Category: Senate

NTD Good Morning (March 30): Taiwan’s President Arrives in New York Despite CCP Threats; Sen. Paul Blocks US Tiktok Ban in Senate

Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen arrived in New York on March 29.  It’s her first U.S. stopover since 2019. It comes in defiance of threats of retaliation, from the Chinese Communist Party. Heated debate on the Senate floor. Republican Senator Rand Paul blocks his GOP colleague’s efforts to fast track a ban on tiktok in the United…


Senate Passes Bill to Repeal Iraq War Authorizations

The Senate passed a bill, 66–30, on March 29 that would repeal the 1991 and 2002 Iraq war authorizations. The first allowed the United States to enter the Gulf War, during which then-Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein’s forces were driven out of Kuwait. The second allowed the U.S. military to go into Iraq following reports that…


Senate Approves Bill to Repeal Iraq War Authorizations

The Senate approved legislation with bipartisan support on March 29 that would repeal the 1991 and 2002 Iraq war authorizations. The first Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) allowed the United States to enter the Gulf War, during which then-Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein’s forces were driven out of Kuwait. The second allowed the…


DOJ Memos Dissuaded Marshals From Arresting Protestors at SCOTUS Justices’ Homes: Republican Senator

A Senate Republican revealed during a March 28 hearing that an internal Department of Justice (DOJ) memo dissuaded U.S. Marshals from arresting protestors in violation of laws against picketing the homes of judges. The materials revealed during the hearing show that U.S. Marshals were explicitly directed not to arrest protestors at the homes of Supreme…


DOJ Memos Dissuaded Marshals From Arresting Protestors at SCOTUS Justices’ Homes: Sen. Britt

A Senate Republican revealed during a March 28 hearing that an internal Department of Justice (DOJ) memo dissuaded U.S. Marshals from arresting protestors in violation of laws against picketing the homes of judges. The materials revealed during the hearing show that U.S. Marshals were explicitly directed not to arrest protestors at the homes of Supreme…


Sen. Lindsey Graham Admonished in Rare Move by Senate Ethics Panel

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) was formally admonished by the Senate Ethics Committee in a public letter on March 23 for allegedly soliciting campaign contributions in a federal building in 2022. The committee, in their letter (pdf) to the Republican lawmaker, said they had reviewed an allegation that Graham “violated Senate Rules and related standards of conduct” by soliciting campaign…


Senate Republicans Take Aim at Biden’s ‘Bloated’ Budget

Senate Republicans tore into President Joe Biden’s 2024 budget plan on March 22, holding that the administration has been “radical and reckless” in its spending. “The one thing I think Republicans agree on is the president’s budget spends too much, taxes too much, borrows too much, and underfunds our most important priority, which is national…


Protesters Interrupt Senate Hearing, Shout Anti-Ukraine and Pro-China Slogans

Pro-China protesters interrupted a congressional hearing on March 22, shouting over Senators and demanding that the United States soften its stance on China’s communist regime and abandon its commitment to arming Ukraine. Several protesters brandished signs throughout a meeting of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, with some periodically standing and shouting over the Senators until…


Hawley to Introduce Bill to Revoke China’s ‘Sweetheart’ Trade Status

Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) will introduce legislation on March 21 to revoke China’s permanent normal trade relations status with the United States. If passed, the Ending Normal Trade Relations With China Act of 2023 (pdf) would withdraw China’s normal trade relations status within two years, subject Chinese imports to higher tariffs, and afford the president…


Senators Seek Remedies to Health Systems Cyber Threats After Health Data Breach

After the sensitive health information of some members of Congress and hundreds of congressional staffers was exposed last week by the DC Health Link data breach, the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs is exploring ways to prevent future cyberattacks. “Cyberattacks on hospitals and other health care providers can cause serious disruptions to…