Politics

Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed a record $350 billion California budget that boosts spending on education and other programs; the plan does not allocate funds to repay the COVID-era federal unemployment loan principal, leaving employers responsible for related costs.

Video and images show Nebraska Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh removing panels from a PragerU Founders Museum exhibit at the state capitol; Cavanaugh told a local outlet she thought the posters in the hallway belonged to her office and stacked them inside and told state patrol. The exhibit, presented as part of the 250th anniversary programming, is reported to remain on display through the summer.

Legislative leaders said they will review state incentives given to Ford for the BlueOval SK project after Ford revised plans and reduced expected jobs; the company now plans to shift production and extend the timeline.

Nikita Casap pleaded guilty Jan. 8 to two counts of first-degree intentional homicide in the February 2025 deaths of his parents; a sentencing hearing is set for March 5.

The House fell short of the two-thirds majority Thursday needed to override President Trump's vetoes of two bipartisan bills: one to finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit water project and another involving Miccosukee Tribe land.

The House passed a three-year extension of enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits 230-196, with 17 Republicans joining Democrats, sending an $80 billion measure to the Senate; some Senate Republicans are instead negotiating a narrower, two-year compromise.

The Senate unanimously approved a resolution directing the Architect of the Capitol to display a plaque honoring officers who protected the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, after the House speaker declined to hang it; the plaque will be displayed in the Senate wing until a permanent location is set.

Governor Josh Shapiro's campaign reported more than $30 million cash on hand at the end of 2025 and said it raised over $10 million in the fourth quarter of 2025.

Queens Assemblywoman Claire Valdez announced she is running for New York's 7th Congressional District to replace Rep. Nydia Velázquez, and she will face Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso in the Democratic primary.

Rep. Steny Hoyer will not seek reelection and plans a formal retirement announcement on the House floor; he has represented Maryland in Congress since 1981 and served for many years in Democratic leadership.

Hope Walz said the family discussed and Governor Tim Walz decided not to seek re-election amid national criticism tied to a large fraud investigation that has prompted more than 90 charges.

The Senate voted 52-47 to advance a bipartisan war powers resolution that would bar the president from using military force in or against Venezuela without prior congressional approval. A full Senate vote is scheduled for next week.

The Justice Department filed lawsuits against Arizona and Connecticut after the states declined to provide full voter registration lists; Arizona's secretary of state says officials have responded to DOJ requests and will defend privacy laws in court.

Gov. Ron DeSantis has scheduled a special legislative session for April 20–24 to consider redrawing Florida's congressional map; the dates follow the regular session and may conflict with the April 24 candidate filing deadline.

California is reported to be facing an $18 billion budget shortfall that officials say could grow in coming years amid years of higher spending, reduced federal funding and weaker revenues; Governor Gavin Newsom will present a plan to address the gap in a planned major speech.

The Department of Justice is sending additional federal prosecutors to Minnesota to assist the U.S. attorney’s office in investigations of alleged fraud and misuse of federal welfare funds. A House Oversight Committee is holding hearings that have focused largely on the Somali community.

Allies and polls say many MAGA supporters back the U.S. raid that captured Nicolás Maduro; Maduro was transferred to U.S. authorities on drug‑trafficking charges.

Republican senators at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing pressed for impeachment of Judges James Boasberg and Deborah Boardman; articles naming both judges have been introduced in the House, and no impeachment votes have yet been held.

Georgia Senate Republicans backed a proposal to phase out the state's personal income tax by 2032, and the tax is projected to raise about $16.5 billion this year, roughly 44% of Georgia's general revenue.

Bureau of Labor Statistics data show Maryland lost 25,000 federal jobs in 2025, including more than 10,000 jobs in October and November tied to a federal buyout program.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said the state is considering filing state charges against Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro after Maduro was taken into U.S. custody and transferred to New York for federal prosecution.

The article reports that in 2017 Delcy Rodríguez, then Venezuela's foreign minister, directed a $500,000 Citgo donation to Donald Trump's inauguration and pursued contacts with U.S. politicians and businesses; those efforts raised her profile and helped pave the way for her later political ascent.

Gov. Brian Kemp set a special congressional election for March 10 to fill the remainder of Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene's term after her resignation; candidates must qualify by Jan. 14.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said the state attorney general is considering bringing state criminal charges against Nicolás Maduro; Maduro is already indicted in the Southern District of New York and is detained in Brooklyn.

The opinion links reported welfare fraud in Minnesota, which the piece says led Governor Tim Walz to announce he would not seek re-election, to potential political challenges for the Democratic Party.

The United States backed a coalition's pledge of binding security guarantees for Ukraine at a Paris summit, and leaders said allies would join a proposed U.S.-led ceasefire monitoring and verification plan.

Brian Cole Jr. was federally indicted on charges tied to explosive devices placed near the Republican and Democratic National Committee headquarters on Jan. 5, 2021; he was arrested in December 2025 and is being held pending trial.

Republican leaders have largely declined to limit President Trump's authority after an operation targeting Venezuela's leader, and Senate Democrats are pressing a war powers resolution that could come to a vote this week.

Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner joined European leaders and President Zelensky in Paris to sign a five-point statement on security guarantees for Ukraine, including a US-led ceasefire monitoring and verification mechanism and pledges of long-term military assistance.

Rep. Jasmine Crockett criticized the Supreme Court after it kept Texas' new congressional maps in place; those maps are expected to add up to five GOP House seats. Undetermined at this time.