Senate Judiciary Committee

Sen. Thom Tillis stated he has a 'positive predisposition' toward Todd Blanche's nomination as Attorney General. President Trump has nominated Blanche for the full-time role, and Tillis, a Senate Judiciary Committee member, will participate in the confirmation process.

A bill to expand court-ordered mediation in Los Angeles County, aimed at reducing trial calendar congestion and improving access to justice, has passed the state Senate Judiciary Committee. Assemblymember John Harabedian announced that AB 1950 cleared the committee, allowing judges to refer civil matters to mediation regardless of dispute amount.

Konstantinos Ligris, President Donald Trump's nominee for a top Justice Department role, deleted hundreds of social media posts that disparaged law enforcement and insulted lawmakers from both parties. A review of archived posts revealed offensive remarks targeting specific senators and calls for impeaching federal judges who ruled against the Trump administration.

The Senate Judiciary Committee plans to have top tech executives testify at a July 28 hearing to discuss online child safety and AI practices. Executives from Meta, TikTok, Snapchat, and Google may attend, including Adam Mosseri, Neal Mohan, Evan Spiegel, and Adam Presser.

The Supreme Court released opinions in three cases, including United States v. Hemani, Hunter v. United States, and T.M. v. University of Maryland Medical System Corp. Meanwhile, the Senate Judiciary Committee advanced legislation to televise Supreme Court proceedings, which has long been resisted by the justices.

The Senate Judiciary Committee approved the NO FAKES Act, a bill aiming to prevent unauthorized AI-generated deepfakes of artists, performers, and public figures. The legislation would grant individuals exclusive rights to their digital AI replicas and allow legal action against unauthorized use, though concerns about free speech implications persist.

Democrats claim over $350 million from President Donald Trump’s tax cuts bill has been redirected to White House security, which they argue is funding a controversial ballroom project. Trump insists the project is privately funded, but the article notes the project’s cost has risen to $600 million, with more than half from taxpayer money. Congress rejected a $1 billion request for the project, and legal challenges persist.

North Carolina lawmakers want to allow criminal suspects under involuntary commitment orders to receive mental health treatment outside psychiatric facilities. Hospital leaders oppose evaluations in emergency departments, while sheriffs argue hospitals are more appropriate. The bill has passed the House and is now under consideration by the Senate Judiciary Committee.

A California bill to allow homeowners to pause mortgage payments after declared disasters advanced through the Senate Banking and Financial Institutions Committee with a 7-0 vote. The bill, AB 1842 (California Emergency Mortgage Relief Act), was authored by an Assemblymember whose district was impacted by the Eaton Fire and now moves to the Senate Judiciary Committee. The legislation is not yet law.

The Senate Judiciary Committee has scheduled confirmation hearings for acting Attorney General Todd Blanche in mid-July as Republicans weigh support. Concerns remain about a $1.776 billion settlement fund, with senators like Thom Tillis and John Cornyn seeking assurances.

The Senate Judiciary Committee has scheduled confirmation hearings for acting Attorney General Todd Blanche in mid-July, as Republican senators remain undecided about supporting him. Concerns center on assurances that a controversial $1.776 billion settlement fund will not proceed, with some Republicans seeking further guarantees before voting.

Todd Blanche faces a Senate confirmation hearing for attorney general, with key Republicans like Thom Tillis and John Cornyn withholding final judgment. Tillis will assess the status of the Justice Department's 'anti-weaponization' fund, while Cornyn awaits the hearing to decide his stance. Both senators indicate Blanche has not crossed major red lines, including support for the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche began a monthlong confirmation process by meeting with Republican Senator Chuck Grassley. Grassley, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, expressed positive views about Blanche's career.

Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche seeks permanent appointment but faces Senate scrutiny. Senator Chuck Grassley supports the nomination, while Democrats raise concerns about potential conflicts of interest and past actions involving the Epstein files. The House Oversight Committee plans to question Blanche before confirmation.

Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche seeks Senate confirmation for a permanent role. Senator Chuck Grassley supports the nomination, but Democrats raise concerns about potential conflicts of interest and past investigations. The House Oversight Committee plans a hearing to address questions about Blanche's handling of the Epstein files.

Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche seeks a permanent role and has support from Senator Chuck Grassley, Republican of Iowa, but faces concerns from Democrats over potential conflicts of interest due to his past as President Donald Trump’s personal lawyer. Critics worry he may target Trump’s political enemies, referencing ongoing investigations against James Comey and Cassidy Hutchinson, and the handling of the Epstein files is under scrutiny with a House Oversight Committee hearing planned.

Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act expired on June 12 after Congress missed its reauthorization deadline. Experts suggest existing certifications may allow continued surveillance until March 2027, though concerns remain about potential legal challenges and temporary disruptions in intelligence collection.

North Carolina's Senate passed a bill banning children under 14 from creating accounts on social media platforms deemed 'addictive,' requiring parental consent for 14-15-year-olds and setting criteria for addiction based on user behavior and app features. The bill also mandates AI literacy standards in schools and prohibits the sale of child users' data, returning to the House for final approval.

A proposed federal carjacking bill by Sen. Marsha Blackburn aims to simplify convictions, potentially leading to harsher sentences, including the death penalty. Critics warn it could disproportionately affect young adults, especially Black men, and exacerbate racial disparities in incarceration. The bill has passed a Senate committee but awaits a floor vote.

President Donald Trump has nominated Todd Blanche to become attorney general, as announced by the Senate Judiciary Committee’s Republican majority. The announcement was made on Monday, and the story is still developing.

