TPM has previously reported on the Trump White House’s repeated threats to challenge the ICA in court and try out so-called “pocket rescissions,” to rescind congressionally approved funds without permission from Congress. talkingpointsmemo.com/news/congres...

Outstanding article on the upcoming government funding fight from @emineirmakyucel.bsky.social, who is quickly becoming my go-to on approps and budget reporting. Quotes from me, Devin O’Connor at @centeronbudget.bsky.social, and Chuck Kieffer (former long time Senate Approps Dem staff director).

Dems could decide they want to stand up to the ongoing impoundment by the Trump admin and refuse to vote for legislation unless the White House guarantees that funds will be distributed as appropriated. talkingpointsmemo.com/news/a-big-u...

Looming over the whole rescissions process is the White House’s repeated threat to challenge the Impoundment Control Act in court and to try out a maneuver officials have repeatedly previewed: so-called “pocket rescissions.” talkingpointsmemo.com/news/the-tru...

We @talkingpointsmemo.com are raising money for our journalism fund! We're almost halfway to our goal of $500k. Contribute at the link below, and I'll lay out a few reasons in this thread for why I think you should accounts.talkingpointsmemo.com/contribute

Collins, McConnell & Murkowski broke with the Senate GOP caucus and opposed procedural votes, citing concerns about the bill and lack of clarity on where exactly the cuts will come from. talkingpointsmemo.com/news/wh-is-i...

Experts tell TPM the proposed Medicaid cuts included in Senate Finance Committee's text targets many key components of Obamacare. talkingpointsmemo.com/news/senate-...

On Medicaid, at least, it appears that the Senate finance panel is recommending changes that go further than what key Senate Republicans have said publicly they’re comfortable with. talkingpointsmemo.com/news/senate-...

Trump’s rescission package narrowly passed in the House in a largely party line 214-212 vote, with all Democrats and four Republicans voting to reject the measure. talkingpointsmemo.com/news/jeffrie...

Neither party is eager to talk about the impact of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” in this way — Democrats prefer to focus on the effect the bill will have on Americans, while Republicans have downplayed the ways in which the legislation will upend the status quo.

One thing is clear: GOP leaders have their work cut out for them. And in a few key cases, senators might soon find themselves caught between what Trump demands of them, and what’s good for their reelection prospects.

The massive reconciliation package got a makeover on Wednesday largely to appease the far-right members who were threatening to sink the bill. Notably, leadership made substantial changes to the Medicaid portion of the bill overnight. talkingpointsmemo.com/news/house-p...

While little of the proposed Medicaid slashing had been discussed 10 hours into the meeting, tensions were high and bipartisan outrage over House Republicans’ efforts to gut the social safety net program was on full display.

As long foreshadowed, how and how much Republicans will cut Medicaid without too many Americans figuring out what they’re doing has the conference twisted in knots. talkingpointsmemo.com/news/the-whe...

“There's no way they're going to be able to do the things they want to do without cutting Medicaid. Just point, blank, period,” @aoc.bsky.social tells TPM's @emineirmakyucel.bsky.social. More here ⤵️

"These requirements are not about jobs but are a cruel way for Republicans to take health care away from millions of people to give tax breaks to billionaires and corporations.” E&C Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone said.

The way that Trump has gone about using rescission turns on its head the constitutional process for allocating funds and further undermines Congress’ authority to direct spending, stand up federal agencies and serve as a check on the executive branch. talkingpointsmemo.com/news/trump-a...

Only two House Republicans — Reps. Massie and Spartz — broke with their conference and voted against the blueprint, which they say does not go far enough in enacting the sweeping cuts they have been calling for and will actually increase the deficit. talkingpointsmemo.com/news/house-g...

“They’re engaged in trickery. If you’re busy trying to hide what you’re doing, deep down, you must know that you’re doing the wrong thing. Because if you really believe in it, you ought to own it,” Warnock told me.

Several Senate Republicans indicated this week they won’t get behind a budget resolution that would require deep cuts to Medicaid. talkingpointsmemo.com/news/house-g...

When asked about the consequences of such an action — if it were to happen — Lieu, matter of factly, said: “We would instantly become an authoritarian country.” talkingpointsmemo.com/news/house-d...

