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Today in Washington
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The U.S. military conflict with Iran has shut down the Strait of Hormuz — the passage for roughly 20% of the world's oil — driving fuel prices up and sparking a fierce debate over war costs, Congressional authorization, and who pays the price. At the same time, a fight over voter ID legislation has kept the Department of Homeland Security partially shut down, leaving TSA agents and other federal workers without paychecks while travelers face growing delays at airports nationwide.
Top Issues
Policy issues making the biggest impact right now
Trump Convenes 'Shield of the Americas' Summit to Combat Cartels
President Trump hosted Latin American leaders at the 'Shield of the Americas' summit to forge a unified regional security strategy. The talks centered on deepening cooperation and utilizing military force to dismantle transnational drug trafficking organizations.
Epstein Files Transparency Act
Following the release of millions of Epstein files, Congress is aggressively investigating potential cover-ups and ties to prominent figures. Lawmakers have subpoenaed Attorney General Pam Bondi and are seeking testimony from various individuals while pushing for transparency in both Epstein and congressional records.
States Push for Permanent Daylight Saving Time Amid Congressional Gridlock
While nineteen states have passed legislation to end the biannual time change, they remain stalled by federal requirements. The House is now moving to fast-track a vote that could finally authorize the shift to permanent daylight saving time.
Defense Production Act Invoked to Secure U.S. Glyphosate and Phosphorus Supply
To strengthen national food security and military operations, the President invoked the Defense Production Act to prioritize domestic production of glyphosate and elemental phosphorus. This move aims to reduce the United States' reliance on millions of pounds of annual chemical imports.
Trending News
Bias-rated coverage from across the political spectrum
Exclusive: Hamas holds talks with Trump-led board as Iran war strains Gaza plan
CAIRO/JERUSALEM, March 16 (Reuters) - Envoys from U.S. President Donald Trump's "Board of Peace" have met representatives of Hamas in Cairo in an effort to safeguard the Gaza ceasefire, under serious strain since the United States and Israel began bombing Iran, three sources told Reuters. The weekend meeting is the first publicly reported since the start of the Iran war between the Palestinian militant group and the board, a new international body personally headed by Trump, which has been ...
U.S. Reaper Drones Take the Fight to Iran, but at a Cost
The U.S. is waging a drone war against Iran with MQ-9 Reaper drones, attacking hundreds of targets after President Trump ordered widespread strikes. When President Trump ordered the U.S. military to strike Tehran's nuclear sites in June, a formation of B-2 stealth bombers escorted by jet fighters ventured deep into Iran to strike their targets with massive bunker-busting bombs. But when Trump ordered widespread strikes on Iran's military sites two weeks ago, the first aircraft to lumber...
BBC Audio | The Documentary Podcast | Iran war: What's life like inside Iran?
The United States and Israel have now been at war with Iran for two weeks, since 28th February. In that time, there have been over 1200 civilian deaths in Iran, including 168, most of them children, at a girls' school in Minab, central Iran. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who had ruled Iran for over forty years, was killed on the first day of the war. There have been wider casualties throughout the region. Iran has fired missiles at neighbouring countries, including Dubai, Kuwait, Turkey, Saudi...
16 Reader Questions on the War in Iran and Our Reporting, Answered
Do the United States and Israel share similar goals? What kind of leadership will Iran have next? How does The Times report on wartime deaths? The war in the Middle East is entering its third week. Strikes exchanged by the United States; Israel; and Iran and its Lebanese ally, Hezbollah, have already killed more than 2,000 people, mostly in Iran and Lebanon, according to officials in those countries, and displaced millions more. We asked readers of The Morning what they wanted to know about...
My New Lawfare Article on "Slavery and Birthright Citizenship"
Today, Lawfare published my article "Slavery and Birthright Citizenship." Here is an excerpt: Trump v. Barbara, the birthright citizenship case, is currently before the Supreme Court. At the heart of the case is a Jan. 20, 2025 executive order that sought to deny birthright citizenship to children born in the U.S. whose parents are in the country either illegally or on temporary visas. The case has produced a vast array of amicus briefs as well as the briefs of the parties. But one key issue...
Time is running out on the Fed, Trump administration's game of chicken
Why it matters: The question of who will be in charge of the world's most important central bank later this spring -- at a time of elevated inflation, stalled job creation and a war overseas driving energy prices higher -- is looking surprisingly uncertain. * The legal and political clash underway right now is the stuff of central banking history -- and it is unclear who will blink. * What happens next in the nomination of Kevin Warsh, the president's pick to succeed Powell on May 15, is as...
What Happens Now to Kristi Noem's Warehouse Jails?
DHS's next leader will inherit a fast-moving $38 billion plan for industrial-scale immigrant detention. By the time President Trump ousted Kristi Noem from the Department of Homeland Security earlier this month, her team had already embarked on a spending spree that included far more than the new luxury jet and the self-promotional ads that got her in trouble at the White House. Over the past several months, the department has purchased 11 large warehouses around the country that it plans to...
Sean Duffy urges Democrats to 'come to their senses' as TSA squeeze cripples airport operations
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy joins 'Sunday Morning Futures' to sound the alarm on the 30-day Department of Homeland Security shutdown, warning that the funding stalemate is crippling TSA operations and leaving the country vulnerable. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on Sunday sounded the alarm on prolonged airport delays during the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown, warning that the funding stalemate is crippling Transportation Security Administration (TSA) operations...
Policy
Executive orders and bills with simple breakdowns
Latest Executive Orders
View all executive orders ›
Trump Orders Agencies to Cut Housing Regulations and Energy Mandates to Lower Construction Costs
Trump Signs Order to Cut Mortgage Regulations for Small Banks to Lower Homebuying Costs
Trump Orders Crackdown on Fraudulent "Made in America" Claims by Online Sellers
Bills to Watch
View all bills ›
Congress Proposes $26 Billion for Disaster Relief and New Rules for Border Security in 2026 Budget
Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2026
Rep. Graves Leads Bipartisan Push for ALERT Act to Prevent Midair Collisions Near Major Airports
ALERT Act
Rep. Tlaib Introduces Bill to Raise Head Start Teacher Salaries to $60,000 and Expand Enrollment
Head Start for America’s Children Act
Latest Changes
View all policy ›Trump Orders Agencies to Cut Housing Regulations and Energy Mandates to Lower Construction Costs
4 days ago
Trump Signs Order to Cut Mortgage Regulations for Small Banks to Lower Homebuying Costs
4 days ago
ForbesTrump Orders Crackdown on Fraudulent "Made in America" Claims by Online Sellers
4 days ago
Trump Grants Energy Secretary New Powers to Use Defense Production Act for National Resources
4 days ago
Santa Barbara Independent