Congress

Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten is pressing Washington to avoid another round of export restrictions on ASML's China business. The appeal comes as US lawmakers pursue legislation that could tighten controls on the chip-equipment maker's immersion lithography systems and its servicing activities in China. The dispute puts the Netherlands between American security concerns and the interests of its most valuable technology company, and observers are watching whether the new US Congress moves ahead with the measures.

President Trump is seeking to cancel close to $1 billion in funds already approved by Congress, a process known as a rescission that requires congressional approval to take effect. The move puts the White House on a collision course with lawmakers from both parties, who control federal spending under the Constitution and have previously resisted similar attempts to unwind appropriations.

The Trump administration is using a rarely invoked authority to rescind nearly $1 billion in federal spending that Congress had already approved. The move, reported by PBS, reignites debate over presidential power over the purse and whether the executive branch can block money lawmakers appropriated, a fight likely to draw legal challenges and pushback from Capitol Hill.

President Trump is moving to withhold roughly $800 million in funding that Congress has already approved, according to Reuters and other outlets. The effort raises questions over executive authority and the separation of powers, since appropriating money is a core congressional power. The dispute is likely to draw scrutiny from lawmakers and legal challenges over whether the administration can refuse to spend money mandated by law.

Countries at the United Nations Crime Congress have unanimously adopted the Abu Dhabi Declaration, committing to strengthened international cooperation on crime prevention and criminal justice. The declaration puts particular emphasis on technology, addressing both its use in fighting crime and its abuse by criminals. UN officials presented the agreement as a unified global stance on emerging crime challenges.

Donald Trump says he wants to give American households a $5,000 dividend, a proposal he is pushing within the Republican Party. The idea is drawing attention as analysts question how it would be funded and whether it could gain traction in Congress. Supporters frame it as a direct payout to voters, while critics call it fiscally unrealistic.

President Trump has rejected a proposed deal with Iran following a week of high-stakes meetings, according to The Hill's Sunday shows preview. The roundup also highlights Republicans' efforts to keep control of Congress heading into upcoming elections. The twin storylines are expected to dominate the Sunday political talk shows and shape the week's political conversation in Washington.

President Trump has moved to cut nearly $1 billion in federal spending without approval from Congress, according to US media reports. The move raises immediate questions over presidential authority and the separation of powers, as spending decisions normally require legislative approval. The cuts and the legal basis for bypassing lawmakers are expected to draw scrutiny and likely challenges from Congress and watchdog groups.

The White House says Donald Trump is pressing Congress to cut short its recess and return to Washington to pass funding for the Department of Homeland Security as the government shutdown continues. Lawmakers remain away from the Capitol while the funding standoff drags on, leaving DHS operations caught in the middle of the dispute.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is holding a press conference at Indira Bhawan, the party's headquarters in New Delhi, streamed live to a large audience. The event has drawn heavy attention, with viewers closely watching his remarks on national political developments and the party's positions on current issues.

The Trump administration is moving to cancel roughly $810 million in previously approved federal funding using a rarely invoked maneuver known as a 'pocket rescission'. The approach has drawn attention because it tests the limits of executive power over money already appropriated by Congress, raising questions about its legality and sparking debate over congressional control of the federal purse.

A US Senate committee has voted to hold Anthony Fauci, the former top US infectious disease official, in contempt of Congress. The vote escalates a standoff with Republican lawmakers who have investigated his role in the federal response to Covid-19 and related research funding. Fauci, who led the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for decades before retiring in 2022, has denied wrongdoing.

Pete Hegseth continues to enjoy firm backing from President Trump, who has stood by him through repeated controversies, but the Wall Street Journal reports that his support among members of Congress is slipping. The report highlights a growing gap between the White House's loyalty to the Defense Secretary and lawmakers' increasing skepticism, raising questions about his political standing.

Some members of Congress are openly questioning whether the legislature is equipped to regulate artificial intelligence, with one lawmaker describing the institution as 'barely capable of email.' The remarks reflect growing concern inside Washington that the technical complexity of AI is outpacing lawmakers' understanding, raising doubts that meaningful oversight or legislation can be passed in the near term.

The Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge in South Texas, once described as a "crown jewel" of American protected spaces, is running out of time, according to reporting by Gaige Davila for the Texas Observer. A last-ditch lawsuit is attempting to slow border wall construction through the refuge until Congress can intervene, as advocates warn the refuge's habitats and wildlife are at risk.

