All posts tagged "senate"

'Zero respect': GOP civil war erupts as House and Senate feud hits breaking point

The relationship between Republican Party representatives in the House and Senate has never been worse, according to various insiders.

Unnamed GOP lawmakers from both the House and Senate made their thoughts clear on the divisions currently undermining the party. A fix for the Department of Homeland Security freeze pitched by the Senate was trashed by the House, with a boiling point reached, according to NOTUS. Insiders say the divide has only worsened over the last few months, with reps from the upper and lower chambers making clear their thoughts on the tension.

An anonymous House Republican said, "The Senate clearly, like transparently, has zero respect for the House at all. There’s this idea that they are far superior to us intellectually, that they understand issues better than we do. The Senate sees the House as a bunch of sort of barbarians or Philistines, and they’re the enlightened ones."

A separate, senior GOP aide added, "The Senate is still acting like the Senate, which is why the House hates it. It’s sort of ignoring the House’s plight. I think leadership’s trying to be sensitive to that, but members aren’t.

"Even if the relationships are not at an all-time low, the functioning is at an all-time low." Even House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune reportedly do not "respect or trust" one another.

Johnson's aide alleged there was no battle between House and Senate at the moment, and that the GOP is focused solely on pushing through potential divisions.

"Johnson has consistently emphasized the importance of House and Senate Republicans working closely together as one team, and he has worked hard to ensure it," the unnamed senior aide said.

"That cooperation and trust have been the reasons for the landmark achievements of the 119th Congress, in spite of our historically small margins. The stakes are too high to allow any division to develop now."

'Most painful, most awkward': GOP rep moans about 'messy' government standstill

A Republican lawmaker has criticized their own party for an ongoing disagreement with the Democratic Party.

Frustrated Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK) said the back and forth over reopening the Department of Homeland Security is par for the course under President Donald Trump's administration. He told CNN, "We do it the hardest, most painful, most awkward, most drawn out miserable way, but eventually we get it done. This is a classic example of that."

The DHS began its partial shutdown six weeks ago following a partial funding lapse that is yet to be resolved. The US Senate has, as of today (March 27), voted to end the 40-day shutdown, so long as immigration enforcement is excluded from reopening. The deal now faces a vote in the House of Representatives.

Fellow GOP representatives were openly critical of how long the shutdown had gone on.

Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ) said, "I mean, we've got to, for God's sake, we've got to open this piece of government up."

The bill set to be reviewed by the House does not feature reforms the GOP had pushed for, specifically increased funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

There is also an omission regarding Border Patrol, with money for the immigration team absent from the most recent proposal. Republican Party support is not at all guaranteed for the bill either, with House Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole saying, "I don't even know what it is yet."

Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune, speaking from the chamber earlier Friday, added, "Trump should never have had to step in to rescue TSA workers and US air travel.

"We're here because, thanks to Democrats' determined refusal to reach an agreement, there will be no Homeland Security funding bill this year. Instead... Republicans funded the Department of Homeland Security piecemeal," Thune added. "That is not the way to fund the department."

Senate scrambles for DHS deal before two-week recess: 'Time for us to do our job'

WASHINGTON — Lawmakers were cautiously optimistic on Thursday as the Senate was trying to reach a deal to fund the Department of Homeland Security and end the government shutdown.

In a series of exclusive interviews with Raw Story, several senators explained how they were uncertain whether a deal could be reached as Congress was just hours away from its two-week April recess.

Sen. Katie Britt (R-AL) was asked if she was hopeful the Senate could reach an agreement to fund DHS.

"We'll see, but I certainly think it's time for us to do our job," Britt said.

The discussions were still ongoing Thursday afternoon.

"We're reviewing that right now," said Sen. Angus King (I-ME).

Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) was hesitant to say what the caucuses were discussing and if the lawmakers were closer to reaching a deal.

"I don't want to say one way or the other," Schatz said.

Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) signaled that senators had more to work out together, but there was one area where everyone was on the same page.

"I think the good news is that there is very broad agreement that we have to fund TSA," Coons said. "Bad news is that there's not yet agreement on sort of exactly how to."

Coons also said that Democrats did not plan to budge on their demands for ICE and were still focused on agency reforms, adding that new Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said during his confirmation hearing that he would take a closer look at those suggestions.

"It's Thursday," Coons added. "Wouldn't it be great to resolve this?"

CNN's Dana Bash taken aback as Senate hearing devolves into 'Real Housewives' episode

CNN host Dana Bash cracked a joke on Wednesday as the heated hearing for Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) developed into a fiery back-and-forth similar to the popular reality show franchise.

The broadcaster dropped the Bravo reference after Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) faced off with Mullin over whether he was the right person to lead the Department of Homeland Security after the nominee approved of a violent attack against the Kentucky Republican. Mullin, who President Donald Trump has selected to replace outgoing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, was grilled by Paul and other senators in a series of tough questions about his anger, temperament and concerns over his "classified work" outside the United States.

