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Savannah Behrmann

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Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., arrives for a meeting in the Capitol earlier this month. GOP leaders have set some ambitious goals for next week, including action on a Senate-passed budget resolution, a spy powers extension and the farm bill.

Wrapup: Senate all-nighter puts ICE in Johnson’s court

By Savannah Behrmann and Valerie Yurk
Posted April 23, 2026 at 6:03pm
A Senate staffer delivers pizzas and drinks to the Capitol as the Senate braced for a previous vote-a-rama in April 2025.

Senate ‘slipping further down the slope’

By Savannah Behrmann
Posted April 22, 2026 at 6:38pm
Sen. Mike Lee, seen here in March, had called for a show of Senate force on an election overhaul favored by the president. Now its path forward is murky.

Future for voter ID bill unclear in Senate

By Savannah Behrmann
Posted April 22, 2026 at 2:54pm
Republicans struggled with passing long-term extensions of FISA and the distraction of a Trump administration fight with the pope, but did swear in a new member. Rep. Clay Fuller, R-Ga., his wife Kate and Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., pose at his ceremonial swearing-in on Tuesday.

A week of lots of noise, few results in Congress

By Savannah Behrmann and Nina Heller
Posted April 17, 2026 at 4:37pm
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., speaks during the Senate Republicans’ news conference in the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

Theological squabble distracts from Tax Day messaging

By Savannah Behrmann and Valerie Yurk
Posted April 15, 2026 at 6:47pm
Iowa state Rep. Josh Turek, left, and state Sen. Zach Wahls are running for Senate. (Courtesy Josh Turek for Iowa/Facebook, Wahls for Iowa/Facebook)

Iowa Democrats pursue ‘once in a generation opportunity’ amid farmer woes

By Savannah Behrmann and Daniela Altimari
Posted April 14, 2026 at 3:42pm
President Donald Trump talks with reporters on the South Lawn of the White House on April 6, 2026.

Trump’s Iran threats resonate even after ceasefire announcement

By Valerie Yurk and Savannah Behrmann
Posted April 8, 2026 at 4:36pm
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., and Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso, R-Wyo., left, conclude a news conference in the Capitol on March 17.

Senate tees up bill to end Homeland Security shutdown

By Savannah Behrmann
Posted April 2, 2026 at 9:51am, Updated at 7:09pm
King Charles III has been invited to speak at the Capitol during his visit to the U.S. in April. Above, he talks with President Donald Trump at a banquet in the U.K. in September 2025.

Congress awaits a royal address from King Charles

By Valerie Yurk and Savannah Behrmann
Posted April 1, 2026 at 1:59pm
Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, seen here in October of last year, didn’t see eye to eye last week on the best way to break a Homeland Security Department funding stalemate.

Who’s the shutdown scapegoat now?

By Valerie Yurk and Savannah Behrmann
Posted March 31, 2026 at 4:09pm, Updated at 5:15pm
Senate Majority Leader John Thune is seen at the Capitol on Feb. 10 with Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo.

Senate to stay on SAVE after recess

By Savannah Behrmann
Posted March 27, 2026 at 6:11pm
Chairman Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., speaks to the cameras as he arrives for a Senate Budget Committee hearing in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on March 10.

Reconciliation bill preparations get underway despite doubts

By Aris Folley, Savannah Behrmann and Aidan Quigley
Posted March 25, 2026 at 7:57pm
Thune said senators will have to "stare at each other" more before a deal is reached. (Bill Clark/ CQ Roll Call)

DHS funding negotiations turn to stalemate in Senate

By Aris Folley, Savannah Behrmann and Aidan Quigley
Posted March 25, 2026 at 6:12pm
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., speaks to reporters as he returns from the Senate floor to his office in the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, March 24, 2026.

In the Senate, Thune resurrects idea of reconciliation

By Savannah Behrmann
Posted March 24, 2026 at 6:38pm, Updated at 8:12pm
Spectators are seen on North Capitol Street during the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon on Saturday. Lawmakers are eager to get out of town for their spring recess.

Week ahead: Senate SAVE and shutdown ‘show’ continues

By Savannah Behrmann and Valerie Yurk
Posted March 23, 2026 at 3:33pm
Senate Majority Leader John Thune speaks during a news conference earlier this month. The Senate is expected to hold a rare weekend session as lawmakers continue debate on legislation known as the SAVE America Act.

Wrap-up: Senate not done yet

By Savannah Behrmann and Valerie Yurk
Posted March 20, 2026 at 2:31pm
Reps. Anna Paulina Luna, right, and Lauren Boebert are among those threatening a blockade of Senate legislation in the House unless the Senate passes a voter ID bill. Above, they attend February’s State of the Union address.

