Indiana lawmakers reject new congressional map; Senate fails to pass health care bills
This version of Trump Administration Live Updates Senate Health Care Redistricting Rcna247875 - Politics and Government | NBC News Clone was adapted by NBC News Clone to help readers digest key facts more efficiently.
Two opposing health care bills failed to get 60 votes and advance ahead of a Dec. 31 deadline to avoid Affordable Care Act marketplace premium hikes.
Highlights from Dec. 11, 2025
- INDIANA REDISTRICTING VOTE: Indiana state senators rejected a Republican-drawn congressional map that would have eradicated the state’s two Democratic-held districts. President Donald Trump had championed the legislation and threatened to support challengers to any Republican who voted against it.
- LETITIA JAMES: A federal grand jury in Virginia did not indict New York Attorney General Letitia James, according to a federal law enforcement source and another person familiar with the matter. It was the Justice Department's third try to indict James following pressure from Trump.
- HEALTH CARE VOTES: The Senate failed to pass two partisan health care bills ahead of a key Dec. 31 deadline to avoid steep insurance premium increases for millions of people.
- OIL TANKER SEIZED: White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the U.S. plans to seize oil aboard the tanker that was seized off Venezuela this week. The seizure is the latest escalation as the U.S. has built up a military presence in the region.
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Republican-led House votes to overturn Trump executive order on bargaining rights
The House today approved a measure to reinstate collective bargaining rights to federal workers, a step toward restoring labor union protections for nearly 1 million federal employees.
The rare bipartisan vote, 231-195, marks the first time the House has voted to nullify an executive order from Trump this term.
Twenty Republicans voted with Democrats in supporting the bill, which was introduced by Reps. Jared Golden of Maine, a Democrat, and Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, a Republican. The bill now heads to the Senate.
“This is solidarity in action. I’m proud of the bipartisan coalition who passed this bill,” Golden wrote on X.
Trump says Republicans and Democrats 'can work on health care together'
In a rare moment of bipartisanship appreciation, Trump said tonight at the Congressional Ball that Republicans and Democrats can work together on health care.
"I really believe we can work on health care together and come up with something that's going to be much better, much less expensive for the people, less expensive for our nation," Trump said. "But really, most importantly, better and less expensive for the people."
Earlier in the day, the Senate rejected health care bills even though premiums are set to increase in January.
Trump went on to say that "sometimes we don’t work together, but we come up with great ideas together, and that is true."
"So tonight, we’re going to set aside all political differences. We’re not going to criticize each other. We’re going to love each other. And we’re going to come together, not as Democrats and Republicans, but as fellow Americans, to give thanks for this nation, which is so great indeed," he said.
Trump says he's pardoning election-denying former Colorado county clerk Tina Peters
Trump said on social media tonight that he is pardoning Tina Peters, a former Colorado county clerk who promoted false claims about the 2020 election and was convicted on state charges in connection with a security breach of Mesa County’s voting system.
"Democrats have been relentless in their targeting of TINA PETERS, a Patriot who simply wanted to make sure that our Elections were Fair and Honest," Trump wrote on Truth Social.
"Tina is sitting in a Colorado prison for the 'crime' of demanding Honest Elections. Today I am granting Tina a full Pardon for her attempts to expose Voter Fraud in the Rigged 2020 Presidential Election!" he added.
The pardon is largely symbolic, since Peters was convicted of state crimes, which are not shielded by presidential pardon power.
Peters was convicted last year of four felony and three misdemeanor charges in connection with the breach. She was sentenced to nine years in prison.
The Associated Press reported Monday that a federal judge turned down Peters' request to leave prison while she appeals her conviction.
In a statement tonight, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser said, “The idea that a president could pardon someone tried and convicted in state court has no precedent in American law, would be an outrageous departure from what our constitution requires, and will not hold up.”
