American lawyer and Republican congressman, Speaker of the House since 2023
As of April 3, 2026, the US Department of Homeland Security remains partially unfunded since February 14, causing over 100,000 DHS employees, including TSA workers, to go unpaid. The shutdown has led to severe staffing shortages at airports, with TSA officers resigning and calling out sick, resulting in long security lines and missed flights. President Trump deployed paid ICE agents to assist TSA with crowd control, but congressional deadlock over DHS funding and immigration enforcement reforms continues, prolonging travel disruptions nationwide.
King Charles is scheduled to visit the US in late April despite calls for cancellation due to the Middle East conflict. The trip, seen as a diplomatic effort, faces criticism over strained UK-US relations and Trump's hostile remarks. The visit aims to maintain UK-US ties amid political tensions.
As the government shutdown reaches 41 days, footage of lawmakers on vacation surfaces, fueling public anger. Despite ongoing funding deadlock, many members are seen enjoying leisure activities, while federal workers remain unpaid. Calls for Congress to return grow louder amid viral criticism.
Democrat Analilia Mejía has won New Jersey's 11th District special election, maintaining Democratic control in a narrowly divided House. Meanwhile, the House has voted 214-213 against a war powers resolution aimed at limiting President Trump's military actions in Iran, reflecting deep partisan divides as the Iran conflict continues with no clear end.
Texas Congressman Gonzales has dropped his re-election bid after admitting to an affair with a staffer who died by suicide. New texts reveal he sought inappropriate photos from a second woman, raising questions about his conduct and ethics. The House Ethics Committee is investigating the case.
President Trump has issued a final deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, warning of potential military strikes on civilian infrastructure if Iran fails to comply. The threats have escalated tensions amid ongoing conflict, raising concerns over possible violations of international law and war crimes.
The House of Representatives did not take up a Senate-passed funding bill, prolonging the DHS partial shutdown that began on February 14. The deadlock centers on immigration enforcement funding, with Democrats demanding reforms and Republicans opposing them. The shutdown affects airport security and federal workers' pay, with no immediate resolution in sight.
Congress has approved a short-term extension of a FISA surveillance authority, sending the temporary patch to President Donald Trump after negotiations stalled over warrant protections and unrelated provisions. Lawmakers have been holding marathon overnight sessions and face a fraught path to a longer-term renewal that Republicans and the Senate are disputing.
On April 16, 2026, the US Senate has rejected two resolutions led by Senator Bernie Sanders to block $295 million in bulldozer sales and $152 million in bomb sales to Israel. Forty Democrats supported blocking bulldozer sales, and 36 backed blocking bomb sales, but Republicans opposed both measures, defeating them 40-59 and 36-63 respectively. The votes have reflected growing Democratic unease over US military aid amid Israeli actions in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran.
Multiple members of Congress are under investigation for misconduct, including sexual harassment, campaign violations, and military actions. Several have resigned or are facing expulsion efforts, highlighting ongoing issues of ethics and accountability in Washington. The investigations are ongoing as political tensions remain high.
On Sunday morning, Shreveport, Louisiana, has experienced a mass shooting where eight children aged 3 to 11 have been killed by Shamar Elkins, who also shot two women and died after a police chase. The attack is the deadliest US mass shooting in over two years and is classified as a domestic incident amid Elkins' separation from his wife.
Shamar Elkins has been identified as the shooter who has killed eight children and wounded two women during a rampage in Shreveport, Louisiana. The incident follows a dispute with his wife and is now under investigation. Elkins was shot dead by police after a police chase. The victims include seven of his children and one cousin.
New Jersey Congressman Tom Kean has missed over 50 votes since March 17 due to unspecified health issues. He has posted a social media message thanking supporters for their patience, but has not provided details or a timeline for his return. His absence raises concerns ahead of a competitive reelection race.
Republicans are tapping Trump turnout power while shaping a cost‑of‑living policy platform, aiming to avoid a pure referendum on the president. Democrats counter with a 10‑bill progressive agenda and restructuring of district maps, signaling a high‑stakes clash ahead of midterms and 2028 considerations.
Representatives say New Jersey Rep. Tom Kean has been absent for weeks due to a personal medical issue, with no timeline for return. Officials expect him back “in the next couple of weeks,” while the White House and party aides emphasize transparency and continuity ahead of the upcoming reelection primary.
House Republican leaders have pulled a scheduled vote on a Democratic war-powers resolution to compel President Trump to seek congressional authorization for the Iran campaign after defections and multiple absences made it clear they lacked the votes to block the measure. The Senate has recently advanced a similar resolution as some Republicans have joined Democrats.
