Immigrant groups and volunteers in El Paso, Texas, are working overtime this Christmas season to help a massive wave of migrants and asylum-seekers endure the historic arctic freeze that's sweeping the United States.
Why it matters: "Everybody's working as quickly as possible to make sure that those facilities are available," said Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-Texas), who represents El Paso.
Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo is broadcasting in public what she hears in private from top CEOs: The economy can avoid a recession.
Why it matters: After defying political expectations in 2022, team Biden is taking a victory lap on the economy — and wants to drown out any recessionary chatter in 2023.
The House Jan. 6 select committee on Thursday released its long-awaited final report, which includes detailed evidencecompiled by the panel relating to the deadly attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Why it matters: The report provides the clearest look yet at what transpired before, during and afterone of the most consequential events in American history.
The House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection made 11 recommendations in its final report, published Thursday night, which accused former President Donald Trump of a "multi-part conspiracy to overturn" the 2020 election results.
The big picture: The report recommendations include implementing the 14th Amendment of the Constitution, which bans those who've "engaged in an insurrection" or "aid and comfort to the enemies" from holding office — effectively recommending that 2024 candidate Trump should be banned from running for president.
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.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell pledged his support for House GOP leader Kevin McCarthy during a closed-door conference lunch on Wednesday, multiple sources tell Axios.
Why it matters: Despite the show of solidarity — "we're all pulling for you," McConnell told him — tensions over Ukraine funding and Congress' $1.7 trillion spending bill remained a clear sticking point.
