The Congress Issue



After nearly three decades on Capitol Hill, Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) reached the apex of his career as the new Senate majority leader and head of the Republican caucus. But he’s also reached a personal crossroads — and how he navigates it will determine his legacy and the future of the American experiment.
There’s no question that Thune is a conservative who supports President Donald Trump’s agenda, despite his previous opposition to Trump becoming the GOP nominee. But temperamentally, he’d seem to be at odds with Trump’s aggressive, norm-breaking approach to the presidency.
“In a move-fast-and-break-things era of anti-government ardor, he’s virtually a public-sector lifer, an easy-does-it institutionalist,” writes Michael Kruse in this week’s Friday Read. “The subject of nary a scandal and scant few lengthy profiles for somebody of his stature, John Randolph Thune — by upbringing, experience and disposition — is the utter antithesis of Donald John Trump.”
The question for Thune is whether he wants to be remembered as the man who tolerated Trump’s worst excesses in service of his political project, or as the institutionalist who drew a line in the sand. And so far — to the delight of MAGA skeptics and the chagrin of Democrats and anti-Trump Republicans who respect Thune — he’s choosing the first path.
“I would hope there’s a little inner turmoil,” said longtime John McCain adviser Mark Salter. “You are watching the executive branch usurp all the power and authorities given Congress under Article I,” he continued. “Maybe he thinks, ‘I’ll preserve my influence, and down the road, when something worse comes along, I’ll be able to stop him from doing it’ — but it’s going to get harder to oppose him, not easier.”

“WTF? @SenSchumer please grow a spine. And quickly.”
Can you guess who tweeted this at Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer? Scroll to the bottom for the answer.**


How the Media Missed the Missing Congresswoman … The first notable thing about the news that Texas Rep. Kay Granger had been living in an assisted-living facility with dementia for months was that a sitting member of Congress was unable to carry out her duties. The second notable thing was that no one had noticed. Washington probably has the highest journalist-to-everyone-else ratio of any city in the country, and yet it was a small conservative website called The Dallas Express that got the scoop. A Congresswoman vanished — and not one D.C. outlet reported it. Why? In this week’s Capital City column, Michael Schaffer digs into the story of how the media missed the story.

Wait, was something supposed to happen on Saturday? Why are all your Democratic friends mad at Chuck Schumer? No one needs to know that you missed one of the most dramatic government shutdown showdowns in history. Just use these talking points and everyone will think you were practically glued to C-SPAN this week. (From Associate Editor Dylon Jones)
- Share a bit of context to telegraph that you remember how shutdown negotiations typically go — and why this time was different: “When the majority party needs votes from the other side, they used to reach out to try and make a deal. Sometimes the president himself would get involved. But the GOP didn’t even try. As POLITICO put it, ‘the White House’s posture smacks of over-confidence bordering on arrogance.’”
- You won’t look like a keen White House observer unless you bring up just how ugly and personal the president got as the deadline for averting the shutdown loomed: “Trump was in a meeting with the Irish prime minister when he decided to say that Schumer, the highest ranking Jewish elected official in the country, is ‘not Jewish anymore. He’s Palestinian.’ He’d previously said Schumer is a ‘proud member of Hamas.’ Something tells me Trump didn’t exactly consult a rabbi on that one. And yeesh, must have been awkward for the prime minister. ”
- Drop a detail that indicates you were refreshing Hill reporters’ Twitter pages as Democrats debated their position this week: “Did everyone see that reporters could hear Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand arguing against the shutdown through a closed door on Thursday? You’d think they’d have improved the sound-proofing at the Capitol over the last 231 years or so.”
- Everyone will be talking about progressives like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Bernie Sanders condemning Schumer’s decision to support the Republican spending bill to avoid a shutdown. But as a sharp political observer, you’ll be able to point out that the criticism isn’t just coming from the party’s leftmost flank: “Multiple Biden advisers threw stones at Schumer as well. More importantly, so did Rep. Nancy Pelosi, one of the most effective wielders of power the party has ever seen, albeit somewhat obliquely. ‘Let’s be clear: neither is a good option for the American people,’ she posted on X, referring to the choice between the bill and a shutdown. ‘But this false choice that some are buying instead of fighting is unacceptable.’”


