CQ Morning Briefing

Appropriators continue their work in both chambers as the House's Defense spending bill gets prepped for the floor. The House marks up its fiscal 2026 NDAA while one senator says his chamber's bill could get a vote before August. The House hones in on cryptocurrency policy as a trio of bills head to the floor.

The House could vote next week on its Defense appropriations bill, while the Senate runs into trouble with one of its bills. A Senate-passed stablecoin bill is on the House's agenda for next week. And the military's use of foreign supply chains is under scrutiny in the House's draft fiscal 2026 NDAA. David Higgins has your CQ Morning Briefing for Friday, July 11, 2025.

Senate appropriators mark up a trio of fiscal 2026 appropriations bills. The Senate Armed Services Committee continues to mark up its fiscal 2026 NDAA. A Senate Republican holdout says he expects his concerns about a rescissions package to be addressed. Jacob Fulton has your CQ Morning Briefing for Thursday, July 10, 2025.

The full Senate Armed Services Committee begins its NDAA markup. Trump's FAA nominee gets a Senate floor vote. The Senate could vote on a rescissions package next week. Jacob Fulton has your CQ Morning Briefing for Wednesday, July 8, 2025.

House Republican leaders seek to conclude the fiscal 2025 reconciliation saga today. The FBI no longer plans to move its HQ to Maryland. And there are now at least seven Senate races next fall with no incumbent on the ballot. David Higgins has your CQ Morning Briefing for Wednesday, July 2, 2025.

Senators are set to begin a marathon "vote-a-rama" on the reconciliation bill this morning. The Senate Armed Services Committee is gearing up to dive into fiscal 2026 NDAA markups. And Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., says he will retire. David Higgins has your CQ Morning Briefing for Monday, June 30, 2025.

Republicans press forward in hopes of voting on a reconciliation bill in the coming days. There's a $4.5 billion-sized hole in the Defense Department's submarine construction request. And the Senate is expected to vote on a war powers resolution. David Higgins has your CQ Morning Briefing for Friday, June 27, 2025.

Senators are split on the level of funding for a rural hospital relief fund. Key Republican appropriators are raising concerns with a rescissions package. Senate appropriators plan to start fiscal 2026 markups after the (questionably) upcoming recess. Jacob Fulton has your CQ Morning Briefing for Thursday, June 26, 2025.

GOP leaders are considering keeping Congress in session amid a reconciliation push. Lawmakers are want more details about the strikes in Iran as briefings rescheduled. The House Military Construction-VA bill is set for floor action. Jacob Fulton has your CQ Morning Briefing for Wednesday, June 25, 2025.

Some GOP senators remain concerned about a Medicaid provision's impact on rural hospitals. A Senate floor vote is likely this week related to the U.S. strikes in Iran. House appropriators mark up a Homeland Security spending bill as immigration policy tensions rise. Jacob Fulton has your CQ Morning Briefing for Tuesday, June 23, 2025.

The budget reconciliation package could go to the Senate floor — but some sticking points remain. Lawmakers react to the weekend airstrikes on Iran. And the House is scheduled to take up its Military Construction-VA appropriations bill this week. David Higgins has your CQ Morning Briefing for Monday, June 23, 2025.

Senate leaders want reconciliation floor action next week, but some Republicans have concerns. The rescissions clock is ticking as a recess and reconciliation work complicate the calendar. Lawmakers coalesce behind calls for increased security funding after political violence in Minnesota. Jacob Fulton has your CQ Morning Briefing for Wednesday, June 18, 2025.

Senate Finance Republicans gear up for a showdown on some tax provisions in reconciliation. The panel's text would lower Medicaid provider tax caps for states. Lawmakers raise security concerns after a Minnesota state legislator was assassinated over the weekend and a second was shot. Jacob Fulton has your CQ Morning Briefing for Tuesday, June 17, 2025.

Senators are nearing a self-imposed reconciliation deadline as negotiations continue. Lawmakers raise aviation safety concerns related to spectrum auction talks in reconciliation. And defense and intelligence officials testify about their budgets against a backdrop of strikes in the Middle East. David Higgins has your CQ Morning Briefing for Monday, June 16, 2025.

A stablecoin regulation bill is ready for a Senate passage vote next week. A key House Republican opposes the Senate's proposed land sales provision in reconciliation. And Democrats want an investigation into federal agents' treatment of California Sen. Alex Padilla yesterday. David Higgins has your CQ Morning Briefing for Friday, June 13, 2025.

