WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump's pick for attorney general, Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, was once embroiled in a sex trafficking investigation by the Justice Department he's been tapped to lead, and has been under scrutiny by the House Ethics Committee over allegations including sexual misconduct.

2. Trump issues early challenge to GOP Senate with defiant nominations - Friday, November 15, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — Just hours after Republican Sen. John Thune was elected as the incoming Senate majority leader on Wednesday, President-elect Donald Trump presented him with one of his first tests — an announcement that he intends to nominate controversial Rep. Matt Gaetz as attorney general.

3. Speaker Mike Johnson says Republicans are 'ready to deliver' on Trump's agenda - Friday, November 8, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Mike Johnson said Tuesday that Republicans are "ready to deliver" President-elect Donald Trump's agenda after his election victory, insisting the GOP won't make the mistakes of last time and will be much better prepared for a second-term Trump White House

4. Congress returns to unfinished business and a new Trump era - Friday, November 8, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress returns to a changed Washington as President-elect Donald Trump's hard-right agenda is quickly taking shape, buoyed by eager Republican allies eyeing a full sweep of power on Capitol Hill while Democrats are sorting out what went wrong.

5. GOP picks up more key House seats while Democrats insist they still have a path to a majority - Friday, November 8, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican leaders projected confidence Thursday that they will keep control of the U.S. House as more races were decided in their favor, while Democrats insisted they still see a path toward the majority and sought assurances every vote will be counted.

6. GOP picks up more key House seats while Democrats insist they still have a path to a majority - Friday, November 8, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican leaders projected confidence Thursday that they will keep control of the U.S. House as more races were decided in their favor, while Democrats insisted they still see a path toward the majority and sought assurances every vote will be counted.

7. Republicans take Senate majority and eye unified power with Trump - Friday, November 1, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans have taken control of the U.S. Senate and are fighting to keep their majority in the U.S. House, which would produce a full sweep of GOP power in Congress alongside President-elect Donald Trump in the White House.

8. Control of Congress is at stake and with it a president's agenda - Friday, November 1, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — Control of Congress is at stake Tuesday, with ever-tight races for the House and Senate that will determine which party holds the majority and the power to boost or block a president's agenda, or if the White House confronts a divided Capitol Hill.

9. Who will replace Mitch McConnell as Senate GOP leader? It remains deeply uncertain - Friday, November 1, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans vying to replace longtime leader Mitch McConnell have been crossing the country to campaign and fundraise for colleagues, making their final arguments before a consequential ballot the week after the presidential election. But their pitches are mostly behind closed doors, and most GOP senators won't yet say which lawmaker they are backing.

10. 'Obamacare' enrollment opens as Republicans threaten the health insurance program used by millions - Friday, November 1, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans can start signing up Friday for health care coverage offered through the Affordable Care Act marketplace for 2025, days before a presidential election that could threaten eligibility and raise costs for millions of those in the program.

11. Trump tells supporters to 'just vote' at Georgia rally organized by Charlie Kirk - Friday, October 25, 2024

DULUTH, Ga. (AP) — Donald Trump implored supporters at a Georgia rally to vote for him — with an early ballot or in-person on Election Day — in a state that will be crucial in the presidential election.

12. The US could see shortages and higher retail prices if a dockworkers strike drags on - Friday, September 27, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. ports from Maine to Texas shut down Tuesday when the union representing about 45,000 dockworkers went on strike for the first time since 1977.

A lengthy shutdown could raise prices on goods around the country and potentially cause shortages and price increases at big and small retailers alike as the holiday shopping season — along with a tight presidential election — approaches.

13. US port strike by 45,000 dockworkers is all but certain to begin at midnight - Friday, September 27, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — The union representing U.S. dockworkers has signaled that 45,000 of its members will walk off the job at midnight, kicking off a strike likely to shut down ports across the East and Gulf coasts.

14. Trump slams US response to Helene, even as supporters urge cutbacks to federal disaster agencies - Friday, September 27, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President Donald Trump criticized the Biden administration's response to the widespread devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, even as his supporters call for cuts to federal agencies that warn of weather disasters and deliver relief to hard-hit communities.