"Back with my panel meanwhile, on the Real Housewives of the U.S. Senate, this is, you know, I mean, it's actually, it is a serious issue that Rand Paul is trying to get at, which he said is, you know, character and that questioning whether he has anger issues," Bash said.

Paul has threatened to cancel his vote to approve Mullin for the DHS job.

"It was also noteworthy that Senator Mullin brought with him his now friend, Sean O'Brien, the head of the Teamsters, who sat right within camera shot because one of the reasons why people first learned of Senator Mullin is when he almost got into a fistfight with Mr. O'Brien when Senator Mullin was asking him questions at a hearing they smoked the peace pipe — metaphorically — they are now friends," Bash said. "And so there's no question in my mind that that's why he had O'Brien back there because he knew what was coming from Rand Paul."

James Carville 'rattled' by one 'tied' race: 'Should scare the hell out of every Democrat'

Famed political strategist James Carville sounded the alarm on Saturday, admitting he's "rattled" by one key political contest.

Carville, known for his work on Bill Clinton's team, said over the weekend, "I’ve worked on more campaigns than I can count, and let me tell you: I don’t rattle easily." He went on to note that, "But this race in New Hampshire? It’s TIED. In a dead heat. And that should scare the hell out of every Democrat in the country."

The fear surrounds a "wide open" seat, according to the legendary politico.

"Here’s the deal: Jeanne Shaheen is retiring. That means this seat is wide open. And now John Sununu — yes, one of those Sununus, the long-time New Hampshire political dynasty — is running to flip it red," he added Saturday. "He’s got the name, he’s got the money, and he’s got the full weight of the Republican donor class behind him — from Wall Street to the far-right Super PACs. They see New Hampshire as their ticket to locking down the Senate for another decade."

He went on to characterize the race as "neck-and-neck."

"And right now? This race is neck-and-neck. It could go either way," the strategist claimed. "Chris Pappas is our guy. He’s won the toughest district in New Hampshire four times. He knows how to reach voters across the aisle and build a coalition that wins. But he cannot — CANNOT — do this alone."

He also explained the high stakes of this race.

"The GOP knows if they take New Hampshire, Democrats don’t have a shot at retaking the Senate. And they’re ready to bury us in negative ads and dark money," he further noted. "We’ve got to fight smarter, faster, and harder. We’ve got to help Chris Pappas build the campaign we need to win. Let’s show these Republican bigshots that they can’t buy another Senate seat. Not on our watch."

Carville concluded with, "Let’s win this damn thing and flip control of the Senate."

Senate votes to check Trump's military moves in 'stunning rebuke to White House': report

The Senate has voted 52-47 on Thursday to push forward legislation that would force President Donald Trump to have congressional approval before any further military action in Venezuela.

The move was considered a sharp criticism of the Trump administration and the first major action to push back against the Trump administration following the military capture of President Nicolás Maduro, according to Politico. The measure was backed by several Republicans, including Susan Collins (R-MA), Todd Young (R-IN) and Josh Hawley (R-MO).

The resolution was cosponsored by Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) and Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), who have attempted to curb the president's maneuvers in the South American country. Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) also cast his vote in support of the resolution even after saying he could oppose the move.

The Trump administration has not sought congressional approval for its military actions in Venezuela.

"The vote is a shocking sign of divisions among Republicans on Trump’s plans for the South American country, and an about-face to a November vote on limiting the president that failed. Democrats have promised more tough votes that force Republicans to take a public stance as Trump threatens to seize Greenland and floats military action in Colombia," Politico reported.

GOP rebels push back as core bill tries to 'smuggle' unvetted proposals into law

Republican Party senators are expecting Donald Trump to intervene on a bill used to "smuggle" unvetted changes into law.

The bill has been flagged as a "concern for a number of reasons" by several GOP members, and an unnamed lawmaker within the party believes the president may have to get directly involved. Speaking to The Hill, the GOP lawmaker said part of the problem was satisfying the concerns aired by three Republican senators who are refusing to approve the bill.

The lawmaker said, "I don’t know that we’ll ever be able to satisfy them, that’s the frustrating part. I think the president is going to have to get involved."

Conservative Sens. Mike Lee (R-UT), Ron Johnson (R-WS) and Rick Scott (R-FLL) brought the bill to a standstill over a number of concerns.

Lee explained the problems he had with the bill, sharing, "There are a number of authorizing provisions that were smuggled into the bill, into the [Interior] appropriations bill. It shouldn’t have been. It’s not how it’s supposed to work. We’re not supposed to authorize in an appropriations bill and you’re certainly not to do that without the knowledge and consent of the chairman."

The delay means the package will likely not be passed through this year, but Lee believes delaying the bill is justified because of the overlooked additions found on a closer look.

