Results for: Senate

A bipartisan bill aimed at combating antisemitism on college campuses, the Antisemitism Awareness Act, is facing delays in the Senate, raising concerns among pro-Israel leaders and Jewish students about the potential for the legislation to be watered down or derailed altogether. While Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has promised a vote before the end of the year, his decision to attach the bill to the must-pass defense bill has ignited fears about its fate, with some fearing that it may be used as a political pawn.

Kenya’s Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua, will face impeachment proceedings after a court ruled the process constitutional. The Senate is set to hold hearings and vote on his dismissal this week, following allegations of corruption, undermining the government, and stirring ethnic hatred. Gachagua denies the charges, calling the impeachment a political attack, but the court has upheld the legal basis for the proceedings.

Vice President Kamala Harris’s call to eliminate the filibuster to codify abortion rights has ignited a firestorm of debate, particularly among vulnerable Democratic senators facing tough re-election battles. While many of these senators have previously expressed support for ending the filibuster or altering its rules, their stance on this issue is now drawing increased scrutiny as the 2024 elections approach.

Senator Kyrsten Sinema and Senator Joe Manchin have sharply criticized Vice President Kamala Harris’s stance on eliminating the Senate filibuster to codify Roe v Wade, arguing it could lead to a future ban on all abortions nationwide. Harris, however, remains committed to ending the filibuster and securing a Democratic Senate majority to push for abortion rights.

Senator John Cornyn, a Republican from Texas, is vying to replace Mitch McConnell as Senate Minority Leader. He’s boasting a hefty fundraising record, raising over $400 million since 2002 and $26 million this election cycle alone. Cornyn highlights his fundraising prowess as a key asset in the upcoming election, where Republicans are aiming to retake the Senate majority. The leadership race is primarily taking place behind closed doors, with fundraising and political strategy emerging as key considerations.

Republican senators are demanding action on border security, pushing for votes on several bills aimed at strengthening border enforcement and immigration policies. Led by Senator Katie Britt, they are calling on Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to bring these bills to the floor, including the Laken Riley Act and the WALL Act, which focus on detaining illegal immigrants who commit certain crimes and funding for border wall construction. This push comes as Vice President Kamala Harris and vulnerable Democrats face pressure to address border security concerns, even as they tout a failed ‘bipartisan’ immigration bill that has been criticized by many Republicans.

George Helmy, former chief of staff for New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, was sworn in as the temporary replacement for former Senator Bob Menendez, who resigned after a bribery conviction. Helmy will serve until the November election, where Democratic Representative Andy Kim is favored to win the seat. Meanwhile, a businessman convicted alongside Menendez in the bribery case has pleaded guilty to separate bank fraud charges.

President Biden is facing a race against time to confirm more federal judges than his predecessor, Donald Trump, as the Senate prepares for extended recesses in August and October. With several time-sensitive legislative battles on the horizon, Democrats may struggle to secure floor votes for Biden’s judicial nominees.

Republican Senator Steve Daines, chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, expressed confidence in his party’s ability to win back the Senate majority in November. He highlighted the need to bridge the fundraising gap between Republicans and Democrats, which he considers a key factor in securing key Senate seats.

The race for Senate GOP leadership is heating up, with several senators vying for the position vacated by Mitch McConnell. While Steve Daines, the current NRSC chair, is considered a strong contender, other candidates like John Thune, John Cornyn, and Rick Scott are actively campaigning for the role. The election results in November will likely determine the ultimate winner, with Donald Trump’s support potentially playing a key role.