15. After a chaotic Congress, lawmakers head home to ask voters: How about another term? - Friday, September 27, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress is off for the campaign season, as lawmakers from one of the most chaotic and unproductive legislative sessions in modern times try to persuade voters to keep them on the job.

16. A dockworkers strike could shut down East and Gulf ports. Will it affect holiday shopping? - Friday, September 27, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. ports from Maine to Texas could shut down Tuesday if a union representing about 45,000 dockworkers carries through with a threatened strike.

A lengthy shutdown could raise prices on goods around the country and potentially cause shortages and price increases at big and small retailers alike as the holiday shopping season — along with a tight presidential election — approaches.

17. Republicans are trying a new approach to abortion in the race for Congress - Friday, September 20, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — In the most contested races for control of the U.S. House, many Republican candidates are speaking up about women's rights to abortion access and reproductive care in new and surprising ways, a deliberate shift for a GOP blindsided by some political ramifications of the post-Roe v. Wade era.

18. In fiery speech to Congress, Netanyahu vows 'total victory' in Gaza and denounces US protesters - Friday, July 26, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged in a scathing speech to Congress on Wednesday to achieve "total victory" against Hamas and denounced American opponents of the war in Gaza as "idiots," taking a combative stance in a visit the Biden administration has hoped will yield progress in negotiations to end the fighting.

19. Netanyahu seeks support for Gaza war in address to Congress that sparks large protests and boycotts - Friday, July 19, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sought to bolster U.S. support for his country's fight against Hamas and other Iran-backed armed groups in a speech to Congress Wednesday that sparked boycotts by some top Democrats and drew thousands of protesters to the Capitol to condemn the war in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis it has created.

20. Republican leaders urge colleagues to steer clear of racist and sexist attacks on Harris - Friday, July 19, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican leaders are warning party members against using overtly racist and sexist attacks against Vice President Kamala Harris, as they and former President Donald Trump's campaign scramble to adjust to the reality of a new Democratic rival less than four months before Election Day.

21. Harris gets a chance to press reset on the 2024 race against Trump - Friday, July 19, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — For the past year, the presidential campaign seemed destined to be a monotonous slog featuring two candidates, President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, who voters didn't really want.

22. Biden's campaign chair acknowledges support 'slippage' but says he's staying in the race - Friday, July 19, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden's campaign is insisting anew that he is not stepping aside as he faces the stark reality that many Democrats at the highest levels want him to bow out of the 2024 election to make way for a new nominee and try to prevent widespread party losses in November.

23. Biden's campaign faces critical moment, as Democrats encourage him to consider exiting 2024 race - Friday, July 19, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — Critical days ahead, President Joe Biden is facing the stark reality that many Democrats at the highest levels want him to consider how stepping aside from the 2024 election to make way for a new nominee atop the ticket could be the party's best chance of preventing widespread losses in November.

24. House Oversight panel subpoenas Secret Service director to testify on Trump assassination attempt - Friday, July 19, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Republican chairman of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee issued a subpoena Wednesday to the Secret Service director compelling her to appear before the committee on Monday for what is scheduled to be the first congressional hearing into the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump.

25. Biden plans public events blitz as White House pushes back on pressure to leave the race - Friday, July 5, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House announced Tuesday that President Joe Biden will meet with congressional leaders and Democratic governors, sit for a network TV interview and hold a press conference in the coming days, a blitz designed to push back against growing pressure for the 81-year-old president to step aside in the 2024 race after his disastrous performance in last week's debate with Republican Donald Trump.

26. Rep. Lloyd Doggett is first Democrat to publicly call for Biden to step down as party's nominee - Friday, June 28, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — A House Democratic lawmaker has become the first in the party to publicly call for President Joe Biden to step down as the Democratic nominee for president, citing Biden's debate performance against Donald Trump failing to "effectively defend his many accomplishments."

27. Sotomayor's dissent: A president should not be a 'king above the law' - Friday, June 28, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — In an unsparing dissent, Justice Sonia Sotomayor said the Supreme Court allowed a president to become a "king above the law" in its ruling that limited the scope of criminal charges against former President Donald Trump for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol and efforts to overturn the election.