@kateriga.bsky.social and I gotchu with the latest

Follow along our live coverage!!

Here’s the latest on Senate Dems’ thinking around the CR needed to avoid a government shutdown

A quick recap of today in case you were tuned out

Follow along the live Hill coverage here ⬇️

GOPs are gonna claim Ds chose a shutdown if it comes to that. False. Johnson intentionally wrote a bill filled w non-starters for Ds, a whole medicine bottle of poison pills. This is Johnsons doing. A pure MAGA bill as our @emineirmakyucel.bsky.social explains. talkingpointsmemo.com/fivepoints/5...

Johnson can only afford to lose one GOP vote and still pass a CR to keep the government open. House Dems have made it clear they won’t help the majority pass the bill without an agreement that Trump won’t continue his lawless DOGE rampage.

Good rundown from @emineirmakyucel.bsky.social on state of negotiations on a continuing resolution. Johnson says they need "clean CR". No limits on DOGE, etc. That makes perfect sense. GOPs are the majority. Pass it. talkingpointsmemo.com/news/dems-wh...

“Let’s be clear, the Democrat demand is really simple,” Sen. Coons told me, with a mocking emphasis on the word “demand." “It’s that the President commits to following the law. That’s it. It’s not a big deal."

More from @emineirmakyucel.bsky.social on tonight's dizzying back and forth here:

Here's that letter from Ed Martin to Rep. Garcia ⬇️

The effort by Acting D.C. U.S. attorney Ed Martin appears to be designed to smother freedom of speech and criticism of Musk and the Trump administration. talkingpointsmemo.com/news/trumps-...

Another day, another confirmation hearing. Follow along our live coverage here ⬇️⬇️

Posted up outside the room as Hegseth’s confirmation hearing gets underway

@tpm.bsky.social is in the hearing room today. Follow @kateriga.bsky.social & @emineirmakyucel.bsky.social's coverage of the confirmation hearing for Hegseth, whose nomination was, at least initially, threatened by allegations of sexual assault and uncontrolled alcohol use, here ⤵️

With margins as tight as they can get, the vote is a test of Trump’s ability to inspire — and leadership’s ability to enforce — Republican unity as the party begins its new trifecta. TPM's @kateriga.bsky.social & @emineirmakyucel.bsky.social are covering today's (expected) circus live here:

Clear red lines have emerged, including strident opposition to any Trump administration efforts to restrict abortion rights or to politicize the way in which federal funds are distributed to states.

MAGA Republicans on Capitol Hill who recently spoke to TPM dodged questions about proposals put forward by some of their colleagues to make sweeping cuts to federal social safety net programs. talkingpointsmemo.com/news/maga-re...

The official portraits of the 17 House Republicans elected to chair committees in the 119th Congress:

“I think his resignation is a result of raw political pressure repugnant to our criminal justice system,” Sen. Blumenthal told me. “I personally would have preferred that he stayed and fought. I would have refused to resign. It’s a threat to the independence and integrity of our justice system.”

A sunny but VERY cold day on the Hill

Had so much fun making this grazing table for the @tpm.bsky.social holiday party this weekend 🎄🎅🏽

Meanwhile, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene claims she has not heard about any plans to cut federal safety net programs like food stamps. “I personally am against that but I haven’t heard that,” she told me.

"It would be devastating to all the people who rely on these programs — many of them are Trump voters," Sen. Tammy Duckworth told me this week.

House Republicans voted to block the Dem-led effort to release the Matt Gaetz ethics report. All but one Republican voted to send the resolution back to the Ethics Committee, effectively blocking what would have been the immediate release of the report.

Trans rights activists -- including Chelsea Manning -- are staging a protest in a women's bathroom in the Cannon building (a House building) next to Speaker Johnson's office. "Trans rights are under attack! What do we do? Act up! Fight back!"

1. As they say, @bsky.app has the juice. Over the last several weeks, we at @tpm.bsky.social gained a lot of followers, some very familiar with TPM. Some less so. For those less familiar with TPM, here’s what we’re all about, a thread. (with a little reward at the very end)

Republicans have been using their time ahead of the 119th Congress to launch unprecedented attacks against their will-be colleagues on the other side of the aisle. My latest for @tpm.bsky.social: