Section

Policy

Legislation, regulation, and policy debate

Washington Post — Politics

Senate Republicans advance farm bill amid Democratic demands for changes

Senate Republicans have moved forward with a farm bill, although it faces challenges from Democrats who are requesting modifications to SNAP provisions. This advancement coincides with the return of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

Bias: 4 Sentiment: +0.00
Washington Examiner

Rep. Joyce Beatty Requests Emergency Hearing on Kennedy Center Closure

Rep. Joyce Beatty has requested an emergency hearing regarding the Kennedy Center's immediate closure, which followed a board vote citing safety concerns. Beatty alleges that the board may have violated a previous court ruling blocking the center's planned two-year closure for renovations. The center's closure comes after structural damage was reported due to severe storms.

Bias: 4 Sentiment: +0.00
PBS NewsHour

U.S. War Against Iran Costs Exceed $38 Billion, Congressional Budget Office Reports

The Congressional Budget Office reported that the U.S. war against Iran has cost over $38 billion as of August 1, 2026, with potential monthly costs reaching $3 billion. The war is expected to contribute to inflation, increasing it by approximately 0.5 percentage points through early 2027. The report highlights financial implications for taxpayers and ongoing funding requests from the White House.

Bias: 4 Sentiment: -0.20
Fox News — Politics

Senator Hawley Proposes Legislation to Close Tax Loophole for Data Centers

Senator Josh Hawley plans to introduce legislation to close a tax loophole for data centers, which he claims is being misused by tech companies as corporate welfare. The proposed bill would exclude data centers from tax incentives meant for Opportunity Zones, aimed at benefiting low-income areas. This move comes amid ongoing concerns about the regulation of artificial intelligence and the influence of tech companies on legislative actions.

Bias: 45 Sentiment: -0.10
Al Jazeera English

Senator Bill Cassidy Criticizes Trump Administration's Vaccine Policies Amid Measles Outbreak

Senator Bill Cassidy has criticized the Trump administration's vaccination policies, linking them to an increase in measles deaths in the U.S. He emphasized the need for public health officials to rely on scientific evidence. During a Senate hearing, Cassidy questioned Dr. Nicole Saphier, Trump's nominee for surgeon general, about the MMR vaccine and its alleged connection to autism.

Bias: 33 Sentiment: -0.10
Fox News — Latest

Oregon Settles with Mother Denied Foster Care Adoption Over Religious Beliefs

Jessica Bates, a widowed mother from Oregon, has settled with the state after being denied the opportunity to adopt due to her Christian beliefs regarding gender identity. The settlement allows her to continue the adoption process while her lawsuit against state officials progresses.

Bias: 4 Sentiment: +0.00
PBS NewsHour

Kennedy Center Closes for Repairs Following Board Vote Amid Legal Dispute

The Kennedy Center has closed for repairs following a board vote aligned with former President Donald Trump. Democratic Representative Joyce Beatty is seeking a court hearing to challenge the closure, which she deems unlawful. The closure comes after a federal judge blocked the addition of Trump's name to the building, citing the need for Congressional approval.

Bias: 14 Sentiment: -0.20
Ars Technica

California Considers Changes to Net Neutrality Law in Light of Federal Grant Conditions

California is evaluating the acceptance of $1.86 billion in federal broadband grant funds, which comes with conditions that may require the state to modify its net neutrality law. The Trump administration's recent changes to the BEAD program mandate that states cannot enforce net neutrality rules on ISPs receiving federal funding.

Bias: 4 Sentiment: +0.00
Guardian — US

House Votes to Hold Leon Black in Contempt Over Subpoena Refusal

On September 16, 2026, the House of Representatives voted to hold billionaire Leon Black in contempt of Congress for not complying with subpoenas related to the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. The vote followed a unanimous recommendation from the House oversight committee.

Bias: 4 Sentiment: +0.00
PBS NewsHour

House Votes to Hold Leon Black in Contempt of Congress Over Epstein Investigation

The House voted on September 16, 2026, to hold billionaire Leon Black in contempt of Congress for not complying with subpoenas related to the investigation of Jeffrey Epstein. The matter has been referred to the Department of Justice for potential criminal prosecution. Black's legal team has criticized the Oversight Committee's actions as politically motivated and an abuse of power.

Bias: 14 Sentiment: +0.00
Fox News — Politics

White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles Announces Cancer-Free Status

Susie Wiles, the White House Chief of Staff, announced she is cancer free after a recent medical appointment at the Mayo Clinic. Wiles expressed gratitude for the support she received during her treatment and thanked President Trump for his unwavering backing. She has a long history in Republican politics and was appointed as the first female White House chief of staff following Trump's 2024 election victory.

Bias: 4 Sentiment: +0.50
nbcnews.com

Trump Administration Spent $9.5 Billion on Employee Leave in 2025, GAO Report Reveals

A Government Accountability Office report indicates that the Trump administration spent approximately $9.5 billion on paid administrative leave for federal workers in 2025, a significant increase from previous years. The report attributes this rise to a deferred resignation program initiated by the administration, which allowed many federal employees to receive salaries while resigning early.

Bias: 4 Sentiment: +0.00
washingtonsun.com

Sen. Bill Cassidy Criticizes Trump Administration's Vaccine Messaging

Senator Bill Cassidy criticized the Trump administration's handling of vaccine messaging during a committee hearing on the nomination of Nicole Saphier as surgeon general. He expressed concern over the administration's role in fostering vaccine skepticism, particularly in light of recent measles deaths in Pennsylvania. Cassidy's comments reflect his ongoing opposition to Trump's vaccine policies as he prepares to leave Congress.

Bias: 30 Sentiment: -0.10
abcnews.com

Kerry Kennedy Accuses Trump of Holding Kennedy Center Funding Hostage

Kerry Kennedy accused President Trump of holding the Kennedy Center funding hostage, stating he would not allocate funds for renovations unless his name was included on the building. This follows a federal judge's ruling blocking the addition of Trump's name and the board's decision to close the center for renovations. Kennedy and other family members criticized Trump's actions as detrimental to the center's legacy.

Bias: 30 Sentiment: -0.50
Fox News — Politics

House Democrats Propose Legislation to Block Tax Breaks for Data Centers Amid AI Expansion

House Democrats are introducing legislation to block federal tax breaks for data centers amid concerns about their expansion linked to the AI boom. The proposed bill, supported by multiple representatives, aims to address issues related to local input, resource strain, and the prioritization of corporate interests over community needs.

Bias: 30 Sentiment: -0.10
Guardian — US

Family of Pregnant Woman Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against Ken Paxton

The family of Tierra Walker, a pregnant woman who died in December 2024, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, alleging that the denial of an abortion contributed to her death. Walker was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia at 20 weeks of pregnancy.

Bias: 4 Sentiment: -1.00
Guardian — US

Researchers file lawsuit against NIH over alleged censorship of grants

On September 16, 2026, researchers initiated a class action lawsuit against the NIH, alleging that the Trump administration is censoring scientific grants by blocking funding for certain topics. The lawsuit claims that a list of 235 keywords has been used to restrict funding for areas such as health equity and climate change.

Bias: 4 Sentiment: +0.00
Al Jazeera English

Guterres Calls for Security Council Reform Amid Geopolitical Divides

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for urgent reform of the Security Council, citing geopolitical divides among major powers as a barrier to action on global crises. He emphasized the need for a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and expressed a willingness to facilitate peace talks regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Guterres also highlighted the importance of international cooperation in addressing the risks associated with artificial intelligence.

Bias: 14 Sentiment: -0.10