28. What to know about the Supreme Court immunity ruling in Trump's 2020 election interference case - Friday, June 28, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court's ruling Monday in former President Donald Trump's 2020 election interference case makes it all but certain that the Republican will not face trial in Washington ahead of the November election.

29. Supreme Court rules ex-presidents have broad immunity, dimming chance of a pre-election Trump trial - Friday, June 28, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Monday ruled for the first time that former presidents have broad immunity from prosecution, extending the delay in the Washington criminal case against Donald Trump on charges he plotted to overturn his 2020 presidential election loss and all but ending prospects the former president could be tried before the November election.

30. What to know about the Supreme Court immunity ruling in Trump's 2020 election interference case - Friday, June 28, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court's ruling Monday in former President Donald Trump's 2020 election interference case makes it all but certain that the Republican will not face trial in Washington ahead of the November election.

31. Supreme Court rules ex-presidents have broad immunity, dimming chance of a pre-election Trump trial - Friday, June 28, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Monday ruled for the first time that former presidents have broad immunity from prosecution, extending the delay in the Washington criminal case against Donald Trump on charges he plotted to overturn his 2020 presidential election loss and all but ending prospects the former president could be tried before the November election.

32. Biden's Democratic allies admit he had a poor debate but say they're still standing behind him - Friday, June 28, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden strained to quell Democratic anxieties over his unsteady showing in his debate with former President Donald Trump, as elected members of his party closed ranks around him in an effort to shut down talk of replacing him atop the ticket.

33. Biden concedes debate fumbles but declares he will defend democracy. Dems stick by him -- for now - Friday, June 28, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden forcefully tried on Friday to quell Democratic anxieties over his unsteady showing in his debate with former President Donald Trump, as elected members of his party closed ranks around him in an effort to shut down talk of replacing him atop the ticket.

34. FACT FOCUS: Here's a look at some of the false claims made during Biden and Trump's first debate - Friday, June 28, 2024

President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump traded barbs and a variety of false and misleading information as they faced off in their first debate of the 2024 election.

Trump falsely represented the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol as a relatively small number of people who were ushered in by police and misstated the strength of the economy during his administration.

35. Half a million immigrants could eventually get US citizenship under a new plan from Biden - Friday, June 14, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is taking an expansive election year step to offer relief to potentially hundreds of thousands of immigrants without legal status in the U.S., aiming to balance his own aggressive crackdown on the southern border earlier this month that enraged advocates and many Democratic lawmakers.

36. Trump returns to Capitol Hill and whips up Republican lawmakers in first meeting since Jan. 6 attack - Friday, June 14, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump made a triumphant return Thursday to Capitol Hill, whipping up House and Senate Republicans in his first meetings since the Jan.6, 2021, attacks. He was embraced by GOP lawmakers who find themselves newly energized by his bid to retake the White House.

37. Republicans stick to attacking criminal justice system, echoing Trump, after Hunter Biden conviction - Friday, June 7, 2024

PHOENIX (AP) — Republicans are responding to Hunter Biden's conviction on federal gun charges with some version of, "That's it?"

Loyal to Donald Trump, they largely echoed the former president's claim that the Justice Department has treated President Joe Biden's son with kid gloves while zealously prosecuting Trump. Using the attention given to Hunter Biden's conviction for charges related to buying a gun while addicted to drugs, they pressed unsubstantiated or debunked allegations that Joe Biden — while vice president — acted to advance his family members' foreign business interests.

38. Republicans block bill to protect contraception access as Democrats make election-year push - Friday, June 7, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans have blocked legislation designed to protect women's access to contraception, arguing that the bill was just a political stunt as Democrats mount an election-year effort to put GOP senators on the record on reproductive rights issues,

39. Ukraine uses US weapons to strike inside Russia, according to a senator and a Western official - Friday, May 31, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — Ukraine has used U.S. weapons to strike inside Russia in recent days, according to a U.S. senator and a Western official familiar with the matter.

The weapons were used under recently approved guidance from President Joe Biden allowing American arms to be used to strike inside Russia for the limited purpose of defending Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city.

