Congress flees town as health care premiums set to explode for millions of Americans in January

The Senate has backed a resolution that allows President Donald Trump to continue military actions in Venezuela without prior congressional notification, following a tie-breaking vote by Senator J.D. Vance. This resolution defeats efforts to limit the president's war powers regarding Venezuela, where tensions have escalated significantly.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has downplayed the death toll from recent protests in Iran, attributing the unrest to an alleged Israeli plot during an interview on Fox News' 'Special Report with Bret Baier'. He dismissed casualty figures as exaggerated and suggested foreign interference as a cause of the turmoil.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey stated that he does not support abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), while expressing criticism of the agency's operations under the Trump administration during an interview on Fox News. This statement comes amid rising tensions in Minneapolis following a series of incidents involving ICE.

YouTuber Nick Shirley is set to testify before Congress on January 21 regarding a significant fraud investigation in Minnesota, which is estimated to involve up to $9 billion in misappropriated funds, including a $250 million COVID relief scheme. This hearing aims to address the extensive fraud network that has emerged in the state.

The Supreme Court is set to face a significant test regarding the protection of fairness in women's sports, as various legal challenges and societal debates intensify around the inclusion of transgender athletes in competitive events. This issue has become a focal point in discussions about equity and the integrity of women's sports.

Donald Trump signed a bill on January 14, 2026, allowing whole and 2% milk to be served in US school cafeterias, effectively overturning the Obama-era restrictions on higher-fat milk options. This legislation, known as the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, also opens the door for non-dairy drinks like fortified soy milk to be included in school menus in the near future.

Congress has mandated that the Pentagon submit a report detailing China's signals intelligence capabilities in Cuba, alongside information regarding any remaining Russian technical espionage activities on the island. This requirement reflects growing concerns about foreign surveillance and intelligence operations close to U.S. borders.

A divided House committee has advanced a bill aimed at restricting stock trading by members of Congress, amidst accusations of misdirection and a disingenuous pursuit of perfection that have marred what began as a bipartisan effort. The bill reflects growing public frustration over lawmakers profiting from the stock market while in office, raising concerns about conflicts of interest.