NEW: Our government shutdown tracking beacon is beginning to beep... When Congress comes back it will start to blare.. The WH decision to move on pocket recessions is going to intensify the divide. www.nbcnews.com/politics/whi...
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NEW: Our government shutdown tracking beacon is beginning to beep... When Congress comes back it will start to blare.. The WH decision to move on pocket recessions is going to intensify the divide. www.nbcnews.com/politics/whi...
Maybe? just maybe… these Metsies have a little fight left in them. #lgm
NEW: Despite MAGA push, there is no room for Trump on Mount Rushmore: www.nbcnews.com/politics/pol...
Text messages on tv shows.. are we always supposed to be able to read them? #discuss
Joining me live today on Meet The Press Now.. The Democratic nominee in the upcoming #VA11 Special Election, James Walkinshaw Watch live at 4pm ET👇 nbcnews.com/NOW
BIG recruitment win for Senate Dems. Sherrod Brown plans to launch a comeback bid for Senate in Ohio. www.nbcnews.com/politics/202...
JUST IN: The Federal Bureau of Prisons confirms that inmate George Devolder Santos is in the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Fairton in Fairton, New Jersey. Santos now serving his more than 7 years in prison.
JUST IN: Former Biden aide Anthony Bernal’s lawyer releases a statement ahead of his deposition today with the House Oversight Committee declaring that he plans to use his 5th Amendment right not to answer any questions. via/ Kelly O’Donnell
NEW from @ryanobles.bsky.social — Rep. James Comer, the lead investigator into Biden's use of the autopen, signed letters related to the investigation with a digital signature www.nbcnews.com/politics/con...
www.nbcnews.com/politics/con... by @ryanobles.bsky.social & @mzannonaa.bsky.social
NEW: Lead investigator into Biden's use of an autopen is using a lot of his own version of an autopen. www.nbcnews.com/politics/con...
BREAKING: Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries has officially set the record for the longest speech on the House floor. He is now approaching 9 hours of outlining the Dem opposition to the Trump Megabill. As soon as he finishes the House will be voting.
Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries has now spoke on the floor for more than 7 hours. He is closing in on Kevin McCarthy's record of 8 hours and 32 minutes.
LATEST from the Hill: @SpeakerJohnson tells me he has the votes and the GOP holdouts that eventually came around did not “cave”. “No I don’t think they caved, I think they made a thoughtful and informed decision.” He said House will start voting as “soon as Hakeem Jeffries stops talking.”
Popped in the chamber to get a sense of where things stand.. Hakeem Jeffries is at about 3.5 hours and certainly not slowing down.. Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy holds the record of holding the floor for 8 hours and 32 minutes..
It’s a bit of a tactical error for the GOP to draw out a pre-determined outcome to the point where Democrats are now essentially launching their midterm campaigns from the House floor BEFORE the final vote as all the highly watched national morning shows are on the air.
A watched house floor never votes..
The Democratic House Caucus pours out of the Capitol in a show of unity ahead of the final votes on Trump’s Megabill. They are banking on at least four Republicans to break ranks and kill the bill. Leader Jeffries: “Every single Democrat will vote HELL NO on this bill.”
Sen. Lisa Murkowski stared me down for more than 10 seconds when I asked about the criticism she was receiving about the deal struck to get her vote on the OBBB.
Just waking up and wondering about the status of the Trump megabill? They’ve been at it all night and the Senate has yet to cast their final votes. We will have a full update coming up at the top of the Today Show on NBC.
Excited to join Morgan Chesky for today’s “Here’s the Scoop” from NBC News. We break down the latest on the Trump Mega Bill. Plus Chloe Melas gives inside details from the courtroom in the Diddy trial. Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/5DQs... Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/h...
Sen. Armed Services Chair Roger Wicker said the Israeli Ambassador told the Sen. GOP the U.S. Iran operation set the country’s nuclear program back “years.” When asked about the U.S. intel assessment he called the news reports “bogus”, but said he hadn’t read the actual report.
NEW: Bernie Sanders tells me it’s time for Dem leaders to pick a side after Zohran Mamdani’s big win in NYC. “What the Democratic leadership has got to do is make a choice. Which side are you on?”
