Tom Cole

Congressional Republicans face stalled legislative progress due to intraparty conflicts, tight margins, and President Trump's demands, leaving major bills like the defense policy and farm bill unfinished. House leaders have lost control of their chamber, and frustrations grow as deadlines pass without action.

House GOP hard-liners, including Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, continue threatening to block legislative business to force action on the stalled SAVE America Act. Speaker Mike Johnson attempted to attach the bill to the Pentagon funding measure, but hard-liners argue his efforts remain insufficient. Rep. Andy Harris and others demand stronger commitments on border security votes, creating uncertainty for procedural measures.

Sens. Susan Collins and Patty Murray, previously collaborative bipartisan partners on Senate Appropriations Committee funding bills, are now publicly feuding over spending measures. Collins faces criticism for aligning with a record military budget request, while Murray is accused of delaying negotiations ahead of the November elections. The conflict risks delaying funding decisions until after the elections.

The White House requested $87.6 billion from Congress to fund the war against Iran, replenish munitions, support farmers, address the Ebola outbreak, and cover D.C. renovations. Lawmakers expressed mixed reactions, with Republicans emphasizing military readiness and Democrats criticizing the war funding as unauthorized and excessive.

Tom Cole won the Republican nomination for the U.S. House in Oklahoma’s 4th Congressional District. The Associated Press reported the outcome.

Republicans passed a party-line bill to fund immigration enforcement agencies through 2029, but this action does not reduce the risk of a government shutdown for other agencies. Both parties acknowledge the likelihood of a funding lapse remains unchanged or increased, with concerns over bypassing normal appropriations processes and potential future conflicts over funding priorities.

Congress approved a $70 billion funding package for the Department of Homeland Security over three years to support mass deportation efforts. The House passed the reconciliation bill 214 to 212, and the Senate approved it 52 to 47. Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Rep. Tim Walberg were notable dissenting Republicans.

House Democrats criticized a draft Republican Department of Homeland Security spending bill that would reduce Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) funding by $250 million. Republicans defended the bill, stating it provides $2.4 billion for CISA and includes strategic reductions to redundant programs. The bill is set for a subcommittee vote Friday.

Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.) expressed regret over the dismissal of Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George, calling it a 'real loss' for the military during a hearing with Army Secretary Dan Driscoll.

The Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC) has outlined its fiscal 2027 budget priorities in a letter sent to House Appropriations Committee leaders. The letter comes days after the White House released its own budget proposals, emphasizing key appropriations requests.