CQ Morning Briefing

A federal funding freeze is on pause amid questions of impact and reach. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has his first confirmation hearing as Cabinet nominees continue to progress. Trump's policy on transgender troops faces pushback. Jacob Fulton has your Morning Briefing for Wednesday, Jan. 28.

The Transportation secretary slot looks about to be filled. A Senate committee hears about the impact of the Panama Canal. And Donald Trump pauses many federal grants and loans. David Higgins has your CQ Morning Briefing for Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025.

The Senate votes on the nomination of Scott Bessent to lead the Treasury Department. It's not yet clear what Trump will do regarding a drug price negotiation law. And Trump forecasts a potential attempt to eliminate FEMA. David Higgins has your CQ Morning Briefing for Monday, Jan. 27, 2025.

Pete Hegseth's DOD nomination goes to a final floor vote. A challenge to Trump's birthright citizenship order is first in a line of expected legal battles for the new administration. And the House minority leader prepares to play hardball on spending and debt. David Higgins has your CQ Morning Briefing for Friday, Jan. 24, 2025.

Senate Republicans are irked as Democrats try to slow Trump's Cabinet nominations. House Republicans continue to hash out budget reconciliation actions as February nears. Appropriators have the go-ahead to hash out a topline spending deal. Jacob Fulton has your CQ Morning Briefing for Thursday, Jan. 23.

There's still no announced agreement on reconciliation strategy after a White House meeting. Defense nominee Pete Hegseth faces more detailed allegations ahead of potential floor action. Trump's freeze on development aid draws legal questions. Jacob Fulton has your CQ Morning Briefing for Wednesday, Jan. 22.

Senate consideration of Cabinet nominees continues after President Donald Trump's first day back in office. Trump's Day 1 executive orders range from climate policy to immigration. And the so-called Department of Government Efficiency comes under attack from lawsuits. David Higgins has your CQ Morning Briefing for Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025.

Donald Trump gets sworn as president in today, but some Cabinet nominees may still have a long way to go. Trump's inauguration moves indoors. And House Republicans weigh their options with a detailed budget reconciliation menu. David Higgins has your CQ Morning Briefing for Monday, Jan. 20, 2025.

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem has a confirmation hearing as the proposed nominee as Homeland Security secretary. Key Republicans raise their goals for defense spending. And the hard-line House Freedom Caucus backs the Senate GOP's preferred reconciliation method. David Higgins has your CQ Morning Briefing for Friday, Jan. 17, 2025.

Trump's pick for Treasury will likely be grilled over his tax history at a hearing. Two other Cabinet hearings today will focus on energy and environmental policy. House GOP members ramp up tax talks ahead of budget reconciliation. Jacob Fulton has your CQ Morning Briefing for Thursday, Jan. 16.

Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida and former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi go before Senate committees for confirmation hearings. The House GOP marks its calendar with a timeline for a budget resolution. A new subcommittee chairman discusses his priorities for servicemember benefits. Jacob Fulton has your CQ Morning Briefing for Wednesday, Jan. 15.

Former Fox News host Pete Hegseth appears before Senate Armed Services to kick off his Pentagon confirmation process. Top Republicans consider tying a debt limit increase to wildfire aid. Tech groups are calling on the Supreme Court to side with TikTok. Jacob Fulton has your CQ Morning Briefing for Tuesday, Jan. 14.

Picks for top Trump administration jobs are set for confirmation hearings this week. Blue-state Republicans are optimistic about raising the SALT cap after meeting with Trump. CQ's previews of the 2025 legislative agenda continues with a focus on legal affairs. Jacob Fulton has your CQ Morning Briefing for Monday, Jan. 13.

As House and Senate Republicans remain split on a reconciliation strategy, we look at what might go in a future bill... or bills. The clock is already ticking on the latest effort for fiscal 2025 appropriations legislation. The Supreme Court hears oral arguments in the TikTok ban or divestment case. Jacob Fulton has your CQ Morning Briefing for Friday, Jan. 10.

It could take Republicans weeks to finalize a reconciliation strategy. CQ Morning Briefing looks ahead at tax, agriculture and crypto debates in the new Congress. House Democrats could see a shuffling of Appropriations subcommittee ranking members. Jacob Fulton has your CQ Morning Briefing for Wednesday, Jan. 8.

The path ahead for moving reconciliation legislation remains unclear, even after Trump meets with GOP senators. An immigration bill is headed to a procedural vote in the Senate. The House takes up a bill to sanction International Criminal Court officials. Jacob Fulton has your CQ Morning Briefing for Thursday, Jan. 9.

Hope is still alive for GOP backers of a two-step approach to their budget reconciliation efforts. The Biden administration announces a new medical debt rule with an unclear future. Former President Jimmy Carter lies in state at the Capitol. Jacob Fulton has your CQ Morning Briefing for Tuesday, Jan. 7.

The House picks a speaker (maybe?). The 119th Congress has been shaped by the Trump era before it even convenes. The House rules package becomes a potential avenue for early action on immigration-related bills. Jacob Fulton has your CQ Morning Briefing for Friday, Jan. 2.

Lawmakers are looking at a government shutdown unless Congress can pass a funding bill in the coming hours. Some GOP senators are unsure about Trump's ability to end birthright citizenship. And RFK Jr.'s agenda could find common ground with the FDA as it redefines "healthy." David Higgins has your CQ Morning Briefing for Friday, Dec. 20, 2024.

Trump sends House GOP leadership scrambling on a stopgap spending measure. The Supreme Court is set to hear a dispute regarding the law that requires a TikTok divestment or ban. Sen. Mitch McConnell is departing GOP leadership in the new year, but he's not leaving his influence behind. Jacob Fulton has your CQ Morning Briefing for Thursday, Dec. 19.

The stopgap spending bill's text is released just days before a deadline to avoid a partial government shutdown. The fiscal 2025 NDAA gets a final vote despite some senators' opposition to a provision that would restrict gender-affirming care. Lawmakers deal with loose ends ahead of the holidays. Jacob Fulton has your CQ Morning Briefing for Wednesday, Dec. 18.

Washington waits as negotiators continue to work on a stopgap funding resolution. House Democrats are set to pick new ranking members after their Steering Committee gave its recommendations. More elected officials are calling for details from the federal government about drone sightings. Jacob Fulton has your CQ Morning Briefing for Tuesday, Dec. 17.

Disputes over aid for farmers delay the release of a stopgap funding resolution. The House Budget chair says a two-part reconciliation effort has momentum. And House steering panels continue to map out the makeup of committees for the 119th Congress. David Higgins has your CQ Morning Briefing for Monday, Dec. 16, 2024.

Congressional leaders want stopgap funding negotiations to conclude today. The fiscal 2025 defense authorization bill is scheduled for a cloture vote Monday. And the Senate could vote on a Social Security bill next week. David Higgins has your CQ Morning Briefing for Friday, Dec. 13, 2024.

The GOP isn't all on the same page regarding defense spending in reconciliation. National parks advocates urge Congress to include recovery funding in overall disaster relief. Democrats look for common ground with Republicans post-election. Jacob Fulton has your CQ Morning Briefing for Thursday, Dec. 12.