Richard Blumenthal

A bipartisan group of senators announced an agreement with the Trump administration to advance new legislation sanctioning countries that purchase Russian oil, aiming to pressure Moscow. The legislation, which faced prior resistance from the White House, now appears closer to approval after Trump's recent shift in stance on the Ukraine war.

Top Democrats on five Senate committees criticize President Trump for earning $1.3 billion from cryptocurrency, raising concerns about his influence on pending crypto legislation. Lawmakers are preparing a digital assets bill amid unresolved issues, while House GOP leaders face challenges in advancing legislation due to internal disputes.

Congress has not reached consensus on social media safety regulations for children, despite similar bans in countries like Australia and Indonesia. A House-passed online safety bill excludes a 'duty of care' provision opposed by Senate co-authors of the bipartisan Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), and enforcement challenges like age verification remain unresolved.

Congress has not yet agreed on social media safety regulations for children, despite other countries implementing bans for teenagers under 16. The Senate passed the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) in 2024, but the House version lacks a 'duty of care' provision, leading to uncertainty in final legislation. Legal challenges and enforcement difficulties, such as age verification bypasses, remain significant obstacles.

Congress has not reached consensus on social media safety regulations for children, despite growing international efforts to ban platforms for teenagers under 16. While countries like Australia and Indonesia have implemented such bans, U.S. lawmakers face legal challenges linked to the First Amendment. A House bill addressing online safety excludes a 'duty of care' provision, complicating Senate negotiations.

Sen. Elissa Slotkin and six Democratic senators wrote to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth demanding explanations for blocking eight Navy officers from promotions, citing concerns about political motivations and demographic impacts. The blocked officers included women and Black individuals, and Hegseth allegedly prioritized someone from his inner circle. The letter requested documentation on the criteria and legal basis for the decisions.

Mohammad Nazeer Paktiawal, an Afghan national who fought alongside U.S. forces, died from an allergic reaction while in ICE custody. His death, ruled an accident, occurred after he was detained for deportation proceedings, sparking calls for transparency from advocacy groups and lawmakers.

Key Democrats Maria Cantwell and Richard Blumenthal urge the House to reject the House version of the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) due to concerns about tech company lobbying and risks to bipartisan efforts. They warn the Senate version may be compromised if the House bill is passed, which lacks key provisions like the 'duty of care' for children's online safety.

Senator Blumenthal is demanding Tesla be held accountable for an alleged self-driving crash. The incident was discussed during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on April 30.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani achieved primary victories against establishment candidates, sparking division within the Democratic Party. Progressive and establishment factions clash over governance strategies and electoral approaches ahead of the midterms.

A memorial at the U.S. Capitol honored 272 children and young adults who died due to social media-related harms, with families, lawmakers, and advocates calling for safer social media legislation. The event, held on Social Media Victims Remembrance Day, was organized by two mothers whose sons died in 2020 from incidents linked to social media.

Senate Republicans rejected a war powers resolution after President Donald Trump berated them for opposing his Iran war. Congressional Democrats demanded investigations into the $16 million Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool renovation, citing no-bid contracts and project issues.

Senate Republicans rejected a war powers resolution after President Donald Trump criticized them for opposing his Iran war, while congressional Democrats demanded investigations into the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool's troubled $16 million renovation. A key inflation gauge rose to a three-year high in May, driven by higher gas prices and computer equipment costs.

A memorial at the U.S. Capitol honored 272 children and young adults who died due to social media-related harms, organized by families, lawmakers, and advocates. The event marked Social Media Victims Remembrance Day, founded in 2023 by two mothers whose sons died in social media-related incidents. Lawmakers from both parties called for legislation to hold tech companies accountable for online harms.

Lawmakers demand investigations into the troubled $16 million renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, citing no-bid contracts awarded to vendors with ties to President Donald Trump. The project has faced issues like algal blooms and peeling paint, with Trump blaming vandals for the problems. Two contractors, Green Water Solutions and Atlantic Industrial Coatings, were awarded contracts for the pool's purification and repainting.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's primary victories for congressional candidates, including defeating two incumbents, highlight a divide within the Democratic Party between progressive and establishment factions. Senior Democrats downplayed the impact of Mamdani's success, while he aims to expand his influence nationally.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani achieved primary victories for congressional and state legislative candidates, challenging Democratic Party establishment figures. The outcome highlights tensions between progressive and establishment factions within the party over governance and election strategies.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's primary victories against Democratic establishment candidates have highlighted a growing divide within the party between progressive and moderate factions. Democratic leaders downplayed the impact of Mamdani's success, while progressive figures welcomed the new candidates. Mamdani aims to expand his influence nationally and push for Democratic Party reforms.

Lawmakers demand investigations into the $16 million Reflecting Pool renovation project, citing no-bid contracts to vendors with ties to President Trump, peeling paint, and algae issues. Trump blamed vandals for the problems, while a wildlife nonprofit examined dead ducks near the site.

Congressional Democrats demand investigations into the $16 million Reflecting Pool renovation project, citing corruption and lack of transparency. The project has faced issues like peeling paint and algae, with the president blaming vandals without evidence. Two contractors with ties to the president were awarded no-bid contracts for repairs.

Lawmakers demand investigations into the troubled $16 million Reflecting Pool renovation, citing no-bid contracts awarded to vendors with ties to President Donald Trump. The project has faced issues including peeling paint and algae blooms, with Trump blaming vandals despite lack of evidence.

