Congress
Follow the latest Congress news, videos, and analysis from ABC News.
April 28, 2025 at 11:06 PM

House Speaker Mike Johnson on budget talks: 'Now is game time'

Republicans have begun releasing legislative text to codify their lofty ambitions to cut at least $2 trillion from federal spending over the next decade.
April 28, 2025 at 11:06 PM
Republicans have begun releasing legislative text to codify their lofty ambitions to cut at least $2 trillion from federal spending over the next decade.
April 28, 2025 at 10:49 PM

Trump and Johnson strategize as budget reconciliation reaches 'game time'

GOP hopes to reshape spending to align with the president’s domestic agenda.
April 28, 2025 at 10:49 PM
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson talks to reporters just after House Republicans approved their budget framework that is central to President Donald Trump's agenda, at the Capitol in Washington, April 10, 2025.
April 28, 2025 at 5:29 PM

Oversight top Democrat Connolly 'stepping back,' saying his cancer has returned

Rep. Gerry Connolly, ranking Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, will “soon” step down from his role and won’t run for reelection because his cancer has returned.
April 28, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Rep. Gerry Connolly questions witnesses during a House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform hearing titled "A Hearing with Sanctuary City Mayors" in Washington, March 5, 2025.
April 28, 2025 at 5:26 PM

Democrat Connolly 'stepping back,' saying his cancer has returned

Rep. Gerry Connolly, ranking Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, will “soon” step down from his role and won’t run for reelection because his cancer has returned.
April 28, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Rep. Gerry Connolly, ranking Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, will “soon” step down from his role and won’t run for reelection because his cancer has returned.
April 25, 2025 at 7:06 PM

Young Democratic primary challengers seek to oust longtime incumbents

As the Democratic Party takes stock of the upcoming 2026 midterm elections, a slate of political newcomers are challenging longtime incumbents.
April 25, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Everton Blair, a Congressional candidate
April 23, 2025 at 10:13 PM

GOP Sen. Grassley gets another earful at Iowa town hall

Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley faced another room of hearted constituents at a town hall in Northwood, Iowa, on Wednesday.
April 23, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley faced another room of hearted constituents at a town hall in Northwood, Iowa, on Wednesday.
April 23, 2025 at 5:29 PM

What Sen. Dick Durbin’s retirement means for Democrats in Congress

Longtime Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., announced Wednesday that he will not seek reelection in 2026 and will retire after serving for over four decades in Congress.
April 23, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Longtime Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., announced Wednesday that he will not seek reelection in 2026 and will retire after serving for over four decades in Congress.
April 23, 2025 at 4:42 PM

Sen. Dick Durbin announces retirement after decades in Congress

Longtime Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., announced Wednesday that he will not seek reelection in 2026 and will retire after serving for over four decades in Congress.
April 23, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin, D-Ill., is seen at the Capitol in Washington, Nov. 14, 2024.
April 21, 2025 at 6:46 AM

60,000 Americans to lose rental assistance and risk eviction unless Congress acts

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development says that rental assistance for some 60,000 Americans fleeing homelessness or domestic violence will run out of money by the end of next year
April 21, 2025 at 6:46 AM
Daniris Espinal stands for a portrait in Sunset Park, in the Brooklyn borough of New York, Thursday, April 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
April 20, 2025 at 3:48 PM

Jeffries: Trump's economic policy is 'his greatest weakness'

On "This Week," Hakeem Jeffries accused GOP leaders for ignoring the rising cost of living for many Americans.
April 20, 2025 at 3:48 PM
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries speaks with ABC News while appearing on 'This Week' April 20, 2025.
April 18, 2025 at 1:36 PM

First to ABC: House Dems urge JD Vance to preserve Smithsonian independence

First to ABC: House Dems urge JD Vance to preserve Smithsonian independence.
April 18, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Completed in 1855 and made from Seneca red sandstone, the Smithsonian Institution Building, or "Castle," stands on the National Mall on August 21, 2023 in Washington, DC. An investigation by the Washington Post into the Smithsonian's human remains collections revealed the revered institution is holding 30,700 bones and body parts, including 255 brains as party of its "Racial Brain Collection." Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch III has apologized for how the collection was created and has built a task force to decide what to do with the remains. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
April 18, 2025 at 1:17 PM

Maryland senator travels to El Salvador to meet with Kilmar Abrego Garcia

A source close to Abrego Garcia’s family told ABC News that the meeting in the capital was set up by El Salvador’s president, Nayib Bukele, as both he and the Trump administration say Abrego Garcia won’t return to the U.S.
April 18, 2025 at 1:17 PM
VIDEO: Maryland senator travels to El Salvador to meet with Kilmar Abrego Garcia
April 17, 2025 at 4:55 PM

