US Senate | DD News

November 11, 2025 3:40 PM

What’s in the deal to end the longest US government shutdown?

A deal to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history has cleared an initial hurdle in the Senate, but Congress has more work to do before sending it on to President Donald Trump to sign into law. Here is a summary of the package: TEMPORARILY RESTORES GOVERNMENT FUNDING The bill would restore government funding that Congress allowed to expire on October 1, funding agency operations at existing levels through January 30. This would buy time for lawmakers to finish work on detailed spen...

November 11, 2025 11:57 AM

US Senate passes bill to end government shutdown, sends to House

The U.S. Senate on Monday approved a compromise that would end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, breaking a weeks-long stalemate that has disrupted food benefits for millions, left hundreds of thousands of federal workers unpaid and snarled air traffic. The 60-40 vote passed with the support of nearly all of the chamber's Republicans and eight Democrats, who unsuccessfully sought to tie government funding to health subsidies that are due to expire at the end of the year. While th...

November 9, 2025 11:43 AM

Talks to end US shutdown look promising, Senate majority leader says

Bipartisan talks in the U.S. Senate to end the federal shutdown have taken a positive turn, Senate Majority Leader John Thune said on Saturday, with lawmakers working on deals to temporarily reopen the government and introduce three longer-term funding bills for some agencies. Asked by reporters whether there have been bipartisan talks within the last 24 hours that have been positive in nature, Thune, a South Dakota Republican, responded, "Yeah. I'd say so." Saturday marked the 39th day of the...

October 31, 2025 10:57 AM

Trump calls for US Senate to scrap filibuster rule

Republican U.S. President Donald Trump called on Thursday for the removal of the Senate's filibuster rule, to bypass a Democratic roadblock during a government shutdown now in its 30th day. The filibuster is the Senate rule for agreement by 60 of its 100 members to pass most legislation. Republicans hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate and a 219-213 majority in the House of Representatives. "It is now time for the Republicans to play their "TRUMP CARD," and go for what is called the Nuclear Opt...

July 17, 2025 12:52 PM

US Senate passes aid, public broadcasting cuts in victory for Trump

The U.S. Senate early on Thursday approved President Donald Trump's plan for billions of dollars in cuts to funding for foreign aid and public broadcasting, handing the Republican president another victory as he exerts control over Congress with little opposition. The Senate voted 51 to 48 in favor of Trump's request to cut $9 billion in spending already approved by Congress. Most of the cuts are to programs to assist foreign countries suffering from disease, war and natural disasters, but the...

July 16, 2025 8:26 AM

AIDS program funding preserved ahead of US Senate vote on Trump cuts

The U.S. Senate late on Tuesday advanced President Donald Trump's request to slash billions in spending on foreign aid and public broadcasting previously approved by Congress, the latest test of Trump's control over his fellow Republicans. However, PEPFAR, a global program to fight HIV/AIDS launched in 2003 by then-Republican President George W. Bush, is being exempted after objections from lawmakers in both parties, bringing the size of the package of cuts to $9 billion from $9.4 billion. Ru...

July 2, 2025 6:38 PM

Trump tax-cut plan returns to US House, Republicans divided on bill

The debate within President Donald Trump's Republican Party over a massive tax-cut and spending bill returns to the House of Representatives on Wednesday, as party leaders try to overcome internal divisions and meet a self-imposed July 4 deadline. The Senate passed the legislation, which nonpartisan analysts say will add $3.4 trillion to the nation's debt over the next decade, by the narrowest possible margin on Tuesday after intense debate on the bill's hefty price tag and substantial cuts to ...

July 2, 2025 2:23 AM

US Senate passes Trump’s sweeping tax-and spending bill, setting up House battle

U.S. Senate Republicans passed President Donald Trump’s massive tax-and-spending bill on Tuesday by the narrowest of margins, advancing a package that would slash taxes, reduce social safety net programs and boost military and immigration enforcement spending while adding $3.3 trillion to the national debt. The legislation now heads to the House of Representatives for possible final approval, though a handful of Republicans there have already voiced opposition to some of the Senate provi...

June 29, 2025 11:51 AM

Trump’s sweeping tax-cut, spending bill clears first US Senate hurdle

The Republican-controlled U.S. Senate narrowly advanced President Donald Trump's, sweeping tax-cut and spending bill on Saturday, during a marathon weekend session marked by political drama, division and lengthy delays as Democrats sought to slow the legislation's path to passage. Lawmakers voted 51-49 to open debate on the 940-page megabill, with two of Trump's fellow Republicans joining Democrats to oppose the legislation that would fund the president's top immigration, border, tax-cut and mi...

February 19, 2025 9:30 AM

Kash Patel moves a step closer to FBI directorship

Kash Patel moved a step closer to becoming the first Indian American to head the FBI with the US senate narrowly voting on a procedural measure to advance his nomination for a full vote of confirmation. The US Senate, which must confirm the nomination, voted 48-45 along party lines to open debate on the nominee, starting the countdown for 30 hours of discussion before Patel is expected to receive final approval Thursday. Patel, who is 44 years old, has been one of the most controvers...