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☆ Senate Blocks D.C. Law Over Crime Concerns, as Many Democrats Side With GOP
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-08 | by ( Siobhan Hughes | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

WASHINGTON—The Senate voted 81 to 14, with one “present,” to block the District of Columbia’s recently revised criminal code, sending the measure to President Biden for his signature, after many Democrats joined Republicans to reject a city law for the first time in more than three decades. The tally showed the potency of crime as a national issue. Proponents of stopping the penal-code overhaul said it would lower criminal sentences just as murders and car thefts are rising in the capital city, compelling Congress to step in. Local elected officials said federal lawmakers were improperly interfering in city matters and misrepresenting the changes to the code to score political points.

☆ Many Senate Democrats Set to Join Republicans in Blocking D.C. Criminal Code
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-08 | by ( Siobhan Hughes | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Washington, D.C.’s recently revised criminal code has prompted concerns as murders and car thefts are rising in the city. WASHINGTON—The Senate prepared to block the District of Columbia’s recently revised criminal code, with many Democrats expected to join Republicans in stopping a city law for the first time in more than three decades. Many Senate Democrats, including those facing tough re-election fights in 2024, have raced to join Republicans because of concern that some parts of the penal-code overhaul would lower criminal sentencing just as murders and car thefts are rising in the capital city. Local lawmakers say Congress is improperly interfering in city matters and misrepresenting the changes to the code.

☆ D.C. Tries to Stop Senate From Voting on Crime-Code Overhaul
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-06 | by ( Siobhan Hughes | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Phil Mendelson, chairman of the D.C. council, said he is withdrawing the city’s criminal-code revision from Congress. The chairman of the Washington, D.C., council said he is withdrawing the city’s criminal-code revision from Congress, aiming to head off an expected vote by the Senate as soon as Wednesday to block the local law. The move came after President Biden said last week he would support the effort by federal lawmakers to roll back changes to the code. The House had passed the Republican-led bill with some Democratic support, and the Senate had been expected to follow suit this week, with many Democrats, including those facing tough re-election fights in 2024, indicating that they planned to join Republicans in voting to override the city’s new criminal code.

☆ Sen. Joe Manchin Urges Democrats to Pursue Spending Cuts With Republicans
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-02 | by ( Siobhan Hughes | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

WASHINGTON—Sen. Joe Manchin, who has been a decisive vote in Senate Democrats’ narrow majority, called for his Democratic colleagues to hold talks with Republicans on cutting federal spending, ahead of a summer deadline to reach a deal on raising the country’s debt ceiling. “My Democratic friends don’t want to say a word about our out-of-control spending and are outright refusing to even talk to Republicans about reasonable and responsible reforms,” the West Virginia Democrat said in a speech on the Senate floor. “We’re going to pay our debts, we have to pay our sins of the past, but can’t we at least sit down and discuss?” he said. “Can we even talk about that and see if there’s a pathway forward?”

☆ House Republicans Plan Wider Media Access to Jan. 6 Video
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-28 | by ( Andrew Ackerman | Siobhan Hughes | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Pro-Trump supporters attempted to stop the certification of President Biden’s electoral-college win by storming into the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. WASHINGTON—House Republican lawmakers said they plan to allow a broad group of media outlets to view security-camera footage from the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol, about a week after Fox News host Tucker Carlson said his show was granted access to the tapes. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R., La.) said Tuesday that lawmakers would distribute the footage to a wide group of outlets. The comments came after Democrats and some Republicans voiced concerns about Fox having exclusive access to the video.

☆ Democratic Rep. Elissa Slotkin Enters Race for Michigan Senate Seat
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-27 | by ( Siobhan Hughes | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Michigan Rep. Elissa Slotkin is a former CIA analyst and Pentagon official. WASHINGTON—Michigan Rep. Elissa Slotkin said she plans to run for the Senate in 2024 to succeed the retiring Sen. Debbie Stabenow, the first big-name candidate to enter the contest as Democrats try to hang on to the seat in a competitive state. “There are certain things that should be really simple—like living a middle-class life in the state that invented the middle class,” she said in a statement and video. “Like making things in America, so that we’re in control of our own economic security. Like protecting our children from the things that are truly harming them.”