40. In an election year push on reproductive rights, Senate holds a test vote on access to contraception - Friday, May 31, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — In an election year effort to put Republicans on record on reproductive rights issues, Senate Democrats are holding a vote Wednesday to move forward with legislation designed to protect women's access to contraception.

41. Biden says he's restricting asylum to help 'gain control' of the border - Friday, May 31, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Tuesday unveiled plans to enact immediate significant restrictions on migrants seeking asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border as the White House tries to neutralize immigration as a political liability ahead of the November elections.

42. Biden is said to be finalizing plans for migrant limits as part of a US-Mexico border clampdown - Friday, May 31, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House is finalizing plans for a U.S.-Mexico border clampdown that would shut off asylum requests and automatically deny entrance to migrants once the number of people encountered by American border officials exceeded a new daily threshold, with President Joe Biden expected to sign an executive order as early as Tuesday, according to four people familiar with the matter.

43. Republican lawmakers react with fury to Trump verdict and rally to his defense - Friday, May 31, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican lawmakers reacted with immediate fury on Thursday as a New York jury convicted former President Donald Trump on 34 counts of falsifying business records to influence the 2016 election, speaking out with near unanimity in questioning the legitimacy of the trial and how it was conducted.

44. Biden administration is moving ahead on new $1B arms sale to Israel, congressional aides say - Friday, May 10, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration has told key lawmakers it plans to move forward on a new $1 billion sale of arms and ammunition to Israel, three congressional aides say.

It's the first arms shipment to Israel to be pushed ahead since the administration put another arms transfer, consisting of 3,500 bombs of up to 2,000 pounds each, on hold this month. The Biden administration, citing concern for civilian casualties in Gaza, has said it paused that bomb transfer to keep Israel from using those particular munitions in its offensive in the crowded southern Gaza city of Rafah.

45. House Speaker Mike Johnson survived a motion to vacate. Here's why his job is far from safe. - Friday, May 10, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — Mike Johnson's job isn't safe yet. In a stunning show of unity in the often divided House, Democrats joined a majority of Republicans on Wednesday to save the GOP speaker from an attempt by fellow Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene to remove him from his post.

46. Democrats say they will save Speaker Mike Johnson's job if Republicans try to oust him - Friday, April 26, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Democrats will vote to save Republican Speaker Mike Johnson's job should some of his fellow Republican lawmakers seek to remove him from the position, Democratic leaders said Tuesday, likely assuring for now that Johnson will avoid being ousted from office like his predecessor, former Rep. Kevin McCarthy.

47. Trump to host embattled Speaker Mike Johnson as House swirls in turmoil - Friday, April 12, 2024

PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — House Speaker Mike Johnson is making a campaign pilgrimage Friday to visit Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, a rite of passage as the embattled Republican leader positions himself, and his GOP majority, side-by-side with the indicted ex-president.

48. Mayorkas impeachment trial set to start in Senate this week but might be over before it starts - Friday, April 5, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans will bring their case against Alejandro Mayorkas to the Senate this week, two months after impeaching the Homeland Security secretary. It will be the third time in five years that senators are sworn in as jurors in the court of impeachment.

49. TikTok bill faces uncertain fate in the Senate as legislation to regulate tech industry has stalled - Friday, March 22, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — The young voices in the messages left for North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis were laughing, but the words were ominous.

"OK, listen, if you ban TikTok I will find you and shoot you," one said, giggling and talking over other young voices in the background. "I'll shoot you and find you and cut you into pieces." Another threatened to kill Tillis, and then take their own life.

50. Big brands could pivot easily if TikTok goes away. For many small businesses, it's another story - Friday, March 22, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — If content creators and corporate executives made TikTok videos about the platform's possible U.S. demise, disco diva Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive" could supply the soundtrack.

Sure, businesses that built strategies around TikTok and promote products there would prefer not to seek eyeballs on another app. Smaller firms and solo entrepreneurs are bound to feel more pain in the event of a breakup. But if the popular video-sharing service remains under Chinese ownership and Congress bans it, many companies would learn to get along.

51. What's next now that Speaker Johnson is facing a motion to vacate - Friday, March 22, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — Barely six months into the job, House Speaker Mike Johnson is already at risk of the same conservative revolt that took down his predecessor.

