Russ Vought

Senate leaders are considering blocking a Trump administration plan to replace the peer-review process for federal grants with political appointees. Bipartisan negotiations on a funding bill to prevent a government shutdown include discussions on halting the proposed regulation, which faces opposition from both Democratic and some Republican senators due to concerns over politicizing grant approvals.

White House officials urged Senate Republicans to adopt a narrow spending bill focused on defense and farm aid, but faced skepticism over the reconciliation process and potential political challenges. Senate leaders expressed concerns about the 'vote-a-rama' amendment process and the inclusion of the SAVE America Act, which could complicate securing 50 votes for the bill.

Nearly two dozen GOP governors support President Donald Trump's push for a new party-line spending bill, urging Senate Republicans to pass a budget resolution to address elections, defense, and farm aid. The effort coincides with a closed-door meeting between White House officials and Senate Republicans, as Senate Majority Leader John Thune faces challenges in securing votes for the bill.

Senate Republicans will meet with White House budget director Russ Vought and President Donald Trump's legislative aide James Braid, along with Newt Gingrich. The meeting occurs as GOP senators face challenges in supporting a $95 billion spending bill endorsed by the White House.

The U.S. Department of Energy terminated nearly 300 renewable energy grants in 2024, with legal filings stating decisions were based on whether recipients were in states that did not vote for President Donald Trump or had Democratic senators. The canceled projects totaled $8 billion, affecting 16 states with Democratic-led legislatures or governors, despite the department's initial claim that cancellations were due to economic viability.

Democrats in Congress oppose a proposed Trump administration rule that would alter federal grant administration, giving political appointees authority to decide funding allocations and prohibiting grants from supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. The draft rule, titled 'Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance,' could affect hundreds of billions in funding and allows the president to terminate grants without notice, according to lawmakers.

Democrats in Congress oppose a Trump administration draft rule that would alter federal grant administration by giving political appointees authority to decide funding allocations and restrict DEI initiatives. The proposal, titled 'Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance,' could affect hundreds of billions in grants and faces claims it would politicize funding decisions, undermining public safety and health priorities.

Democrats in Congress oppose a proposed Trump administration rule that would shift federal grant decision-making power to political appointees and restrict funding for DEI initiatives. The draft rule, titled 'Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance,' could affect hundreds of billions in grants and faces criticism for potentially turning funding into a partisan tool.

Democrats in Congress oppose a Trump administration proposal to alter federal grant administration by granting political appointees authority to decide grant recipients. The draft rule, titled 'Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance,' could affect hundreds of billions in funding and restrict the use of grants for diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

Speaker Mike Johnson faces challenges securing Republican votes for a procedural rule to advance legislative priorities, including a stopgap funding bill and defense legislation. GOP holdouts like Thomas Massie and Chip Roy threaten progress, while Democrats oppose funding for immigration enforcement agencies, complicating bipartisan efforts.

Democrats in Congress oppose a Trump administration draft rule that would alter federal grant administration, granting political appointees authority to decide grant recipients. The rule, criticized as enabling partisan agendas, would restrict funding for diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and allow unilateral grant termination by President Trump.

A federal judge ruled that the Trump administration cannot cancel grants based on new rules established after the fact, blocking efforts to terminate billions in federal grant awards. The decision denies the administration's request to dismiss a lawsuit from 20 states, three governors, and the District of Columbia challenging grant cancellations since President Donald Trump's inauguration.

President Donald Trump requested $87.6 billion in emergency funding to cover the war in Iran, farmer aid, and other projects. The proposal includes $67.15 billion for the Defense Department, $11.1 billion for Agriculture, and funds for infrastructure like modernizing Penn Station. Reactions from lawmakers were mixed, with some praising the request and others criticizing it as an overextension for unrelated priorities.

President Trump requested $87.6 billion in emergency funding to cover the war in Iran, farmer aid, and other expenses. The proposal includes $67.15 billion for the Defense Department, $11.1 billion for the Agriculture Department, and funds for projects like modernizing Penn Station. Congressional reactions were divided, with Republicans supporting and Democrats criticizing the request.