☆ Debt-Ceiling Standoff Prompts Backup Plans, but They Face Hurdles Too
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-20 | by ( Andrew Duehren | Siobhan Hughes | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

There is no clear escape hatch to avoid default if Congress doesn’t pass legislation raising the debt ceiling. Potential alternatives to addressing the borrowing limit—from simply ignoring it, to minting a trillion-dollar coin, to prioritizing certain payments—all face hurdles, underlining doubts about any fallback plan if Democrats and Republicans fail to reach a deal by this summer.

☆ Sen. John Fetterman Set for Lengthy Hospital Stay
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-18 | by ( Siobhan Hughes | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Sen. John Fetterman says he has experienced depression off and on throughout his life. WASHINGTON–Sen. John Fetterman could remain hospitalized for more than a month as the Pennsylvania Democrat undergoes treatment for depression, a senior aide said, following a series of health setbacks. On Wednesday, Mr. Fetterman checked himself into Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, the second hospitalization for the freshman senator in recent weeks. His office said that Mr. Fetterman has experienced depression off and on throughout his life and that the senator voluntarily entered the hospital after consulting with the attending physician for Congress, Dr. Brian P. Monahan.

☆ Sen. Rick Scott Exempts Social Security, Medicare From Rescue America Plan
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-18 | by ( Siobhan Hughes | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Sen. Rick Scott defended his plan in an opinion piece published on Friday. WASHINGTON—Sen. Rick Scott (R., Fla.) said he will exempt Social Security, Medicare and veterans programs from his plan to sunset all federal legislation in five years, bowing to criticism from Democrats as well as fellow Republicans over the proposal. Under Mr. Scott’s revised Rescue America plan, those entitlement programs as well as national security and other essential services would no longer face regular requirements to have Congress reapprove them. The proposals were initially unveiled when Mr. Scott was the head of his party’s Senate campaign committee and became a political lightning rod even as many fellow Republicans distanced themselves from the document.

☆ Biden, GOP Draw Opposing Lessons From Prior Debt-Limit Standoff
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-16 | by ( Annie Linskey | Siobhan Hughes | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

WASHINGTON—During the final throes of negotiations to avoid a government default in 2011, then-Vice President Joe Biden and President Barack Obama received late-night updates in the Oval Office on a compromise to break a legislative logjam as they monitored the Asian markets for reaction to signs that the U.S. couldn’t pay its bills. “I cannot tell you how terrifying that was,” said Jack Lew, who was the director of the Office of Management and Budget at the time, recalling how he and others finally hammered out a budget deal with Republicans that led to spending cuts in exchange for raising the debt ceiling. “I don’t think I’ve worked on a domestic policy issue where there was as imminent a sense of potential catastrophe,” said Mr. Lew, who later served as Treasury secretary.

☆ Sen. John Fetterman Leaves Hospital, Plans to Return to Work Monday
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-10 | by ( Siobhan Hughes | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

A new stroke was ruled out for Sen. John Fetterman (D., Pa.), in black suit, who attended a recent event in Philadelphia with Sen. Bob Casey (D., Pa.). John Fetterman (D., Pa.) was discharged from the hospital Friday and plans to return to work in the Senate on Monday, his spokesman said. Mr. Fetterman had been taken Wednesday to the George Washington University Hospital after feeling lightheaded at a retreat for Senate Democrats. Mr. Fetterman had suffered a stroke last year during his Senate campaign and had a pacemaker with a defibrillator implanted. His stroke had been caused by a clot stemming from atrial fibrillation, an irregular or often rapid heart rhythm that increases the risk of stroke, heart failure and other complications.