Sen. Eric Schmitt criticized Sen. Mazie Hirono during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing over her concerns about the SCAM Act, which targets denaturalization of citizens convicted of fraud and other crimes. Hirono, a naturalized citizen, argued the bill imposes second-class citizenship on naturalized individuals, while Schmitt defended deporting criminals, including fraudsters and terrorists, under the legislation. The Trump administration highlighted anti-fraud efforts recovering billions in taxpayer funds.

Sen. Eric Schmitt criticized Sen. Mazie Hirono during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing over her opposition to the SCAM Act, which targets denaturalization of citizens convicted of fraud and crimes. Hirono, a naturalized citizen, argued the bill imposes second-class citizenship on naturalized individuals, while Schmitt defended deporting criminals who exploit the system. The Trump administration highlighted anti-fraud efforts recovering billions.

Todd Blanche, currently acting attorney general, faces an uncertain confirmation process for the attorney general role as Senate Republicans remain divided. Key Senate Judiciary Committee members Thom Tillis and John Cornyn have raised concerns about Blanche's stance on the Anti-Weaponization Fund and his perceived alignment with Jan. 6 events, complicating his path to confirmation.

President Trump will nominate acting Attorney General Todd Blanche as attorney general permanently. Blanche faces challenges in Senate confirmation due to concerns over his statements about Jan. 6 and his defense of Trump's abandoned 'anti-weaponization' fund.

Senate Republicans abandoned a $1bn plan to fund security upgrades for Donald Trump’s White House ballroom after concerns it could threaten $70bn in funding for immigration enforcement. The Senate judiciary committee had previously included ballroom security funding in a broader measure authorizing $70bn for agencies involved in Trump’s deportation campaign.

Senate Republicans abandoned a $1bn proposal to fund security upgrades for Donald Trump’s White House ballroom, citing concerns it could undermine $70bn in immigration enforcement funding. The Senate judiciary committee had previously included the ballroom security funding in a broader bill authorizing immigration-related spending.

President Trump defended a newly created $1.8 billion DOJ 'anti-weaponization' fund stemming from a settlement with the IRS over his tax returns, arguing it provides justice to those abused by the Biden administration. The fund's creation has sparked Republican rebellion in Congress, threatening to derail a $72 billion package to fund ICE and Border Patrol, as Senate Republicans demand clearer guardrails on who can claim benefits, particularly regarding January 6 rioters.

Sen. Dick Durbin is opposing the Department of Justice's plan to distribute compensation from a $1.776 billion fund to people claiming legal system weaponization, including alleged January 6 Capitol rioters. Durbin, the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, is pushing back against the DOJ's willingness to provide these payouts.

The Senate Judiciary Committee has invited tech CEOs to answer questions about kids' online safety. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai are among those invited. The hearing is scheduled for next month.

The CEOs of Meta, Alphabet, TikTok, and Snap have been invited to a June hearing on Capitol Hill to discuss tech industry practices and AI safety oversight. The hearing will examine implications for users and families, as well as issues like whistleblower retaliation. The Senate Judiciary Committee is planning the hearing amid mounting lawsuits against social media companies.

The Senate GOP is facing a political landmine over a proposal to spend $1 billion on security for the White House ballroom as part of a funding debate for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol. The proposal has sparked concern among Republican senators ahead of the Senate Judiciary Committee's bill release. The funding is intended to cover the next three and a half years.

Former FBI agents claim Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Chuck Grassley played a role in their firings after releasing unredacted materials about President Trump's criminal investigation. The assertion was made in two separate lawsuits against the FBI. Grassley is not named as a defendant in the lawsuits.

President Donald Trump responded to reports of cost overruns for the White House ballroom, stating the price remains under $400 million. The project's cost increased due to a deliberate expansion to twice the original size and higher quality. Republicans allocated $1 billion for the East Wing Modernization Project, which includes security adjustments and upgrades.

President Donald Trump responded to reports of cost overruns for the White House ballroom, stating the price remains under $400 million. The project's cost increased due to its doubled size and higher quality. A $1 billion appropriation for the East Wing Modernization Project was included in a Republican budget reconciliation package.

Senate Republicans have proposed a $1bn funding package for immigration enforcement that includes security measures for the $400m 'East Wing modernization project', which features a ballroom. The funding plan is part of a wider bill to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other agencies. The bill is planned to be passed along party lines.

The Senate Judiciary Committee added $1 billion to a spending package for security upgrades to the White House compound, specifically for the construction of the White House ballroom. This allocation is part of a $72 billion budget reconciliation bill. The funding is intended for the U.S. Secret Service.

The Senate Judiciary Committee and Senate Homeland Security Committee released a $72 billion budget reconciliation bill to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol through 2029, bypassing Democratic opposition. The bill was released after the Senate and House passed a joint budget resolution. This legislation aims to secure funding for immigration enforcement agencies.

Senate Republicans included $1 billion in taxpayer funding for security measures tied to President Donald Trump's White House ballroom in a $72 billion immigration enforcement-focused reconciliation package. The funding is meant for security adjustments and upgrades, including above-ground and below-ground security features. The move has been criticized by Senate Democrats, who argue that it prioritizes the project over affordability issues and aid for families.

The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced the GUARD Act, a bill that would prohibit minors from interacting with AI companions and require all users to be informed that these AI entities are not human and lack professional credentials. The legislation also criminalizes AI companions from soliciting or producing sexual content involving children.

The Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously advanced the GUARD Act, a bill to prohibit AI chatbot companions for minors and prevent exposure to harmful content. Sponsored by Sens. Josh Hawley and Richard Blumenthal, the legislation aims to enforce age verification and restrict AI interactions with children.