U.S. Senate

The Senate filibuster is a long-standing practice used to delay or prevent a vote. It can only be stopped if 60 senators vote to end debate in a procedure called “cloture.”

A debt ceiling deal that would temporarily raise the limit through December has been reached with Republicans, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said.

The FBI made “fundamental” errors in investigating sexual abuse allegations against former USA Gymnastics national team doctor Larry Nassar and did not treat the case with the “utmost seriousness,” the Justice Department’s inspector general said Wednesday.

Congressional democrats hope to pass a $3.5 trillion budget this fall aimed at improving housing, education, climate change and other initiatives.

President Biden announced his immediate plans to help bolster American families feeling “the pinch” after Senate Democrats approved a budget resolution that will pave the way for a $3.5 trillion spending package.

Senators unveiled a nearly $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure package, made up of some 2,700 pages following a rare weekend session.

The Senate convened for a rare weekend session to continue debate on the bill that will greatly expand spending on roads, bridges and mass transit if passed.

Democrats say the bill will be crucial to try to reconcile the trauma that many still feel after the Capitol siege. U.S. Capitol Police also say threats to members of Congress have more than doubled this year.

Senate leaders and moderate Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin have struck a deal over emergency jobless benefits, breaking a nine-hour logjam that had stalled the party’s showpiece $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill.

The vote was 219-209 to adopt the budget framework that the Senate approved early Friday morning thanks to a tie-breaking vote cast by Vice President Kamala Harris. 

With minimal objection, the Senate voted 93-2 in favor of confirming retired Gen. Lloyd Austin as secretary of defense.