The Louisiana Republican, who only took the gavel in October after weeks of GOP infighting, was put on "warning" by one of his harshest critics Friday after he helped push through a $1.2 trillion spending package with majority Democratic votes despite heavy criticism from his right flank.

52. Pentagon to give Ukraine $300M in weapons even as it lacks funds to replenish US stockpile - Friday, March 8, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon will rush about $300 million in weapons to Ukraine after finding some cost savings in its contracts, even though the military remains deeply overdrawn and needs at least $10 billion to replenish all the weapons it has pulled from its stocks to help Kyiv in its desperate fight against Russia, the White House announced Tuesday.

53. House Republicans move ahead with TikTok vote even as Trump voices opposition to possible ban - Friday, March 8, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — House Republicans are moving ahead with a bill that would require Chinese company ByteDance to sell TikTok or face a ban in the United States even as former President Donald Trump is voicing opposition to the effort.

54. Biden uses feisty State of the Union to contrast with Trump, sell voters on a second term - Friday, March 8, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden delivered a defiant argument for a second term in his State of the Union speech Thursday night, lacing into GOP front-runner Donald Trump for espousing "resentment, revenge and retribution" and for jeopardizing freedom at home and abroad.

55. Biden will try to use State of the Union address to convince voters he deserves a second term - Friday, March 8, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is set to use his State of the Union address Thursday to promote his vision for a second term to a dispirited electorate that questions whether he's up to the job and to warn that GOP front-runner Donald Trump would be a dangerous alternative.

56. South Dakota Sen. John Thune jumps into race to succeed McConnell as Senate leader - Friday, March 1, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — South Dakota Sen. John Thune is entering the race to be the next Republican leader of the U.S. Senate once Sen. Mitch McConnell steps away from the post in November.

Thune, currently the No. 2 Senate Republican, told local news outlets that he is interested in the job. He said in an interview with South Dakota's Keloland News that "I hope to be" the next leader and will do everything he can to convince his colleagues to support him.

57. Hunter Biden in defiant deposition blasts GOP, insists he did not involve his father in business - Friday, March 1, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — Hunter Biden was defiant Wednesday in a closed-door deposition on Capitol Hill, blasting a Republican impeachment inquiry into his father and the family's business affairs as a "house of cards" built on "lies" as he faced a battery of probing questions from lawmakers.

58. Hunter Biden in defiant deposition tells House GOP he did not involve his father in his business - Friday, February 23, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — Hunter Biden appeared Wednesday on Capitol Hill for a defiant, closed-door deposition with lawmakers, a critical moment for Republicans as their impeachment inquiry into his father and the family's business affairs teeters on the brink of collapse.

59. Biden implores Congress to avoid a government shutdown, send urgent aid to Ukraine and Israel - Friday, February 23, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden implored the top four leaders of Congress Tuesday to act quickly to avoid a looming government shutdown early next month and to pass emergency aid for Ukraine and Israel, as a legislative logjam in the GOP-led House showed no signs of abating.

60. Trump's threat to NATO allies draws little condemnation from GOP, reflecting his grip on the party - Friday, February 9, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump's claim that he once told a NATO ally that he would encourage Russia "to do whatever the hell they want" to "delinquent" members of the group sent shockwaves through Europe over the weekend.

61. Broken Congress: It can't fix the border, fund allies or impeach Mayorkas as GOP revolts - Friday, February 9, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas was not, in fact, impeached by the House.

A border security package instantly collapsed in the Senate. And foreign aid for Ukraine as its fights Russia is stubbornly stalled.

62. Border bill supporters combat misleading claims that it would let in more migrants - Friday, February 2, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — It's one of the most hard-fought provisions in the bipartisan border security package, and one that Democrats had to be persuaded to include: a new authority for the U.S. government to block migrants from entering the country.

63. President Biden has said he'd shut the U.S.-Mexico border if given the ability. What does that mean? - Friday, January 26, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has made some strong claims over the past few days about shutting down the U.S.-Mexico border as he tries to salvage a border deal in Congress that would also unlock money for Ukraine.