Trump last month offered similarly symbolic pardons to his former attorney Rudy Giuliani and 76 other people who have been tied to efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results, including attorneys Sidney Powell, John Eastman and Kenneth Chesebro, as well as his former chief of staff Mark Meadows.
Trump says 'we'll see' about attending Europe meeting on Russia-Ukraine war this week
Trump declined to say definitively this evening whether he will travel to Europe this weekend for a meeting to discuss the Russia-Ukraine war.
"Well, there's a meeting on Saturday. We'll see whether or not we attend the meeting," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.
"They want me to attend. They want us to attend. And we'll be attending the meeting on Saturday in Europe if we think there's a good chance, and we don't want to waste a lot of time. We think it's negative. We, you know, we, we want it to get settled," he added.
During a roundtable with business leaders yesterday, Trump said he could be headed to the meeting, but he similarly said a final decision had not been made and "we don’t want to be wasting time."
Trump signs executive order seeking to ban states from regulating AI companies
Trump signed an executive order this evening that seeks to limit states' ability to regulate artificial intelligence and prevent the enforcement of existing state laws.
AI companies “want to be in the United States, and they want to do it here, and we have big investment coming. But if they had to get 50 different approvals from 50 different states, you could forget it,” Trump said at a signing ceremony in the Oval Office, flanked by Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and other key White House officials.
The order comes on the heels of a failed push to enact similar policy in Congress in late November, which followed a similar unsuccessful attempt in July. House Republicans recently tried to include a provision in the must-pass National Defense Authorization Act asserting that only the federal government could legislate AI; the effort faced backlash, and the language was eventually removed.
W.Va. governor gives 'hopeful news' on shot National Guardsman
West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey offered some "hopeful news" today about Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, the National Guard member who was shot in the head during a deadly attack last month near the White House.
Morrisey said Melody Wolfe, the guardsman’s mother, told him that her son is “smiling and he’s moving more of his right side, even sitting in a chair for a few hours.”
“It’s been reported that his communication’s improving, although not verbally, which is an important sign for his progress,” Morrissey said. “I know that Andy’s parents are optimistic, but we want to note that there’s an intense rehabilitation period ahead.”
He said Wolfe's parents had asked him to "please ask for more prayers. And that’s what we’re going to do again today. They’re working, and I think Mom and Dad are grateful for the support that so many West Virginians have shown during this difficult time."
Wolfe was shot and Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, 20, was killed in a targeted shooting the day before Thanksgiving. An Afghan national, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, has been charged and has pleaded not guilty.
House speaker calls Indiana Senate vote 'disappointing'
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., called the Indiana Senate's vote against a new Republican-drawn congressional map "disappointing" but said he remains optimistic about his party's chances to boost its majority in next year's midterms.
"As I’ve said all along, whatever the maps are presented by every state, I have to win those, and we will," Johnson told reporters.
"I’m very, very bullish about the midterms. I know that we are going to win and grow this majority because they have a great record to run on. We have better candidates, better message, and we have a lot to show the people, so we’ll continue our momentum," he added.
Federal Reserve reappoints all regional bank presidents after Trump officials float changes to the process
The board of the Federal Reserve System said today that it had reappointed all regional Fed bank presidents, just days after the Trump administration began suggesting that it wanted to make major changes to the reappointment process.
Regional bank presidents in the Fed’s 12 districts across the country wield nearly as much influence over interest rates as the seven permanent, Senate-confirmed Fed governors do.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Dec. 3 that he planned to propose a new rule related to appointing regional Fed presidents.
Senators ask AI companies to commit to safety disclosures, citing teen suicides
A bipartisan group of senators is calling on leaders in the artificial intelligence industry to commit to publicly disclose more information about how the industry thinks about risk, including possible harms to children.
The group, led by Sens. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, and Katie Britt, R-Ala., sent letters today to eight tech companies that are working on leading-edge AI models. The senators wrote that companies have been inconsistent in their transparency practices, including how much information they publicly disclose and when.