Senate Republicans are eyeing a late June floor vote on a reconciliation package, but have yet to hash out some differences. The Pentagon's budget is under a microscope today as lawmakers scrutinize the Defense Department. A rescissions package heads to the House floor in a test of the Trump administration's attempt to claw back funding. Jacob Fulton has your CQ Morning Briefing for Thursday, June 12, 2025.

The House is expected to vote today on a rule that would tee up a rescissions package and tweak the House-passed reconciliation bill. Appropriators consider a fiscal 2026 Agriculture bill at a full committee markup. Cabinet leaders, agency heads continue to discuss their budgets in a slew of hearings. Jacob Fulton has your CQ Morning Briefing for Wednesday, June 11, 2025.

The speaker expects a rundown of reconciliation provisions that don't mix with Senate rules. House Appropriators will wait on a full set of interim allocations even as markups ramp up. Lawmakers will have a chance to dig in on the Los Angeles protests in a set of hearings. Jacob Fulton has your CQ Morning Briefing for Tuesday, June 10, 2025.

The first full Appropriations Committee markup is set for Tuesday. Senate Republicans' reconciliation work continues as more committees roll out their proposals. And a rescissions package heads toward a planned floor vote this week. David Higgins has your CQ Morning Briefing for Monday, June 9, 2025.

The first full Appropriations Committee markup is set for Tuesday. Senate Republicans' reconciliation work continues as more committees roll out their proposals. And a rescissions package heads toward a planned floor vote this week. David Higgins has your CQ Morning Briefing for Monday, June 9, 2025.

Senators continue to work on changes to a reconciliation bill. The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee unveils its budget reconciliation proposal. And House appropriators try to finalize their topline spending numbers. David Higgins has your CQ Morning Briefing for Friday, June 6, 2025.

The markup cycle for fiscal 2026 appropriations begins today in the House. Senate Republicans continue to weigh changes to budget reconciliation, with Medicare cuts emerging as an option for some. Some House Republicans raise concerns with clawbacks in a proposed rescissions package. Jacob Fulton has your CQ Morning Briefing for Thursday, June 5, 2025.

Debt ceiling talks are becoming a potential sticking point among senators in budget reconciliation. The rescissions countdown has started after the Trump administration sent Congress its request for $9.4 billion in clawbacks. Lutnick is among the Trump appointees testifying on the Hill today. Jacob Fulton has your CQ Morning Briefing for Wednesday, June 4, 2025.

A rescissions request heads to Capitol Hill as a test of lawmakers' appetite for more cuts. Education Secretary Linda McMahon is the first Cabinet secretary to appear on the Hill after the administration shared more budget details. Legislative branch agencies call for more funding amid proposed cuts at other agencies. Jacob Fulton has your CQ Morning Briefing for Tuesday, June 3, 2025.

Fiscal 2026 appropriations markups start this week after the Trump administration unveiled a more detailed budget request on Friday. The reconciliation ball is in Senate Republicans' court. And a stablecoin regulation bill nears a Senate vote – but proposed amendments could pose a problem. David Higgins has your CQ Morning Briefing for Monday, June 2, 2025.

Republicans and Democrats are launching ads criticizing each other's budget reconciliation votes, as the Senate prepares to consider the bill. A reconciliation tax break related to auto loans may not have the impact some Republicans hope for. The Government Accountability Office won't sue the Trump administration over impounded funds just yet. Jacob Fulton has your CQ Morning Briefing for Wednesday, May 28, 2025.

Senate Republicans are ready to change the House's budget reconciliation package. Appropriators could get more guidance on the Trump administration's budget request as soon as next week. And the Supreme Court allows Trump to fire members of national labor boards while court cases continue. David Higgins has your CQ Morning Briefing for Friday, May 23, 2025.

The House passed its sprawling reconciliation bill this morning. House appropriators schedule their markups for next year's spending bills. And Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer is back on the Hill to defend her department's proposed budget cuts. David Higgins has your CQ Morning Briefing for Thursday, May 22, 2025.

Trump heads to the Hill as the House GOP tries to reach consensus on budget reconciliation. The Senate moves forward on a stablecoin bill. Secretary of State Rubio appears before a pair of Senate panels.

The GOP reconciliation bill is a step closer to a House floor vote. Budget testimony continues with the secretaries of State and Interior heading to the Hill this week, among others. And Democrats are decrying an attempt to get DOGE into the Government Accountability Office. David Higgins has your CQ Morning Briefing for Monday, May 19, 2025.

