CQ Morning Briefing

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum kicks off another busy week of budget hearings. The nominee to be the next chair of the Federal Reserve gets a confirmation hearing while the current chair remains under investigation. And who will replace Gonzales on Appropriations? David Higgins has your CQ Morning Briefing for Monday, April 20, 2026.

Appropriators begin marking up the first fiscal 2027 spending bills. Senate Republicans hope to release a budget resolution next week. And the HHS budget request gets more scrutiny as RFK Jr. testifies on the Hill. David Higgins has your CQ Morning Briefing for Friday, April 17, 2026.

Budget hearings continue with HHS, ICE, CBP and other departments. House Republicans hit a FISA reauthorization snag. It could be weeks before lawmakers see an Iran war supplemental request. Kristina Karisch has your CQ Morning Briefing for Thursday, April 16, 2026. 

Fiscal 2027 budget hearings get into full swing. Senate GOP leaders ready a plan for immigration enforcement funding via reconciliation. Lawmakers are divided on a “clean” surveillance authority extension. Kristina Karisch has your CQ Morning Briefing for Wednesday, April 15, 2026.

Scandal-ridden Reps. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., and Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, plan their departures from Congress. The House takes up an aviation safety bill. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., and Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., huddle in search of a DHS funding fix. Kristina Karisch has your CQ Morning Briefing for Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

Democrats plan to force more votes on Iran war powers resolutions. The head of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission testifies about his agency's request for a funding increase. And more Cabinet officials will be on the Hill as the fiscal 2027 budget season gets into full swing. David Higgins has your CQ Morning Briefing for Monday, April 13, 2026.

OMB's Russ Vought is expected to face lawmakers next week to talk budget. The Senate Commerce Committee holds a do-over on a boycotted markup. The House faces the DHS funding question again after the recess. Kristina Karisch has your CQ Morning Briefing for Wednesday, April 8, 2026.

The Supreme Court hears arguments on the scope of birthright citizenship. Gear up for budget day this Friday. Republicans blame each other for the continued DHS shutdown. Kristina Karisch has your CQ Morning Briefing for Wednesday, April 1, 2026.

The Senate breaks a logjam on DHS funding. For fiscal 2027, a number of factors could lead to another appropriations breakdown. And Congress' America250 commission sets up nationwide events to celebrate the nation's 250th birthday. David Higgins has your CQ Morning Briefing for Friday, March 27, 2026.

Upcoming recess is in doubt for the Senate amid again-stalled DHS talks. House leadership's plan to move a FISA renewal leaves little room for GOP defections. Two committees mark up an aviation safety bill. Kristina Karisch has your CQ Morning Briefing for Thursday, March 26, 2026.

Some Democrats have qualms about aspects of a GOP funding offer on DHS. Using reconciliation to pass a voter ID bill would be an uphill climb. A senator on the ballot in November grabs a coveted committee seat. Kristina Karisch has your CQ Morning Briefing for Wednesday, March 25, 2026.

Republican senators are more optimistic about a DHS funding deal. The White House needs to nominate a new CDC director by Thursday — technically. Lawmakers are hitting a brick wall in their efforts to get cost estimates from the Pentagon on the Iran war. Kristina Karisch has your CQ Morning Briefing for Tuesday, March 24, 2026.

Senators continue debate on voter ID legislation. Sen. Markwayne Mullin gets a confirmation vote. And the Supreme Court hears oral arguments on defining "Election Day." David Higgins has your CQ Morning Briefing for Monday, March 23, 2026.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune , R-S.D., sets a DHS funding deadline. Lawmakers have mixed reactions to a potential $200 billion Iran supplemental. The White House pushes for a FISA extension. Kristina Karisch has your CQ Morning Briefing for Friday, March 20, 2026.

House Republicans cry foul on Senate handling of a voter ID bill. White House officials are tempering claims of victory in Iran. Sen. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., touts progress on crypto legislation. Kristina Karisch has your CQ Morning Briefing for Thursday, March 19, 2026.

Mullin's hearing today kicks off a likely speedy confirmation process. It's Day 2 of Senate debate on a voter ID bill. House Democrats plan to file a discharge petition for DHS funding — without money for ICE or CBP. Kristina Karisch has your CQ Morning Briefing for Wednesday, March 18, 2026.

The Senate votes on beginning debate on a controversial voter ID bill. Congress is still largely in the dark on estimated costs for the Iran war. Illinois voters head to the primary polls. Kristina Karisch has your CQ Morning Briefing for Tuesday, March 17, 2026.

Senators gear up for Mullin's confirmation hearing later this week. Pentagon officials are set to testify at a slate of hearings. House appropriators dig into budget hearings for the legislative branch. Kristina Karisch has your CQ Morning Briefing for Monday, March 16, 2026.

The White House is accepting some demands for an immigration overhaul — but Democrats say it's not enough. Lawmakers are asking the Pentagon for Iran war cost estimates. A preliminary fiscal 2027 appropriations markup schedule is out. Kristina Karisch has your CQ Morning Briefing for Friday, March 13, 2026.

Farm aid and disaster relief money could be bundled with Iran war funding. Democrats continue their push for Iran hearings. Senate GOP leadership says the chamber lacks the votes for a talking filibuster. Kristina Karisch has your CQ Morning Briefing for Wednesday, March 11, 2026.

Democrats push for Iran war transparency. As oil prices rise amid the war with Iran, Senate Democrats want a fix. The DHS shutdown is about to hit the one-month mark. Kristina Karisch has your CQ Morning Briefing for Tuesday, March 10, 2026.

The Senate kicks off work on a sweeping housing bill. House Republicans hold their retreat in Florida. The Library of Congress requests a funding boost. Kristina Karisch has your CQ Morning Briefing for Monday, March 9, 2026.

