Tim Hanrahan

Filibuster Q&A: Why It Has Vexed the Senate, and How Lawmakers Could Change It A look at the long, colorful and often contentious history of the filibuster, and some ideas on how to fix it short of killing it

The filibuster is really important and also a pain to understand.

This primer answers pretty much all of your questions.

-Is it a "Jim Crow relic"?
-What happened to the "talking filibuster"?
-Was it always 60 votes?
-Plus a cool Herblock cartoon from the 60s.
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...

How the IRS and ICE Tussled During Trump’s Deportation Push Newly disclosed documents provide new details on the back-and-forth over providing sensitive taxpayer information to immigration officials.

ICE vs. IRS:
Newly disclosed documents are shedding new light on the back-and-forth over providing sensitive taxpayer information to Trump's immigration officials www.wsj.com/politics/pol...

Trump Urges Republicans to End the Filibuster to Reopen Government GOP senators, including Majority Leader John Thune, have defended the 60-vote requirement for legislation.

Republicans not sold on Trump's demand to end the filibuster.

-Thune spokesman said the Senate GOP leader's “position on the importance of the legislative filibuster is unchanged.”

- House Speaker Johnson called the filibuster “a very important safeguard.”

Latest: www.wsj.com/politics/pol...

How the IRS and ICE Tussled During Trump’s Deportation Push Newly disclosed documents provide new details on the back-and-forth over providing sensitive taxpayer information to immigration officials.

ICE vs. IRS:
Newly disclosed documents are shedding new light on the back-and-forth over providing sensitive taxpayer information to Trump's immigration officials www.wsj.com/politics/pol...

Shutdown Challenges Republicans’ Vow to Never End the Filibuster GOP senators gave their word to protect the 60-vote rule. “I’m praying to God they keep it,” says former Sen. Joe Manchin.

Joe Manchin says more than a dozen GOP senators vowed they would never end the filibuster. That's being tested now. www.wsj.com/politics/pol...

Susan Collins Could Face Toughest Re-Election Fight Yet Maine’s Democratic Gov. Janet Mills officially launched her bid for Senate.

Cook Political Report, which tracks races nationwide, moved the Maine contest to “toss up” from “lean Republican” after Mills’s announcement.
www.wsj.com/politics/ele...

Hakeem Jeffries Is Looking Past Trump’s Memes and Toward a Shutdown Deal The top House Democrat sees a “meaningful bipartisan path” beyond the theatrics.

Hakeem Jeffries says immigrants' healthcare isn't truly a barrier for Republicans. At the White House meeting, they "spent less than 10 seconds on this fake issue related to undocumented immigrants and healthcare." www.wsj.com/politics/pol...

Hakeem Jeffries Is Looking Past Trump’s Memes and Toward a Shutdown Deal The top House Democrat sees a “meaningful bipartisan path” beyond the theatrics.

Hakeem Jeffries says immigrants' healthcare isn't truly a barrier for Republicans. At the White House meeting, they "spent less than 10 seconds on this fake issue related to undocumented immigrants and healthcare." www.wsj.com/politics/pol...

Fight gearing up over D.C. bill to recycle bottles and cans for cash Supporters and opponents testified in droves at a D.C. Council hearing on a plan to add a 10-cent fee to bottle and can sales that would be refunded when the containers are recycled.

Whatever you think of this particular proposal (which would add a 10¢ redeemable fee for bottles in DC), the price increases for sodas and other drinks by the industry itself in the past few years have been shocking. www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...

White House to Pursue Mass Firings if Government Shuts Down Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought says reductions in employee counts will be permanent if no deal is reached.

Democrats said they were unmoved by the new threat of firings if no deal is reached. “Listen Russ, you are a malignant political hack,” said House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, adding that he wouldn’t be intimidated. “Get lost,” he said.
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...

Exclusive | U.S. in Talks With Taliban on Returning Counterterrorism Forces to Afghan Base Taliban officials haven’t agreed to the proposal, which are part of wider talks with Kabul officials on re-establishing ties.

🚨🚨🚨
WSJ: Trump officials are in discussions with the Taliban about re-establishing a small U.S. military presence at Afghanistan’s Bagram Air Base www.wsj.com/politics/nat...

Charlie Kirk’s Final Week Using his online megaphone, the conservative influencer spent his last days drawing attention to crime and promoting Christianity and nationalism in Asia.

Charlie Kirk’s Final Week
www.wsj.com/us-news/char...

‘Who, Me?’ Older Democrats Defy Calls for Retirement Longstanding Rep. Jerry Nadler is stepping down, but many senior colleagues say they have no plans to leave.

There are 55 House Democrats age 70 or older.

The last eight lawmakers to die in office were all Democrats.

Younger progressives are calling for generational change.

But many senior members say there are good reasons to stick around. What they are saying:

www.wsj.com/politics/dem...

Recently fired CDC chief Monarez in @wsj.com today, ahead of RFK hearing:

www.wsj.com/opinion/robe...

