Senate Democrats Archives - Northwest Public Broadcasting

President Biden Makes A Push For Democrats To Unite Around $3.5 Trillion Budget Plan

By NPR News July 14, 2021

President Biden walks with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., at the Capitol on Wednesday as he arrives to discuss the latest progress on his infrastructure agenda. CREDIT: Andrew Harnik/AP

President Biden heads to Capitol Hill Wednesday to begin the push to unite Democrats from both the progressive and moderate wings of his party around the $3.5 trillion budget blueprint unveiled late Tuesday by Democrats on the Senate budget panel.Read More

Vice President Harris Hints That She Has Discussed Filibuster Changes With Senators

By NPR News July 13, 2021

Vice President Harris speaks about voting rights at the White House complex on June 23. President Biden tapped her to lead the administration's efforts on the issue. CREDIT: Jacquelyn Martin/AP

BY ASMA KHALID & ARNIE SEIPEL With voting rights legislation stalled in the Senate because of Republican opposition, Vice President Harris suggested that she has talked to senators about exceptions […]Read More

With No GOP Votes, Republicans Block Democrats’ Sweeping Voting Rights Legislation In The Senate

By NPR News June 22, 2021

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., speaks Tuesday after the weekly Senate Republican Policy luncheon. McConnell united his caucus in opposition to Democrats' election overhaul bill. CREDIT: Alex Wong/Getty Images

Democrats' massive election overhaul bill aimed at protecting and expanding voting rights and reforming campaign finance laws has stalled in the Senate.Read More

Senate Republicans Block A Plan For An Independent Commission On Jan. 6 Capitol Riot

By NPR News May 28, 2021

Bipartisan legislation to establish an independent commission to investigate the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol has failed in the Senate, as Republicans staged their first filibuster since President Biden took office to block the plan.Read More

Senate Republicans Release $928 Billion Infrastructure Counteroffer

By NPR News May 27, 2021

West Virginia's Shelley Moore Capito and fellow Senate Republicans unveiled a new counteroffer to President Biden's infrastructure package during a news conference Thursday. CREDIT: Stefani Reynolds/Bloomberg via Getty Images

A group of Senate Republicans on Thursday unveiled a $928 billion infrastructure proposal to counter President Biden's plan for a nearly $2 trillion bill.Read More

House Passes Bill To Investigate Capitol Riot, But Fate In Senate Is Unclear As McConnell Opposes

By NPR News May 19, 2021

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky is opposing a 9/11-style commission to investigate the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. CREDIT: Jacquelyn Martin/AP

The House has passed a bipartisan plan to create a 9/11-style commission to investigate the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, despite significant opposition from Republican lawmakers.Read More

‘America Is On The Move Again,’ President Biden Says In Address To Congress Ahead Of 100th Day

By NPR News April 28, 2021

President Joe Biden addressed a joint session of Congress, his first since becomming president, on April 28, 2021, a day before his 100th day in office. It was a smaller event than the normal State of the Union address, with only several hundred in the chamber and no special guests, due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

"America is on the move again," President Biden said in his first joint address to Congress Wednesday night, remarks given amid the coronavirus pandemic. "Turning peril into possibility. Crisis into opportunity. Setback into strength."Read More

Where Efforts To Overhaul Policing Stand In Congress After Derek Chauvin Verdict

By NPR News April 21, 2021

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi speaks alongside members of the Congressional Black Caucus on Tuesday following the verdict against former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd. Jose Luis Magana/AP

With the verdict against former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin now in for the murder of George Floyd, attention is turning to Congress and whether lawmakers can meet the growing demand from across the nation for meaningful changes to policing.Read More

Democrats Unveil Long-Shot Plan To Expand Size Of Supreme Court From 9 To 13

By NPR News April 16, 2021

Democratic Rep. Hank Johnson (from left), Sen. Ed Markey, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler and Rep. Mondaire Jones announce legislation Thursday to expand the number of seats on the U.S. Supreme Court outside the high court. CREDIT: J. Scott Applewhite/AP

Liberal congressional Democrats unveiled a proposal Thursday to expand the number of seats on the U.S. Supreme Court from nine to 13 — a move Republicans have blasted as "court packing" and which has almost no chance of being voted on after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she has "no plans to bring it to the floor.Read More

