Senate

Joseph de Soto, a newly elected delegate from West Virginia, was officially removed from office Wednesday while under house confinement. De Soto, 61, is facing charges stemming from alleged terroristic threats against several state lawmakers.

House Republicans are renewing efforts to introduce a national sales tax and abolish the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), framing the measure as a way to ensure illegal immigrants contribute taxes. Representative Buddy Carter (R-GA) will unveil the FairTax Act of 2025 on Thursday, a bill designed to overhaul the U.S. tax system by replacing the federal income tax with a 23% national sales tax.

Bipartisan senators have reintroduced a bill that would make Daylight Saving Time permanent.

President-elect Donald Trump met privately with Republican lawmakers at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, as the GOP works to finalize its strategy for advancing key legislative priorities. With Republicans holding slim majorities in Congress, swift action is necessary to capitalize on Trump’s early political momentum.

A man was arrested on Wednesday afternoon after attempting to carry a machete into the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC) in Washington, D.C., shortly before President-elect Donald Trump was set to meet with Senate Republicans on Capitol Hill.

Congressional Democrats outpaced the S&P 500, according to data collected by Unusual Whales. The portfolios were seven points higher than the S&P 500, or 24%.

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) introduced a joint legislation that proposes a constitutional amendment for congressional term limits.

Michigan’s newly elected lawmakers will be sworn in Wednesday in Lansing, officially kicking off the 2025 legislative session. The day marks a shift in state politics as Republicans reclaim control of the Michigan House of Representatives after two years of Democratic leadership.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis will soon name a successor to Sen. Marco Rubio, who is poised to become secretary of state in the incoming Trump administration. Reports suggest that Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody is the leading candidate for the Senate appointment.

Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) voiced strong support for the deportation of illegal immigrants who commit crimes, calling it a matter of "common sense" during an appearance on Fox News’ Special Report. Fetterman pointed to a lack of bipartisan support for the proposed Laken Riley Act as a key reason Democrats lost in the 2024 elections.