McConnell to face constituents in Kentucky at town hall

Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell speaks to civic club in Kentucky as GOP lawmakers continue to face hostile crowds at town halls with questions about Trump’s policies.
April 17, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Republican Sen. McConnell speaks to civic club in Kentucky as GOP lawmakers continue to face hostile crowds at town halls with questions about Trump’s policies.
April 17, 2025 at 4:38 PM

Sen. Chris Van Hollen goes to El Salvador amid erroneous deportation

Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., has flown to El Salvador to seek answers over the contested deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia.
April 17, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., has flown to El Salvador to seek answers over the contested deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia.
April 17, 2025 at 1:19 PM

Shapiro fire should be investigated by DA as possible antisemitic hate crime: Schumer

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer wants the arson attack on Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro's residence to be investigated as a possible antisemitic hate crime.
April 17, 2025 at 1:19 PM
A view of the damage inside the Governor's Residence on the day Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and the Pennsylvania State Police provide an update on the act of arson that took place at the residence, in Harrisburg, Pa., April 13, 2025.
April 16, 2025 at 8:24 PM

Protesters arrested at Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's town hall

ABC News' Averi Harper weighs in on how Republicans are responding to growing contentious town halls.
April 16, 2025 at 8:24 PM
VIDEO: Protestors arrested at Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's town hall
April 16, 2025 at 7:17 PM

David Hogg-run group to spend millions supporting challengers to House Democrats

Leaders We Deserve, a group led by David Hogg, announced it will spend $20 million to help younger candidates and primary challengers to House Democrats
April 16, 2025 at 7:17 PM
David Hogg speaks onstage during the Fast Company Innovation Festival 2024 at BMCC Tribeca PAC on September 17, 2024 in New York City.
April 16, 2025 at 5:20 PM

Former Texas Rep. Mayra Flores is recovering after hospitalization, campaign says

Former Republican U.S. Rep. Mayra Flores is recovering after being hospitalized
April 16, 2025 at 5:20 PM
In this Aug. 5, 2022, file photo, Rep. Mayra Flores speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Dallas, Texas.
April 16, 2025 at 3:46 AM

Grassley gets pressed in Iowa, scuffles at Marjorie Taylor Greene town hall

A protester was tased, another dragged out of Georgia GOP congresswoman's event.
April 16, 2025 at 3:46 AM
Sen. Chuck Grassley attends a town hall meeting in Lee County, Iowa, April 15, 2025.
April 11, 2025 at 11:27 AM

Congress considers an end to daylight saving time

On Thursday, a Senate committee tackled the daylight saving debate, with bipartisan support for ending the twice-a-year clock change.
April 11, 2025 at 11:27 AM
On Thursday, a Senate committee tackled the daylight saving debate, with bipartisan support for ending the twice-a-year clock change.
April 10, 2025 at 4:23 PM

House passes budget blueprint to advance Trump's agenda

The House on Thursday passed a budget blueprint to fund Trump's agenda after a setback on Wednesday due to GOP hard-liner opposition.
April 10, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune speak at a press conference on the Republican budget bill at the U.S. Capitol, April 10, 2025 in Washington.
April 10, 2025 at 4:11 PM

House narrowly passes Trump-backed budget blueprint

ABC News’ Jay O’Brien reports on the vote to approve the GOP budget blueprint by a vote of 216-214, delivering a major victory for President Donald Trump’s legislative agenda.
April 10, 2025 at 4:11 PM
VIDEO: House narrowly passes Trump-backed budget blueprint
April 10, 2025 at 2:16 PM

‘We have the votes’ to pass Trump-backed budget blueprint: Speaker Johnson

ABC News’ Jay O’Brien reports from Capitol Hill on the Senate-approved GOP budget blueprint that would fund President Donald Trump's agenda.
April 10, 2025 at 2:16 PM
VIDEO: ‘We have the votes’ to pass Trump-backed budget blueprint: Speaker Johnson
April 10, 2025 at 1:56 PM

Johnson scraps vote on Trump-backed budget blueprint

House Speaker said the House won't vote as planned on the budget blueprint that would fund Trump's agenda because a small "subset" of members aren't satisfied with it.
April 10, 2025 at 1:56 PM
House Speaker Mike Johnson returns to the Capitol following a meeting with President Donald Trump in Washington, April 8, 2025.
April 9, 2025 at 1:59 AM

