Poli Alert Politics & Civics

President Donald Trump on Thursday announced plans for a dramatic expansion to the White House complex: a $200 million, privately funded state ballroom set to begin construction in September. The 90,000-square-foot facility — which will replace the current East Wing structure — is designed to accommodate up to 650 seated …

President Donald Trump on Thursday sent formal letters to more than a dozen major pharmaceutical companies demanding they slash U.S. drug prices within 60 days — or risk federal action. In a fiery post published on Truth Social, Trump revealed the letters, which instruct companies to offer their full range …

President Donald Trump on Thursday formally imposed sweeping new tariffs on imports from more than 60 countries, issuing an executive order just hours before the administration’s self-imposed midnight deadline. The new tariffs — ranging from 10% to as high as 41% — are set to take effect in seven days …

The U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations Thursday largely rejected Trump administration proposals to slash funding for education programs, medical research grants, health initiatives and Ukraine security assistance. Instead, senators from both parties agreed to increase spending in the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education spending bill for fiscal year …

In a rare show of bipartisanship, the Senate Banking Committee on Tuesday unanimously approved a sweeping housing reform package designed to tackle the nation’s deepening housing crisis, signaling that meaningful federal action could be within reach after years of gridlock. The legislation, dubbed the Road to Housing Act, was co-authored …

A Senate committee on Wednesday narrowly approved legislation banning members of Congress, the president, vice president, and their immediate families from trading or owning individual stocks and other financial assets, escalating a partisan clash over political ethics and Donald Trump’s financial interests. The Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee voted …

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Wednesday eliminating a long-standing trade loophole that allowed low-value packages under $800 to enter the United States duty-free, a move that could reshape cross-border e-commerce and intensify trade tensions. The order, which will take effect on August 29, subjects all foreign shipments valued …

The Federal Reserve on Wednesday opted to leave its benchmark interest rate unchanged, defying persistent pressure from President Donald Trump and signaling renewed concern about inflation and economic uncertainty driven by tariffs. In a statement following its July policy meeting, the Fed said that while economic growth had moderated, inflation …

Former Vice President Kamala Harris announced Wednesday that she will not run for governor of California, ending months of speculation about her political future following her defeat to Donald Trump in last year’s presidential election. In a statement released by her office, Harris said she gave “serious thought” to entering …

The U.S. Senate on Tuesday night confirmed President Donald Trump’s former criminal defense attorney, Emil Bove, to a lifetime position on the federal appeals bench, in the face of whistleblower allegations and criticism from former judges and advocates. Republican Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine broke …

Former President Donald Trump’s call for expanded humanitarian aid to Gaza has ignited sharp divisions within the Republican Party, revealing a rare public rift with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and deepening an already volatile debate on Capitol Hill over the U.S. response to the crisis. Trump’s recent suggestion to …

The Trump administration is pressing Harvard University to pay a significantly higher financial penalty than Columbia University in order to resolve multiple federal investigations into antisemitism on its campus, according to two individuals familiar with the negotiations. The proposed fine, which could reach as high as $500 million, would mark …

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein “stole” Virginia Giuffre from his Mar-a-Lago estate, an explosive statement that adds a new and controversial layer to Trump’s longstanding connection with the disgraced financier. Speaking to reporters, Trump confirmed that Giuffre — one of Epstein’s most prominent accusers …

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency submitted a proposal Tuesday to rescind a 2009 finding that has provided the foundation for the agency’s regulation of greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change, drawing strong opposition from Democrats and climate groups. Administrator Lee Zeldin said the EPA would scrap what is known …

The House Oversight Committee on Tuesday rejected a proposal from Ghislaine Maxwell’s legal team seeking immunity and clemency in exchange for her public testimony before Congress, intensifying political and legal tensions surrounding the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. Maxwell’s attorneys had sent a letter earlier in the day to Oversight Chairman James …