‘Consider this our filibuster’: House GOP doesn’t buy Thune’s ‘show’

By Valerie Yurk and Savannah Behrmann
Posted March 18, 2026 at 6:15pm
Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., speaks about his son’s illness and President Donald Trump’s concern, while testifying during his confirmation hearing Wednesday at the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

Confirmation hearing for Markwayne Mullin to lead DHS gets ‘spicy’

By Savannah Behrmann
Posted March 18, 2026 at 3:30pm
Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Whip John Barrasso conclude a news conference at the Capitol on Tuesday.

‘Foreseeable future’: Senate begins debate on SAVE

By Savannah Behrmann
Posted March 17, 2026 at 6:17pm, Updated at 8:22pm
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., has been facing an escalating pressure campaign to take action on a GOP voter ID bill, despite its long odds in his chamber.

This week: Senate tries to break the SAVE standstill

By Savannah Behrmann and Valerie Yurk
Posted March 16, 2026 at 10:56am
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, talks with reporters in the U.S. Capitol during votes on Tuesday, March 10, 2026.

Filibuster becomes flashpoint in Texas Senate primary

By Savannah Behrmann
Posted March 11, 2026 at 5:55pm
FBI Director Kash Patel arrives to attend a lunch meeting with Republican senators in the Capitol on Wednesday.

FBI, CIA chiefs meet with Senate GOP over spy authority renewal

By Ryan Tarinelli and Savannah Behrmann
Posted March 11, 2026 at 5:28pm
A reporter grabs a handful of candy from a pallet outside the office of then-Sen. Patrick J. Toomey, R-Pa., on Jan. 24, 2020. The candy was sent to resupply the candy desk on the Senate floor during the 2020 impeachment trial.

The Senate still wants candy

By Nina Heller and Savannah Behrmann
Posted March 10, 2026 at 7:34pm
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., leaves the Republican Senate luncheon in the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.

Senate leadership doesn’t budge on filibuster

By Savannah Behrmann
Posted March 10, 2026 at 7:31pm
Protesters hold signs and chant during a demonstration outside the White House against President Trump and strikes on Iran on Feb. 28.

House members vying for Senate face conundrum with Iran votes

By Savannah Behrmann and Valerie Yurk
Posted March 6, 2026 at 3:36pm
Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., talks with the press outside the Capitol after President Donald Trump selected him as his pick to replace Kristi Noem as Homeland Security secretary Thursday.

Trump removes Noem, picks GOP Sen. Markwayne Mullin to lead DHS

By John T. Bennett and Savannah Behrmann
Posted March 5, 2026 at 2:18pm, Updated at 4:06pm
Rep. Burgess Owens, R-Utah, leaves the House Republicans’ caucus meeting at the Capitol Hill Club in Washington on Wednesday, May 10, 2023.

Utah Republican Burgess Owens announces retirement

By Savannah Behrmann and Jacob Fulton
Posted March 4, 2026 at 6:38pm
Sen. Andy Kim, D-N.J., is seen during votes in the U.S. Capitol on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025.

Lawmakers’ concerns grow about Americans left stranded in Mideast

By John M. Donnelly and Savannah Behrmann
Posted March 3, 2026 at 10:03pm
Sen. Thom Tillis poses for photos with Babydog, the iconic English bulldog owned by Sen. Jim Justice, at Wednesday’s Doggi Gras Parade in the Hart Building.

Beads, bones and bipartisanship: Tillis’ last pawrade 

By Savannah Behrmann
Posted February 25, 2026 at 6:56pm
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., speaks as Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., listens during the Senate Republicans’ news conference in the Capitol on Wednesday.

Push for a ‘talking filibuster’ stalls in Senate GOP conference 

By Savannah Behrmann and Valerie Yurk
Posted February 25, 2026 at 6:49pm
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., blocks a sign held by Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, as President Donald Trump arrived for his State of the Union address in the House Chamber of the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, Feb.24, 2026.

The State of Division

By Valerie Yurk and Savannah Behrmann
Posted February 25, 2026 at 12:45am
Texas Sen. John Cornyn faces a tough primary against state Attorney General Ken Paxton and Rep. Wesley Hunt. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call file photo)

Lack of Trump endorsement rocks GOP Senate primary in Texas

By Savannah Behrmann
Posted February 23, 2026 at 6:36pm
Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., said Monday that Democrats would not support an extension of the president's latest tariffs. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call file photo)

Schumer vows to ‘block any attempt to extend’ new Trump tariffs 

By Savannah Behrmann
Posted February 23, 2026 at 6:13pm
Haley Robson, who says she was assaulted by Jeffrey Epstein as a teenager, speaks at a Nov. 18 news conference at the Capitol. She is set to return to the Hill for Tuesday night’s State of the Union as a guest of Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna.