The United Arab Emirates has opened the 15th UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice and launched the Pledge4Justice initiative, with an inaugural pledge of up to USD 5 million. The congress brings together countries and organisations to discuss crime prevention and criminal justice cooperation, with the UAE's pledge presented as an opening contribution to the initiative.

An author of an Appalachian memoir has launched a run for Congress, telling reporters plainly: 'I'm not JD Vance.' The candidate is positioning themselves against the caricature of the region popularized by Vance's 'Hillbilly Elegy,' arguing their own lived experience of Appalachia offers a truer representation. The race is drawing attention because it frames mountain communities as more than a political symbol.

North Carolina's attorney general is calling on Congress to establish safeguards around artificial intelligence following a series of bot attacks. He argues federal action is needed to protect consumers and elections from AI-driven manipulation, and is urging lawmakers to move on regulation as AI misuse cases mount.

A Trump-endorsed candidate known for making a fortune in the sticker business is drawing attention for an unusual path toward a seat in Congress. Reporting has focused on the candidate's backstory, combining an unconventional business career with high-profile backing from the former president as the election approaches.

News of a Congress sweep in Gujarat is circulating widely in India, with reports and commentary saying the party won 24 seats while the BJP won none — described in Hindi as a complete rout for the BJP. The results are being framed around senior figures Rahul Gandhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, with supporters of both parties debating the scale of the setback for the BJP in PM Modi's home state.

Several Republican members of Congress from Iowa publicly broke with the president on a number of issues over the past month, according to a political roundup from Iowa news coverage. The divergence highlights occasional tensions within the party as Iowa's congressional delegation weighs constituent interests against alignment with the White House.

India's Congress party is holding a pan-India protest, with demonstrators gathering at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi in what supporters are calling 'Jantar Mantar 2.0'. The protests feature devotional song sessions, or bhajans, directed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, drawing criticism of his government and heavy attention on social media.

News organizations are ramping up coverage of the 2026 United States midterm elections, with early polling on Congressional races drawing reader interest. The midterms will determine control of the House of Representatives and part of the Senate, and both parties are watching poll numbers closely as campaigns begin to take shape. Coverage so far focuses on poll tracking and key races to watch.

New Jersey has joined a multistate coalition calling on Congress to pass comprehensive federal regulations for artificial intelligence. The move adds the state to a growing group of governments seeking uniform national rules on AI safety, privacy and accountability. The effort reflects mounting concern among state officials that rapid AI development is outpacing existing law.

The Japan Times carries commentary under the headline 'A congress for Europe's future', addressing the future direction of Europe. No further details about the congress, its organisers, dates, or participants were provided in the available coverage.

Wisconsin farmers are pressing Congress to pass a new farm bill, saying they need certainty on subsidies, crop insurance and support programs as delays continue in Washington. Growers in the state say prolonged uncertainty makes it difficult to plan planting, investment and finances. The push comes as the farm bill remains stalled, leaving agricultural communities across Wisconsin waiting for federal direction.

Some members of Congress are openly questioning whether the institution is equipped to regulate artificial intelligence, citing its slow legislative pace and limited technical understanding of AI systems. The concern is that a body often described as struggling even with basic technology like email may fail to keep up with the rapid development of AI tools, leaving gaps in oversight while the technology advances faster than legislation can respond.

The US Senate has voted down a war powers resolution intended to rebuke President Trump over military action against Iran. The measure would have sought to limit or block further hostilities without congressional approval, but it failed to advance. The rejection keeps Trump's Iran policy intact and underscores the ongoing divide in Congress over presidential war authority and US involvement in the conflict.

Iowa's Republican members of Congress are dealing with fresh disagreements within their party, according to political coverage from Inside Iowa Politics. The disputes add to tensions among congressional Republicans as the party navigates internal divisions over policy and leadership. The specific issues driving the rifts were not detailed in the available coverage.

A Democratic candidate for Congress in East Texas is speaking publicly about their bid to unseat an incumbent party that has held the district's congressional seat since 2005. Local outlet KLTV covered the race, with the candidate discussing their campaign and the challenge of flipping a district that has voted Republican for nearly two decades.