“In the past few years, reports have emerged about chatbots that have engaged in suicidal fantasies with children, drafted suicide notes, and provided specific instructions on self-harm,” the senators wrote.
“These incidents have exposed how companies can fail to adequately evaluate models for possible use cases and inadequately disclose known risks associated with chatbot use,” they wrote.
The letters are a sign of the stepped-up scrutiny AI is getting in Congress, especially in the wake of teen suicides that families have blamed partly on AI chatbots. Two senators introduced legislation in October to ban companies from offering AI chatbots to minors entirely, and there was bipartisan backlash last month after the industry sought federal help to pre-empt state efforts to regulate AI.
Indiana Senate rejects GOP-drawn congressional map in a major rebuke of Trump
The Indiana Senate voted against a new Republican-drawn congressional map today, rejecting a bid led by Trump to boost the party in next year’s midterm elections.
The vote was a rare and stunning instance of elected Republicans rebuking Trump, who had pressured Indiana lawmakers for months to pass new district lines. The GOP leaders of the state Senate had long resisted joining the unusual mid-decade redistricting battle playing out across the country, saying there wasn’t enough support in the chamber for a new map that was designed to dismantle the state’s two Democratic-controlled districts.
They ultimately agreed to hold a vote to settle the issue, as Trump and national Republicans pledged to back primary challengers to those who opposed the map and as a growing number of Indiana lawmakers faced violent threats and harassment.
But even after the state House approved the new map last week, it failed in the Senate by a vote of 31-19.
Speaker Johnson previews votes on health care passage next week
Going into votes today, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., reiterated his intention to bring a package of legislation to the floor next week to “bring down the cost of health care.”
Later in the day, leaving votes, he told reporters he thinks health care will be handled in “one vote” next week.
Asked when he'd unveil the GOP's health care plan, he said, “Probably this weekend,” adding, “I think everybody knows what we’re going to do.”
Earlier today, the Senate failed to pass two health care bills on the floor. One was backed by Republicans, and the other was backed by Democrats; neither gained enough votes to overcome the 60-vote threshold for passage.
Former Maryland Rep. David Trone launches bid for his old House seat
Maryland Democrat David Trone wants his old House seat back.
Trone, the founder of Total Wine & More, who unsuccessfully ran for the Senate in 2024, said today that he is running for the House again, pitting him in a fierce primary against Rep. April McClain Delaney, D-Md.
She had succeeded Trone, who in turn had succeeded Delaney’s husband, former Rep. John Delaney, D-Md., after his failed bid for president in 2020.
Trone’s entry into the race sets up a battle between two of Maryland’s wealthiest families. Trone spent more than $60 million of his own money in his failed Senate bid.
He launched his latest campaign in a video on social media today, portraying himself as a bulwark for democracy and someone who has fought Trump in the past. He said he twice voted to impeach Trump during his first term.
“Totalitarianism isn’t announced. It comes insidiously, act by act. And if we’re not speaking out, we’re giving in. I’ve seen far too much of that lately. I can’t just sit by,” Trone said.
“We can’t have any Democrats in Congress voting with Trump. We need to be fighting against him with every damn thing we’ve got,” he said. “Democracy isn’t a right; sometimes it has to be fought for. So if you’re listening, President Trump, this is not an announcement video, it’s a battle cry.”
In a video of her own, Delaney slammed Trone, saying he “abandoned” the district in his failed Senate bid and “has the arrogance of Trump.” She noted she has the endorsements of Democratic Gov. Wes Moore and her Democratic colleagues in the Maryland congressional delegation.
Asked today about Trone’s having spent $60 million on his Senate bid and potentially spending millions to unseat her, Delaney replied: "Obviously, money is not the only thing it takes to win elections. It's also the candidate and the narrative."
"And it's really interesting that he always goes after a woman, Aruna Miller, Kathleen Matthews, Angela Alsobrooks," Delaney said in a brief interview, rattling off female candidates he ran against in past primaries.