U.S. House Gives Final Approval To $1.9 Trillion COVID-19 Relief Bill, No Republicans Support

By NPR News March 10, 2021

The U.S. House passed the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 economic relief bill on Wednesday, March 10, 2021 with no Republican support in the U.S. House or Senate. CREDIT: CSPAN

The House voted 220-211 with no Republicans voting in favor of the bill, despite calls for bipartisan support from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and other Democratic leaders. One Democrat, Rep. Jared Golden, voted against the bill.Read More

Senate Democrats, White House Agree To Tighter Income Limits For Stimulus Checks

By NPR News March 4, 2021

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., is working to keep both moderates and progressives inside his caucus on board with the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief bill and pass it this week. Jacquelyn Martin/AP

Senate Democrats have reached an agreement with the White House to tighten the limits on who can receive the next round of stimulus checks as part of President Biden's $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package, according to several Democratic sources.Read More

Senate Votes 57-43 On Impeachment Charge, Not Enough To Convict; 7 GOP Vote ‘Guilty’

By NPR News February 13, 2021

Senate impeachment trial of Donald Trump - Senate floor - February 9, 2021

A majority of senators voted to convict Trump — 57 to 43, including seven Republicans. But two-thirds, or 67 votes, is needed to convict. It was the second time Trump was acquitted in an impeachment trial. The seven GOP senators who voted to convict Trump Saturday were: Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Susan Collins of Maine, Richard Burr of North Carolina, Lisa Murkowski of Read More

Impeachment Trial Day 4: Trump’s Team Wraps Case In Under 3 Hours, Focuses On Free Speech

By PBS Newshour February 12, 2021

In this image from video, Michael van der Veen, an attorney for former President Donald Trump, answers a question from Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., during the second impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump in the Senate at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Friday, Feb. 12, 2021. CREDIT: Senate Television via AP

Attorneys for former President Donald Trump presented a speedy defense argument Friday in the Senate impeachment trial, using less than three hours to make the case the proceedings were a partisan smear campaign by Democrats, and that Trump should be acquitted because his call to “fight” the election was a figure of speech protected by the First Amendment.Read More

Washington U.S. Senator Patty Murray Recounts ‘Horrific’ Encounter With Capitol Insurrectionists

By PBS Newshour February 12, 2021

Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., the ranking member, and Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., chairman of the Senate health committee, introduced legislation to address health care issues such as surprise medical bills and high drug costs. CREDIT: J. Scott Applewhite/AP

Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, a top Senate Democrat, revealed Friday that she came “inches away” from an encounter with violent rioters during the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, speaking publicly about the experience for the first time as the Senate continued the impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump.Read More

How To Watch, What To Know: Your Guide To The Impeachment Trial Of Donald Trump

By PBS Newshour February 12, 2021

We have a special place in history. Never have Americans been so experienced in presidential impeachment as we. Two impeachments in just more than a single year. Nonetheless, experience does not yield understanding. Impeachment is a rare and confusing process. This is just the fourth presidential impeachment in history. And each impeachment process and set of arguments is Read More

Impeachment Trial Day 3: Democrats Wrap Their Case As Trump’s Defense Prepares Friday Arguments

By PBS Newshour February 11, 2021

The House impeachment managers concluded their arguments in the Senate trial Thursday with a forceful condemnation of former President Donald Trump, arguing that he should be convicted to send a message that extremism and violence have no place in American politics.Read More

Trump’s 2nd Impeachment Trial Begins. Here’s What You Need To Know

By NPR News February 8, 2021

House impeachment managers, led by Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., seen leaving the Senate floor after delivering the article of impeachment on Capitol Hill on Jan. 25. They will deliver the case against former President Trump starting Tuesday, Feb. 9. CREDIT: Melina Mara-Pool/Getty Images

President Trump made history when he became the first president to be impeached twice by the House of Representatives. Roughly a year ago, the Senate acquitted Trump on two articles — abuse of power and obstruction. This time he faces one article approved by the House arguing he incited an insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, the day that Congress was required by Read More

Congress Approves Budget, Paving The Way For President Biden’s COVID-19 Relief Package