☆ How Members of Congress Handle Classified Documents in Spotlight After Biden Discovery
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-06 | by ( Siobhan Hughes | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

WASHINGTON—The discovery of classified documents at President Biden ’s Wilmington home from his time as a senator has brought fresh attention to the way Congress itself handles such material and the question of how those documents made their way off of Capitol Hill. House and Senate committees and two special counsels are examining the issue of classified documents possessed by Mr. Biden, former President Donald Trump and former Vice President Mike Pence at their homes or offices, and lawmakers have suggested the possibility of reforming the way executive branch officials handle sensitive documents on their way out the door.

☆ Lawmakers Press for Access to Biden, Trump Classified Documents
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-27 | by ( Siobhan Hughes | Warren P. Strobel | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com. https://www.wsj.com/articles/lawmakers-press-for-access-to-biden-trump-classified-documents-11674774020

☆ Adam Schiff to Run for California Senate Seat
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-26 | by ( Siobhan Hughes | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Rep. Adam Schiff (D., Calif.) was chairman of the Intelligence Committee when the House was under Democratic control. Rep. Adam Schiff (D., Calif.), one of the most prominent Democratic critics of former President Donald Trump, said he would run for Senate, joining a crowded race for the seat currently held by Sen. Dianne Feinstein , who hasn’t announced whether she plans to run again. Mr. Schiff served as the chairman of the Intelligence Committee when the House was under Democratic control and joined the panel investigating the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot. In 2020, he was lead manager of Mr. Trump’s first impeachment trial. This week, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R., Calif.) blocked Mr. Schiff from continuing to serve on the intelligence panel, saying he had misused his position for political purposes.

☆ Congress Grapples With Growing Number of Classified-Document Probes
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-26 | by ( Siobhan Hughes | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

WASHINGTON—The discoveries of classified documents among the personal possessions of two presidents and one vice president have created a traffic jam on Capitol Hill, as committees jockey to investigate the issue and potentially pass legislation to address it. Former Vice President Mike Pence on Tuesday became the latest former leader discovered to have classified material at his private home. Attorney General Merrick Garland has already tapped a special counsel to look into the handling of classified documents at former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort and residence in Florida. Mr. Garland assigned a separate special counsel to review how classified material wound up at President Biden’s home and former office.

☆ House Republicans Face Internal Fight on Where to Cut Federal Spending
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-14 | by ( Siobhan Hughes | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

WASHINGTON—House Republicans are gearing up for a tense intraparty fight, with factions ready to face off over where and how deeply to propose cutting federal spending, a central pledge in the midterm campaign. Republicans have said they are determined to cut spending despite Democrats’ objections. But first they have to produce their own plan, pitting Republicans who want to protect military spending against those who see such expenditures as fair game in any negotiations alongside cuts to domestic programs.

☆ Kevin McCarthy Says Republicans Are Focused on Spending Cuts, Probes
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( Siobhan Hughes | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

WASHINGTON—House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R., Calif.) wrapped up his first week in the role by saying that House Republicans would keep up a rapid pace as they move to control spending and investigate the Biden administration. “We’re just getting started,” he told reporters. “We made a commitment to America and we’re going to keep it,” referring to the party’s campaign document laying out its priorities.

☆ Barbara Lee to Become Second Congresswoman to Enter California Senate Race
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( Eliza Collins | Siobhan Hughes | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Rep. Barbara Lee, who represents Oakland and surrounding areas, told members of the Congressional Black Caucus she is making plans to run for Senate. The California Senate race is shaping up to be a showdown between Democratic House members, even before the state’s sitting Sen. Dianne Feinstein has announced if she plans to run again in 2024. On Wednesday, Rep. Barbara Lee , 76 years old, who represents Oakland and surrounding areas, told members of the Congressional Black Caucus she is making plans to run for Senate, according to a person familiar with the conversation.

