Congress is poised to pass legislation — as part of a sweeping annual spending bill — to reform an 1887 law that determines how presidential elections are certified by Congress.
Why it matters: The bill is Congress’ response to former President Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election and the resulting ransacking of the Capitol by his supporters on Jan. 6.
Incoming Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) on Thursday broke his silence about reports that he fabricated much of his resume, saying he has “a story to tell” next week.
Why it matters: As new revelations continue to mount about Santos’ alleged widespread deceptions, House Republicans have been placed in an extremely tough spot as they prepare to take the majority by a razor-thin margin.
The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act and the PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act passed the Senate with bipartisan support on Thursday as amendments to the omnibus spending package.
Why it matters: It's a major milestone for women's workplace civil rights. Advocates have pushed for protections for pregnant workers for over a decade, arguing that thousands of women lose their jobs each year — either fired or placed on unpaid leave — because employers are under no obligation to offer pregnant workers reasonable accommodations.
The House this week passed a bipartisan bill that requires equal compensation for U.S. women competing in international sports competitions.
Why it matters: It's a landmark victory for women athletes, covering more than 50 national sports and requires the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee to handle oversight of the law.
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey (R) will take down a barrier of double-stacked shipping containers along parts of the U.S.-Mexico border after reaching an agreement with the federal government.
Driving the news: Arizona agreed to halt erecting any more containers along the border and will remove existing containers by Jan. 4, according to a court document filed Wednesday.
House Democrats on Thursday elected Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) as ranking member on the House Oversight Committee.
Why it matters: The job comes with a hefty mandate: leading the defense against a battery of planned Republican investigations into the Biden administration on everything from the border to Afghanistan to Hunter Biden.
WNBA star Brittney Griner published a note Wednesday thanking her fans for their support and sending mail while she was detained in Russia.
Driving the news: "Your letters helped me to not lose hope during a time where I was full of regret and vulnerable in ways I could have never imagined," Griner wrote in the note posted on her Instagram late Wednesday.
Virginia State Sen. Jenn McClellan easily won the Democrats' snap primary to nominate a successor to the late Rep. Don McEachin, the party announced early Thursday morning. She beat fellow state Sen. Joe Morrissey, a polarizing disbarred lawyer with a long history of scandals.
Why it matters: As the Democratic nominee in a bright-blue district, McClellan is almost certainly headed to Congress. And, thanks to the power of incumbency, she's likely to serve there for years.
FTX founder Sam Bankman-Friedwas in FBI custody on Wednesday night after agreeing to be extradited from the Bahamas to the U.S., American officials said.
Driving the news: Bankman-Fried was arrested by Bahamas officials last week after a U.S. criminal complaint was filed against him, accusing him of engaging in a scheme to defraud FTX customers.