By NPR News February 5, 2021

The House quickly approved a budget resolution intended to speed the drafting of President Biden's $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package. The Senate approved the same budget resolution early Friday morning. With the Senate evenly divided, Vice President Harris cast the tiebreaking vote.Read More

President Biden Moves Ahead On Relief Bill Without GOP, But Signals Checks Could Be Targeted

By NPR News February 3, 2021

President Biden and Vice President Harris meet with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and other Democratic senators on Wednesday to talk about Biden's $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief proposal. CREDIT: Stefani Reynolds/Getty Images

President Biden and congressional Democrats are pressing ahead on a massive $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief bill, taking the steps in the House and Senate to approve the measure without Republican support.Read More

House Formally Transmits Article Of Impeachment Against Trump To Senate, Setting Up Feb. 9 Trial

By NPR News January 26, 2021

L-R: U.S. House Clerk Cheryl Johnson, Rep. Jamie Raskin and Rep. David Cicilline walk walk through the Capitol's Statuary Hall to deliver the article of impeachment for incitement of insurrection against former President Trump to the Senate floor on Monday evening. Tasos Katopodis/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

At about 7 p.m. ET Monday, House impeachment managers delivered to the Senate an article of impeachment against former President Donald Trump, a move that prompts preparations for a historic trial.Read More

Senate To Begin Trump’s Impeachment Trial Week Of Feb. 8

By NPR News January 22, 2021

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of N.Y at the U.S. Capitol Friday. CREDIT: Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said the sole article of impeachment for incitement to insurrection against former President Donald Trump will be delivered to the Senate on Monday and a trial against the Republican will begin the week of Feb. 8.Read More

President Trump Signs COVID-19 Relief Deal After His Criticism Threatened To Derail It

By NPR News December 27, 2020

President Trump, seen here at the White House on Dec. 12, has signed the coronavirus relief package. CREDIT: Al Drago/Getty Images

President Trump on Sunday night signed a massive coronavirus relief and spending package, relenting on a measure he had called a "disgrace" days earlier. The legislation, which combines $900 billion in COVID-19 aid with government funding through September 2021, was passed by large majorities in both houses of Congress on Dec. 21 — only to see Trump blindside legislators Read More

‘All Is Not Calm’: Congress Scrambles After President Trump Blasts COVID-19 Relief Package

By NPR News December 24, 2020

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., holds a press conference Sunday. Congress is scrambling after President Trump blasted a major aid and spending package that lawmakers passed Monday. CREDIT: Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

With millions of Americans waiting for desperately needed economic aid, a massive relief package remains in limbo as President Trump weighs whether to sign it into law.Read More

Congressional Leaders Reach $900 Billion Deal On Coronavirus Aid, Includes $600 Stimulus Payments

By NPR News December 21, 2020

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell wearing a face mask - December 2020

After months of partisan squabbling, congressional leaders have reached agreement on a nearly $900 billion COVID-19 relief package. "At long last, we have the bipartisan breakthrough the country has needed," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said on the Senate floor Sunday evening.Read More

Bipartisan Group Pushes $908B COVID-19 Plan, But McConnell Crafts Bill Trump Will Sign

By NPR News December 1, 2020

Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., helped craft the bipartisan proposal. CREDIT: Toni Sandys/Pool/The Washington Post via AP

A loosely assembled group of House and Senate lawmakers released a legislative framework they hope can break the months-long impasse between party leaders and the White House on pandemic relief.Read More

From DACA To Border, Biden’s Immigration Promises Likely Hinge On Who Controls The Senate

By NPR News November 9, 2020

The Senate side of the Capitol is seen in Washington, D.C., early Monday. Experts say President-elect Joe Biden's ability to reshape the U.S. immigration system will be sharply limited if Republicans retain control of the Senate. CREDIT: J. Scott Applewhite/AP

President-elect Biden is expected to quickly reverse some of the Trump administration's most controversial policies. But his ability to reshape immigration would be limited in a divided government. Read More

The 13 Races That Will Determine The Senate Majority

By NPR News October 29, 2020

President Trump campaigned with Sen. Martha McSally, R-Ariz., in Prescott, Ariz., this month. McSally is a top target of Senate Democrats, who are hoping to flip her seat blue on Election Day. CREDIT: Alex Brandon/AP

