lawmakers

The United States has signed a nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia that could permit the kingdom to enrich its own uranium, dropping the stricter safeguards Washington demanded from the UAE in 2009. Lawmakers from both parties are voicing concern about the implications for nuclear proliferation and stability in the Middle East.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the War Powers resolution deadline requiring notification or withdrawal of US forces from hostilities with Iran does not apply, citing the ceasefire between Israel and Iran. The claim is drawing scrutiny from lawmakers who argue Congress retains authority over military engagements regardless of a ceasefire.

Lawmakers have introduced a set of technology bills this week, including measures to establish AI research competitions and to prohibit federal agencies from using biometric identification technology. The package covers several other tech policy proposals as well. The moves come as Congress continues to debate how far the government should go in both promoting and restraining artificial intelligence and surveillance tools.

Major crypto legislation in Washington has stalled in Congress, but the Securities and Exchange Commission is continuing its regulatory work in the meantime. The impasse leaves the industry in limbo, with rulemaking happening through the regulator rather than through legislation. Observers are watching whether the SEC's actions will shape the market before lawmakers reach an agreement.

US senators expect a vote after the November midterms on the Trump administration's nuclear power agreement with Saudi Arabia. The pact would allow American companies to pursue nuclear cooperation with Riyadh, a deal that has drawn scrutiny from lawmakers concerned about safeguards and non-proliferation commitments. Its timing in a lame-duck session remains to be seen.

Republican Congressman Darrell Issa says the US economy is 'hot, no question at all', calling current economic conditions strong. The remark lands in an ongoing political debate over the state of the American economy, where analysts and lawmakers clash over jobs, inflation and growth figures. Supporters view the comment as confirmation of solid momentum, while critics caution that overheating could keep inflation pressures alive.

Representatives Rashida Tlaib and Ayanna Pressley, together with Senator Ed Markey, have announced legislation aimed at stopping major US banks from financing fossil fuel projects. The lawmakers frame the bill as a move to end what they call big banks' role in bankrolling the climate crisis, pressing the financial sector to cut off funding for oil, gas and coal expansion.

Several Republican lawmakers have crossed party lines to vote alongside Democrats in favour of a package that includes aid for Ukraine and new sanctions on Russia. The vote signals bipartisan support for continued assistance to Kyiv despite divisions within the Republican Party over Ukraine policy, and it clears the way for further pressure measures against Moscow.

A US senator has called on Congress to cut off funding for a war with Iran, pushing lawmakers to use their power of the purse to block military escalation. The appeal puts a spotlight on Congress's constitutional authority over war funding and adds to debate in Washington over the scope of US involvement against Iran.

Senators Rick Scott and Ashley Moody have introduced legislation aimed at strengthening US military readiness in the Gulf region. The bill, announced by the two Republican lawmakers, focuses on readiness along the Gulf. Details of the measure's provisions and prospects in Congress have not yet been widely reported.

California Senator Alex Padilla conducted an unannounced oversight visit to a de facto immigration detention facility operating at San Francisco International Airport. The visit is part of Democratic lawmakers' broader effort to inspect immigration detention sites following concerns over conditions and access to detainees. Padilla's office announced the visit publicly, framing it as congressional accountability for facilities that have operated with limited transparency.

Spain's parliament has voted down a proposed freeze on evictions, prompting opposition calls for early elections. The rejection of the housing measure has intensified political tensions, with critics using the outcome to push for a snap vote. Debate is focused on the government's handling of the housing crisis and whether it can survive the mounting pressure.