The Trump administration requested $87.6 billion in emergency funding to cover the war in Iran, farmer aid, and other expenses. The proposal includes $67.15 billion for the Defense Department, $11.1 billion for Agriculture, and specific projects like modernizing Penn Station. Senator Charles Grassley supported the request, while Senator Patty Murray criticized it as an attempt to secure funds for unrelated Pentagon priorities.

The Trump administration requested $87.6 billion in emergency funding to cover war costs in Iran, farmer aid, and other expenses. The proposal includes $67.15 billion for the Defense Department, $11.1 billion for Agriculture, and funds for projects like modernizing Penn Station. Senate Republicans and Democrats expressed divided opinions, with some criticizing the request as an attempt to push unrelated priorities.

President Donald Trump requested $87.6 billion in emergency funding to cover war costs in Iran, farmer aid, and other expenses. The proposal includes allocations for Defense, Agriculture, and infrastructure projects, with mixed reactions from Congress, including support from Sen. Charles Grassley and criticism from Sen. Patty Murray.

The White House requested $87.6 billion from Congress to cover costs related to the U.S. war against Iran, support for American farmers, an Ebola response in Africa, and infrastructure projects in Washington, D.C. The request faces political challenges as lawmakers debate military action, and includes provisions to appeal to regional interests, such as funding for a modernized Penn Station in New York City.

The White House requested $87.6 billion from Congress to cover Iran war costs, support for U.S. farmers, and the Ebola response. The funding includes $67 billion for the Defense Department, $11.1 billion for farmers, $1.4 billion for Ebola, and $500 million for D.C. restoration projects. Lawmakers face political challenges in approving the request due to opposition to further military action.

The White House requested $87.6 billion from Congress to cover Pentagon expenses related to the U.S. war against Iran, aid for American farmers, Ebola response in Africa, and Washington, D.C. restoration projects. The request faces political challenges as lawmakers debate military funding and unrelated priorities.

The White House requested $87.6 billion from Congress to cover costs related to the U.S. war against Iran, including $67 billion for the Department of Defense, $11.1 billion for American farmers, $1.4 billion for the Ebola crisis in Central Africa, and $500 million for Washington, D.C. restoration projects. The request faces political challenges as lawmakers from both parties oppose further military action, though it includes provisions to attract support from various regions, such as funding for a modernized Penn Station in New York City.

John Cornyn, a Texas Republican, withheld support for Trump's immigration spending bill to secure $10 billion in border security reimbursements for Texas. He set conditions for his vote on Trump's attorney general pick and organized fundraisers for GOP candidates excluding Ken Paxton, whom he lost to in a primary. Cornyn expressed concerns about Republican midterm prospects and Trump's influence in the party.

The Inclusive Abundance Initiative, a center-left nonprofit, is developing a 2028 policy agenda focused on deregulation in healthcare, housing, energy, and other sectors to counter Democratic challenges. The group faces internal party debates over its corporate-friendly stance versus progressive priorities, with figures like Derek Kaufman and Nicholas Bagley leading efforts.

Republicans are under pressure to fund the Secret Service after an assassination attempt on Donald Trump, as a 74-day Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown continues. House Speaker Mike Johnson faces demands to pass a stalled Senate bill funding DHS agencies, excluding ICE and CBP, while Democrats blame Republicans for the funding lapse.

OMB Director Russ Vought testifies before the Senate Budget Committee on President Trump’s 2027 budget request, which includes a 42% increase in defense spending to $1.5 trillion and $73 billion in non-defense spending cuts. The proposed cuts target 'woke' initiatives, as outlined in a budget memo.

Protesters interrupted OMB Director Russ Vought during his opening statement at a House Budget Committee hearing. The hearing focused on President Trump's fiscal year 2027 budget request.

OMB Director Russ Vought will testify before the House Budget Committee regarding President Trump's 2027 budget request, which includes $1.5 trillion in defense spending and $73 billion in non-defense spending cuts. The testimony focuses on fiscal policy and budget allocation decisions.