Johnson again relying on Trump to bring GOP holdouts in line on budget plan

Speaker Mike Johnson met Tuesday at the White House with President Donald Trump and House Republicans holding out against voting for the Senate-approved budget bill to fund Trump's agenda.
April 9, 2025 at 1:59 AM
Speaker Mike Johnson met Tuesday at the White House with President Donald Trump and House Republicans holding out against voting for the Senate-approved budget bill to fund Trump's agenda.
April 8, 2025 at 9:11 PM

Johnson again relying on Trump to bring GOP holdouts in line on budget plan

Speaker Johnson is meeting at the White House with President Trump and House Republican holdouts on the budget bill to fund Trump's agenda.
April 8, 2025 at 9:11 PM
In this March 4, 2025, file photo, President Donald Trump greets Rep. Chip Roy as he leaves after addressing a joint session of Congress at the US Capitol in Washington, D.C.
April 7, 2025 at 9:15 PM

Speaker Johnson cuts deal with Rep. Luna over parental proxy voting

Speaker Mike Johnson and Florida GOP Rep. Anna Paulina Luna say they have cut a deal to end the fight over proxy voting for new parents.
April 7, 2025 at 9:15 PM
U.S. Speaker of the House Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) (L) participates in a ceremonial swearing-in with Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) (R), her husband Andrew Gamberzky and her son at the U.S. Capitol on January 3, 2025 in Washington, DC. The 119th Congress begins its term on Capitol Hill today. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
April 6, 2025 at 3:33 PM

Trump’s vows of retribution is a way to ‘to hurt people’: Booker

ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos interviews Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., on “This Week.”
April 6, 2025 at 3:33 PM
VIDEO: 1-on-1 with Sen. Cory Booker
April 6, 2025 at 5:00 AM

Senate passes budget resolution despite bipartisan opposition

After about six hours of amendment votes, the Senate approved a budget blueprint Saturday morning by a vote of 51-48.
April 6, 2025 at 5:00 AM
In this March 14, 2025, file photo, the U.S. Capitol is seen on March 14, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
April 5, 2025 at 10:54 PM

Congress debating legislative agenda as consumers brace for tariff impact

ABC News' Jay O'Brien and Jonathan Gold, the National Retail Federation vice president of supply chain and customs policy, deliver the latest from Washington as the fallout from tariffs takes effect.
April 5, 2025 at 10:54 PM
VIDEO: Congress debating legislative agenda as consumers brace for tariff impact
1 month ago

Takes 'act of Congress' to end the Department of Education, says former congressman

Former Rep. Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., said ending the Department of Education was an attempt to privatize public schools in the U.S.
1 month ago
VIDEO: Takes 'act of Congress' to end the Department of Education, says former congressman
1 month ago

Senators introduce bipartisan bill to limit Trump on tariffs

As world markets slumped in reaction to President Trump’s tariffs, Democratic and Republican senators' bill would require Congress to approve new tariffs.
1 month ago
Sen. Chuck Schumer on the Senate floor at the Capitol, April 3, 2025.
1 month ago

Johnson says he won't concede on parents proxy voting battle as impasse continues

With the House at a standstill, Speaker Mike Johnson is refusing to fold on his strong opposition to allowing new parents in Congress to vote remotely.
1 month ago
House Speaker Mike Johnson attends a Women's History Month event in the East Room of the White House, Mar. 26, 2025 in Washington.
1 month ago

Education secretary hijacks House Democrats' presser after closed-door meeting

Education Secretary Linda McMahon interrupted a press conference by House Democrats to give an impromptu statement after they met in a closed-door meeting.
1 month ago
Education Secretary Linda McMahon during a press conference outside of the Department of Education in Washington, D.C., April 2, 2025.
1 month ago

GOP senator defends telling man who said he was fired from HHS he 'deserved' it

GOP senator defends telling man who said he was fired from HHS he 'probably deserved' it.
1 month ago
Senate Armed Services Committee member Sen. Jim Banks questions retired Air Force Lt. Gen. John Caine during his confirmation hearing to be promoted to general and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, April 1, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
1 month ago

McMahon hijacks House Democrats' presser after closed-door meeting outside ED

Education Secretary Linda McMahon interrupted a press conference by House Democrats to give an impromptu statement after they met in a closed-door meeting.
1 month ago
Education Secretary Linda McMahon interrupted a press conference by House Democrats to give an impromptu statement after they met in a closed-door meeting.
1 month ago