"I heard from people he said I should 'stand down,'" she said. "I believe it's the narrative and people see when you work for the constituents, and you do it with heart."
The primary is June 23.
With Obamacare premium hikes, more people opting for no coverage or cheaper plans
More people appear to be walking away from Affordable Care Act coverage or switching to cheaper plans for 2026 compared with this time last year, according to early enrollment data from several states.
State health officials in New York, Pennsylvania, Idaho, Colorado and California shared numbers from the first month of ACA open enrollment, which began Nov. 1 and runs through Jan. 15 in most states. Idaho opened two weeks earlier.
Speaker Johnson on upcoming redistricting vote in Indiana: 'We're going to win regardless'
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., today was dismissive of concerns that Indiana lawmakers, who are set to vote on new maps that are more favorable to their party today, could reject the GOP-led redistricting push and make winning the midterms harder for Republicans.
"The truth is I’ve got to deal with whatever maps are finally presented in each state, and we’re going to win regardless. We’ve got a better record to run on, better candidates," Johnson told reporters.
He added: "We’re excited about that, and we look forward to taking a message with the people. So we’ll see how it shakes out either way."
So far, two states have redrawn congressional district lines on a partisan basis this year: California, which added districts favorable to Democrats, and Texas, which added districts favorable to Republicans. A handful of other states, including Virginia, Florida and Ohio, have also explored redrawing maps on a partisan basis ahead of next year's midterm elections.
Justice Department fails in its third attempt to indict New York Attorney General Letitia James
A federal grand jury in Alexandria, Virginia, refused to indict New York Attorney General Letitia James today, a federal law enforcement source and another person familiar with the matter told NBC News.
It was the Justice Department’s third attempt to indict James after a monthslong pressure campaign from Trump.
A federal judge last month dismissed mortgage-related charges the Justice Department brought against James, as well as separate, unrelated charges against former FBI Director James Comey, ruling that the prosecutor in both cases was unlawfully appointed. Trump appointed the prosecutor, his former lawyer Lindsey Halligan, as interim U.S. attorney for the District of Virginia.
The Justice Department also tried and failed last week to secure a new indictment against James in Norfolk, Virginia.
House tables Democratic Rep. Al Green's resolution to impeach Trump
The House this afternoon tabled a resolution from Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, to impeach Trump.
Lawmakers tabled it in a 237-140 vote, with 47 Democrats voting present. Voting present does not register a yes or no vote; lawmakers choose present to show that they were in the chamber for the vote.
Ahead of the vote, House Democratic leaders said in a statement, “Impeachment is a sacred constitutional vehicle designed to hold a corrupt executive accountable for abuse of power, breaking the law and violating the public trust.”
The leaders — Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark of Massachusetts and Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar of California — said impeachment “traditionally requires a comprehensive investigative process,” which has not happened because “the Republican majority focused solely on rubber stamping Donald Trump’s extreme agenda.”
Trump was impeached twice during his first term as president, first in 2019 over his efforts to pressure Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden and again in 2021 over his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.
White House defends U.S. seizure of oil tanker near Venezuela
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt today defended the U.S. seizure of an oil tanker near Venezuela yesterday, arguing that the administration is "focused on doing many things in the Western Hemisphere."
She was responding to a question about whether the administration's operations in the region are focused on drugs or oil.
Leavitt said two things that are "very important" to the administration are "stopping the flow of illegal drugs into the United States of America" and "effectuating this administration’s sanction policy."
"That’s what you saw, the world saw, take place yesterday," Leavitt said.
Asked whether Trump would try to use the seized oil from the tanker to help Americans struggling with affordability, Leavitt said the vessel is "currently undergoing a forfeiture process."
"Right now, the United States currently has a full investigative team on the ground on the vessel, and individuals on board the vessel are being interviewed, and any relevant evidence is being seized," she said. "With respect to the oil ... the vessel will go to a U.S. port, and the United States does intend to seize the oil. However, there is a legal process for the seizure of that oil, and that legal process will be followed."