These are the 13 races that will determine control of the Senate in the next Congress. To win control, Democrats would need to net-gain four seats, or three seats plus control of the White House.Read More

Amy Coney Barrett Confirmed To Supreme Court In 52-48 Vote, Takes Constitutional Oath

By NPR News October 26, 2020

President Trump watches as Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas administers the constitutional oath to Amy Coney Barrett during a ceremony at the White House Monday evening. CREDIT: Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images

The 48-year-old judge solidifies the court's conservative majority, filling Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's seat just about a week before Election Day.Read More

After Delays, Republicans Rolled Out A New Pandemic Relief Bill. Democrats Balked

By NPR News July 27, 2020

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., left, with President Trump at the White House. The GOP has unveiled a new pandemic relief bill but tough negotiations lie ahead with Democrats. Evan Vucci/AP

After days of delays, congressional Republicans unveiled their $1 trillion proposal for a fifth wave of pandemic relief. Democrats are not on board — signaling tough negotiations ahead.Read More

Lawmakers Are Far Apart On A New Coronavirus Relief Bill. Here Are 5 Sticking Points

By NPR News July 20, 2020

Demonstrators in Florida ask senators to support the continuation of boosted unemployment benefits. Joe Raedle/Getty Images

State governments face a precipitous drop in revenue, parents and teachers are debating how kids will return to school in the fall, and millions of unemployed workers face the prospect of their pandemic assistance running out at the end of the month.Read More

Senators Clash Over How Soon To Reopen The Economy

By NPR News May 19, 2020

Lawmakers squabbled over how quickly the economy can rebound from the coronavirus shutdown and whether the government is doing enough to support struggling families and businesses.Read More

Dr. Fauci To Appear Before Senate Panel, But Not ‘Trump Haters’ In The House, President Says

By NPR News May 5, 2020

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and CDC Director Robert Redfield

Dr. Anthony Fauci and other members of the coronavirus task force will testify before a GOP-led Senate committee next week but have been blocked from making similar appearances in the House so far.Read More

President Trump Signs New Coronavirus Bill For Small Businesses And Hospital Relief

By NPR News April 24, 2020

President Trump a new coronavirus economic aid package, largely targeted to support small businesses, in the Oval Office on Friday. CREDIT: Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images

The biggest item in the $484 billion measure is roughly $321 billion in additional funding for a small-business loan program. President Trump signed the legislation on Friday. Read More

‘Not Guilty’: President Trump Acquitted On 2 Articles Of Impeachment As Historic Trial Closes

By NPR News February 5, 2020

Article 1 of the impeachment, regarding abuse of power, garnered 48 "Guilty" votes, with only Utah Republican Sen. Mitt Romney crossing party lines. CREDIT: Senate Television / screengrab

Senators voted on Wednesday afternoon to acquit President Trump on two articles of impeachment — abuse of power and obstruction of Congress — after a historically unusual but typically contentious trial.Read More

Impeachment Trial Winds Down In Closing Arguments, With Final Vote Coming Wednesday

By NPR News February 3, 2020

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., gives a thumbs-up as he leaves the Senate chamber during the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump at the Capitol, Jan. 31, 2020. CREDIT: Steve Helber/AP

House Democrats and President Trump's defense team made their final arguments Monday in the Senate impeachment trial before lawmakers vote Wednesday on whether to remove Trump from office. Both sides presented opposing versions of the president's handling of aid for Ukraine last summer and the impeachment proceedings so far, before ultimately arriving at divergent conclusions.Read More

Impeachment Trial Heads Toward Finish Line This Week After Senate Republicans Deny Witnesses

By NPR News February 2, 2020

President Trump and first lady Melania Trump walk along the South Lawn as they depart from the White House for a weekend trip to Mar-a-Lago in Florida on Friday, Jan. 31, 2020. CREDIT: Sarah Silbiger/Getty Images

The key question of President Trump's impeachment trial was answered Friday evening: There will be no new witness testimony, including from former national security adviser John Bolton. Final arguments will begin 11 a.m. on Monday and will not exceed four hours total. The House's impeachment managers and the president's defense team will receive equal time.Read More

No Witnesses In Impeachment Trial: Close Senate Vote Signals Trump Will Likely Be Acquitted Soon