Sen. Markwayne Mullin's move to the Homeland Security Department would open a "cardinal" slot. Democrats dig in on DHS policy changes. And House lawmakers reject an Iran war powers resolution. David Higgins has your CQ Morning Briefing for Friday, March 6, 2026.

The House sets up a war powers vote after a Senate defeat. Lawmakers subpoena Attorney General Pam Bondi amid Epstein files criticism. A House panel marks up kids online safety bills.

Both chambers could take up war powers resolutions, with the Senate expected to take an initial vote. DHS funding talks show little movement as Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem returns to the Hill for a second day of testimony. Gov. Tim Walz testifies before lawmakers probing alleged social services fraud in Minnesota. Kristina Karisch has your CQ Morning Briefing for Wednesday, March 4, 2026.

War powers votes could begin as soon as today. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem is set to testify before Senate, House committees. House lawmakers mark up a farm bill. Kristina Karisch has your CQ Morning Briefing for Tuesday, March 3, 2026.

War powers votes could happen in both chambers this week. Senators will kick off work on a major housing package with a procedural vote today. And the Supreme Court weighs the legality of a gun ban for drug users. David Higgins has your CQ Morning Briefing for Monday, March 2, 2026.

Former President Bill Clinton testifies behind closed doors about Jeffrey Epstein. There's a push to increase security on SNAP payment cards. And a Senate committee looks to overhaul the Toxic Substances Control Act. David Higgins has your CQ Morning Briefing for Friday, Feb. 27, 2026.

Thune says a housing bill could go to the floor as soon as this week. Iran war powers votes are on the horizon in the House and Senate. The House Agriculture chairman says the farm bill is not the place to delay a hemp ban. Kristina Karisch has your CQ Morning Briefing for Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026.

Republicans continue their push against Biden-era climate policies. The Senate closes in on a SBIR deal. Trump's surgeon general nominee faces senators amid "MAHA" tensions. Kristina Karisch has your CQ Morning Briefing for Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026.

Trump goes to the Hill for his first State of the Union address of his second term. Schumer vows Democrats will block any further tariff extensions. Ahead of a House vote, the Defense Department objects to a Senate aviation safety bill. Kristina Karisch has your CQ Morning Briefing for Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026.

Trump will deliver his State of the Union tomorrow amid tariff uncertainty. The House could vote in relation to an Iran war powers resolution in the coming days. And there's been little movement on negotiations as the DHS shutdown continues. David Higgins has your CQ Morning Briefing for Monday, Feb. 23, 2026.

DHS talks are at a near-standstill during the recess. Earmarks are making a comeback — big time. With major EPA regulations on the line, the Supreme Court may have the final say. Kristina Karisch has your CQ Morning Briefing for Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026.

The Department of Homeland Security is expected to partially shut down as lawmakers leave for recess without a deal. A long-awaited five-year farm bill is expected to be released. And House Republicans want to reverse their earmarks ban. David Higgins has your CQ Morning Briefing for Friday, Feb. 13, 2026.

The likelihood of a DHS funding lapse grows as negotiations stall. An El Paso airspace closure draws ire and questions from lawmakers. Democrats who released a video on illegal orders are keeping their legal options open after a failed indictment attempt. Kristina Karisch has your CQ Morning Briefing for Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.

Bondi faces lawmakers amid a spate of DOJ controversies. Time is running out for a DHS funding deal. GOP lawmakers hash out election administration bills. Kristina Karisch has your CQ Morning Briefing for Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026.

A focus on immigration enforcement intensifies on the Hill, as a spending deadline and high-profile hearings await. A retooled voter ID bill heads to the House floor. And a House panel marks up a first-responders emergency communications bill. David Higgins has your CQ Morning Briefing for Monday, Feb. 9, 2026.

DHS funding negotiations hit a logjam. Some senators are reluctant to again use reconciliation to boost defense funding. And the race is too close to call in New Jersey's Democratic primary for the special election to fill Gov. Mikie Sherrill's former seat in Congress. David Higgins has your CQ Morning Briefing for Friday, Feb. 6, 2026.

Democrats release proposal for DHS policy changes. Bessent faces Senate lawmakers after a grilling in the House. The New START expires today. Kristina Karisch has your CQ Morning Briefing for Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026.

Lawmakers seek consensus ahead of next week's DHS deadline. Some GOP members want more federal involvement in elections — but congressional leadership is pushing back. Democrats push to delay Warsh's nomination hearing amid Fed probe. Kristina Karisch has your CQ Morning Briefing for Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026.

The House is expected to take up the Senate-passed funding package. D.C. advocates push back against Congress' attempt to reject the District's tax code changes. Facing a contempt vote, the Clintons say they will testify before lawmakers. Kristina Karisch has your CQ Morning Briefing for Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026.

A partial government shutdown is underway, and the House faces a politically complicated vote on the spending package that would end it. A bipartisan duo makes a quiet bid for an Iran war powers resolution. And the nomination of Kevin Warsh to be Fed chair faces an uphill battle. David Higgins has your CQ Morning Briefing for Monday, Feb. 2, 2026.

Another partial government shutdown could begin tonight, though it may be brief. Senate Democrats have mixed reactions to a GOP health subsidies extension draft. And House Republicans make another voter ID push. David Higgins has your CQ Morning Briefing for Friday, Jan. 30, 2026.

Shutdown odds rise, with Democrats and the White House at loggerheads over DHS policies. Recent attacks on lawmakers underscore threats to member safety. Democrats are reviewing a draft of a compromise plan to extend enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies. Kristina Karisch has your CQ Morning Briefing for Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026.