
Senate Set to Vote on Venezuela War Powers as Trump Pressures GOP Defectors
The Senate is moving toward a vote on a Venezuela-related war powers measure, while President Trump presses Republican defectors to influence lawmakers before the decision.
All articles tagged with #gop

The Senate is moving toward a vote on a Venezuela-related war powers measure, while President Trump presses Republican defectors to influence lawmakers before the decision.
Senate and House leaders John Thune and Mike Johnson expressed doubt that Congress will move quickly on President Trump’s proposal to temporarily cap credit-card interest at 10% for a year, arguing such a cap could restrict access to credit and prompt lenders to pull back. The push sits alongside discussions of a separate merchant-fee bill and other funding-related actions in a busy day of Capitol Hill updates.
A senior House Democrat announces a discharge petition to force a floor vote on banning stock trading by members, challenging a GOP-written bill that would let lawmakers keep current holdings. Morelle favors a stricter divestiture plan and is seeking bipartisan support, but it’s unclear if the measure will gain enough Republican backers. The digest also covers related Capitol Hill moves, including a labor bill’s collapse, House funding-amendment votes, Danish-Greenland talks, a Senate deepfake-porn bill, and upcoming retirements and investigations.

The House opens with Republicans holding a razor-thin 218-213 margin after Marjorie Taylor Greene’s resignation and Doug LaMalfa’s death; a Texas special election later this month is expected to boost Democrats, further narrowing the GOP edge and making party-line votes hinge on a single defection or attendance, undermining governance as the chamber heads into an election year.

Hours after the Senate advanced a war-powers measure on Venezuela, President Trump phoned five Republican senators who voted with Democrats, threatening primary challenges and saying they should never be elected again; some calls were described as direct but cordial, with Collins’ exchange reportedly more heated. The final Senate vote is pending and the White House has not commented.
The article discusses President Trump's recent Venezuela operation, highlighting its political implications for the GOP and the upcoming midterm elections, with some viewing it as a risky but potentially beneficial move that could define Trump's legacy and influence voter sentiment.

The House passed a bill to extend expired health care subsidies for ACA coverage, defying GOP leadership with bipartisan support, aiming to address rising insurance costs and expand coverage, while the Senate considers a compromise with income limits and health savings account expansions.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, in his final year in office and not seeking re-election, publicly criticized President Trump and Republicans for what he described as a harmful political attack campaign, and expressed his intention to focus on legislative issues like gun restrictions and fraud before leaving office. He also hinted at possibly returning to teaching after his term.

California Republican Rep. Doug LaMalfa has died at age 65, reducing the House Republican majority to 218 seats and potentially impacting Speaker Mike Johnson's control. LaMalfa, a key figure on water issues and a member of several committees, represented California’s 1st District since 2013. His death comes amid a closely divided House and upcoming special elections. President Trump and House leaders expressed their condolences.

Democrat Renee Hardman won a special election for the Iowa state Senate, preventing Republicans from regaining a supermajority in the Legislature. Her victory maintains Democratic influence in the chamber, marking a significant win in a year of Democratic successes across various states. Hardman becomes the first Black woman elected to the Iowa Senate, and her win helps keep the GOP from controlling two-thirds of the chamber, which would have allowed easier confirmation of appointments. The election results reflect broader Democratic gains in 2025, impacting legislative dynamics and future governance in Iowa.

Vice President JD Vance played a key role in mediating a truce between Elon Musk and Donald Trump, leading Musk to scrap his plans for a third party and re-engage with the GOP, although their relationship remains fragile. The story highlights Musk's influence in government reform efforts and the complex political dynamics involving tech billionaires, the White House, and the Republican Party.
The GOP is pushing back against new student debt rules that cap loans for nursing students, with critics arguing the caps could limit access and increase tuition, while the Education Department defends the policy as a way to reduce costs and address high tuition rates in health education.
The GOP is internally divided over the potential for a second reconciliation bill focused on affordability, with some members pushing for expansion of health savings accounts and others cautious, amid discussions about aligning with President Trump's interests and recent Democratic precedents.
Athletes are increasingly running for political office, with some leveraging their sports fame to appeal to voters, as both parties explore outsider candidates to address public dissatisfaction with traditional politics. However, public opinion on athletes' political involvement remains mixed.
Three Republican senators—Scott, Lee, and Johnson—are challenging John Thune's leadership within the GOP, reflecting a shift towards more conservative, MAGA-aligned members in the Senate. Thune is navigating these tensions by seeking consensus on funding bills and maintaining respect for diverse views within the party, while the conservative trio prepares for future battles over issues like earmarks and government shutdowns.