Stephen Dinan

Democrats lay plans to sideline GOP on COVID-19 bill

Senate Democrats said Tuesday they're working on a backup plan in case Republicans won't agree to President Biden's $1.9 trillion coronavirus bill, saying they're preparing to use the budget process to force the legislation through without worrying about GOP support. Published January 26, 2021

Judge blocks Biden’s 100-day deportation pause

A federal judge has dealt the first legal blow to President Biden's expansive executive actions, putting a hold Tuesday on Mr. Biden's attempt to impose a 100-day pause on most deportations. Published January 26, 2021

Rand Paul to force early impeachment test vote

Sen. Rand Paul said he will force senators to vote Tuesday over the constitutionality of holding an impeachment trial for a former president, which he thinks will prove the futility of Democrats proceeding with the effort. Published January 26, 2021

Alejandro Mayorkas clears committee vote; Biden’s DHS pick overcomes ethics accusations

Alejandro Mayorkas, President Biden's pick to run Homeland Security, cleared his first hurdle Tuesday as senators brushed aside a scathing inspector general's report and pushed him through committee. Published January 26, 2021

Mitch McConnell to move forward with power-sharing after filibuster assurances

Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said Monday that he's now satisfied the filibuster, a defining feature of the Senate, won't be erased, so he will lift his blockade and allow Democrats to finish organizing as the majority party. Published January 25, 2021

House sends Donald Trump article of impeachment to Senate

House Democrats marched the article of impeachment against former President Donald Trump over to the Senate Monday night, officially igniting a new trial that all sides are still struggling to figure out how to conduct. Published January 25, 2021

Joe Biden order to halt border wall construction is likely illegal, experts say

President Biden's directive pausing border wall construction is probably illegal, several experts told The Washington Times, saying he has the power to cancel Defense Department money that was being funneled toward the project, but he went too far by halting construction paid for by money Congress had specifically approved for the wall. Published January 25, 2021

ICE says fake YouTube star Muhammed Zain Ul Abideen Rasheed victimized 245 children

ICE revealed Monday that it helped Australian authorities nab a 25-year-old man they say posed as a teenage YouTube star, luring American girls into befriending him then blackmailing the children into performing sex acts on video. Published January 25, 2021

Tim Kaine eyes 14th Amendment as impeachment alternative

Republicans are presenting a largely unified front as the Senate prepares to kick off a second impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump, with a growing number saying they don't believe the Constitution envisioned pursuing conviction of someone already out of office. Published January 24, 2021

Impeachment arguments to start week of Feb. 8

Senators will be sworn in as impeachment jurors next Tuesday, but the actual trial on former President Donald Trump won't begin until the week of Feb. 8, the chamber's top Democrat said Friday. Published January 22, 2021

Feds stop special Iraqi refugee program after troubling DHS security breach

The State Department announced an emergency 90-day halt on admitting refugees from Iraq who helped the U.S. war effort after authorities revealed Friday that the program had been breached in a brazen conspiracy to steal refugees' files. Published January 22, 2021

Texas sues to stop Biden’s deportation halt

Texas argued to a federal court Sunday that ICE is now actively releasing immigrants who are in the U.S. illegally into the state, bolstering its demand that a judge step in and order a delay to President Biden's new temporary deportation amnesty. Published January 22, 2021

Pelosi to deliver Trump impeachment to Senate on Monday

The House will deliver its article of impeachment for former President Donald Trump to senators on Monday, setting up a trial that could end with his banishment from ever holding federal office again. Published January 22, 2021

Senate power-sharing deal elusive; Joe Biden agenda on hold

Who's on first, what's on second, and nobody knows exactly how the Senate is being run right now. Published January 21, 2021

Senate Republicans call for Donald Trump impeachment trial delay, mid-February start date

Senate Republicans proposed an impeachment trial schedule Thursday that would put off the start until mid-February, giving all sides time to prepare for what's expected to be a debate over constitutional principles more than about former President Donald Trump's behavior. Published January 21, 2021