Stephen Dinan
Articles by Stephen Dinan
Biden signs order easing immigrants’ access to welfare
President Biden moved Tuesday to wipe away more of the Trump immigration infrastructure, signing orders easing legal immigrants' access to welfare and revoking his predecessor's get-tough border policies. Published February 2, 2021
Senate proceeds with budget resolution, readies Democrats’ COVID-19 package
Senators voted Tuesday to begin debating a budget resolution, taking the first steps toward approving a final COVID relief package without any GOP support. Published February 2, 2021
Alejandro Mayorkas confirmed as DHS secretary, begins unwinding Trump policies
The Senate confirmed Alejandro Mayorkas on Tuesday to be the new secretary at the Department of Homeland Security, giving President Biden a point person to begin unwinding what he called the "cruelty" of the Trump administration toward immigrants, both legal and illegal. Published February 2, 2021
Senate to vote on budget resolution, readies Democrats’ COVID package
Senators voted Tuesday to begin debating a budget resolution, taking the first steps toward approving a final COVID-19 relief package without any Republican support. Published February 2, 2021
Biden team asks Supreme Court to cancel argument on Trump’s border wall
The Justice Department asked the Supreme Court on Monday to cancel the upcoming oral argument on two critical immigration cases involving former President Trump's border wall and the "Remain in Mexico" policy that helped solve the 2019 border surge. Published February 2, 2021
Pelosi, Schumer announce bill to circumvent GOP on coronavirus
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer revealed their 2021 budget on Monday, triggering the process that could allow them to pass President Biden's $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief bill without any Republican support. Published February 1, 2021
Democrats eye immigration amnesty in coronavirus budget
A large group of Democrats is demanding that the upcoming debate on a nearly $2 trillion coronavirus budget include provisions offering citizenship rights to 5 million illegal immigrants. Published February 1, 2021
CBO: Faster vaccinations means faster recovery
The economy is surging back better than expected from its pandemic-induced malaise, the Congressional Budget Office said Monday, though it said the overall growth won't mask lingering pain in a job market that could take years to return to normal. Published February 1, 2021
Tipsters in Capitol attack aid FBI in most arrests
The Washington Times analyzed 160 criminal cases filed from the assault as of this weekend, and more than 100 of them included the help of a tipster or cooperating witness. In most instances, the tipster was the one who put the FBI on the trail. Published January 31, 2021
Lip service: Democrats plan end run of GOP despite calls for unity
Congressional Democrats say they are still committed to President Biden's calls for unity, but they made clear this week that unity will be on their own terms as they laid the groundwork to circumvent Republicans in pursuit of a liberal agenda. Published January 31, 2021
DHS grants new deportation amnesty to Syrians
Homeland Security announced a new deportation amnesty Friday for Syrians living in the U.S., renewing the status of about 6,700 people already protected, and extending it to cover about 1,800 more Syrians who are currently in the country illegally. Published January 29, 2021
Joe Biden, Democrats scheme to sidestep Republicans for left-wing wishlist
Congressional Democrats say they're still committed to President Biden's calls for unity, but they made clear this week that unity will be on their own terms as they laid the groundwork to circumvent Republicans in pursuit of a liberal agenda. Published January 28, 2021
ICE orders agents to stop using ‘illegal alien’
With President Biden in control, ICE has moved to police its agents' words, telling them the terms "alien" and "illegal alien" may no longer be used in any documents. Published January 28, 2021
Alejandro Mayorkas, DHS nominee, clears filibuster hurdle
President Biden's pick to lead Homeland Security survived a filibuster vote Thursday, leaving a clear path to confirmation early next week. Published January 28, 2021
Joe Biden facing second-slowest rate of Cabinet confirmations in 60 years
Hispanic activists suggested this week that racial motives are behind the plodding pace of the confirmation of new administration's Cabinet picks, dripping political gasoline on an already smoldering fight on Capitol Hill over President Biden's nominees. Published January 27, 2021
Linda Sanchez targets Trump with ban naming buildings after former president
Former President Donald Trump may escape conviction on impeachment for a second time, but a California Democrat announced legislation Wednesday that would ban the government from commemorating him in any way. Published January 27, 2021
DHS issues new terror alert, warns that Jan. 6 attack emboldened extremists
Homeland Security issued a new terror alert bulletin Wednesday warning of possible attacks by domestic violent extremists spanning the ideological spectrum, but emboldened by the pro-Trump mob's assault on the Capitol earlier this month. Published January 27, 2021
Kenneth Grayson, Capitol riot suspect: ‘If Trump tells us to storm … ima do that then!’
A man arrested Tuesday and charged with being part of the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol had telegraphed his intentions two weeks earlier, telling relatives on Facebook that he was prepared to storm the building "if Trump tells us to." Published January 26, 2021
Senate GOP signals acquittal looming for Trump
Senators voted Tuesday to proceed with an impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump -- though more than a third of them dissented, in a vote that Republicans said shows Mr. Trump will ultimately be acquitted. Published January 26, 2021
Senate’s senior Democrat falls ill; Leahy slated to preside over impeachment
The Senate's most senior Democrat went to the hospital Tuesday evening after falling ill, his office said. Published January 26, 2021