'Made-up emergency': Democrats try to block Trump tariffs on Canada

President Donald Trump on Tuesday called on the Senate to keep the United States' tariffs on Canada in place.
1 month ago
President Donald Trump speaks to the press aboard Air Force One before arriving at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Fla., March 28, 2025.
1 month ago

How Cory Booker prepared for his 25-hour speech on the Senate floor

Cory Booker broke a record with his 25-hour Senate floor speech. How did he prepare to do it?
1 month ago
US Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) speaks to the press at the US Capitol in Washington, DC on April 1, 2025.
1 month ago

Rep. Pettersen says it was 'difficult' decision to bring infant son to House floor

Democratic Rep. Brittany Pettersen said the decision to bring her 9-week-old was "difficult" but illustrated the need to pass the petition.
1 month ago
Rep. Brittany Pettersen, with her son, speaks to ABC News Live.
1 month ago

Republicans and Democrats team up to defy House leadership on voting for new parents

The House voted to reject a rule that would have blocked Rep. Anna Paulina Luna's bipartisan discharge petition to allow proxy voting for new lawmaker parents.
1 month ago
In this Jan. 3, 2025, file photo, Speaker of the House Rep. Mike Johnson participates in a ceremonial swearing-in with Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, her husband Andrew Gamberzky and her son, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
1 month ago

Lawmaker mom on ‘difficult decision’ to hold infant son on House floor

Rep. Brittany Pettersen, D-Colo., held her 9-week-old son Sam while speaking in support of a resolution that would allow new parents to vote by proxy.
1 month ago
VIDEO: Lawmaker mom on ‘difficult decision’ to hold infant son on House floor
1 month ago

Sen. Cory Booker breaks Senate record with marathon 24-hour speech

New Jersey Democratic Sen. Cory Booker broke a record Tuesday evening, speaking for more than 24 hours protesting the national "crisis" he said President Donald Trump and Elon Musk had created.
1 month ago
New Jersey Democratic Sen. Cory Booker broke a record Tuesday evening, speaking for more than 24 hours protesting the national "crisis" he said President Donald Trump and Elon Musk had created.
1 month ago

Booker breaks Senate record with marathon 24-hour speech protesting Trump and Musk

New Jersey Democratic Sen. Cory Booker broke a record Tuesday evening, speaking for more than 24 hours in a marathon speech.
1 month ago
Sen. Cory Booker speaks on the Senate floor, March 31, 2025, in Washington, DC.
1 month ago

Republicans and Democrats team up to defy House leadership on voting for new parents

The House voted to reject a rule that would have blocked Rep. Anna Paulina Luna's bipartisan discharge petition to allow proxy voting for new lawmaker parents.
1 month ago
VIDEO: Republicans and Democrats team up to defy House leadership on voting for new parents
1 month ago

Rep. Luna: 'I don't play to lose' on proxy voting for new parents in Congress

House GOP leaders are expected to block Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna's petition to allow proxy voting for new lawmaker parents up to 12 weeks after giving birth.
1 month ago
House GOP leaders are expected to block Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna's petition to allow proxy voting for new lawmaker parents up to 12 weeks after giving birth.
1 month ago

Trump weighs in on House special election races as GOP fights to keep majority

Republicans have expressed concerns about maintaining their U.S. House majority.
1 month ago
Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis and Florida State Rep. Rep. Randy Fine.
1 month ago

NPR, PBS House hearing: Opening statements from House subcommittee

Republicans accuse NPR and PBS of bias at House hearing, while Democrats rebuke it as a partisan attack.
1 month ago
NPR, PBS House hearing: Opening statements from House subcommittee
1 month ago

Rep. Crockett defends 'Governor Hot Wheels' comments about Abbott amid censure threat

Rep. Jasmine Crockett is now claiming that her comments referring to Gov. Greg Abbott as "Governor Hot Wheels" were not about his disability but "his terrible policies."
1 month ago
Rep. Jasmine Crockett speaks onstage during Human Rights Campaign's 2025 Los Angeles Dinner at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 22, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
1 month ago

Speaker Johnson warns federal judiciary that Congress has power to stop funding

House Speaker Mike Johnson warns Congress has the power to stop funding federal courts amid high-stakes White House legal battles.
1 month ago
VIDEO: Speaker Johnson warns federal judiciary that Congress has power to stop court funding
1 month ago

Judicial orders against Trump ‘a dangerous trend’: Speaker Johnson

Speaker Mike Johnson issued an open threat to the federal judiciary, saying Congress has the authority to stop providing funding to federal courts.
1 month ago
Speaker Mike Johnson issued an open threat to the federal judiciary, saying Congress has the authority to stop providing funding to federal courts.