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Niels Lesniewski

The Latest From Niels Lesniewski

At the Races: How to pass the torch in two easy steps

By Daniela Altimari, Niels Lesniewski and Mary Ellen McIntire
Posted March 5, 2026 at 4:14pm
Reps. Tom Suozzi, D-N.Y., right, and Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., were among lawmakers who bucked their party for more than 10 percent of votes defined as unity votes under the CQ Roll Call study.

Vote studies: 2025 sets new mark for partisanship on Capitol Hill

By Niels Lesniewski and Ryan Kelly
Posted March 5, 2026 at 6:00am
Rep. Daniel Crenshaw, R-Texas, lost his primary by double digits, with 91 percent of the vote counted.

In Texas, Crenshaw’s defeat headlines some tough blows for House incumbents

By Daniela Altimari and Niels Lesniewski
Posted March 4, 2026 at 4:40am
Protesters hold signs and chant during a demonstration outside the White House on Saturday against President Donald Trump and U.S. strikes on Iran.

This week: Iran war powers, DHS funding top congressional agenda

By Niels Lesniewski
Posted March 2, 2026 at 5:43am
President Donald Trump gestures as he arrives at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Fla. on Friday. Trump is spending the weekend at his Mar-a-Lago resort.

War Powers votes loom for Congress after U.S. strikes Iran

By Niels Lesniewski
Posted February 28, 2026 at 7:12am

At the Races: Make Tuesday nights political again

By Mary Ellen McIntire, Daniela Altimari and Niels Lesniewski
Posted February 26, 2026 at 3:25pm
From left, Reps. Ro Khanna, Thomas Massie and Marjorie Taylor Greene hold their news conference outside the Capitol on Nov. 18, 2025, with survivors of the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

Vote Studies 2025: Why some key votes don’t have presidential positions

By Niels Lesniewski and Ryan Kelly
Posted February 24, 2026 at 4:00pm
President Donald Trump, flanked by Speaker Mike Johnson and House Republican Conference Chair Lisa McClain, stops to speak to reporters before attending a House GOP Conference meeting in the U.S. Capitol on May 20, 2025. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

Vote Studies 2025: Republicans power Trump to record success

By Ryan Kelly and Niels Lesniewski
Posted February 24, 2026 at 4:00pm
Snow falls on the U.S. Capitol on Monday. (Heather Diehl/Getty Images)

This week: Snow delays congressional business before State of the Union

By Niels Lesniewski
Posted February 23, 2026 at 6:37am

At the Races: Sitting tight in Texas

By Niels Lesniewski, Mary Ellen McIntire and Daniela Altimari
Posted February 19, 2026 at 5:34pm

At the Races: Let the market decide

By Daniela Altimari, Niels Lesniewski and Mary Ellen McIntire
Posted February 12, 2026 at 4:04pm
Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., last week laid out Democrats' demands for changes to immigration enforcement policies as part of Homeland Security Department funding, which expires this week. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

This week: DHS faces possible shutdown ahead of congressional recess

By Niels Lesniewski and Valerie Yurk
Posted February 9, 2026 at 6:15am

At the Races: ICE breaker

By Mary Ellen McIntire, Daniela Altimari and Niels Lesniewski
Posted February 5, 2026 at 4:04pm
Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., left, listens to House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., speak during a news conference Wednesday. Also pictured is Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, the House Homeland Security panel's top Democrat.

Democratic leaders pitch wish list ahead of DHS funding deadline

By Niels Lesniewski and Valerie Yurk
Posted February 4, 2026 at 4:39pm, Updated at 10:31pm
Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., hopes to clear a government funding bill by Tuesday.

This week: House GOP tries to end partial government shutdown

By Niels Lesniewski
Posted February 2, 2026 at 6:15am
Kevin Warsh, right, walks with Bom Kim (C), founder and CEO of Coupang and investor Stan Druckenmiller at the Allen & Company Sun Valley Conference on July 13, 2023 in Sun Valley, Idaho.

Warsh’s path to Fed chair may face even GOP obstacle in Senate

By Mark Schoeff Jr. and Niels Lesniewski
Posted January 30, 2026 at 9:12am

At the Races: What’s in a bill?

By Niels Lesniewski, Mary Ellen McIntire and Daniela Altimari
Posted January 29, 2026 at 2:56pm
Former New York Rep. Chris Collins is now running for Florida’s 19th District.

Former New York Rep. Chris Collins, pardoned by Trump, seeks comeback in Florida

By Niels Lesniewski
Posted January 23, 2026 at 10:21am

At the Races: Ready for Madam President?

