on his BIG WIN tonight. With almost 60% of the vote against…

Democrats have rolled the dice in Maine as they pursue a post-Trump future. Will it work?

It was over the moment he received the endorsement of Maine’s most famous resident: Stephen King, the master of horror, who announced on Tuesday that he voted for Graham Platner.

More than 100,000 Democrats in Maine agreed, making Platner, a marine veteran and oyster farmer, their nominee for the US Senate against Republican incumbent Susan Collins in November.

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© Photograph: Robert F Bukaty/AP

© Photograph: Robert F Bukaty/AP

© Photograph: Robert F Bukaty/AP

Pulte or no Pulte, renewal of Section 702 will be an uphill battle unless Republican leaders allow votes on genuine reform. 

Pulte or no Pulte, renewal of Section 702 will be an uphill battle unless Republican leaders allow votes on genuine reform. 

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Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown is largely targeting people from the countries most vulnerable to displacement from climate-driven disasters, a Guardian analysis shows.

As the Trump administration pushes policies to boost planet-heating fossil fuels, millions of people are being forced to flee their homelands due to storms, floods and droughts worsened by the climate crisis.

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© Photograph: Annabelle Gordon/Reuters

© Photograph: Annabelle Gordon/Reuters

© Photograph: Annabelle Gordon/Reuters

Lawmakers warn appointment of presidential loyalist will scuttle bipartisan agreement to renew Fisa surveillance law

Donald Trump stood firm on his decision to install the controversial loyalist Bill Pulte as the country’s top intelligence official, demanding Congress pass a short-term extension of a surveillance law set to expire amid intense criticism of the appointment.

Pulte has been asked “to execute the immediate and needed downsizing” of the office of the director of national intelligence, the US president declared on Wednesday, after lining him up to serve as acting director on a temporary basis.

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© Photograph: Annabelle Gordon/Reuters

© Photograph: Annabelle Gordon/Reuters

© Photograph: Annabelle Gordon/Reuters

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s nomination for the permanent post is set to collide with the intense anger still percolating among several key Republicans over his role in creating President Trump’s proposed $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund. Blanche, who is serving as acting attorney general, told Congress last week that the administration is not moving forward…

President Trump’s redoubled efforts to oust the Senate parliamentarian and pass the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act are putting new pressure on Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), who has had a hot-and-cold relationship with Trump over the years and is becoming a target of criticism from the MAGA base. Thune, who isn’t up…

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s nomination for the permanent post is set to collide with the intense anger still percolating among several key Republicans over his role in creating President Trump’s proposed $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund. Blanche, who is serving as acting attorney general, told Congress last week that the administration is not moving forward…