McIver unveils ICE oversight measure one year after visit that resulted in indictment

Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-N.J.) is introducing legislation aimed at protecting congressional oversight powers, a year after a scuffle at an immigration detention facility in her home state resulted in criminal charges against her. The measure would “permanently codify the existing right of members of Congress to conduct oversight” of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and

Lutnick backs away from his Epstein ‘blackmail’ claim in interview with House committee

WASHINGTON (AP) — Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, in an interview with House lawmakers, backed away from a previous claim that convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein had blackmailed people. Lutnick agreed to sit for an interview with the House Oversight Committee last week after the release of case files on Epstein contradicted his claim on a…

House unanimously passes resolution urging Trump to secure release of detainees in China

The House on Wednesday unanimously passed a resolution urging President Trump to push to secure the release of five people detained in China. The resolution, sponsored by Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.), passed the lower chamber by a vote of 414-0. It states that Trump “should prioritize securing the release of Pastor Jin Mingri, Pastor Gao Quanfu…

House passes bill for year-round E15 ethanol fuel sales, splitting Republicans

The House on Wednesday passed a bill to codify year-round sales of E15 ethanol fuel, a major win for members from corn-producing states but one that drew fierce opposition from other Republicans.  The vote was 218-203, with 122 Republicans, 95 Democrats and 1 independent voting in favor, and 90 Republicans and 113 Democrats opposing the…

Rand Paul’s son apologizes for allegedly hurling antisemitic attacks at Lawler at Capitol Hill bar

Sen. Rand Paul’s (R-Ky.) son apologized on Wednesday after he reportedly slung antisemitic attacks at Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) at a bar in the Washington, D.C., neighborhood of Capitol Hill. “Last night, I had too much to drink and said some things that don’t represent who I really am,” William Paul wrote on Wednesday on…

Florida shutting down ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ immigration detention center

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) said Wednesday that the state’s immigration detention facility, known as “Alligator Alcatraz,” will soon close. “When we opened it in the summer of 2025, it was always intended to be temporary, because we were only doing it, because the federal government didn’t have the resources to hold these people themselves,”…

Democrat Neguse presses Burgum on reflecting pool, $13M ‘no-bid’ contract

Rep. Joe Neguse (D-Colo.) on Wednesday pressed Interior Secretary Doug Burgum on how his department awarded the contract for the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool renovation project to Atlantic Industrial Coatings. During Burgum’s appearance before the House Natural Resource Committee on President Trump’s fiscal 2027 budget request, Neguse asked the Interior secretary if he was “familiar”…