Senate healthcare GOPer courts Dems on Obamacare change: ‘A lot of appeal’

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) on Wednesday dismissed the House GOP's efforts to repeal a provision in the government shutdown bill that would allow senators to sue the Justice Department over phone surveillance. Thune argued that the provision, which grants Republican senators the ability to seek $500,000 in damages, was narrowly focused and unnecessary.

Congressional Republicans have called for a revision of Census Bureau procedures ahead of the next count, alleging that the 2020 census included 'fake' individuals and resulted in an undercount of populations in GOP-leaning states. They argue this has shifted political power away from these states.

The U.S. Congress has formally approved the release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein, with the Senate voting in favor of the Epstein Files Transparency Act. This legislation requires the Justice Department to disclose all unclassified materials concerning Epstein. The White House is now awaiting President Trump's decision on the bill, which has garnered significant bipartisan support.

A recent Marist Poll indicates that a majority of American voters prefer to elect Democrats over Republicans for the upcoming midterm elections, with Democrats leading by 14 percentage points, 55% to 41%. This trend reflects a significant shift in voter sentiment as the elections approach.

The Senate has swiftly approved a bill mandating the release of investigative files related to Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives. This bipartisan effort, supported by Donald Trump, marks a significant step in addressing public interest in Epstein's case.

A bill aimed at clarifying oversight of the cryptocurrency industry is progressing in the Senate, with the Senate Agriculture Committee releasing the second half of the draft legislation. However, significant policy questions remain as lawmakers aim to pass the bill early next year.

A new NPR/PBS News/Marist poll indicates that Democrats hold their largest advantage for control of Congress in eight years, signaling potential challenges for President Trump and the Republican Party ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The poll reveals that a significant portion of Americans want the president to prioritize lowering prices.

The Senate swiftly approved a bill on Tuesday that mandates the release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein, marking a significant shift from its typical slow pace. This decision follows mounting pressure on congressional Republicans and comes after the House passed the bill overwhelmingly with a vote of 427-1. The Senate's rapid action reflects a growing urgency to address the Epstein case and ensure transparency regarding the files associated with the convicted sex offender.