The 5 Most Stylish Men in Congress … Congress may be dysfunctional, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be fashionable. There are a handful of members who know how to turn a look — if not how to turn a bill into law. Menswear critic Derek Guy highlights the five most stylish men in Congress, and what makes them stand out from their frumpy colleagues.


The Navy SEALs Take Congress … One group of Americans has recently achieved greater representation in Congress than ever before: Navy SEALs. There are seven Navy SEAL vets in Congress, and their ascension marks a notable shift both in the military and in politics. Compared to past veteran lawmakers, “the current generation of ex-SEALs, who mostly came of fighting age during the Gulf War and the war on terror, have eagerly embraced a more combative style of politics,” writes Ian Ward, “one that favors partisan warfare, legislative brinkmanship and an open embrace of Trump.”


D.C.’s Big-Dollar Dining Habits Exposed … When members of Congress use campaign or PAC funds to wine and dine, they have to report that spending. So Senior Data Reporter Jessica Piper crunched the numbers to find out where Democrats and Republicans like to crunch on grub — and found a feast of insights. Any guesses which party prefers steakhouses and which one likes European bistros? How about what representative spent $155,563.09 at The Capital Grille alone? Your smorgasbord of delicious D.C. dining details is served.


Congress Spills Secrets on Congress ... Last week, we got 25 members of Congress to give us their unvarnished view of insider life on the Hill — and they did not hold back. We're talking sex, drinking and dementia — which colleagues they can't stand and how they'd change the institution if given a chance. Get ready to see Congress like you've never seen it before.