Silence for Democrats but a spotlight for Epstein survivors at State of the Union

By Valerie Yurk, Savannah Behrmann and Nina Heller
Posted February 20, 2026 at 2:29pm
Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer is locked in another shutdown battle as Democrats push for an immigration enforcement overhaul.

Immigration enforcement standoff

By Aidan Quigley, Savannah Behrmann and David Lerman
Posted February 17, 2026 at 5:09pm
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., walks from his office to the Senate floor on Thursday.

With no agreement on DHS funding, Congress leaves town

By Savannah Behrmann and Valerie Yurk
Posted February 12, 2026 at 4:56pm
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., speaks during Senate Republicans’ news conference in the Capitol on Tuesday. Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., stands to his right.

Time for ‘Plan B’ as DHS talks drag ahead of funding deadline

By Aidan Quigley and Savannah Behrmann
Posted February 11, 2026 at 8:33pm
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., speaks during the Senate Republicans’ news conference in the Ohio Clock Corridor in the Capitol on Tuesday. Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., stands to the left.

Despite impasse on CR, Thune pushes forward on DHS spending bill

By Savannah Behrmann
Posted February 10, 2026 at 7:48pm
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., talks with reporters in the Capitol on Jan. 29.

White House, Democrats negotiate as shutdown deadline nears

By Savannah Behrmann and Chris Johnson
Posted February 9, 2026 at 8:51pm, Updated at 10:39pm
Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., speaks to reporters in the Senate subway on Thursday.

Tillis ‘unleashed’

By Savannah Behrmann and Valerie Yurk
Posted January 29, 2026 at 5:16pm, Updated January 30, 2026 at 12:05pm
Senators returned to Washington after a massive winter storm, with just a few days to avert a partial government shutdown. Time is not on their side, nor is a solution for addressing concerns about Homeland Security operations.

Forecast shows chance of snow, shutdown

By Jason Dick, Savannah Behrmann and Valerie Yurk
Posted January 29, 2026 at 12:22pm
Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., Sens. Tim Kaine, D-Va., left, and Adam Schiff, D-Calif., conduct a news conference in the U.S. Capitol on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026.

Senate talks move in direction of splitting off DHS funding bill

By Aidan Quigley and Savannah Behrmann
Posted January 29, 2026 at 12:02pm
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem testifies during a House Homeland Security Committee hearing on Dec. 11, 2025.

A GOP clash over right to carry

By Valerie Yurk and Savannah Behrmann
Posted January 27, 2026 at 6:31pm
Sen. Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., arrives in the Capitol for a vote on Nov. 4, 2025.

Minneapolis shooting galvanizes some Trump faithful in Senate GOP

By Savannah Behrmann
Posted January 26, 2026 at 5:44pm
Capitol workers clear snow last January. This year, the threat of snow has senators nervously checking the forecast, while House members got out of town after a busy week.

Wrap-up: One chamber down, one to go (plus snow)

By Valerie Yurk and Savannah Behrmann
Posted January 23, 2026 at 12:33pm, Updated at 4:45pm
The U.S. Capitol building reflected in a pool of water from the melting snow in Upper Senate Park following a 2016 winter storm that dumped nearly two feet of snow in Washington.

Snow way: Senators warily eye weekend snowstorm

By Savannah Behrmann
Posted January 22, 2026 at 5:38pm
Sen. Thom Tillis, pictured speaking to reporters on Dec. 18, has emerged as one of the most vocal senators expressing concern over policy advice being given to President Donald Trump.

‘This is not good policy’: Some GOP senators question advice Trump is receiving

By Savannah Behrmann
Posted January 20, 2026 at 5:49pm
House Speaker Mike Johnson, right, and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, seen here walking in the U.S. Capitol in October 2025, have a heavy agenda after lawmakers return from the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.

Wrap-up: Congress leaves for MLK Day with long January to-do list

By Valerie Yurk and Savannah Behrmann
Posted January 15, 2026 at 6:34pm
Sen. Elizabeth Warren speaks about the future of the Democratic Party during a speech at the National Press Club in Washington on Monday.

Warren pitches a bigger economic tent for Democrats

By Savannah Behrmann
Posted January 12, 2026 at 4:17pm