House passes NDAA, $900 billion defense policy bill, in 312-112 vote
By Caitlin Yield, Kaia Hubbard Washington — The House on Wednesday approved a $900 billion defense policy bill as both chambers race to pass it before the end of the year. The legislation — which sets lawmakers’ defense priorities and authorizes spending levels for the Defense Department and national security programs — cleared the lower chamber in a bipartisan vote with 312 voting in favor and 112 in opposition. The final hours before passage were not without some drama as House Speaker Mike Johnson struggled to maintain control of his fractious majority. A five-minute procedural vote stretched into an hour as
Meet the 167-Year-Old HBCU You’ve Never Heard Of
America’s oldest private Black university taught this nation what educated Black leadership looks like Let’s start with a confession: This might be your first time ever hearing the name Wilberforce University. Trust…once you do, you’ll never forget it. Founded in 1856, five years before the Civil War fired its first shot—Wilberforce University stands as the oldest private, historically Black university in the United States. Not just a relic of history, but the birthplace of Black higher education leadership itself. Long before hashtags proclaimed “Black Excellence,” Wilberforce was already living it, breathing it, and building it from the ground up. A University
Trump’s speech on combating inflation turns to grievances about immigrants
By The Associated Press MOUNT POCONO, Pa. — On the road in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, President Donald Trump tried to emphasize his focus on combating inflation, yet the issue that has damaged his popularity couldn’t quite command his full attention. The president told the crowd gathered at a casino and resort in Mount Pocono that inflation was no longer a problem and that Democrats had used the term “affordability” as a “hoax” to hurt his reputation. But his remarks weaved wildly to include grievances he first raised behind closed doors in his first term in 2018 — and later denied
Indiana state senators advance GOP-drawn congressional map, setting up a final vote
By Jane C. Timm A committee of Indiana state lawmakers advanced a Republican-drawn congressional map Monday, sending it to the floor of the state Senate, where its outcome remains uncertain. After more than six hours of testimony, the map passed out of the committee on a 6-3 vote, with one Republican, Sen. Greg Walker, joining with two Democrats in opposition. Half of the Republicans who voted “yes” suggested they did so to ensure a full vetting of the legislation on the Senate floor and hinted that their votes may change after further debate. The map, which passed the House last week, is designed
Rep. Jasmine Crockett launches Senate run in Texas, shaking up Democratic primary
By Bridget Bowman Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, launched her run for Senate on Monday, shaking up the Democratic primary just before the state’s filing deadline. Crockett joins the race to take on GOP Sen. John Cornyn, who is facing multiple primary challengers himself. The two-term congresswoman’s decision also comes as her Dallas-based House seat was redrawn in a GOP-led redistricting effort. “There are a lot of people that said, ‘You gotta stay in the House. We need our voice. We need you there,'” Crockett told her supporters as she launched her campaign Monday night. “And I understand. But what we need
Rep. James Clyburn criticizes redistricting push: ‘Are we going to make a mockery out of this democracy?’
By Megan Lebowitz WASHINGTON — Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., criticized the nationwide redistricting fight in an interview with NBC News’ “Meet the Press,” arguing that the country is going through “a repeat of a history that led to some catastrophic consequences in our previous history.” Clyburn was asked at the start of the interview whether he agreed with Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, D-Mo., who opposed his state’s redistricting and argued that “if you fight fire with fire long enough, all you’re going to have left is ashes.” “I agree with him entirely,” Clyburn said. Clyburn pointed to the emergence of Jim Crow after the
Congressional Black Caucus blasts Trump for ‘racist’ attack against member Rep. Ilhan Omar ‘Disgusting and pathetic’
By Gerren Keith Gaynor The Congressional Black Caucus blasted President Donald Trump for his personal attacks on U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., whom he repeatedly called “garbage” amid criticisms of the Trump administration’s rhetoric and policies targeting immigrant communities. “Between falling asleep in his own Cabinet meeting, President Trump somehow finds the time to launch hateful attacks against Congresswoman Ilhan Omar and Somali immigrants in Minnesota. If only President Trump put half as much energy into governing as he does into catching a nap and spreading hate, our country would be much better off,” said the caucus in a joint
Supreme Court Backs Texas GOP-Friendly Redistricting Plan
The US Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that Texas can redraw its congressional districts in a way that favors Republicans ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, handing Donald Trump and his party a big victory. The decision by the conservative majority of justices on the highest US court raises the stakes in a fierce political battle over the electoral maps for next year’s elections, which will determine control of the lower chamber of Congress. It also marks the latest example of the Supreme Court’s willingness to overturn lower court rulings that are unfavorable to Trump and his Republican allies and
Tennessee 7th District Special Election Signals Democratic Gains”
By Steve Kornacki Republican Matt Van Epps held off a challenge from Democrat Aftyn Behn on Tuesday in the special election in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District, with voters delivering both a result and a broader message. The result preserves a House seat that the GOP badly needs, given how slim its majority is. But the margin — a 9-point win for Van Epps in a district President Donald Trump carried by 22 points last year — bolsters Democratic optimism heading into next year’s midterms. The big picture The final result is in line with all of the other House special elections
Matt Van Epps Wins Tennessee Special Congressional Race
By Owen Auston-Babcock and Bridget Bowman Republican Matt Van Epps has won a hotly contested special election for a deep-red congressional seat in Tennessee, NBC News projects, seeing off a Democratic challenge for the longtime GOP district. Though President Donald Trump carried the 7th Congressional District by 22 points in 2024, Republican super PACs poured millions into defending the seat as Van Epps faced off against Aftyn Behn, a Democratic state representative. Democrats spent almost as much trying to capture it, as Trump’s political standing has taken a hit this year and the Democratic Party made gains in November elections in New Jersey,
