lawmakers

The United States has signed a nuclear cooperation deal with Saudi Arabia that could allow the kingdom to enrich its own uranium, a capability Washington previously refused to grant. Critics note the agreement skips the "gold standard" restrictions the US required of the UAE in 2009. Lawmakers from both parties are raising alarms about the potential consequences for regional security and nuclear proliferation.

President Trump is calling on Congress to cut short its recess and return to Washington to pass funding for the Department of Homeland Security, according to the White House. The appeal comes as the government shutdown continues, leaving the department partially unfunded and intensifying pressure on lawmakers to reach a deal.

A Democratic lawmaker has launched an effort to impeach Linda McMahon, calling the conduct at issue 'completely out of bounds'. The move signals escalating confrontation between congressional Democrats and the Trump administration over its education agenda, with McMahon, as Education Secretary, at the center of the dispute.

Congress has passed a war powers resolution, delivering a rare bipartisan rebuke of President Trump. The measure seeks to limit the president's authority to take military action without congressional approval. Lawmakers backing the resolution argue that decisions to go to war must rest with Congress, while the White House and its allies have dismissed the vote as political theater. The passage underscores ongoing tensions between lawmakers and the administration over military authority.

Editorials from Bloomberg and other outlets are urging Congress to revise a US-Saudi nuclear agreement they describe as flawed. Critics argue the deal lacks sufficient safeguards against nuclear proliferation and fails to secure binding commitments that the technology will not be diverted toward weapons. The debate centers on whether lawmakers should tighten the terms before the pact advances.

India's EPFO has raised the wage ceiling for EPF contributions from Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000, a change affecting employees covered under the Haryana Krishak Reform scheme and beyond. Reports are calculating how the higher salary limit changes pension payouts under EPS after 20 years of service, as well as the impact on in-hand salaries. The move is also drawing reaction from lawmakers, with a parliamentarian honoured over the decision.

A Senate committee has voted to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former top US infectious disease official, in contempt of Congress. The move stems from a dispute over compliance with congressional document and testimony requests. The vote escalates a long-running standoff between Republican lawmakers and Fauci over the federal government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, and sets up a potential full Senate or legal fight over enforcement.

President Trump has reportedly told congressional leaders he is canceling billions of dollars in previously approved federal funding. The move, which would cut money already allocated by Congress, is drawing sharp attention from lawmakers and commentators who question whether the president has the authority to unilaterally withhold funds appropriated by the legislative branch. Late-night hosts and political observers are weighing in on the legality and impact of the decision.

The Government Accountability Office reports that NASA has no single, comprehensive cost estimate for its Moon-to-Mars program, the effort to return astronauts to the Moon and eventually send crews to Mars. The finding raises concerns among oversight officials and lawmakers about transparency and budget planning for one of the agency's most ambitious long-term exploration programs.

JD Vance has told Florida state representative Angie Nixon to leave, according to reports circulating widely online. The exchange between the US vice president and the Democratic lawmaker is drawing reaction from both sides of the political divide, with critics calling it disrespectful and supporters defending his response. Details of what prompted the confrontation remain limited.

The US Supreme Court's upcoming term is set to take on some of the country's most divisive issues, with cases on gun rights, immigration, and climate change headlining the docket. The Christian Science Monitor reports that the rulings could reshape federal regulatory power and settle politically charged questions, drawing close attention from lawmakers, advocates, and the public.

Brazilian congressman Kim Kataguiri publicly pledged to renounce his mandate if Renan Santos registers 3% support in a Datafolha opinion poll. The promise, reported by Diário do Centro do Mundo under the headline 'Só cumprir' (Just keep it), has drawn attention as a bold political wager, with commentators debating whether Kataguiri will actually follow through on the commitment.

A US senator has placed a hold on legislation related to the Kennedy Center, preventing it from advancing in the Senate. Lawmakers use holds to stall bills they object to, and the move halts the measure unless the senator is persuaded to lift it or colleagues force a vote. The具体 reason for the block was not stated in the report.

The push to build AI data centers in Kansas has stirred up state politics, with disagreements over land, water, power and tax incentives dividing lawmakers and communities. The issue is now shaping up as a defining theme in the upcoming race for Kansas governor, with candidates expected to take positions on how the state should handle the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure.

A push to build AI data centers in Kansas has stirred political conflict across the state, with an opinion piece in the Kansas Reflector arguing the issue could shape the upcoming race for governor. Data center projects have drawn debates over land use, energy demand, water consumption and economic benefits, splitting lawmakers and communities and emerging as a central campaign theme.