The House reconciliation bill gets a Budget Committee markup, though GOP concerns remain. The Supreme Court could back some restrictions on nationwide injunctions. And Democrats further press Trump on plans to accept a jumbo jet from the Qatari royal family. David Higgins has your CQ Morning Briefing for Friday, May 16, 2025.

The reconciliation bill got over a key hurdle, with its sections advancing out of House committees, but future hurdles remain. The Supreme Court hears oral arguments related to efforts to eliminate birthright citizenship. The stream of Trump appointees on Capitol Hill for budget hearings continues. Jacob Fulton has your CQ Morning Briefing for Thursday, May 15, 2025.

A House Agriculture reconciliation markup resumes while other panels also continue their markups. A Budget Committee requirement could be a stumbling block in the reconciliation process. Top Trump appointees continue their appearances before Congress regarding the fiscal 2026 budget proposal. Jacob Fulton has your CQ Morning Briefing for Wednesday, May 14, 2025.

ventual SALT cap debates loom over a Ways and Means budget reconciliation markup. Medicaid cuts are on the table at a House Energy and Commerce markup, though more controversial provisions have been avoided. States could be sharing SNAP costs under the House Agriculture reconciliation proposal that's getting marked up starting this evening. Jacob Fulton has your CQ Morning Briefing for Tuesday, May 13, 2025.

This week, three House committees push final pieces of the GOP's reconciliation plan. Multiple Cabinet members again head to Capitol Hill for budget hearings. And Trump flies to the Middle East for meetings with Arab leaders. David Higgins has your CQ Morning Briefing for Monday, May 12, 2025.

Expectations for reconciliation tax cuts shift, and Trump backs a higher rate for top earners. A key senator is already floating a return to the Senate's two-step budget reconciliation approach. And the path to a full State Department reauthorization is paved with potential Democratic objections. David Higgins has your CQ Morning Briefing for Friday, May 9, 2025.

GOP lawmakers continue to debate changes to Medicaid and the so-called SALT cap. Noem and Patel round out a week of administration officials on the Hill. Today is the 60-day deadline for Republicans to walk back Biden-era regulations via the Congressional Review Act. Jacob Fulton has your CQ Morning Briefing for Thursday, May 8, 2025.

House Republicans seem to rule out a pair of major Medicaid cuts. Concerns about approaches to defense spending could prove a roadblock for the White House's touted $1 trillion Pentagon budget proposal. Tariff deal announcements could come as early as this week, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says. Jacob Fulton has your CQ Morning Briefing for Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

The House Committee on Natural Resources holds a reconciliation markup. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent heads to Capitol Hill. A stablecoin regulation bill bumps into a Senate roadblock. Jacob Fulton has your CQ Morning Briefing for Tuesday, May 6, 2025.

Good morning. Appropriators get into the swing of things this week as hearings follow the White House unveiling its "skinny" budget request. At the same time, House reconciliation markups seem likely to slow down. And a tire emissions rule is set for a procedural vote in the Senate today. David Higgins has your CQ Morning Briefing for Monday, May 5, 2025.

The White House sends Congress its fiscal 2026 budget outline today ahead of related hearings next week. As Republicans keep working on tax and Medicaid language, their reconciliation timeline could be shifting. And Trump's Waltz switch-up means a testy confirmation process is ahead. David Higgins has your CQ Morning Briefing for Friday, May 2, 2025.

House Republicans weigh Medicaid changes and a SALT shakeup ahead of more reconciliation markups in the days ahead. Senate GOP appropriators may seek changes to an expected rescissions request. On the floor, the House deals with two resolutions of disapproval related to California. Jacob Fulton has your CQ Morning Briefing for Thursday, May 1, 2025.

Immigration policy is in the spotlight as the House Judiciary Committee marks up a reconciliation proposal with billions of dollars in spending increases. Lawmakers on three panels consider reconciliation-enabled cuts and new revenue sources. Trump's push for rescissions might be delayed thanks to budget reconciliation. Jacob Fulton has your CQ Morning Briefing for Wednesday, April 30, 2025.

Budget reconciliation markups kick off with a trio of House panels — and much more to come over the next few weeks. The Senate holds a confirmation vote on Trump's nominee to be ambassador to China. Trump speaks in Michigan to mark his 100th day in office. Jacob Fulton has your CQ Morning Briefing for Tuesday, April 29, 2025.