President Trump says the U.S. has attacked three Iranian nuclear sites. NBC News’ @ryanobles.bsky.social explains how Congress could try to limit further action under the War Powers Act.
NEW: “I’m looking for a ceasefire.” Rep. Tom Massie says he raised $140k since MAGA world declared him target #1. But despite the island he find himself on.. he isn’t going anywhere. “I am not going to lose. I do not lose.” www.nbcnews.com/politics/con...
NEW: Dr. Kevin O'Connor who treated former President Joe Biden while in office, has agreed to appear for a transcribed interview before the House Oversight Committee on July 9th, a source familiar confirms to NBC News. O'Connor is under subpoena.
NEW: A left-right coalition seeks to limit Trump's power to get involved in Israel-Iran conflict It includes some of Trump’s staunchest MAGA allies, plus progressive lawmakers, seeking to return war powers to Congress. @ryanobles.bsky.social & me: www.nbcnews.com/politics/con...
NEW: A group of unlikely political bedfellows are pushing Congress to stand up to Trump as the U.S. moves closer to joining the fight between Israel and Iran. www.nbcnews.com/politics/con...
JUST IN: The witness list is out for tomorrow’s Senate hearing on Biden’s competency in office. Two scholars and a former Trump press secretary. No one from the Biden administration and Democrats chose not to call any witnesses.
TV Doctor Noah Wyle was on Capitol Hill today asking members of Congress to do more to help frontline health care workers. Find out what he’s asking for and why he’s so passionate tonight on Hallie Jackson Now. Watch live: nbcnews.com/NOW
Rep. Nanette Barragán (D-CA) tells me on Meet The Press Now that Donald Trump mobilizing Marines to deal with the situation in Los Angeles is a march toward martial law.
TODAY-> I’m on the desk for @MeetThePress Now.. a packed show. Joining me live: Rep. Nanette Barragan on the situation in LA. & NYC Mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani. Watch live for free: NBCNews.com/NOW
NEW: House Republicans to zero in on autopen use as part of investigation into Biden's health www.nbcnews.com/politics/con...
As concerns rise around Sen. John Fetterman an NBC News analysis of his participation in Congress reveals quite a bit. Full story: www.nbcnews.com/politics/con...
NEWS from VA 10-> Former Rep. Jennifer Wexton has endorsed James Walkinshaw in the race to replace the retiring Gerry Connolly www.nbcnews.com/politics/tru...
Rep. Majorie Taylor Greene plans to take the weekend to decide if she will run statewide in Georgia. She told us her polls show she could with the Gov or Sen race. Our previous reporting shows she could upend the race for Senate. www.nbcnews.com/politics/202...
NEW: Republicans search for a backup plan in crucial Georgia Senate race
The race is on to replace outgoing Rep. Gerry Connolly.. Today Connolly put his support behind his former Chief of Staff James Walkinshaw.. that led State Sen. Stella Pekarsky to launch her bid in what could be a crowded Dem field: www.nbcnews.com/politics/tru...
Today on Meet the Press NOW with @ryanobles.bsky.social, I talked about a challenge we’re seeing: power being centralized back into the State Department. It’s a shift we haven’t seen since the 1970s—and it reflects a vision that concentrates decisions into a single worldview.
NEW: Senate Republicans raise red flags about Trump's private dinner with his meme coin holders www.nbcnews.com/politics/con...
ICYMI- Republicans urge battleground Rep. Mike Lawler to pass on a run for New York governor
NEW: Republicans urge battleground Rep. Mike Lawler to pass on a run for New York governor
If it’s Sunday..
See if you can figure out if it was take your kid to work day.
🧹🧹🧹#LGM !!!
NEW: House Oversight Committee renews its criminal referral of former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, accusing him of lying to Congress. www.nbcnews.com/politics/con...
NEW: Senate Democrats who took heat for government shutdown vote now feel vindicated
Van Hollen tells me he learned of the opportunity to meet Abrego Garcia through a message from the El Salvadoran government to the U.S. Embassy. It was clear from the staging was all facilitated by President Bukele. He said they initially proposed to meet by the pool.
Senator Van Hollen addresses social media posts from President Bukele. He said the El Salvador government officials put the drinks in front of them during the meeting. He said neither of them drank from the cups.. as noted by the fact the salt rims were untouched.