By NPR News January 31, 2020

Senators cast their vote on the motion to allow additional witnesses and evidence to be allowed in the impeachment trial against President Donald Trump in the Senate at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Friday, Jan. 31, 2020. The motion failed with a vote of 51-49. CREDIT: Senate Television via AP

The vote was not a surprise, following announcements from key Republican senators that they would not be supporting witnesses. Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Lamar Alexander of Tennessee said they do not need to hear testimony, which would prolong the trial.Read More

Day 9 Recap: Senators Wrap 2nd Day Of Questions; Vote Expected Friday On Witnesses

By NPR News January 30, 2020

Chief Justice John Roberts, who reads the questions at the impeachment trial, blocked one query from Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., which may have revealed the identity of the whistleblower whose complaint sparked the impeachment inquiry. Senate Television via Getty Images

Senators weighing impeachment charges against President Trump spent Thursday firing questions at lawyers as they did the day before, just as the prospect of former national security adviser John Bolton's appearance as a witness continues to stoke speculation. The Senate will enter its next phase Friday — considering whether to allow witnesses and evidence.Read More

Day 8 Recap: Senators Trade Questions For Impeachment Managers And President Trump’s Lawyers

By NPR News January 29, 2020

White House deputy counsel Patrick Philbin answers a question during the impeachment trial against President Trump Wednesday. CREDIT: AP

The Senate on Wednesday night concluded the first of two days full of questions in the impeachment trial of President Trump. The proceeding offered clues about the thinking of senators, but the session consisted mostly of trial lawyers on both sides magnifying arguments they have already delivered.Read More

Day 7 Recap: President’s Team Wraps Arguments, Setting Stage For Senators’ Questions

By NPR News January 28, 2020

File photo. President Donald Trump speaks to attorney and impeachment defense team member Alan Dershowitz, right, as he arrives for Christmas Eve dinner at Mar-a-lago in Palm Beach, Fla. Dershowitz says he hasn't changed at all and has a long history of representing people whose views he doesn't necessarily agree with. Dershowitz is part of President Donald Trump's defense team at the Senate impeachment trial. CREDIT: Andrew Harnik/AP

President Trump's defense team completed its arguments Tuesday against his removal from office in the Senate impeachment trial. "I think we've made our case," White House counsel Pat Cipollone said. "All you need in this case is the Constitution and your common sense." The trial resumes Wednesday, Jan. 29, 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET.Read More

Day 3 Recap: Democratic Impeachment Managers Continue Making Their Case

By NPR News January 23, 2020

House impeachment manager Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., laid out what he called the legal theory for impeachment as the House is pursuing it. CREDIT: AP

Congress has the power to impeach and remove a president over conduct that may not violate black-letter law — and President Trump's actions qualify, House Democratic impeachment managers argued Thursday.Read More

Day 2 Recap: Senators Implored To Consider Magnitude Of The Moment In Impeachment

By NPR News January 22, 2020

L-R: Rep. Adam Schiff, Rep. Zoe Lofgren, Rep. Jerrold Nadler and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries head toward the Senate Chamber before the start of President Trump's impeachment trial Wednesday. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

With the ground rules having been settled in the early hours after sometimes bitter litigation between the House delegation and Trump's legal team, senators returned Wednesday to hear the formal opening of the case.Read More

Day 1 Recap: Senate Adopts Rules Of Impeachment Trial After 13 Hours Of Debate

By NPR News January 22, 2020

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., walks out of the Senate Chamber before the start of President Trump's impeachment trial on Tuesday. CREDIT: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

After a long day and night of dueling between the House managers calling for impeachment and attorneys for President Trump declaring the articles of impeachment "ridiculous," the Senate adopted a set of rules that will govern its impeachment trial, in which opening arguments will get underway Wednesday.Read More

Senate Dems Report Calls NRA ‘Foreign Asset’ To Russia Ahead Of 2016; GOP Says Overblown

By NPR News September 27, 2019

A visitor to the at the National Rifle Association annual meeting walked past signage for the event in Indianapolis, Saturday, April 27, 2019. Michael Conroy/AP

Emails and interviews detail the extent to which the National Rifle Association helped two of Moscow's agents ahead of the election, Senate Finance Committee Democrats say.Read More