From the drafting table of editorial cartoonist Matt Wuerker.
Who Dissed? Answer: That would be one of former President Joe Biden’s old advisers, Susan Rice.
politicoweekend@email.politico.com
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The Congress Issue
Senate Majority Leader John Thune arrived at the apex of power just as President Donald Trump is exerting his own executive authority. Will Thune draw a line?Politico - 5h -
Under G.O.P., Congress Cedes Power to Trump, Eroding Its Influence
On spending, oversight and other issues, Republican lawmakers have willingly ceded power traditionally reserved for Congress to the Trump White House.The New York Times - 1d -
Some Democrats Regret Their Scattered Responses to Trump’s Speech to Congress
Progressive and moderate Democrats criticized a protest by Representative Al Green as a distraction, and the party leadership tried to refocus attention on economic issues.The New York Times - 5d -
Government shutdown looms amid budget showdown in Congress
Congress is staring down a deadline to fund the government by the end of the week, as the familiar threat of a shutdown looms over Washington. Nikole Killion explains.CBS News - 4d -
NewsNation’s Leland Vittert blasts House GOP 'bullies' on rhetoric toward transgender member
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GOP-led Congress races to avert government shutdown ahead of Friday deadline
The path to averting a government shutdown at the end of the week remains murky in the Republican-controlled Congress.NBC News - 5d -
Congress keeps a distance on Trump’s tariff rate disputes
President Trump's tariffs on Canada and Mexico, as well as his exemption of North American trade agreement-protected goods, has led to a hands-off approach from Congress, which has been reluctant ...The Hill - 2d -
Republican Refers to Sarah McBride, Transgender Congress Member, as a Man
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Spending Bill Omits Billions for Local Projects as Congress Cedes Power to Trump
The stopgap measure the G.O.P. is pushing to avert a government shutdown omits billions of dollars in member-requested projects, another way in which Congress has ceded its power on federal spending.The New York Times - 1d -
President Trump's address to Congress draws 36.6 million viewers, down from first term
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12:30 Report — Johnson scrambles to corral GOP funding votes
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Congress avoids a shutdown — and gives Trump more tariff power against Canada and Mexico
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Yankees' Giancarlo Stanton dealing with calf injury in addition to elbow issues; timeline still unknown
Yankees manager Aaron Boone confirmed that Giancarlo Stanton is dealing with a calf injury in addition to his elbow issues.Yahoo Sports - 19h -
How DOGE is already changing the spending process in Congress
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has done significant work in exposing wasteful government programs, but this has created a difficult situation for the Trump administration as they ...The Hill - 3d -
Congress must end legalized theft on US highways
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China steels itself for Trump turmoil with ‘DeepSeek congress’
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Congress poised to force $1B cut to local DC budget, surprising many lawmakers
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L.A. officials issue evacuation warnings for wildfire-affected areas ahead of heavy rain
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Oracle misses on earnings and issues weak revenue guidance
Oracle missed analysts' expectations for the third quarter.CNBC - 4d -
More Universities Are Choosing to Stay Neutral on the Biggest Issues
Instead of speaking out on the hot-button debates of the day, more schools are making it a policy to stay silent as political pressure mounts against higher education.The New York Times - 4d -
Arrest warrant issued for member of cult exposed by BBC
The BBC exposed the Lighthouse life-coaching organisation for ruining the lives of its members.BBC News - 2d -
Salford promise 'good times' despite funding issues
Chief executive Chris Irwin insists cash-strapped Salford Red Devils will not enter administration and that "good times will come".Yahoo Sports - 3h -
Putin says he agrees in principle to Ukraine ceasefire, points out issues pending
Russian President Vladimir Putin says he agrees in principle to the 30-day temporary ceasefire deal that the U.S. proposed after dialogue with Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia. Putin added that ...CBS News - 2d -
Democrats Wore Pink to Protest Trump’s Congress Speech. But Was It a Moment?
But is this really a “Barbie” moment?The New York Times - Mar. 5 -
Senate Republicans tell Musk to send his cuts to Congress
The DOGE chief was told that legislative action could enshrine his slashing.Politico - Mar. 5 -
Judges and world leaders defy Trump as Congress sits on sidelines
Federal judges and foreign leaders are acting as the emergency brakes to Trump as he pushes to remake the world.NBC News - 6d -
Colombian president calls for referendum on health and labor reforms that have stalled in congress
Yahoo News - 3d -
Congress averts a shutdown — but Democratic divisions ensue: 5 takeaways
The Senate approved a House GOP-crafted spending bill hours before the shutdown deadline Friday evening, capping off the first funding fight of President Trump’s second term — a saga that ripped ...The Hill - 20h -
Republicans in Congress weigh tax increase for top university endowments
Elite US schools including Harvard, Stanford and Princeton could see levies on investment gains raised as high as 21%Financial Times - 6h -
Stats that say striker not Arsenal's big issue - plus Man Utd's mediocrity
We look at the numbers behind Manchester United and Arsenal's seasons to explain their current positions.BBC News - 6d -
Long Covid still an issue 5 years after global pandemic began
Five years ago, the World Health Organization declared Covid a global pandemic, but many people are still living with the symptoms of long Covid. Nearly 7% of adults who contracted the virus in the ...NBC News - 4d
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The Congress Issue
Senate Majority Leader John Thune arrived at the apex of power just as President Donald Trump is exerting his own executive authority. Will Thune draw a line?Politico - 5h -
‘Terrible for Their Relationship’: The Schumer-Jeffries Split Explodes in Public
“To beat Trump, we need clarity of purpose, discipline and coordination," one top Democratic strategist said. "It’s clear none of that exists right now.”Politico - 21h -
Mace sued for defamation by man she accused of abuse in floor speech
The legal action seeks to carve out an exception from the speech or debate clause of the Constitution.Politico - 1d -
Dems ask Trump admin to explain Khalil’s arrest, calling it ‘playbook of authoritarians’
More than 100 House Democrats sent the letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.Politico - 1d -
Schumer’s shutdown 'surrender' sends the left into a rage
The Senate minority leader's decision to forego a government shutdown rekindled his old critics.Politico - 1d
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Trump signs continuing resolution, averting shutdown, White House says
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