64. Hunter Biden agrees to private deposition with Republicans after months of defiance - Friday, January 19, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — Hunter Biden has agreed to appear before House Republicans for a private deposition next month, ending months of defiance from the president's son, who had insisted on testifying publicly.

65. Secrecy surrounding the defense secretary's hospitalization has put the White House on the defensive - Friday, January 5, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden's administration pledged from Day One to restore truth and transparency to the federal government — but now it's facing a maelstrom of criticism and credibility questions after Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's hospitalization was kept secret for days, even from the White House.

66. As House GOP launches effort to impeach Mayorkas, senators want to strike a border deal with him - Friday, January 5, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — Marching ahead with multiple impeachment plans, House Republicans set their sights Wednesday on Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, who they intend to prove is "derelict in his duty" over handling the surge of migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border.

67. Punishing their own but passing few laws, a Congress in chaos leaves much to do in 2024 - Friday, December 22, 2023

WASHINGTON (AP) — This Congress started with showy bluster, a bitter 15-round, multi-day spectacle to elect a House speaker, a Republican who vowed to "never quit," and then did just that.

House lawmakers proceeded not only to oust the GOP speaker, they also punished their own colleagues with censures and expulsion, launched an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden and were barely able to conduct the basics of governing by keeping federal offices from shuttering.

68. How the White House got involved in the border talks on Capitol Hill — with Ukraine aid at stake - Friday, December 15, 2023

WASHINGTON (AP) — White House chief of staff Jeff Zients recently heard from a powerful Democratic senator that steep levels of migration at the U.S.-Mexico border had become, in a word, untenable.

69. Biden and Congress are mulling big changes on immigration. What are they and what could they mean? - Friday, December 8, 2023

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is taking a more active role in Senate negotiations over changes to the immigration system that Republicans are demanding in exchange for providing money to Ukraine in its fight against Russia and Israel for the war with Hamas.

70. Washington's center of gravity on immigration has shifted to the right - Friday, December 1, 2023

WASHINGTON (AP) — It was a decade ago that Capitol Hill was consumed by an urgency to overhaul the nation's immigration system, fueled in no small part by Republicans who felt a political imperative to make inroads with minority voters by embracing more generous policies.

71. Zelenskyy to address US senators by video as White House pushes Congress to support aid for Ukraine - Friday, December 1, 2023

WASHINGTON (AP) — Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will address U.S. senators by video Tuesday during a classified briefing as the Biden administration urges Congress to approve the White House's nearly $106 billion request for funds for the wars in Ukraine, Israel and other security needs.

72. Biden's allies in Senate demand that Israel limit civilian deaths in Gaza as Congress debates US aid - Friday, December 1, 2023

WASHINGTON (AP) — As a cease-fire ticked down last week and Israel prepared to resume its round-the-clock airstrikes, Sen. Bernie Sanders and a robust group of Democratic senators had a message for their president: They were done "asking nicely" for Israel to do more to reduce civilian casualties in Gaza.

73. House expels Santos, the sixth expulsion in chamber's history - Friday, December 1, 2023

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House voted on Friday to expel Republican Rep. George Santos of New York after a blistering ethics report on his conduct heightened lawmakers' concerns about the scandal-plagued freshman. Santos became just the sixth member in the chamber's history to be ousted by colleagues, and the third since the Civil War.

74. Santos won't seek reelection after scathing ethics report cites evidence of lawbreaking - Friday, November 17, 2023

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House Ethics Committee in a scathing report Thursday said it has amassed "overwhelming evidence" of lawbreaking by Republican Rep. George Santos of New York that has been sent to the Justice Department, concluding flatly that he "cannot be trusted" after a monthslong investigation into his conduct.

75. The last government shutdown deadline ousted the House speaker. This week's showdown could be easier - Friday, November 10, 2023

WASHINGTON (AP) — The last time Congress tried to fund the government to prevent a federal shutdown, it cost House Speaker Kevin McCarthy his job.

This time, new Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana appeared on track Tuesday for a temporarily better outcome as the House prepared to vote on a stopgap package to keep the government running into the new year. If approved, the Senate would act next, ahead of Friday's shutdown deadline.