A memorial event at the U.S. Capitol honored 268 children and young adults who died due to social media-related harms, including cyberbullying and drug-related incidents. The event, part of Social Media Victims Remembrance Day, featured bipartisan calls for legislation to increase accountability of tech companies. The display included placards with photos and ages of victims, organized by two mothers whose sons died in 2020.

Bill Pulte assumes the role of acting Director of National Intelligence, replacing Tulsi Gabbard, amid bipartisan concerns over his qualifications and a stalled nomination process for Jay Clayton. Critics argue Pulte lacks required national security experience, and his potential efforts to reduce the intelligence community's size could face legal challenges.

President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed a U.S.-Iran agreement at the G7 summit, ending a naval blockade and allowing sanctions waivers for Iranian oil sales. The deal includes a $300 billion investment in Iran's reconstruction but leaves unresolved issues like sanctions schedules, frozen assets, and Iran's nuclear program. The agreement faces bipartisan criticism in Congress for potentially strengthening Iran and weakening U.S. allies.

Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal criticized President Trump for suggesting Syria could combat Hezbollah more effectively than Israel. Blumenthal called the idea 'absolutely absurd,' citing Syria's human rights record and its role as a Russian proxy.

An Afghan war-time ally who fought alongside U.S. Army Special Forces died in ICE custody in Texas after less than 24 hours. His family and advocates demand transparency and accountability as the cause of death remains undisclosed and the investigation continues.

Democrats Maxwell Frost and Richard Blumenthal introduced the 'Right to Record' Act to protect individuals filming federal law enforcement operations, including ICE agents, and allow legal action if rights are violated. The bill aims to prevent officers from obstructing recording, retaliating against recorders, or using surveillance to identify them, following incidents where federal agents clashed with protesters and faced First Amendment lawsuits.

Lawmakers demanded answers after the White House secured a $620 million Pentagon loan for Vulcan Elements, a startup linked to Donald Trump Jr. The intervention by Peter Navarro, a senior White House aide, raised concerns about corruption and biased use of taxpayer funds.

U.S. Senate Democrats requested the Congressional Budget Office to provide an official cost estimate for the Iran war, citing discrepancies between administration projections and independent analyses. The senators emphasized the need for transparency and accurate information to inform legislative oversight.

Senate Democrats requested the Congressional Budget Office to estimate the 'true costs' of the Iran war, citing discrepancies between administration figures and independent projections. They emphasized the need for transparency and comprehensive legislative oversight.

U.S. Senate Democrats requested the Congressional Budget Office to provide a comprehensive cost estimate of the Iran war, emphasizing transparency and legislative oversight. The letter highlights discrepancies between administration estimates and independent projections, asking for scenarios including prolonged conflict and troop deployment.

U.S. Senate Democrats requested the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to estimate the 'true costs' of the Iran war, citing discrepancies between administration projections and independent analyses. They emphasized the need for transparency and legislative oversight regarding the conflict's budgetary impact.

The Pentagon's new Economic Defense Unit, aimed at securing $200 billion in private equity deals for defense companies, faces criticism from Democratic lawmakers over national security and taxpayer risks. Senators Elizabeth Warren, Richard Blumenthal, and Rep. Ro Khanna demanded documentation of communications, deal records, and conflict-of-interest policies, citing concerns about foreign investor exposure and financial instability for defense contractors.

Gas prices have risen from under $3 to nearly $4.50 since February, prompting Congress to consider suspending the federal gas tax for the first time. Proposals from Democrats Mark Kelly and Richard Blumenthal, Republican Josh Hawley, and others face opposition, highlighting the gas tax's declining relevance despite its role in funding infrastructure. Experts argue pausing the tax would worsen infrastructure funding crises without significantly lowering prices.

U.S. senators Cory Booker, Richard Blumenthal, and Tammy Duckworth demand reforms to federal agents' use of tear gas and pepper spray after a ProPublica investigation revealed at least 79 children were harmed during immigration enforcement. The lawmakers argue that the Department of Homeland Security's policies are too lax compared to local police departments and call for updated guidelines to prevent collateral damage to children.

The debate over data centers, driven by their high energy consumption and local impacts, is escalating from state and local levels to Congress. Legislative proposals, industry lobbying, and public protests highlight tensions between economic benefits and concerns over energy costs and infrastructure. Senators and industry groups advocate for balancing development with consumer protection and resource responsibility.

Data center projects face growing political and community opposition as debates over energy use and regulation move to Congress. Senators and industry groups advocate for balancing development with consumer protection, while local protests highlight tensions over land use and utility costs.

Data center development has become a political flashpoint in Congress as communities protest projects like the Stratos data center in Box Elder County, Utah, and lawmakers debate regulations. Senators Josh Hawley, Richard Blumenthal, and Tim Kaine highlight concerns over utility rates and local economic impacts, while the Data Center Coalition emphasizes the infrastructure's necessity for modern services.

Data center development has become a political battleground in Congress as debates over energy use, community impact, and regulation intensify. Protests in Utah highlight local opposition, while lawmakers like Josh Hawley and Richard Blumenthal push for consumer protections, and industry groups emphasize the necessity of data centers for modern infrastructure.

Data center projects are sparking political and community conflicts, with Congress debating regulations as states like Utah and North Dakota face local opposition. Senators and industry groups advocate for balancing energy demand and economic benefits, while critics push for consumer protections against utility rate hikes.