By Daniela Altimari, Niels Lesniewski and Mary Ellen McIntire
Posted January 22, 2026 at 3:15pm
Former NFL sideline reporter Michele Tafoya, here at a game in Las Vegas in 2022, has joined the Republican primary to succeed retiring Democratic Sen. Tina Smith in Minnesota. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Former NFL reporter Michele Tafoya running for Senate in Minnesota

By Mary Ellen McIntire and Niels Lesniewski
Posted January 21, 2026 at 9:49am
Louisiana Rep. Julia Letlow, center, here at an event in the Capitol Visitor Center in 2024, is running for Senate. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

Letlow launches primary challenge to Cassidy with Trump’s backing

By Niels Lesniewski and Daniela Altimari
Posted January 20, 2026 at 2:22pm, Updated at 6:17pm
Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., praised the agreement on the final package of spending bills.

This week: House seeks to finish work on fiscal 2026 spending

By Niels Lesniewski
Posted January 20, 2026 at 7:07am
Britain's Speaker of the House of Commons Lindsay Hoyle gestures as he speaks with U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., during his visit to the House of Commons on Monday.

Trump lambastes UK for ceding territory as Johnson visits Parliament

By Niels Lesniewski
Posted January 20, 2026 at 6:48am

At the Races: Spotlight Minnesota

By Mary Ellen McIntire, Daniela Altimari and Niels Lesniewski
Posted January 15, 2026 at 3:15pm
Members of Congress could be in for a busy 2026. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo)

Spending bills, prices, health care top 2026 agenda for Congress

By Niels Lesniewski
Posted January 12, 2026 at 4:11pm, Updated at 5:43pm
House Appropriations Chair Tom Cole, R-Okla., will seek to advance another package of spending bills this week.

This week: Spending sprint continues; Venezuela war powers expected to get a vote

By Niels Lesniewski
Posted January 12, 2026 at 6:14am
Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., said the Trump administration is "actively pushing to end the independence of the Federal Reserve." (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call file photo)

Tillis to oppose all Fed nominees over Powell investigation

By Niels Lesniewski
Posted January 12, 2026 at 5:06am

At the Races: Of voters and Venezuela

By Niels Lesniewski, Mary Ellen McIntire and Daniela Altimari
Posted January 8, 2026 at 3:17pm
Rep. Steny H. Hoyer, D-Md., seen here at the 2024 Democratic National Convention, will not seek reelection.

Hoyer will not seek reelection

By Niels Lesniewski
Posted January 7, 2026 at 10:45pm
Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., is among those calling the Trump administration's military action in Venezuela "reckless."

This week: Congress returns to debate Venezuela, spending, health

By Niels Lesniewski
Posted January 5, 2026 at 6:32am
President Donald Trump. seen here during a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Fla., on Sunday, issued his first veto messages of the year on Tuesday.

Trump issues first vetoes of second term

By Niels Lesniewski
Posted December 31, 2025 at 6:54am
Former Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell died on Tuesday. He is shown in 2018.

Former Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell dead at 92

By Niels Lesniewski
Posted December 30, 2025 at 10:36pm
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said it would take "a Christmas miracle" to get anything done in Congress to prevent the expiration of expiring health care subsidies.

Congress leaves for Christmas, closes the books on 2025

By Niels Lesniewski and Aris Folley
Posted December 19, 2025 at 6:30am

At the races: Trump the vote

By Daniela Altimari, Niels Lesniewski and Mary Ellen McIntire
Posted December 18, 2025 at 3:14pm
Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Wash., is not seeking reelection next year.

Washington Rep. Dan Newhouse not seeking reelection

By Niels Lesniewski
Posted December 17, 2025 at 9:42am, Updated at 3:47pm
Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Texas, is withdrawing from his bid for Tarrant County judge.

Texas Rep. Veasey ends county judge bid

By Niels Lesniewski
Posted December 16, 2025 at 5:53am, Updated at 3:42pm
For congressional Republicans led by John Thune, left, and Mike Johnson, the enactment of the sweeping tax and domestic spending package was a highlight of the year.

Government shutdown, reconciliation law highlight turbulent year in Congress

By Niels Lesniewski
Posted December 16, 2025 at 5:00am
Chef Fred Johnson adds icing around the base of the sugary dome on top of this year’s Capitol gingerbread model.

This week: Congress has much to do before holiday recess

By Niels Lesniewski
Posted December 15, 2025 at 5:57am

At the Races: Another health care election?

