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House Passes Bill Ending Homeland Security Shutdown, Ensuring TSA Worker Pay

House Passes Bill Ending Homeland Security Shutdown, Ensuring TSA Worker Pay

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a funding bill to end a 75-day shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which had left thousands of workers, including Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents, without pay. The shutdown, which was the longest in the department's history, was primarily due to disagreements between House and Senate Republicans and demands from congressional Democrats for immigration enforcement reforms. These reforms were sought following the killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good in Minnesota. Despite the prolonged negotiations, major changes such as a ban on masks for officers and judicial warrant requirements for immigration raids were not achieved. The bill now awaits President Trump's approval.
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Restless Democrats challenge party establishment while trying to loosen Trump's grip on Washington

Restless Democrats challenge party establishment while trying to loosen Trump's grip on Washington

Restless Democratic voters are rejecting their party’s establishment
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Speaker Mike Johnson once longed for a 'normal Congress,' but that seems long gone in the House

Speaker Mike Johnson once longed for a 'normal Congress,' but that seems long gone in the House

House Speaker Mike Johnson has lamented he would like to preside over a “normal Congress.”
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House Speaker Mike Johnson Advances Surveillance Bill Amid GOP Divisions

House Speaker Mike Johnson Advances Surveillance Bill Amid GOP Divisions

House Speaker Mike Johnson successfully navigated internal Republican divisions to advance a controversial surveillance bill in the House of Representatives. The bill, which is supported by the U.S. intelligence community, faced opposition from civil libertarians within the GOP who are concerned about privacy issues. The bill passed with a vote of 235-191, despite concerns that it could infringe on Americans' civil liberties. The legislation includes a ban on the U.S. government creating its own digital currency, which may hinder its progress in the Senate. Additionally, Johnson managed to quell dissent over a farm policy bill and a budget blueprint to fund the Department of Homeland Security, highlighting the challenges of leading a narrowly divided House.
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House of Representatives Extends FISA Section 702 Amid Privacy Concerns

House of Representatives Extends FISA Section 702 Amid Privacy Concerns

The House of Representatives has voted to extend Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) for three years. This section allows U.S. intelligence agencies to intercept electronic communications of foreign nationals outside the United States, which sometimes includes Americans in contact with these foreign targets. The extension passed with a vote of 235 to 191 and now moves to the Senate, where it faces a challenging path. Speaker Mike Johnson faced difficulties in securing support from privacy-focused Republicans, and previous attempts at longer extensions were unsuccessful. Efforts to introduce a warrant requirement for accessing Americans' information in the FISA database were not successful, as top intelligence officials argued it would compromise national security.
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House approves bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security and end the record shutdown

House approves bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security and end the record shutdown

The House has voted to fund much of the Department of Homeland Security and bring an end to the longest agency shutdown in history
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Graham Platner Reaches Agreement with Chuck Schumer Amid Maine Senate Race

Graham Platner Reaches Agreement with Chuck Schumer Amid Maine Senate Race

Graham Platner, the presumptive Democratic U.S. Senate nominee for Maine, has reportedly reached an understanding with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer. This development comes after a contentious primary race where Schumer and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) initially endorsed Platner's opponent, Governor Janet Mills. Despite the initial rift, Platner has expressed a willingness to collaborate with the party establishment, albeit with certain conditions. The primary race saw Mills releasing an ad criticizing Platner for controversial online remarks, but Platner has since pulled ahead, leading to Mills' withdrawal from the race. Platner's campaign has been characterized by a focus on community organizing and economic populism, which he plans to continue despite any pressure from national Democratic leaders.
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US House passes farm bill after scrapping pesticide language opposed by MAHA

US House passes farm bill after scrapping pesticide language opposed by MAHA

By Leah Douglas WASHINGTON, April 30 (Reuters) - The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday passed its version of a five-year farm bill after stripping a provision opposed by the "Make America Healthy Again" movement that would have blocked some lawsuits against pesticide makers. 
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Supreme Court ruling will reshape American politics. The only question is when

Supreme Court ruling will reshape American politics. The only question is when

The U.S. Supreme Court’s conservative majority has handed Republicans their biggest victory yet in the battle to control the House of Representatives and statehouses across the country
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The Latest: Supreme Court weakens a key tool of the Voting Rights Act

The Latest: Supreme Court weakens a key tool of the Voting Rights Act

The Supreme Court has weakened a key tool of the Voting Rights Act that has helped combat racial discrimination in voting for over 50 years
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GOP Farm Bill Dispute Threatens Broader Legislative Agenda

GOP Farm Bill Dispute Threatens Broader Legislative Agenda

A Republican dispute over the Farm Bill is threatening to derail more than just agricultural policy, as GOP leaders prepare for a crucial procedural vote. The Farm Bill, bundled with a three-year extension of foreign surveillance authority and a budget resolution tied to immigration enforcement, faces opposition from within the party. Key issues include changes to food assistance programs and pesticide regulations. Representative Lauren Boebert and others have voiced concerns over the bill's provisions, which could impact their constituents. The Farm Bill, known as H.R.7567, aims to support farmers and includes measures on food security and foreign ownership of U.S. agricultural land.
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Supreme Court weakens the Voting Rights Act and aids GOP efforts to control the House

Supreme Court weakens the Voting Rights Act and aids GOP efforts to control the House

The Supreme Court has weakened a landmark Civil Rights-era law that has increased minority representation in Congress and elsewhere