Stories tagged: "congress"


Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., listens to the fifth round of votes in the House chamber as the House meets for a second day to elect a speaker and convene the 118th Congress in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Republicans Repeatedly Failed to Elect a New House Speaker. Here’s What That Means and Why It Matters

The new Republican-controlled House has thus far failed six separate times to elect a House Speaker—the first time such a debacle has occurred since 1923. Until the new Congress elects a speaker, the House cannot assign members to committees, introduce or vote on legislation, help constituents, or even swear in members.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., walks to the chamber for final votes as the House wraps up its work for the week, at the Capitol in Washington, Friday, Dec. 2, 2022. McCarthy is seeking enough GOP backing to become Democrat Nancy Pelosi's successor when Republicans take control of the House in the new Congress. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
House Republicans’ Agenda Focuses on Social Security Cuts and Sham Investigations—Not Working Families

Between Republicans’ economic agenda, spurious investigations, and threatened impeachments, the House is looking at a busy but unproductive year.

10 Years Later: What Has & Hasn’t Changed in the Decade Since Sandy Hook

We've heard it again and again: If we weren't able to pass gun reform after Sandy Hook, nothing will ever change. While school shootings haven't stopped, or even slowed, in the decade since Sandy Hook, progress has been made.

FILE - The House select committee tasked with investigating the January 6th attack on the Capitol meets to hold one of former President Donald Trump's allies in contempt, former strategist Steve Bannon, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Oct. 19, 2021. From left to right, Rep. Stephanie Murphy, D-Fla., Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., Chairman Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., Vice Chair Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill., Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., and Rep. Elaine Luria, D-Va. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)
FULL TRANSCRIPT: Here’s what was said at the first Jan. 6 Committee hearing

On June 9, 2022, the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol held the first in a series of public hearings.

Congressional leadership including Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi of Calif., Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, arrive to watch the flag-draped casket of the late Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., as is carried by a joint services military honor guard from Capitol Hill, Wednesday, July 29, 2020, in Washington. (Brendan Smialowski/Pool via AP)
Congress Is ‘Nowhere Near’ a Deal as Unemployment Benefits Expire

While the Senate takes a three-day weekend, 20 million Americans who relied on that financial lifeline will not see their benefits renew after midnight.

A new report says 20% of North Carolinians with children report not having enough food to eat. (Image via Shutterstock)
20% of NC Families With Children Say They Can’t Afford Enough Food Right Now

Researchers say millions in NC and across the US are in dire financial straits as federal lawmakers debate another round of coronavirus relief.