By Mary Ellen McIntire, Daniela Altimari and Niels Lesniewski
Posted December 11, 2025 at 3:04pm
New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, seen here testifying to the House Financial Services Committee in September, is running for Congress.

Brad Lander launches primary challenge to Rep. Dan Goldman in New York

By Niels Lesniewski
Posted December 10, 2025 at 6:11am
Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Texas, will not seek reelection.

Texas Rep. Marc Veasey to run for Tarrant County judge

By Niels Lesniewski
Posted December 9, 2025 at 5:06am
Former Rep. Colin Allred is running for Texas' redrawn 33rd District.

Former Texas Rep. Colin Allred will run for House instead of Senate

By Daniela Altimari and Niels Lesniewski
Posted December 8, 2025 at 12:34pm
The House-Senate agreement on the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal 2026 reaches the House floor this week.

This week: Defense authorization deal headlines floor action in Congress

By Niels Lesniewski
Posted December 8, 2025 at 5:26am

At the Races: Republicans in revolt?

By Niels Lesniewski, Mary Ellen McIntire and Daniela Altimari
Posted December 4, 2025 at 2:44pm
An Architect of the Capitol worker decorated the Capitol Christmas Tree last week.

This week: Defense policy bill on the move as Capitol Christmas tree arrives

By Niels Lesniewski
Posted December 1, 2025 at 5:02am, Updated at 6:50pm

At the Races: The new Republican resisters

By Daniela Altimari, Niels Lesniewski and Mary Ellen McIntire
Posted November 20, 2025 at 3:11pm
The Capitol dome is illuminated on Nov. 12. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

House unveils 2026 calendar as election year nears

By Niels Lesniewski
Posted November 18, 2025 at 10:57am
Activist Bill Christeson holds a sign calling for the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files outside the Capitol on Nov. 12. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

This week: House votes on Epstein files while Senate seeks spending deal

By Niels Lesniewski
Posted November 17, 2025 at 5:49am

At the Races: Back to our regularly scheduled programming

By Mary Ellen McIntire, Daniela Altimari and Niels Lesniewski
Posted November 13, 2025 at 3:01pm
House Democrats, led by Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York, are expected to broadly oppose the Senate's deal that could end the shutdown.

This week: Shutdown could end as Senate spending deal prompts House to return

By Niels Lesniewski
Posted November 10, 2025 at 5:50am

At the Races: Goodbye, Madam Speaker. Hello, Mayor Mamdani.

By Niels Lesniewski, Mary Ellen McIntire and Daniela Altimari
Posted November 6, 2025 at 4:26pm
Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García, D-Ill., will not seek reelection to his Chicago-area seat in 2026.

Rep. Chuy Garcia confirms he will not seek reelection

By Niels Lesniewski
Posted November 5, 2025 at 6:13am
New Jersey Democratic gubernatorial candidate, Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-N.J., celebrates with lieutenant gubernatorial candidate Dale Caldwell after their win during an election night watch party at the Hilton East Brunswick Hotel on Tuesday in East Brunswick,N.J.

Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill wins governor’s race in New Jersey

By Niels Lesniewski
Posted November 4, 2025 at 9:42pm, Updated at 11:20pm
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, predicted that the shutdown could end as soon as this week.

This week: Senate shutdown show returns amid key elections

By Niels Lesniewski
Posted November 3, 2025 at 5:47am
Trump mentioned the opposition from then-Sens. Joe Manchin III of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona to the rules changes during the last Democratic majority. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call file photo)

Trump calls for Senate ‘nuclear option’ to end government shutdown

By Niels Lesniewski
Posted October 31, 2025 at 6:22am, Updated at 11:32am

At the Races: When the pain hits home

By Daniela Altimari, Niels Lesniewski and Mary Ellen McIntire
Posted October 30, 2025 at 3:13pm
FAA staffing shortages are beginning to cause issues with flight schedules across the country. Above, an American Airlines jet comes in for a landing at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on June 14. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

This week: Senate to weigh in on tariffs, shutdown pay for air traffic controllers

By Niels Lesniewski
Posted October 27, 2025 at 6:08am

At the Races: More maps, more problems

By Mary Ellen McIntire, Daniela Altimari and Niels Lesniewski
Posted October 23, 2025 at 3:39pm
Former New Hampshire Sen. John E. Sununu, here at a Maine political event in 2016, is seeking to return to the Senate. (Ben McCanna/Portland Press Herald via Getty Images file photo)

John Sununu launches Senate comeback bid in New Hampshire

By Mary Ellen McIntire and Niels Lesniewski
Posted October 22, 2025 at 6:32am, Updated at 1:56pm
Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie is a rare Republican critic of some of President Donald Trump’s policies.