California Rep. Katie Porter , a favorite of the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, said she would run for Senate in 2024, the first big name to enter what is expected to be a hotly contested race to succeed longtime Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein . Ms. Porter, 49 years old, is one of just a handful of progressive members who represent battleground districts. A law professor who had no previous electoral experience, Ms. Porter was one of seven California Democrats who flipped GOP-held districts in 2018, riding an anti-President Donald Trump wave that handed her party the House majority. She narrowly won reelection in 2022.

☆ Rep. Jason Smith Picked to Lead House Ways and Means Committee
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-10 | by ( Richard Rubin | Siobhan Hughes | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Rep. Jason Smith of Missouri had been the top Republican on the House Budget Committee. WASHINGTON—House Republican leaders chose Rep. Jason Smith (R., Mo.) to run the House Ways and Means Committee, giving him a prime perch to shape the party’s approach to tax, trade and health policy. As chairman, Mr. Smith will lead a committee with broad power over economic policy and healthcare that is poised to receive an influx of new Republican members. He will help guide the party’s oversight work as the Internal Revenue Service starts spending the $80 billion it received last year.

WASHINGTON—Shortly after 2 a.m. Saturday morning, Kevin McCarthy finally saw the sign he had been waiting for his entire political career. Hung above an office on the second floor of the U.S. Capitol were the words: “SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE KEVIN MCCARTHY.”“Oh yes!” he exclaimed, before asking someone standing nearby to snap a picture. See that?” he said to the crush of reporters gathered around him. “It was worth the wait.”

WASHINGTON— Kevin McCarthy stepped up negotiations with Republican detractors, offering fresh concessions to win support after a third day of House speaker votes yielded no movement toward a winner in the GOP-controlled chamber. Mr. McCarthy and some of his opponents appeared to be coalescing around a deal, stepping up the pace of discussions as the House marked its 11th round of votes with no winner, the most since just before the Civil War. Most Republicans backed Mr. McCarthy over three days of tallies, but 20 continued to oppose him, and it wasn’t known if enough holdouts would potentially change their votes to give Mr. McCarthy the gavel. All Democrats supported their pick, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York.

☆ Michigan Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow Says She Won’t Seek Re-Election
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-05 | by ( Siobhan Hughes | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

WASHINGTON—Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D., Mich.) said she won’t seek re-election, potentially narrowing Democrats’ path to holding on to the majority in the 2024 elections. “Inspired by a new generation of leaders, I have decided to pass the torch in the U.S. Senate,” she said Thursday. Ms. Stabenow, 72 years old, said she would leave the Senate at the end of her term on Jan. 3, 2025. She is chairwoman of the Agriculture Committee and was first elected to the Senate in 2000.

☆ Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow Won’t Seek Re-Election
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-05 | by ( Siobhan Hughes | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

WASHINGTON—Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D., Mich.) said she won’t seek re-election, potentially narrowing Democrats’ path to holding on to the majority in the 2024 elections. “Inspired by a new generation of leaders, I have decided to pass the torch in the U.S. Senate,” she said in a morning statement. Ms. Stabenow, 72 years old, said she would leave the Senate at the end of her term on Jan. 3, 2025. She is chairwoman of the Agriculture Committee and was first elected to the Senate in 2000.

☆ Kevin McCarthy’s Allies Push to Win Over Republican Holdouts After Six House Speaker Votes
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-05 | by ( Natalie Andrews | Siobhan Hughes | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

WASHINGTON— Kevin McCarthy and his allies launched a new round of talks late Wednesday with a small but stubborn band of conservative holdouts who have blocked his bid for House speaker, reviving hopes of a possible deal following a second day without a winner. The discussions heated up after Mr. McCarthy didn’t reach the majority in three rounds of voting Tuesday, nor in another three Wednesday, which served to deepen doubts about his prospects and fuel talk of alternative GOP candidates.

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