76. House approves nearly $14.5B in military aid for Israel. Biden vows to veto the GOP approach - Friday, November 3, 2023

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House approved a nearly $14.5 billion military aid package Thursday for Israel, a muscular U.S. response to the war with Hamas but also a partisan approach by new Speaker Mike Johnson that poses a direct challenge to Democrats and President Joe Biden.

77. House GOP pushes ahead with $14.5 billion in assistance for Israel without humanitarian aid for Gaza - Friday, November 3, 2023

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House is pushing ahead Thursday toward passage of $14.5 billion in military aid for Israel, a muscular U.S. response to the war with Hamas but also a partisan approach by new Speaker Mike Johnson that poses a direct challenge to Democrats and President Joe Biden.

78. U.S. military, diplomatic leaders urge a divided Congress to send aid to both Israel, Ukraine - Friday, October 27, 2023

WASHINGTON (AP) — The nation's top military and diplomatic leaders urged an increasingly divided Congress on Tuesday to send immediate aid to Israel and Ukraine, arguing at a Senate hearing that broad support for the assistance would signal U.S. strength to adversaries worldwide.

79. Republicans hope the chaos of recent weeks will become a distant memory in next year's elections - Friday, October 27, 2023

WASHINGTON (AP) — "Embarrassing," "chaotic" and "irresponsible." And those were just the words that House Republicans used to describe the past three weeks as they removed one speaker from office and splintered over three successive nominees before finally landing on Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La.

80. Day 20 with no House speaker as Republicans struggle and lower-level names reach for the gavel - Friday, October 20, 2023

WASHINGTON (AP) — Day 20 without a House speaker, and Republicans found themselves starting over on Monday — bumbling ahead with few ideas about who will lead, what they are fighting over and when they will get Congress working again.

81. Republicans pick Jim Jordan as nominee for House speaker, putting job within the Trump ally's reach - Friday, October 13, 2023

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans chose Rep. Jim Jordan as their new nominee for House speaker on Friday during internal voting, putting the gavel within reach of the staunch ally of GOP presidential front-runner Donald Trump.

82. Scalise is seen as a fighter, but becoming House speaker might require a brawl - Friday, October 13, 2023

WASHINGTON (AP) — With his walker positioned on the mound, Rep. Steve Scalise threw out the ceremonial first pitch at Washington Nationals ballpark, a breathtaking comeback for the Republican congressman who just months earlier was fighting for his life after a gunman had opened fire on lawmakers at their own charity baseball game practice.

83. Republicans nominate Scalise to be House speaker but struggle to unite quickly, elect him - Friday, October 6, 2023

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans nominated Rep. Steve Scalise on Wednesday to be the next House speaker but struggled to quickly unite their deeply divided majority and elect the conservative in a public floor vote after the historic ousting of Rep. Kevin McCarthy from the job.

84. As Republicans split over who will be House speaker, McCarthy positions himself as a de facto leader - Friday, October 6, 2023

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans have no clear idea who will be the next U.S. House speaker, leaving an unprecedented power vacuum in Congress and severely limiting America's ability to quickly respond to the crisis in Israel — or any number of other problems at home and abroad.

85. As Republicans split over who will be House speaker, McCarthy positions himself as a de facto leader - Friday, October 6, 2023

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans have no clear idea who to elect U.S. House speaker, leaving an unprecedented power vacuum in Congress and severely limiting America's ability to quickly respond to the crisis in Israel — or any number of other problems at home or abroad.

86. Supporters of US aid to Ukraine are watching the turmoil in the House with growing alarm - Friday, October 6, 2023

WASHINGTON (AP) — A path for additional U.S. aid to Ukraine appears increasingly fraught after the ouster of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, with many House Republicans opposing help for the war-torn country as they search for a new leader.

87. McCarthy becomes the first speaker ever to be ousted from the job in a House vote - Friday, September 29, 2023

WASHINGTON (AP) — Speaker Kevin McCarthy was voted out of the job Tuesday in an extraordinary showdown, a first in U.S. history that was forced by a contingent of hard-right conservatives and threw the House and its Republican leadership into chaos.

88. Biden says there's 'not much time' to keep aid flowing to Ukraine and Congress must 'stop the games' - Friday, September 29, 2023

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden said Sunday that American aid to Ukraine will keep flowing for now as he sought to reassure allies of continued U.S. financial support for the war effort. But time is running out, the president said in a warning to Congress.

