CQ Morning Briefing

DHS talks are at a near-standstill during the recess. Earmarks are making a comeback — big time. With major EPA regulations on the line, the Supreme Court may have the final say. Kristina Karisch has your CQ Morning Briefing for Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026.

The Department of Homeland Security is expected to partially shut down as lawmakers leave for recess without a deal. A long-awaited five-year farm bill is expected to be released. And House Republicans want to reverse their earmarks ban. David Higgins has your CQ Morning Briefing for Friday, Feb. 13, 2026.

The likelihood of a DHS funding lapse grows as negotiations stall. An El Paso airspace closure draws ire and questions from lawmakers. Democrats who released a video on illegal orders are keeping their legal options open after a failed indictment attempt. Kristina Karisch has your CQ Morning Briefing for Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.

Bondi faces lawmakers amid a spate of DOJ controversies. Time is running out for a DHS funding deal. GOP lawmakers hash out election administration bills. Kristina Karisch has your CQ Morning Briefing for Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026.

A focus on immigration enforcement intensifies on the Hill, as a spending deadline and high-profile hearings await. A retooled voter ID bill heads to the House floor. And a House panel marks up a first-responders emergency communications bill. David Higgins has your CQ Morning Briefing for Monday, Feb. 9, 2026.

DHS funding negotiations hit a logjam. Some senators are reluctant to again use reconciliation to boost defense funding. And the race is too close to call in New Jersey's Democratic primary for the special election to fill Gov. Mikie Sherrill's former seat in Congress. David Higgins has your CQ Morning Briefing for Friday, Feb. 6, 2026.

Democrats release proposal for DHS policy changes. Bessent faces Senate lawmakers after a grilling in the House. The New START expires today. Kristina Karisch has your CQ Morning Briefing for Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026.

Lawmakers seek consensus ahead of next week's DHS deadline. Some GOP members want more federal involvement in elections — but congressional leadership is pushing back. Democrats push to delay Warsh's nomination hearing amid Fed probe. Kristina Karisch has your CQ Morning Briefing for Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026.

The House is expected to take up the Senate-passed funding package. D.C. advocates push back against Congress' attempt to reject the District's tax code changes. Facing a contempt vote, the Clintons say they will testify before lawmakers. Kristina Karisch has your CQ Morning Briefing for Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026.

A partial government shutdown is underway, and the House faces a politically complicated vote on the spending package that would end it. A bipartisan duo makes a quiet bid for an Iran war powers resolution. And the nomination of Kevin Warsh to be Fed chair faces an uphill battle. David Higgins has your CQ Morning Briefing for Monday, Feb. 2, 2026.

Another partial government shutdown could begin tonight, though it may be brief. Senate Democrats have mixed reactions to a GOP health subsidies extension draft. And House Republicans make another voter ID push. David Higgins has your CQ Morning Briefing for Friday, Jan. 30, 2026.

Shutdown odds rise, with Democrats and the White House at loggerheads over DHS policies. Recent attacks on lawmakers underscore threats to member safety. Democrats are reviewing a draft of a compromise plan to extend enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies. Kristina Karisch has your CQ Morning Briefing for Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026.

Senators report hints of progress on DHS funding talks. Calls grow for Noem's departure from DHS. Rubio testifies about U.S. policy in Venezuela. Kristina Karisch has your CQ Morning Briefing for Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026.

Shutdown threats mount over DHS funding. Some Senate Republicans are calling for investigations into immigration enforcement in Minnesota. Congressional Republicans pivot back to abortion. Kristina Karisch has your CQ Morning Briefing for Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026.

A partial government shutdown is possible as Democrats decry this weekend's shooting in Minnesota. And due to the snow, Senators have one fewer day in town to tackle a mammoth spending package before the Friday deadline. Plus, the Senate Agriculture Committee marks up a crypto market bill. David Higgins has your CQ Morning Briefing for Monday, Jan. 26, 2026.

The Senate is set to take up a final spending package next week, but a weekend snowstorm could scramble the timeline. Lawmakers try to move forward on farm aid and ethanol. And supporters of an anti-deepfake bill urge House floor action. David Higgins has your CQ Morning Briefing for Friday, Jan. 23, 2026.

House Rules will reconvene this morning to address the four-bill spending package. Jack Smith testifies before the House Judiciary Committee. House Republicans want to revise a toxic chemicals law. Kristina Karisch has your CQ Morning Briefing for Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026.

House Rules takes up the four-bill spending package. The Supreme Court takes up Cook's Fed dismissal. U.S. oil companies want assurances before investing in Venezuela. Kristina Karisch has your CQ Morning Briefing for Wednesday, Jan. 21 2026.

Congress has two weeks left to pass the remaining half of the fiscal 2026 spending bills. Democrats worry about Trump's threats to invoke the Insurrection Act. And as lawmakers grapple with extending health insurance subsidies, Trump unveils a health plan in broad strokes. David Higgins has your CQ Morning Briefing for Friday, Jan. 16, 2026.

Senators could vote to end debate on an appropriations package. Congress eyes Trump's potential foreign policy targets. A judge questions the policy for lawmaker visits to immigration detention centers. Kristina Karisch has your CQ Morning Briefing for Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026.

The House tackles another spending package. Republicans face White House pressure to oppose a Venezuela war powers resolution. A GOP stock-trading ban gets a markup — but Democrats have qualms. Kristina Karisch has your CQ Morning Briefing for Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026.

The House-passed "minibus" faces at least brief Senate bumps. Some Republicans are critical of the DOJ's Powell investigation. SCOTUS hears arguments on transgender athlete bans. Kristina Karisch has your CQ Morning Briefing for Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026.

Lawmakers release two more spending bills for fiscal 2026. Democrats introduce legislation to rein in Trump's military actions in Venezuela. And Republicans seek to walk back ESG considerations in retirement funds. David Higgins has your CQ Morning Briefing for Monday, Jan. 12, 2026.

Senators hope to unveil an ACA subsidies compromise next week. The ICE shooting in Minneapolis complicates DHS appropriations. And the Senate advances a Venezuela war powers resolution. David Higgins has your CQ Morning Briefing for Friday, Jan. 9, 2026.

Restrictions on health care credits face pushback from Democrats. House leaders hope to vote today on a three-bill spending package. Democrats press to use congressional power amid Trump's military actions. Kristina Karisch has your CQ Morning Briefing for Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026.