Massie draws Trump-backed primary challenger in Kentucky

By Niels Lesniewski and Andrew Menezes
Posted October 21, 2025 at 7:13am
A sign indicating that the Capitol Visitor Center is closed due to the government shutdown on Oct. 1. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

Senate Republicans to lunch in Rose Garden as shutdown continues

By Niels Lesniewski
Posted October 20, 2025 at 5:56am

At the Races: No end in sight

By Niels Lesniewski, Mary Ellen McIntire and Daniela Altimari
Posted October 16, 2025 at 5:10pm
Massachusetts Rep. Seth Moulton is running for Senate.

Moulton launches Senate primary challenge to Markey in Massachusetts

By Daniela Altimari and Niels Lesniewski
Posted October 15, 2025 at 8:32am, Updated at 11:14pm
Democratic Maine Gov. Janet Mills, seen here at an event in Boston in June, announced Tuesday that she's running for Senate.

Maine Gov. Janet Mills enters Senate race against Susan Collins

By Niels Lesniewski and Mary Ellen McIntire
Posted October 14, 2025 at 7:00am, Updated at 4:15pm
Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., holds up a chart about paying the military and federal workers during a news conference with Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., in the Capitol on Oct. 10.

Lawmakers show little urgency to end shutdown as it enters its third week

By Niels Lesniewski
Posted October 14, 2025 at 5:46am

At the Races: Signs of the times

By Daniela Altimari, Niels Lesniewski and Mary Ellen McIntire
Posted October 9, 2025 at 3:28pm
President Donald Trump is blaming potential federal layoffs on Democrats.

Senate returns as shutdown continues with no endgame in sight

By Niels Lesniewski
Posted October 6, 2025 at 6:08am
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., says the time to negotiate health provisions is after the government has been funded.

This week: Senate returns with clock ticking toward shutdown

By Niels Lesniewski
Posted September 29, 2025 at 5:43am

At the Races: Slowdown and shutdown

By Niels Lesniewski, Mary Ellen McIntire and Daniela Altimari
Posted September 25, 2025 at 3:16pm
Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought leaves the Capitol after attending a Senate GOP luncheon on July 15.

White House tells agencies to prep mass layoffs for shutdown

By Niels Lesniewski
Posted September 24, 2025 at 11:00pm

At the Races: Partisans in crime

By Daniela Altimari, Niels Lesniewski and Mary Ellen McIntire
Posted September 18, 2025 at 2:36pm
Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., seen here at a swearing-in ceremony last week, talked about a stopgap spending bill on Sunday.

Government funding and more nominations headline this week in Congress

By Niels Lesniewski
Posted September 15, 2025 at 5:40am

At the Races: A sad reminder

By Niels Lesniewski, Daniela Altimari and Mary Ellen McIntire
Posted September 11, 2025 at 3:11pm
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., could move on Monday to start changing the chamber's rules on nominations.

Nomination rules, defense policy headline the week in Congress

By Niels Lesniewski
Posted September 8, 2025 at 5:50am, Updated at 7:27pm
Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso is among the Republicans talking about rule changes in the chamber. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo)

Fiscal 2026 funding discussions to dominate House, Senate agenda

By Niels Lesniewski
Posted September 3, 2025 at 7:00am
Senate Armed Services Chairman Roger Wicker, R-Miss., right, and ranking member Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., will seek to bring the annual defense authorization bill to the floor this week.

Back from recess, Senate turns to defense while House looks to get back to business

By Niels Lesniewski
Posted September 2, 2025 at 4:38am
Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., seen here at the 79th Street Greenmarket on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in 2022, will not seek reelection next year.

Nadler won’t seek reelection to Manhattan House seat

By Niels Lesniewski, Mary Ellen McIntire and Todd Ruger
Posted September 2, 2025 at 4:37am, Updated at 5:52pm
Former Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham, R-Calif., is pictured in 1994.

Randy ‘Duke’ Cunningham, naval aviator and corrupt appropriator, dies at 83

By Niels Lesniewski
Posted August 29, 2025 at 4:56am

At the Races: Going low

By Daniela Altimari, Niels Lesniewski and Mary Ellen McIntire
Posted August 28, 2025 at 2:23pm
Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall, 2nd from left, along with local Democrats, deposit their ballots in a ballot drop box outside the Salt Lake City Public Library ahead of the 2022 midterm elections.