NEW: Senator Van Hollen reveals that Kilmar Abrego Garcia has been moved out of the notorious CECOT prison to a different detention facility. He said the conditions there are better.
RIGHT NOW: Senator Chris Van Hollen flanked by Jennifer, the wife of Kilmar Abrego Garcia discusses his meeting with Garcia after returning from El Salvador.
NEW: Rep. Elise Stefanik, passed over for UN Ambassador gig.. exploring a run for Governor of New York. via/ Mel Zanona www.nbcnews.com/politics/ele...
If it’s Tuesday.. join me for @MeetThePress Now. Streaming live right now: nbcnews.com/now
Good government groups call on House leaders to appoint members to congressional watchdog office www.nbcnews.com/politics/tru...
NEW: Tensions arise over Speaker Mike Johnson's efforts to bring Rep. Elise Stefanik back into the fold w Mel Zanona & Scott Wong: www.nbcnews.com/politics/con...
JUST IN: House passes budget resolution narrowly 216-214.. kicking off the reconciliation process aimed and funding and pushing through big chunks of the Trump agenda.
JUST IN: House GOP passes the rule for their budget resolution… but barely 216-215.. the rule passes but several GOP members have said they are yes on the rule but a no on the bill.. Also- this only passed because Dems have two vacancies after the deaths of two members.
Sen. Josh Hawley on the pending budget vote in the House: “I'm sure they will (pass the resolution). I'm sure they want this. I'm sure the Speaker will not disappoint the President, as I said yesterday, if he does, maybe there will be a new Speaker.”
GOP concerns about tax cut strategy and Medicaid loom over Senate budget
NEW: Speaker Mike Johnson, a constitutional law expert, tells me the only legal path for Donald Trump to seek a third term would be through “amending” the constitution and there is no effort to make that happen.
Trump to Welker on a 3rd term: “I’m not joking” GOP leaders today-> Scalise: it’s to “stoke the media” Thune: “he’s probably messing with ya” Cassidy: he says it so that the “press gets ginned up”
NEW: Majority Leader Steve Scalise tells Mel Zanona and me that Trump leaving the door open to a third term is designed to “get people talking” but there are NO plans to change the constitution.
In addition to asking for the independent IG report, Sen. Wicker (R) also said he believes at least some of the information in the signal chat “appears” to be classified based on his assessment, which contradicts the claims made by the chat participants and the administration.
SIGNIFICANT development in the fallout from the signal chat snafu.. Senate Armed Services Chair Roger Wicker (R) say he and ranker Jack Reed (D) have agreed to ask the administration for an independent Inspector General report on the matter.
Top Republicans say they're out of the loop as DOGE downsizes Social Security Administration
NEW: Chuck Schumer tells Kristen Welker a 'lawless' Trump has caused a constitutional crisis
NEW: AOC hits the road today with Bernie Sanders.. the duo is expected to draw massive crowds.. fueling talk of the progressive star’s future where anything could be on the table.
ICYMI-Congressional watchdog office left powerless as House leaders have yet to fill board seats
NEW: Congressional watchdog office left powerless as House leaders have yet to fill board seats
NEW: Chuck Schumer postpones book tour over safety concerns amid Democratic backlash over shutdown fight
NEW: Senate Democrats decide pain from possible shutdown would be too much.. hatch exit ramp to pass GOP spending plan despite deep reservations from their base:
Terrible news from the office of Rep. Raul Grijalva: "The Office of the 7th District of Arizona is saddened to announce the passing of Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva. Rep. Grijalva fought a long and brave battle. He passed away this morning due to complications of his cancer treatments."
Sen. John Fetterman told me he chose the risk of “explosive diarrhea” over Dem lunch meeting to deliberate the party’s response to the GOP CR. Is he making a point about the position they are in?
House Republicans defied the odds and passed a short term funding bill with basically only GOP support. The pressure is now on Senate Dems to decide if they want to block the bill. But there are at least 5 things consider before wading into a shutdown.
Fifth- The Dem base WANTS a fight big time. Rep AOC is already telling her followers to light up Senate Dems to vote NO. Democrats hate the bill and hate working with Trump.. that may be enough to vote no even with the risks already outlined (END)
Fourth- Everyone loses politically in a shutdown.. Yes- Donald Trump will certainly take on some of the blame.. but not all.. it is impossible for Democrats to not shoulder some of it.. and given their current political situation that is a precarious position to be in.
