Democratic lawmakers

New Jersey is implementing a fee on companies whose workers receive Medicaid health coverage instead of employer-provided insurance. Other states are also considering similar measures, driven by Democratic lawmakers and governors.

America’s 250th birthday merchandise is being sold by America250, a nonprofit commission, and Freedom 250, a limited liability company linked to President Donald Trump. Reports indicate at least $10 million in taxpayer funds flowed from America250 to Freedom 250, with unclear accounting of how proceeds are distributed.

America’s 250th birthday merchandise, sold by America250 (a nonprofit) and Freedom 250 (President Donald Trump’s LLC), includes items like decorative pillows and youth tees. Taxpayer funds have flowed from America250 to Freedom 250, with no clear accounting, and at least $10 million reported transferred. Democratic lawmakers have raised concerns about the financial arrangements.

America250, a congressional commission, and Freedom 250, a Trump-linked entity, are selling merchandise to commemorate the U.S. 250th anniversary. Taxpayer funds are being used, with at least $10 million transferred from America250 to Freedom 250. The nonprofit America250.org receives a percentage of merchandise profits, but no clear accounting of fund distribution has been provided.

A federal audit found that only 25% of $14 billion in federal funds for Puerto Rico’s power grid recovery after Hurricane Maria has been disbursed nearly a decade later. Delays include staff turnover, complex project reviews, Puerto Rico’s financial struggles, and a former policy requiring manual approval for large expenditures.

President Donald Trump canceled a signing ceremony for a new housing package and called it 'of minor importance,' despite expectations to highlight a provision banning big investors from owning single-family homes.

President Donald Trump canceled a planned signing of a bipartisan affordable housing bill, demanding Congress first pass the SAVE AMERICA Act, which introduces new voter identification requirements. Democratic lawmakers oppose the voting bill, calling it a form of voter suppression, while Trump continues to pressure Senate leaders despite their frustrations over his agenda diversions.

The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on the National Mall, renovated under Trump's urging with a projected cost of $1.9 million, has turned green with algae despite claims of a 50-year waterproof coating. The project's cost ballooned to $15 million, and Democratic lawmakers are investigating potential conflicts of interest in no-bid contracts awarded to firms linked to Trump and his associates.

The U.S. military attacked an alleged drug-smuggling boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing three people as part of the Trump administration's campaign against Latin American traffickers. The strike raised the total number of deaths in such operations to 211 since September, with the military citing known smuggling routes but not providing evidence of drug trafficking. Critics question the legality and effectiveness of the strikes, while the Pentagon investigates whether targeting procedures were followed.

Democratic lawmakers are pressuring the three largest U.S. credit bureaus over allegations of unaddressed incorrect reports from federal student loan servicers. Senate Banking Committee ranking member Elizabeth Warren raised concerns in a letter shared with The Hill.

The U.S. military attacked an alleged drug-smuggling boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing one person and leaving two survivors. This strike, part of the Trump administration's campaign against 'narcoterrorists,' has resulted in at least 208 deaths since September 2020. Critics question the legality and effectiveness of the strikes, which lack evidence of drug trafficking and face scrutiny from lawmakers and legal scholars.

Democratic lawmakers have criticized a prospective U.S.-Iran deal before it is finalized. Sen. Jack Reed stated the U.S. would receive less under the proposed agreement.

Student-loan borrowers on the SAVE plan will receive notices to transfer to a new repayment plan by July, with automatic placement into more expensive options if no action is taken. The Department of Education warns payments will likely increase under the new plans, while over 60 lawmakers urge borrowers to be placed in cheaper alternatives.

President Donald Trump signed a $70 billion bill to fund immigration enforcement and detention activities over three years, with significant allocations to ICE, CBP, and Homeland Security. The bill passed with near-unanimous Republican support, despite Democratic calls for stricter law enforcement standards.

A resolution calling for US troop withdrawal from Iran passed in the Republican-controlled House, with four Republicans supporting it. Trump criticized the resolution as 'unpatriotic,' but bipartisan lawmakers face growing public pressure to end the conflict due to economic and political costs.

Democratic lawmakers are demanding answers after a report claimed a White House official intervened to secure a $620 million Pentagon loan for a company linked to President Trump’s eldest son. The lawmakers describe the action as a potential example of administration corruption.

The U.S. military attacked a boat accused of drug smuggling in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing two men. This strike is part of a campaign targeting 'narcoterrorists' under the Trump administration, with 207 people killed in similar operations since September. Critics question the legality and effectiveness of the strikes, particularly a second attack that killed survivors, which some legal scholars claim is illegal.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman met with Republican and Democratic lawmakers to oppose proposals requiring government approval for new artificial intelligence models. Jordan Rae Kelly, a former National Security Council cyber incident response director, provided analysis.

Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner was on Capitol Hill meeting with Democratic lawmakers following allegations of sexually explicit text messages exchanged with women who were not his wife, as reported by CBS News correspondent Nikole Killion.

President Trump appointed Bill Pulte as acting head of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), replacing Tulsi Gabbard after her resignation. Democratic lawmakers expressed frustration over the appointment.

The debate on the CLARITY Act continues as the US Senate returns this week. Democratic lawmakers have stated they will not support any version of a crypto market structure bill without ethics provisions to address potential conflicts of interest by elected officials.

Bruce Blakeman supports an ICE agreement, setting up a potential conflict with New York Governor Kathy Hochul's sanctuary law. The law, passed by Democratic lawmakers, restricts local law enforcement from cooperating with ICE without a judicial order in most cases.

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin criticized former Senate colleagues, accusing them of lacking respect for 'career liberal politicians' following two incidents involving his department and Democratic lawmakers. His remarks came in response to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer's post about U.S. senators being targeted.

Gavin Newsom's proposed state budget includes a $33,000 portrait of himself and a $20 million plan to honor California's living former governors, sparking backlash from Democratic lawmakers who called the latter 'absurd.'

Lawmakers in California and two other states have proposed bills to hold oil companies accountable for climate change-related insurance costs, aiming to offset rising premiums and insurer losses. The bills, which did not pass this session, follow broader efforts to sue fossil fuel producers for climate damages, with some states using attribution science to assign costs.

Jeffrey Epstein abused a survivor while under house arrest, the survivor told US lawmakers. The testimony was given to Democratic lawmakers on Tuesday. Several victims gave their accounts.

Over a dozen Democratic lawmakers urged the Trump administration to protect Iranian nationals in the U.S. from deportation, citing humanitarian risks in Iran and the administration's role in escalating tensions. They called for temporary protections like TPS or DED and criticized the administration for initiating conflict with Iran without congressional approval.

California 'Angel Mom' Agnes Gibboney, whose son was killed by an illegal immigrant, criticizes Gov. Gavin Newsom and Democrats for a proposed bill to fund legal defense for immigrants facing deportation with taxpayer dollars. She claims politicians ignore victims and prioritize illegal aliens over citizens, while Newsom has not responded to her pleas for acknowledgment.

Democratic lawmakers are demanding the Trump administration halt its plan to collect federal workers' medical records, following a report by KFF Health News. They have urged the Office of Personnel Management to withdraw the request.

Virginia voters are considering a redistricting referendum that could give Democrats up to four additional congressional seats. The referendum, scheduled for Tuesday, involves significant financial backing from various groups as Democratic lawmakers seek temporary approval for a new congressional map.

Democratic lawmakers are attempting to restrict President Trump's authority regarding Iran, but success appears improbable. The effort is reported by CBS News' Caitlin Huey-Burns.