89. The Republicans most at risk in next year's election are falling in line behind impeachment inquiry - Friday, September 15, 2023

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Republicans whose elections in swing districts next year will determine which party gains control of the House are overwhelmingly voicing their support for House Speaker Kevin McCarthy's impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden. It's a stance, Democrats say, that could come back to haunt them.

90. Trump pleads not guilty to federal charges that he tried to overturn the 2020 election - Friday, August 4, 2023

WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump pleaded not guilty Thursday to trying to overturn the results of his 2020 election loss, answering for the first time to federal charges that accuse him of orchestrating a brazen and ultimately unsuccessful attempt to block the peaceful transfer of presidential power.

91. Biden, Modi cheer booming economic ties in visit that also reckoned with India's rights record - Friday, June 23, 2023

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Thursday pronounced the U.S.-India relationship never stronger and rolled out new business deals with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as human rights activists and American lawmakers questioned the administration's decision to honor the leader with a pomp-filled state visit.

92. House Republicans push off Biden impeachment bid for now as hard-right clamors for action - Friday, June 23, 2023

WASHINGTON (AP) — Eager to impeach President Joe Biden, hard-right House Republicans forced a vote Thursday that sent the matter to congressional committees in a clear demonstration of the challenge that Speaker Kevin McCarthy faces in controlling the majority party.

93. 'Stand with Trump' becomes rallying cry as Republicans amplify attacks on US justice system - Friday, June 16, 2023

WASHINGTON (AP) — Moments after Donald Trump pleaded not guilty to federal charges that he hoarded classified documents and then conspired to obstruct an investigation about it, the Republicans in Congress had his back.

94. GOP conservatives shutter House to protest McCarthy-Biden debt deal, setting up next budget brawl - Friday, June 9, 2023

WASHINGTON (AP) — In fallout from the debt ceiling deal, Speaker Kevin McCarthy is suddenly confronting a new threat to his power as angry hard-right conservatives bring the House chamber to a halt, reviving their displeasure over the compromise struck with President Joe Biden and demanding deeper spending cuts ahead.

95. House conservatives block GOP bills, voice frustration in response to last week's debt ceiling vote - Friday, June 2, 2023

WASHINGTON (AP) — House conservatives staged a mini-revolt Tuesday in retaliation for Speaker Kevin McCarthy's leadership on last week's vote to raise the debt ceiling, the right wing banding together to block progress on a mixture of bills and vent their frustration.

96. Underestimated McCarthy emerges from debt deal empowered as speaker, still threatened - Friday, June 2, 2023

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is nothing if not a political survivor.

Underestimated from the start, the Republican who cruised around his California hometown of Bakersfield and stumbled into a career in Congress was never taken too seriously by the Washington establishment.

97. Biden, McCarthy reach a final deal to avoid US default, now must sell it to Congress - Friday, May 26, 2023

WASHINGTON (AP) — With days to spare before a potential first-ever government default, President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy reached final agreement Sunday on a deal to raise the nation's debt ceiling and worked to ensure enough support in Congress to pass the measure in the coming week.

98. Debt ceiling deadline is extended to June 5, later than previously estimated, Yellen says - Friday, May 26, 2023

WASHINGTON (AP) — Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Friday the projected debt ceiling deadline is extended to June 5, four days later than previously estimated.

Yet, Yellen renewed her warning in a letter to Congress that inaction on raising the borrowing limit would "cause severe hardship."

99. Debt limit talks stall as Republicans 'press pause,' criticize White House - Friday, May 19, 2023

WASHINGTON (AP) — A top debt ceiling negotiator for House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said Friday it's time to "press pause" on talks as negotiations with the White House came to an abrupt standstill at the Capitol.

100. Effort to expel Santos falters as GOP votes to send measure to Ethics Committee - Friday, May 19, 2023

WASHINGTON (AP) — A resolution to expel Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., from Congress was referred to the House Ethics Committee on Wednesday as Republicans successfully sidestepped an effort to force them into a vote that could have narrowed their already slim four-seat majority.