CQ Morning Briefing

Senators prepare for their "vote-a-rama." Democrats plan efforts to push back on the DOJ's "anti-weaponization fund." Two more House spending bills get subcommittee markups. Kristina Karisch has your CQ Morning Briefing for Thursday, May 21, 2026.

House appropriators mark up Energy-Water and Legislative Branch spending bills. More debate on Iran appears likely in the Senate after a war powers resolution advances. Divisions mount over whether to include rail safety regulations in a surface transportation bill. Kristina Karisch has your CQ Morning Briefing for Wednesday, May 20, 2026.

The Senate Homeland Security Committee marks up reconciliation language. The House takes up its version of a housing bill. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy are on the Hill for budget hearings. Kristina Karisch has your CQ Morning Briefing for Tuesday, May 19, 2026.

The Judiciary Committee's portion of the reconciliation bill gets parliamentary scrutiny. House appropriators take a first crack at an Energy-Water funding bill. And the housing debate gets floor time next week. David Higgins has your CQ Morning Briefing for Friday, May 15, 2026.

The Military Construction-VA spending bill heads to the House floor. Gear up for an immigration reconciliation "Byrd bath." Senate appropriators aim for June markups. Kristina Karisch has your CQ Morning Briefing for Thursday, May 14, 2026.

House appropriators tackle Commerce-Justice-Science. Senators want more information about White House ballroom security funding. Kevin Warsh is slated to be confirmed as Fed chair today. Kristina Karisch has your CQ Morning Briefing for Wednesday, May 13, 2026.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faces lawmakers after Trump's argument that the Iran conflict has been "terminated." Senate Republicans plan to skip a committee markup of part of their reconciliation bill. Lawmakers push proposals for a federal gas tax holiday. Kristina Karisch has your CQ Morning Briefing for Tuesday, May 12, 2026.

The first spending bill for fiscal 2027 is readied for the House floor. Democrats plan a procedural objection to ballroom security funds in the Republican-written reconciliation package. And the House looks to take up a biofuels measure it did not pass before last week's recess. David Higgins has your CQ Morning Briefing for Monday, May 11, 2026.

Two Senate committees prepare to mark up a reconciliation package as soon as next week. Sens. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., and Angela Alsobrooks, D-Md., are confident in their stablecoin yield agreement, despite pushback from the banking industry. The Supreme Court weighs access to mifepristone. Kristina Karisch has your CQ Morning Briefing for Wednesday, May 6, 2026.

Lawmakers start a weeklong recess, but a continued fight over a key spy authority awaits. The House also has an  unresolved E15 measure left on its plate. The Iran war hits its 60-day mark, bringing heightened attention to the current lack of a congressional authorization. Kristina Karisch has your CQ Morning Briefing for Friday, May 1, 2026.

The Senate wants a "clean" FISA reauthorization — but the House sent over additions. Hegseth faces Senate appropriators after a fiery House budget hearing. SCOTUS ruling prompts GOP redistricting calls. Kristina Karisch has your CQ Morning Briefing for Thursday, April 30, 2026.

The House is expected to vote on a rule to move forward a farm bill, FISA and more. The White House pushes anew for an end to the DHS shutdown. The Pentagon wants lawmakers to approve a name change to the Department of War. Kristina Karisch has your CQ Morning Briefing for Wednesday, April 29, 2026.

King Charles is expected to emphasize the longstanding U.S.-U.K. relationship in his speech to lawmakers. Passage of the farm bill is in jeopardy over bipartisan pesticide labeling concerns. States are rushing to redraw their congressional maps, and face legal challenges in the process. Kristina Karisch has your CQ Morning Briefing for Tuesday, April 28, 2026.

Buckle up for a jam-packed week in the House. The weekend shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner raises pressure on Republicans' effort to fund DHS. And more budget hearings and appropriations markups are on tap. David Higgins has your CQ Morning Briefing for Monday, April 27, 2026.

House Republicans will try another FISA play — still without a warrant requirement. An inspector general will investigate the Justice Department's handling of the Epstein files. And an amendment to allow year-round sales of E15 fuel would hitch a ride on the farm bill. David Higgins has your CQ Morning Briefing for Friday, April 24, 2026.

National Security-State and Agriculture appropriations bills get a subcommittee markup. A bill on the Endangered Species Act is, for now, itself endangered. Virginia redistricting could affect next year's leadership on the House Armed Services Committee. Kristina Karisch has your CQ Morning Briefing for April 23, 2026.

Gear up for an immigration“vote-a-rama.” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick head to the Hill for budget hearings. Virginia votes in favor of redistricting. Kristina Karisch has your CQ Morning Briefing for Wednesday, April 22, 2026.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune eyes today for potential budget resolution release. Two House spending bills get a full-committee markup. Fed pick Kevin Warsh goes before Senate Banking. Kristina Karisch has your CQ Morning Briefing for Tuesday, April 21, 2026.

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.