White House criticizes judge's decision to order immediate release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt responded to a judge ordering Kilmar Abrego Garcia to be immediately released, saying that the White House "opposed this activism from a judge."
She reiterated accusations of criminal activity, and she pointed to the Department of Homeland Security saying it would continue fighting in court.
Democratic proposal to extend Obamacare subsidies for 3 years fails to advance in Senate vote
Senate Democrats' proposal to extend Obamacare subsidies for three years failed to advance in a floor vote today.
The 51-48 vote comes just a few weeks before the tax credits are set to expire at the end of the year. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, Susan Collins, R-Maine, Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, and Josh Hawley, R-Mo., voted with Democrats despite also voting to proceed with the GOP bill, too.
"There’s a crisis, a huge crisis that will hit us Jan. 1," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said in an interview this morning on MS NOW's "Morning Joe."
"Millions and millions will just lose their health care coverage altogether. Tens of millions more will have much worse coverage and have to switch their plans, switch doctors, pay higher deductibles, higher copayments, not even be able to get the cures and the drugs they need," he added.
Meanwhile, every House Democrat has signed a “discharge petition” to force a vote on the same bill in the lower chamber, but it needs GOP signatures in order to receive a floor vote. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., has introduced a discharge petition as well to try to force a floor vote on extending the subsidies for two years, which only several Democrats and Republicans have signed.
Senate GOP health care plan fails to advance in floor vote
A health care proposal offered by Senate Republicans failed to advance in a 51-48 floor vote today as Congress faces pressure to extend the Obamacare tax credits before they expire this year.
No Democrats voted in favor of the bill, and Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., was the only Republican to vote no. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., didn't vote.
The measure that failed was sponsored by Sens. Bill Cassidy, R-La., and Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, and it would allow the Obamacare tax credits to expire and instead approve new funds to boost health savings accounts, or HSAs. It would also create the option for more people to buy those low-premium plans with less coverage and higher out-of-pocket costs, among other things.
The pair of senators said in a press release that "these pre-funded, patient-driven accounts will help Americans pay for the out-of-pocket costs that are making healthcare unaffordable.”
Ahead of the GOP vote, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., dismissed the plan as "junk insurance."
Noem concludes testimony before House committee
Noem has concluded her testimony to go to another commitment. This was expected, and Chairman Andrew Garbarino said near the start of the hearing that one of the witnesses had limited time.
Joe Kent, the director of the National Counterterrorism Center, and Michael Glasheen, the operations director for the FBI’s national security branch, are continuing to testify before lawmakers.
Yelling could be heard on a livestream as Noem left the hearing room.
Noem says tanker takeover 'was a successful operation'
Noem said that the Trump administration's operation to seize an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela was led by the Coast Guard and in partnership with the Defense Department, the Justice Department and the FBI.
"It was a successful operation directed by the president to ensure that we’re pushing back on a regime that is systematically covering and flooding our country with deadly drugs and killing our next generation of Americans," she said.
It comes as the U.S. has repeatedly struck alleged drug boats in international waters as Trump continues slamming Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The administration has not provided evidence for its claims about the boats.
Rep. Seth Magaziner confronts Noem on deporting military veterans
Rep. Seth Magaziner, D-R.I., confronted Noem with a military veteran he said that the administration deported this year.
"Madam secretary, how many United States military veterans have you deported?" Magaziner asked.
"Sir, we have not deported U.S. citizens or military veterans," Noem said.
Magaziner gestured to an iPad held by an aide moments later, saying a U.S. military veteran had joined via Zoom.
"He is a United States combat Army veteran who was shot twice while serving our country in Panama in 1989," Magaziner said, adding that the veteran was arrested later for "minor drug offenses" and has been sober for 14 years.
Magaziner said that the Trump administration deported Magaziner to South Korea this year, despite the veteran not living in the country since he was 7 years old.