He said, "There are a number of earmarks in this package and it concerns me for a number of reasons. We’ve still got a conference policy that has been in place since 2011, it’s never been rescinded, that says that it is the policy of our conference that no member shall direct a congressional directed spending item, meaning an earmark."

"That policy was followed quite consistently by our conference for a decade after it was adopted. I have grave concerns that we’re now well into — nearly a year into — the new Republican administration and this is the most substantive [spending package] that we’ve had so far and definitely the most earmarks that I’ve seen."

Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD), a member of the Appropriations Committee, aired his frustrations with the delayed bill and said it's more about "trying to move to regular order" than anything else.

He said, "The bottom line is members should be able to get amendments because we want an open process but nobody is going to guarantee an outcome to members that have a disagreement on one piece or another. That’s disconcerting to some members, they’d rather have an outcome. This is about trying to move to regular order."

'Remarkable turnaround': CNN reporter floored as Epstein bill speeds through Senate

A CNN reporter was floored Tuesday as news dropped the Epstein bill was to speed through the Senate just hours after a nearly unanimous vote from the House.

The Senate was to approve the bill, H.R. 4405, the Epstein Files Transparency Act, as soon as the bill was received from the House, CNN anchor and chief congressional correspondent Manu Raju told anchor Jake Tapper.

"Yeah, just a couple of weeks ago, it seemed like this bill was dead on arrival. Just a few days ago, it seemed like it was dead on arrival in the United States Senate. But now it is on its way to the president's desk in a remarkable turnaround in an extremely fast move here, the Senate has essentially greenlighted this bill to be approved as soon as tonight and be sent to the president's desk," Raju said.

Only one member of the entire U.S. Senate voted against the bill — Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA). The bill now heads to President Donald Trump's desk to be signed.

Mockery ensues as whispering Lindsey Graham's Siri loudly announces who he's calling

Mockery ensued on Tuesday after Sen. Lindsey Graham's (R-SC) Siri loudly announced he was calling a primetime Fox News host.

Graham was caught speaking quietly into his phone when his virtual assistant exposed what he was up to.

"Funny moment just now in the Senate: Lindsey Graham whispered something into his phone and then Siri responded with full volume: 'Calling Sean Hannity mobile,'" Andrew Desiderio, senior congressional reporter for Punchbowl News, wrote on X.

Social media users were amused by the funny moment:

"AI could never come up with this," Melissa Angell, policy correspondent at Inc., wrote on X.

"Yet another encapsulation of why we need generational change in Congress," Mike Raia, president at Half Street Group, wrote on X.

"For God’s sake. Do your job. Talk to your favorite Dems and broker an end to this!!!" Lynne Ballard, retired university provost, wrote on X.

"Lmfao incredibly powerful," Curt Mills, executive director of The American Conservative, wrote on X.

"Flip phone guy still adjusting," Burgess Everett, Semafor congressional bureau chief, wrote on X.

"LOL," chimed in Punchbowl News' Jake Sherman

'Hot mess': Multiple senators quietly mull quitting over 'growing frustration' with Trump

Both Republican and Democratic senators are frustrated with the state of their chamber and the inability to make any progress in the face of President Donald Trump's encroachment on their authority, according to a new piece in The New York Times.

"Members current and former, Republican and Democratic, say the job comes with a sense of growing frustration and declining cachet," wrote opinion columnist Michelle Cottle. "The legislative process is a hot mess, and increasingly dominated by giant omnibus bills. Cross-aisle comity is passé. Independence and ideological heterodoxy are treated as heresy."

Senators headed home for summer break this weekend after failing to confirm a list of Trump nominees, prompting the president to tell Democratic leader Sen. Chuck Schumer (NY) to "go to hell" on social media.

Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN) told Cottle, “The problem is that we can’t get s---- done," adding that, "Creative obstructionism...has become 'a fine art that has reached its apex so that the institution is nearly paralyzed.'”

Smith announced she will not be running for reelection in 2026, and she's far from the only one.

Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) "decided to pack it in after clashing" with Trump, Cottle wrote. "Two senators have announced they are pursuing the more appealing gig of governor — Tommy Tuberville, Republican of Alabama, and Michael Bennet, Democrat of Colorado — and others are considering following suit."

"It’s a vicious cycle," wrote Cottle. "The more that talented people are turned off or driven out by the chamber’s dysfunction, the more it populates with extremists, opportunists and self-dealers. The more that partisan lines are enforced, the less room there is for moderates and independents, who are now nearly extinct."

Senators who spoke with Cottle claimed "that a majority of constituents want the chamber to turn" from the dark path it's currently headed down.

“There’s a lot of evidence that we’re headed down that road as a country,” said Bennet, “but I don’t think that’s where the American people want us to go.”

Read The New York Times report here.