Utah judge tosses congressional maps, creating Democratic opportunity

By Niels Lesniewski
Posted August 26, 2025 at 5:24am

At the Races: Maps mania

By Mary Ellen McIntire, Niels Lesniewski and Daniela Altimari
Posted August 21, 2025 at 2:30pm
Former Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, is running again.

Sherrod Brown launches Senate comeback bid in Ohio

By Daniela Altimari and Niels Lesniewski
Posted August 18, 2025 at 8:06am
Former Delaware Republican Rep. Michael N. Castle, right, died Thursday at age 86.

Michael Castle, former Delaware governor and congressman, dies at age 86

By Niels Lesniewski
Posted August 15, 2025 at 5:44am

At the Races: Reeling in the recruits

By Niels Lesniewski and Daniela Altimari
Posted August 14, 2025 at 2:31pm

At the Races: Have we heard this song before?

By Daniela Altimari, Niels Lesniewski and Mary Ellen McIntire
Posted August 7, 2025 at 2:34pm
Jackie Norris, chair of the Des Moines school board and former chief of staff to Michelle Obama, is running for Senate in Iowa.

Des Moines school board chair Norris enters Iowa Senate race

By Niels Lesniewski
Posted August 5, 2025 at 7:00am
Republican Derek Dooley, seen here in his campaign announcement video, is running for Senate in Georgia. (Screenshot/Dooley campaign video)

Former football coach Derek Dooley steps onto Georgia Senate field

By Niels Lesniewski
Posted August 4, 2025 at 8:11am
Texas Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, center, and Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair Gene Wu, right, listen as Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker speaks to reporters during a press conference Sunday in Carol Stream, Ill. Wu was with a group of Democratic Texas lawmakers who left the state so a quorum could not be reached during a special session called to redraw the state's congressional districts.

Texas Democrats leave state in bid to stop new congressional map

By Niels Lesniewski
Posted August 4, 2025 at 5:50am
The Texas State Capitol building is seen in Austin in 2018. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

These states could redraw their House maps before the 2026 elections

By Mary Ellen McIntire, Niels Lesniewski and Andrew Menezes
Posted August 1, 2025 at 3:59pm, Updated August 5, 2025 at 4:44pm

At the Races: A summer of decisions

By Mary Ellen McIntire, Daniela Altimari and Niels Lesniewski
Posted July 31, 2025 at 3:09pm
Illinois Rep. Danny K. Davis is announcing Thursday that he will not seek another term.

Illinois Rep. Danny Davis won’t seek reelection in 2026

By Niels Lesniewski and Mary Ellen McIntire
Posted July 31, 2025 at 9:20am, Updated at 2:45pm
President Donald Trump reacts as he plays a round of golf at his golf course in Scotland on Saturday. Trump is calling for the Senate to confirm more nominations before the August recess.

Trump to Senate: Confirm more nominees before August recess

By Niels Lesniewski
Posted July 28, 2025 at 5:38am

At the Races: Redrawing the majority?

By Niels Lesniewski, Mary Ellen McIntire and Daniela Altimari
Posted July 24, 2025 at 2:30pm
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., outlined the upcoming agenda. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

Thune seeks to kick off appropriations on Senate floor

By Niels Lesniewski
Posted July 21, 2025 at 5:17am

At the Races: The Art of the Sale

By Mary Ellen McIntire, Daniela Altimari and Niels Lesniewski
Posted July 17, 2025 at 3:40pm
House Financial Services Chairman French Hill, R-Ark. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo)

House debates Pentagon spending, crypto as rescissions head to Senate

By Niels Lesniewski
Posted July 14, 2025 at 5:37am

At the races: Summertime madness

By Mary Ellen McIntire, Daniela Altimari and Niels Lesniewski
Posted July 10, 2025 at 3:26pm
Bryan Bedford is President Donald Trump's pick to lead the Federal Aviation Administration. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

FAA administrator nomination headlines a respite week for senators

By Niels Lesniewski
Posted July 8, 2025 at 5:00am

At the Races: A speedy special election 

By Mary Ellen McIntire, Daniela Altimari and Niels Lesniewski
Posted June 26, 2025 at 3:16pm
President Donald Trump listens as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, second from right, addresses reporters Wednesday at the NATO summit. Also pictured are Secretary of State Marco Rubio, second from left, and U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker. (Brendan Smialowski/Pool/Getty Images)

Takeaways: Defiant Team Trump defends Iran strikes at NATO summit

By John T. Bennett and Niels Lesniewski
Posted June 25, 2025 at 1:22pm