Asked if she would thank the veteran for his service, Noem said, "Sir, I'm grateful for every single person that has served our country and follows our laws and knows that our laws are important and every one of them needs to be enforced."
Asked later whether she would commit to looking at the veteran's case and a potential pathway back to the U.S., she said she would look at the case.
MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell announces a campaign for Minnesota governor
MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, a longtime backer of Trump who spread debunked conspiracy theories about the 2020 presidential election, announced today that he’ll run for governor in Minnesota next year.
“Those who know me know I’m up to the task,” Lindell said during a speech delivered on his eponymous platform this morning.
Lindell has for weeks hinted that he could jump into the race soon, telling the Minnesota Star Tribune last week when he filed campaign paperwork that he would make a final decision by today.
Venezuelan oil tanker that was seized by U.S. identified as the Skipper
A federal law enforcement official confirms to NBC News that the large oil tanker seized by U.S. forces off the coast of Venezuela yesterday is the Skipper.
Below are two pictures of the boat taken in November that were provided by Tankertrackers.com.
Tankertrackers.com
Tankertrackers.com
Republicans push back on Rep. Bennie Thompson calling shooting of National Guard troops 'unfortunate accident'
Rep. Bennie Thompson, the top Democrat on the House Homeland Security Committee, referenced the shooting of two National Guard troops in D.C. as an "unfortunate accident," prompting blowback from Noem.
"You think that was an unfortunate accident?" Noem cut in. "It was a terrorist attack."
Thompson continued, saying, "I'll get it straight," adding moments later that the shooting was an "unfortunate situation."
After Thompson's questioning period ended, another Republican congressman chimed in.
"That was a murder that took place in D.C.," Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., said. "That was not an unfortunate incident, and those comments are f---ing disrespectful."
Rep. Bennie Thompson calls on Noem to resign 'if President Trump doesn't fire you first
Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., used his opening remarks in the House Homeland Security Committee hearing to call on Noem to resign.
“So rather than sitting here and wasting your time and ours more, with more corruption, lies and lawlessness, I call on you to resign," said Thompson, the top Democrat on the committee. "Do a real service to the country and just resign. That is, if President Trump doesn’t fire you first."
Protesters confront Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem at hearing, sing 'Darth Vader's Theme'
Protesters could be heard on a livestream video confronting Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem ahead of the hearing. They sang "The Imperial March" from the "Star Wars" franchise.
The House Homeland Security Committee hearing has just begun.
The lawmakers are set to question Noem, along with the director of the National Counterterrorism Center and the operations director of the FBI's national security branch. The hearing was branded as centering on "worldwide threats to the homeland."
Progressive groups unite behind latest challenger as primaries against House Democrats spread
Durham County Commissioner Nida Allam is launching a Democratic primary challenge against Rep. Valerie Foushee of North Carolina with a slew of national progressive endorsements — the latest sign that the effort on the left to defeat sitting Democrats is more energized and organized than ever before.
“At a certain point, we as a Democratic Party, and our leadership — we need to look at the urgency of what our residents are living with every single day. They can’t wait for relief. They can’t wait for three years for new leadership to fight for them. They need a champion now,” Allam told NBC News ahead of today's campaign launch.
Allam is one of several challengers who have launched campaigns against House Democrats they believe are falling short in the fight against Trump’s administration. But Allam said she is the first to launch her campaign with a particular set of endorsements, from the groups Justice Democrats, Leaders We Deserve, the Working Families Party and the Sunrise Movement, as well as Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.
These groups and figures have endorsed a number of different candidates across the country ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. But the races where those efforts overlap highlight how the anti-incumbent movement has evolved into a broader, and bigger, effort to reshape the Democratic Party.
Justice Democrats, Leaders We Deserve and Sanders have also all backed state Rep. Donavan McKinney against Michigan Democratic Rep. Shri Thanedar. Sanders and the Working Families Party backed New York City Comptroller Brad Lander yesterday as he launched his campaign against Democratic Rep. Dan Goldman.