The Once-Feared House Freedom Caucus Falls in Line Under Trump Critics say the group regularly folds after talking a big game. Members say they are securing big wins.

How the House Freedom Caucus has changed.

“We have a different dynamic where we’re delivering significant wins. Now, are they good enough? I don’t know,” said Rep. Chip Roy. With Trump aligned on many issues,“Why aren’t you going to ride that wave? Of course you are.”
www.wsj.com/politics/the...

Key R 👇👇👇 Cassidy who was on the fence but ultimately backed RFK Jr. during confirmation fight in February.

Now has questions about today's CDC firing.

(Note: McConnell was only Republican to vote against RFK Jr.)

The Once-Feared House Freedom Caucus Falls in Line Under Trump Critics say the group regularly folds after talking a big game. Members say they are securing big wins.

How the House Freedom Caucus has changed.

“We have a different dynamic where we’re delivering significant wins. Now, are they good enough? I don’t know,” said Rep. Chip Roy. With Trump aligned on many issues,“Why aren’t you going to ride that wave? Of course you are.”
www.wsj.com/politics/the...

The Once-Feared House Freedom Caucus Falls in Line Under Trump Critics say the group regularly folds after talking a big game. Members say they are securing big wins.

“There is great fear” of Trump, said the Freedom Caucus' former leader. Even the most principled conservatives “are not immune to that concern.” www.wsj.com/politics/the...

The Once-Feared House Freedom Caucus Falls in Line Under Trump Critics say the group regularly folds after talking a big game. Members say they are securing big wins.

“There is great fear” of Trump, said the Freedom Caucus' former leader. Even the most principled conservatives “are not immune to that concern.” www.wsj.com/politics/the...

Exclusive | Trump Soured on Faulkender, Leading to Exit From Treasury The department’s No. 2 official had clashed with now-departed IRS chief Billy Long

Big scoop from @wsj.com -->

The No. 2 Treasury Department official was pushed out of his job after frustrating President Trump and feuding with those close to him, according to people familiar with the matter.

www.wsj.com/politics/tre...

Exclusive | Trump Soured on Faulkender, Leading to Exit From Treasury The department’s No. 2 official had clashed with now-departed IRS chief Billy Long

WSJ scoop: The No. 2 Treasury Department official was pushed out of his job after frustrating President Trump and feuding with those close to him, according to people familiar with the matter.

www.wsj.com/politics/tre...

Cory Booker, Senate’s Mr. Nice Guy, Starts to Throw Some Punches The Democratic senator ran for president on love in 2020. Ahead of another possible bid in 2028, he is changing the formula.

In an interview, the 56-year-old senator says kindness is still his brand: tough love, if you will.
www.wsj.com/politics/cor...

Lawmakers Win Round in Spending Fight With White House Website tracking federal payments is back online following court ruling, after administration took it down in March.

New: Congress finally wins a round in long-running fight with Trump's White House over who controls federal spending. www.wsj.com/politics/pol...

Cory Booker, Senate’s Mr. Nice Guy, Starts to Throw Some Punches The Democratic senator ran for president on love in 2020. Ahead of another possible bid in 2028, he is changing the formula.

In an interview, the 56-year-old senator says kindness is still his brand: tough love, if you will.
www.wsj.com/politics/cor...

Why These 12 Republicans Want the Epstein Files Released In their own words, GOP lawmakers explain their reasons for backing a contentious House vote.

Twelve Republicans who want the Epstein files released explain in their own words their reasons for backing a contentious House vote www.wsj.com/politics/pol...

Democrats See Political Upside—and Risks—in Epstein Files At town halls, lawmakers balance attacks on Trump tax law with jabs centered on scandal.

“The Epstein stuff really struck a nerve with folks,” Rep. Ro Khanna said.
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...

Pritzker’s Illinois, Temporary Home to Texas Democrats, Is Gerrymandering Hot Spot Just three of 17 Illinois congressional districts are represented by Republicans in a state where Trump won 44% of the 2024 vote.

When Democratic lawmakers from Texas arrived in Chicago early this week fleeing a congressional redistricting vote back home, they touched down on some of the most gerrymandered soil in the nation.
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...

Senate Declines to Block Weapons for Israel as Gaza Hunger Worries Grow The votes took on new prominence following an international outcry over images of malnourished babies and children in the Palestinian enclave.

Bernie Sanders' latest bids to block arms sales to Israel failed tonight in the Senate, but he picked up more Democratic votes than last time. www.wsj.com/politics/pol...

GOP Senator Fights White House Over Billions in Frozen Funds The lawmaker from Maine says the administration is pushing the limits of its constitutional authority in clawing back money approved by Congress.

Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine says the Trump administration is pushing the limits of its constitutional powers in clawing back money approved by Congress.

GOP Senator Fights White House Over Billions in Frozen Funds The lawmaker from Maine says the administration is pushing the limits of its constitutional authority in clawing back money approved by Congress.

GOP Sen. Susan Collins says the Trump administration is pushing the limits of its constitutional powers in clawing back money approved by Congress www.wsj.com/politics/pol...