A White House-backed nine-hour prayer event, "Rededicate 250," has been held on the National Mall to mark the US semiquincentennial. Senior administration officials and Republican leaders have appeared onstage or in video messages; the program has featured almost exclusively evangelical and conservative Christian speakers, with a single Jewish speaker. Critics have said the event is blurring church and state.
Kevin Warsh has been sworn in as chair of the U.S. Federal Reserve at a White House ceremony on May 22, 2026. President Trump has said Warsh will be "totally independent." Markets are repricing risks as inflation remains above target and the US‑Iran war is pushing bond yields and oil prices higher.
Since mid May, multiple outlets have reported that the Justice Department has reached a settlement resolving President Trump’s $10bn lawsuit against the IRS, creating a $1.8bn "anti-weaponization" fund and barring existing IRS audits of Trump, his family and affiliates. Critics, courts and lawmakers have raised legal and ethical objections; separate reporting shows Trump is also directing high-profile public-works projects and White House renovations that are drawing criticism over cost and optics.
President Donald Trump has signed a $70 billion package to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection through the end of his term, ending a months-long impasse that began after two civilians were killed during January immigration operations. Republicans passed the measure through budget reconciliation after Democrats demanded enforcement safeguards and blocked funding earlier this year.
Senate and House debates intensify over a $70 billion three-year funding package for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol, with lawmakers grappling over a controversial $1.8 billion settlement fund for Trump allies. The measure has sparked intra-party divisions and a series of amendments as leadership seeks to finalize funding through the end of Trump’s term.
Congress has passed a war powers resolution challenging President Trump’s authority to strike Iran without congressional approval. The House vote is 215-208, with four Republicans breaking ranks. The measure now heads to the Senate, where lawmakers face a pivotal decision amid a fragile ceasefire and ongoing hostilities.
The Section 702 surveillance law is set to lapse this week. President Trump has named Bill Pulte as acting DNI, triggering bipartisan concern and stalling renewal talks while lawmakers debate guardrails and timing. A Senate gridlock persists as Republicans and Democrats clash over the scope of surveillance and the president’s chosen interim leader.
Open primary results show Nithya Raman has overtaken Spencer Pratt for the L.A. mayoral runoff spot, with Karen Bass leading the field. Counting mail ballots continues, keeping the outcome unsettled as of today.
Trust funds for Old-Age and Survivors Insurance and Medicare face earlier depletion than previously forecast. PWBM projects depletion by 2033 for OASI and 2034 for combined funds, while the official trustees warn longer-term pressures. Lawmakers face urgent choices on taxes, benefits, and program integrity as costs rise for aging Americans.
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters has moved toward ending federal monitorship after decades of oversight. Barbara Jones oversees the process with a path to a permanent compliance role; the union has implemented internal controls and vowed tougher discipline. The development follows ongoing mergers of union leadership and the approval of related reforms.
The UK government has announced plans to block children under 16 from major social media platforms and to restrict livestreaming and stranger contact on gaming services, following Australia’s model. Legislation is expected before Christmas with protections due to take effect in spring 2027; Ofcom will design "highly effective" age checks.
Multiple outlets report that Rep. Tom Kean Jr. has told associates he will return to Washington on June 30 after months of absence due to a personal health issue. He has missed hundreds of votes but is planning a public return and a campaign push in New Jersey’s 7th District ahead of November’s election.
The White House has requested $87.6 billion in supplemental funding for the Iran war and related priorities, with most of the money earmarked for the Pentagon. Lawmakers are divided, and the path forward will hinge on coalition-building and negotiations over defense and nondefense spending.
Global tech shares have pulled back after a rally in AI-related stocks. Benchmark indices in Asia show sharp declines, including South Korea’s Kospi, as investors reassess valuations amid rising chip costs and AI infrastructure spending. US futures show mixed signals as investors await key inflation data.
The Senate has passed a war powers resolution directing the President to withdraw forces from hostilities with Iran or seek explicit authorization. The House had approved a similar measure earlier this month. The move is largely symbolic but signals growing congressional unease over the conflict.
Trump has cancelled a Capitol signing event for a bipartisan housing package until Congress passes the SAVE America Act, a priority Republicans say would curb noncitizen voting and tighten voter ID. Several Senate Republicans have rebuked him, and the housing bill passes with broad backing, highlighting a fracture over election reforms while the White House probes timing.