Indiana Senate to vote on Trump-backed congressional map despite GOP resistance
Indiana state senators will decide the fate of a Republican-drawn congressional map yesterday, settling a divisive, monthslong clash between GOP lawmakers who have resisted the redistricting push and Trump, who has urged them to forge ahead.
The proposed map, which the state House passed last week, would dismantle Indiana’s two Democratic-held districts, the latest front in Trump’s national campaign to shore up the GOP’s slim House majority in next year’s midterm elections.
Republicans in Texas, North Carolina and Missouri have answered Trump’s call, passing new maps designed to net the party additional seats, but Indiana lawmakers were hesitant to join the unusual mid-decade redistricting fight for months. Republican leaders in the state Senate have said repeatedly there aren’t enough votes in the chamber to pass the legislation, despite public and private entreaties from the White House.
Trump, Vice President JD Vance and other national Republicans have been pressuring lawmakers in the state through phone calls, in-person visits in Indiana and Washington and social media posts, threatening to back primary challengers to those who oppose the map.
Trump directs his frustration at Ukraine and Europe as peace talks stall again
Trump says he doesn’t want to waste time in talks to end the war in Ukraine.
His growing frustration appears to be aimed not at the Kremlin, but at Kyiv and its backers in Europe, who today faced a deepening rift with the United States at a decisive moment.
As those longtime U.S. allies struggled to balance the mounting pressure from Washington with their reluctance to give in to Russia’s hard-line demands, Trump signaled that his patience was running thin.
“They would like us to go to a meeting over the weekend in Europe, and we’ll make a determination, depending on what they come back with. We don’t want to be wasting time,” he said.
Trump expected to speak with Thailand and Cambodia as border fighting threatens ceasefire
Fighting between Thailand and Cambodia entered its fourth day today as both sides waited for a promised telephone call from Trump, who says he believes he can again end the conflict between the two Southeast Asian nations.
Clashes yesterday at more than a dozen locations along the 500-mile Thai-Cambodian border saw some of the most intense fighting since a five-day battle in July, which was their worst conflict in recent history.
In July, Trump stopped the fighting with calls to both leaders in which he threatened to halt trade talks unless they ended the conflict. Trump says he expects to speak with the countries’ leaders today.
“I think I can get them to stop fighting,” Trump told reporters yesterday. “I think I’m scheduled to speak to them tomorrow.”
Rep. Dan Goldman responds to Brad Lander primary challenge
Rep. Dan Goldman, D-N.Y., responded to outgoing NYC Comptroller Brad Lander launching a primary bid, saying he welcomed Lander to the race and wasn't "really thinking about this right now."
"I'm really laser-focused on the work we're doing right now, and politics will have to wait 'til 2026," he said in an interview with PIX11 News, pointing to his work addressing health care and immigration issues.
Lander touted an endorsement from New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani and bashed Goldman for not supporting Mamdani's campaign in an earlier PIX11 News interview.
Asked whether he regrets not supporting Mamdani, Goldman said he made his "feelings clear about why I did not endorse Zohran," adding that he stayed out of the race and that he supports the New York City mayor-elect's affordability agenda.
Senate Republicans plan vote on a health care alternative as ACA funds look likely to expire
As the U.S. careens to a health care cliff, Senate Republicans say they’ll offer a bill written by two key committee chairs as an alternative to extending billions of dollars in Affordable Care Act funds that are expiring this month.
Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said the Senate will vote on a bill by Senate Finance Chair Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, and Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Chair Bill Cassidy, R-La., “side-by-side” to Democratic legislation that would extend the enhanced ACA funds for three years, preventing sharp premium increases.
He stopped short of promising that all 53 Republicans would back the Republican bill, but it is almost certain to fail either way, as it would take 60 votes to advance.
“Our members — and I can’t say 100%, but I think for the most part, I would argue — are united behind the Crapo-Cassidy proposal,” Thune told reporters Tuesday after a Senate Republican lunch meeting in which they discussed what to do.