New York State Assembly member Alex Bores says AI regulation should not be treated as a partisan issue, arguing that voters across the political spectrum want the pace of AI development to slow down. The remark lands as US lawmakers debate how to regulate artificial intelligence, with Bores positioning broad public concern as grounds for cross-party action.

A policy question is drawing attention: whether the state should mandate the establishment of mental health courts, which divert people with mental illness out of the standard criminal justice system and into treatment. The proposal is being weighed against questions of cost, local capacity, and how such courts should operate, with officials and residents debating whether a statewide requirement is the right approach.

Allegations at Cornell University have prompted lawmakers from both parties to call for stronger sexual assault protections on campuses. The case is being used to argue for tougher federal and institutional safeguards for students, with bipartisan support giving the push unusual momentum in a divided political climate. Details of the specific allegations remain limited in the report.

Commentary argues insurance reform could be a rare area where Democrats and Republicans in Washington find common ground, and urges lawmakers to seize the moment. The piece frames insurance markets as a policy area ripe for bipartisan fixes rather than partisan conflict, positioning reform as an opportunity Congress should act on now.

A bipartisan group of US lawmakers has asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to block BlackRock's $33.4 billion acquisition of AES, a major utility and renewable energy company. The lawmakers argue the deal raises concerns over concentration of control in energy assets. The move adds political pressure to the regulatory review of one of the largest utility takeovers proposed in recent years.

An opinion piece in The Des Moines Register argues that members of Congress should take farmers as an example when working to forge peace. The author suggests farmers' cooperative, practical approach to solving problems offers a model for lawmakers who are at odds. The piece is drawing attention as an appeal for compromise in US politics.

Pope Leo has weighed in on one of the culture's liveliest debates, arguing that there is a fundamental difference between human-made art and images generated by artificial intelligence. The Vatican's intervention comes as artists, writers and lawmakers worldwide wrestle with how creative work produced by machines should be treated, and whether AI output can carry the meaning and intention that define genuine art.

Politico reports that the overturning of Roe v. Wade has reshaped how many American doctors view their profession, prompting some to step into political life. Physicians affected by new abortion restrictions are increasingly running for office, lobbying lawmakers, and speaking out publicly, turning medical professionals into a visible new force in electoral politics.

The New York Times examines why American voters continue to elect elderly lawmakers, even as concerns grow about the age of senior politicians in Washington. The piece explores the advantages incumbents hold — name recognition, experience, fundraising power and safe districts — and how these factors outweigh voter worries about age in midterm and congressional races.

California is considering lifting its ban on hunting bobcats, reopening a debate over predator management that has been dormant since the state banned recreational bobcat hunting in 2015. Supporters argue populations have recovered and hunting could be managed sustainably, while wildlife advocates fear the move could reverse hard-won protections.

A Fortune commentary argues the United States should create a dedicated Department of AI, warning that without centralized oversight and coordination, the federal government risks allowing artificial intelligence disruption to push the US economy 'over the brink'. The piece adds to a widening debate in Washington over how to govern rapidly advancing AI while keeping America competitive, as lawmakers and industry leaders weigh whether existing agencies are equipped to handle the technology's economic impact.

Police have carried out a crackdown on retail theft, resulting in multiple arrests, according to local reporting. Organized retail crime has become a growing concern for stores and lawmakers, and enforcement operations of this kind are being watched closely as communities debate how best to address shoplifting and organized theft rings. Details on how many were arrested or where have not yet been made widely available.

Crypto industry lobbying reached $8 million this week, as political attention turned to Bitcoin and the Securities and Exchange Commission's stance on digital assets. The spending highlights growing efforts by crypto firms to influence regulators and lawmakers, with Donald Trump's position on cryptocurrency drawing particular interest from investors and industry watchers during a busy week for the sector.

Lawmakers are weighing proposals to address Social Security's funding shortfall, with options that vary widely in how much they would cost ordinary Americans. Potential fixes include raising payroll taxes, lifting or removing the taxable earnings cap, delaying benefit claims, or adjusting benefits for higher earners. Debate centers on which approach spreads the burden most fairly between workers, retirees and higher-income households.

A US lawmaker has urged Starbucks to close its stores in Xinjiang, prompting a sharp rebuke from Chinese authorities. Beijing condemned the intervention as interference in its internal affairs, amid ongoing Western scrutiny of alleged rights abuses in the region. The call puts the coffee giant, which operates hundreds of outlets in China, in a difficult position between Washington and a key market.

A new episode of California Politics 360 on KCRA examines proposals for regulating artificial intelligence in California. The discussion focuses on what rules state lawmakers are weighing for AI use, and what new oversight could mean for residents and businesses in one of the country's leading tech hubs.