Category: Senate

Senate Votes to Temporarily Raise Debt Ceiling, House to Vote Tuesday

The Senate late Thursday voted to approve a short-term increase to the federal debt ceiling by $480 billion through Dec. 3. The debt ceiling already stands at $28.4 trillion and the bill would lift the debt limit to $28.9 trillion. The bill heads to the House, where there is a clear Democratic majority, before moving…


Education Secretary Miguel Cardona Won’t Say Parents Are ‘Primary’ Stakeholders in Children’s Education

U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona refused to say at a congressional hearing that parents are the “primary” stakeholders in their children’s education. Near the end of his Sept. 30 hearing before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, Cardona was asked by Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.) about what he thinks of parents…


Sen. Rick Scott Introduces Bill to Ban Vax Passports for Interstate Travel

In a Wednesday speech on the Senate floor, Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), joined by Sens. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and Mike Lee (R-Utah), introduced legislation that would bar the Biden administration from implementing vaccine passports requirements for interstate travel. Scott began by praising the Trump administration for its quick development of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party)…


Senate Votes Down Republican Amendment to Block Biden Vaccine Mandate

The Senate on Thursday defeated a Republican amendment that attempted to block President Joe Biden’s announced mandate for private businesses with 100 or more workers. Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) introduced the amendment (pdf) to a government funding measure, blocking the usage of federal money for COVID-19 vaccine mandates. Republicans and Democrats split 50-50 on the vote,…


House Democrats Bill to Suspend Debt Limit Likely to Fail in Senate

The House on Wednesday passed legislation to suspend the nation’s borrowing limit largely along party lines, shortly after Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned members that the nation’s cash reserves will likely be exhausted unless lawmakers vote to do so by Oct. 18. In a 219-212 vote, lawmakers voted to pass the measure to suspend the…


House Passes Debt Ceiling Bill to Suspend Limit

Lawmakers in the House voted to pass a debt ceiling bill on Wednesday that would suspend the federal debt limit through to Dec. 17, 2022. In a 219–212 vote along party lines, the measure comes just weeks before the federal government would default on debt. Two Democrats voted against the bill, Reps. Kurt Schrader (D-Ore.)…


Pennsylvania Senate Republicans Aim to Put Masking Decision in Parental Hands

The Pennsylvania Senate Education Committee Tuesday approved a plan that provides parental control over masking decisions in school. Senate Bill 846 next goes before the full Senate for consideration. Republican senators Doug Mastriano and Judy Ward cosponsored the bill which would allow parents or legal guardians to opt their child out of wearing a face…


Senate Banking Chief Plans Bill to Address Fed Officials’ Stock Trades

The head of the U.S. Senate Banking Committee on Tuesday said he plans to introduce legislation that would ban ownership of individual stocks by Federal Reserve officials in the aftermath of revelations that two reserve bank presidents had been active investors. Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio told Fed Chair Jerome Powell of his intent…


Senate Votes Against Democrat Bill to Raise Debt Ceiling, Fund Goverment

On Monday, the Senate met to vote on a continuing resolution advanced by House Democrats to fund the government through December and provide emergency aid for areas affected by Hurricane Ida and Afghan refugees. In a roughly party-line vote, the upper chamber failed to meet the 60-vote threshold to begin debate on the resolution, a…


Senate Votes Against Debate on Continuing Resolution to Fund Government, Forces Negotiations

On Monday, the Senate met to vote on a continuing resolution advanced by House Democrats to fund the government through December and provide emergency aid for areas affected by Hurricane Ida and Afghan refugees. In a roughly party-line vote, the upper chamber failed to meet the 60-vote threshold to begin debate on the resolution, a…