Third- The Democrats could easily lose a messaging war on any shutdown. Trump has a massive megaphone which Dems have yet to match. Speaker Johnson already has turned the idea of delayed flights, lack of access to national parks and other Fed programs back to the shutdown..
Second- The Democrats need an exit strategy out of any shutdown which they have yet to articulate. If they force the GOP hand.. they will need a feasible negotiating posture moving forward.. otherwise the shutdown lingers forever, maximizing the pain.
First- There are real life consequences to shutdowns that Dems are keenly aware of. They are already upset about how the Musk led DOGE cuts are impacting the fed workforce.. this would make the problem worse and open the possibility that Musk would use the shutdown to cut more.
The House GOP passed their version of a short term spending bill.. putting all the pressure squarely on Senate Dems. The Dem base WANTS a fight.. but here are 5 things they need to consider before they block this package (THREAD)
As Trump leaves the chamber, several Republicans clamor to shake his hand.. many are taking selfies and shooting videos. Democrats left the room as quickly as possible.
It is truly unprecedented how Democrats have sat on their hands and demonstrated no support for Trump’s speech. Usually a President can find one or two topics everyone can cheer for. Not tonight.
There is a slow trickle of Democrats periodically leaving during the speech. The number of empty seats is now very noticeable . My rough count is about 30 seats on the Dem side that are now vacant.
As Trump goes into his section about his policy plans to support law enforcement.. several Democrats yell out asking him about his pardons for J6 offenders who were convicted for assaults of Capitol Police Officers. Many of those officers are here tonight as part of the effort to protect Trump.
Trump is keeping very close to his scripted remarks. He's often known to freelance from prepared speech.. but tonight his staying largely on track.
Trump just hammered the CHIPS act which was overwhelmingly passed with bi-partisan support and provided billions of dollars in incentives to companies across America. 24 Republicans voted for it in the House and 17 Republicans voted for it in the Senate. Trump just said it should be repealed.
Trump once again touts his campaign promise of eliminating taxes on tips and overtime.. but the current GOP budget plan does not include those tax cuts.
When Trump declared that the "age of rule by unelected bureaucrats is over!" Democrats audibly laughed and many pointed in Elon Musk's direction.
The other two members who left the chamber with Rep. Jasmine Crockett after standing up and turning their backs to Trump were Reps. Andrea Salinas & Maxine Dexter.
Huge applause and standing ovation- all from Republicans- for Elon Musk when Trump introduces him and begins his section on DOGE.. very low smattering of boos from the Dem side.
RIGHT NOW: Rep. Jasmine Crockett and two other members stood up in the middle of the Trump speech and took off their jackets- and turned with their backs facing Trump to reveal shirts that read "RESIST". They then left the room.
We are triple checking.. but the Al Green incident is very likely the first time a sitting member of Congress was forcibly removed from the Chamber during a Presidential address.
Rep. Al Green is openly heckling Trump and has been repeatedly asked to sit down. Speaker Johnson is now directing the Sergeant at Arms to remove Green from the Chamber.
Right out of the gate as Trump arrived on the rostrum.. Democrats held up paddles that read "save Medicaid " "protect veterans" and "musk steals".
As Trump made his way down the aisle, the Republican side of the chamber stood and clapped the entire time. Most Democrats stayed seated.. none of them clapped or cheered. This is out of the ordinary.. generally at this stage of the night members from both parties greet the President warmly.
Trump grabbed a hold the top of Rep. MTG's hat that reads "Trump was right about everything" and gave her a gentle nod.
The program is already running roughly 15 minutes behind. The President should already be in the room.. but we've yet to see the doors open.
There are only four sitting Supreme Court Justices in attendance for tonight's address. Chief Justice Roberts, & Justices Kagan, Kavanagh and Coney-Barrett. Retired Justice Kennedy is also here.
Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina, who is decked out in white spotted Musk in the crowd and blew the billionaire a kiss.. Musk responded with a wave.
Elon Musk, Trump's Director of Government Efficiency has just entered the chamber and appears to be sitting in the First Lady's box. He was the first person seated in the gallery to getting a smattering round of applause.