U.S. Senate Archives | Northwest Public Broadcasting

Patty Murray Joins GOP Senate Colleague In Targeting High Health Care Bills, Drug Costs

By NPR News May 23, 2019

Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., the ranking member, and Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., chairman of the Senate health committee, introduced legislation to address health care issues such as surprise medical bills and high drug costs. CREDIT: J. Scott Applewhite/AP

In a year already marked by a wide variety of congressional health care legislation, Sens. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., and Patty Murray, D-Wash., on Thursday released the details of a plan they hope will help bring down health costs and eliminate surprise medical bills for patients. Read More

As 2020 Race Heats Up, Jay Inslee Proposes Cutting Senate Filibuster To Boost His Climate Pitch

By Max Wasserman March 21, 2019

Washington Governor Jay Inslee has started soliciting contributions for a federal political action committee that could allow him to test the waters for a possible run for president in 2020. CREDIT: PARKER MILES BLOHM / KNKX

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has a well-worn set of speaking points when it comes to his 2020 presidential campaign: clean energy, clean jobs, a clean economy that works for everyone, and ending fossil fuel subsidies. Inslee calls these goals the four pillars of his climate change agenda. As of last week, he’s added a fifth: gutting the filibuster. Read More

President Trump Vows Veto After Congress Blocks His Order To Build Border Wall

By NPR News March 14, 2019

President Trump speaks about the partial government shutdown, immigration and border security in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House Saturday. CREDIT: Alex Brandon/AP

The resolution to terminate the president's national emergency declaration sets up the likely first veto confrontation between Congress and the White House since President Trump took office. Continue Reading President Trump Vows Read More

Sweeping Public Lands Bill Would Protect Washington Lands, Waters

By Courtney Flatt February 13, 2019

The U.S. Senate Tuesday passed a sweeping public lands bill, with measures meant to protect lands across the country. It’s expected to have a big impact on Washington’s lands, rivers and more. Continue Reading Sweeping Public Lands Bill Would Read More

Democrats Plan Vote To End Partial Government Shutdown On Jan. 3, When They Take Over House

By NPR News December 31, 2018

House Speaker-designate Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., address reporters about the fight over funding a border wall before the partial government shutdown. Pelosi will lead House Democrats in voting on a bill to reopen the government when they take power in the House on Thursday. CREDIT: J. Scott Applewhite/AP

The House of Representatives will vote on a funding bill to end the partial government shutdown on Thursday, the first day of the new Congress when Democrats will take control of the chamber and are expected to elect Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., as speaker. Read More

Congress Poised To Punt On Government Spending Fight Over Border Wall

By NPR News December 3, 2018

The U.S. flag flies at half-staff in honor of former President George H.W. Bush outside the Capitol in Washington, D.C., Monday. Top Hill leaders planned on a stopgap funding bill to avoid a partial shutdown at the end of the week. CREDIT: Alex Edelman/AFP/Getty Images

After the death of former President George H.W. Bush top Hill leaders decided to prepare a two-week funding bill to postpone a fight over President Trump's demand for $5 billion for a border wall. Continue Reading Congress Poised To Punt Read More

Mississippi’s Racial History Casts Shadow Over Final Senate Race Of 2018

By NPR News November 27, 2018

President Trump made two campaign appearances this week with Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, who has stumbled over the state's racist past and faces a tight runoff election Tuesday. CREDIT: THOMAS GRANING/AP

The special election runoff in deep red Mississippi was expected to be a sleepy affair — a formality, even. Instead, the race has tightened as the GOP candidate stumbled over the state's racist past. Continue Reading Mississippi’s Read More

Déjà Vu All Over Again: Florida Elections For Governor And U.S. Senate Heading For Recount

By NPR News November 10, 2018

Crowds gathered outside of the Broward County Supervisor of Elections this week in Florida. The elections for governor and U.S. Senate are heading for recounts. CREDIT: Joe Skipper/AP

Machine counting of votes will begin this week after narrow margins were reported in the races for governor and U.S. Senate. Continue Reading Déjà Vu All Over Again: Florida Elections For Governor And U.S. Senate Heading Read More

Senate Votes 50 – 48 To Confirm Brett Kavanaugh To U.S. Supreme Court

By NPR News October 6, 2018

If all goes as expected, Kavanaugh will be confirmed to the Supreme Court by a nearly party-line vote. Continue Reading Senate Votes 50 – 48 To Confirm Brett Kavanaugh To U.S. Supreme CourtRead More

Brett Kavanaugh’s Confirmation Seems Likely As Key Senators Announce Support

By NPR News October 5, 2018

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, walks on Capitol Hill on Wednesday. A key vote on Brett Kavanaugh's Supreme Court nomination, she said Thursday that the FBI investigation seemed "very thorough." CREDIT: Alex Brandon/AP

GOP Sens. Susan Collins and Jeff Flake said the FBI inquiry into sexual assault claims against Brett Kavanaugh was "thorough," with Flake seeing no new evidence. Their votes will be decisive. Continue Reading Brett Kavanaugh’s Read More

President Trump Orders Limited FBI Investigation To Supplement Kavanaugh Background Check

By NPR News September 28, 2018

Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., listens as Christine Blasey Ford testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday.

Arizona GOP Sen. Jeff Flake provided the critical vote to move the nomination to the full Senate while at the same time proposing that his colleagues support a one-week FBI investigation. Continue Reading President Read More

Google Warned Senators And Aides Of Hacking Attempts On Personal Emails

By NPR News September 22, 2018

In a recent letter, Sen. Ron Wyden said some senators and Senate staff members were warned by a major tech company "that their personal email accounts were targeted by foreign government hackers." Continue Reading Google Warned Senators And Read More

Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court Confirmation Hearings Off To A Raucous Start

By NPR News September 4, 2018

Nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh sought to portray the high court as nonpartisan. "The justices on the Supreme Court do not sit on opposite sides of an aisle," he said Tuesday. Continue Reading Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court Confirmation Read More

From A POW Prison, John McCain Emerged A ‘Maverick’

By NPR News August 25, 2018

McCain was shot down during the Vietnam War and was held captive and tortured for years. The ordeal helped fuel his political career. Continue Reading From A POW Prison, John McCain Emerged A ‘Maverick’Read More

Amendment Defunding Grizzly Reintroduction In Washington Passes U.S. House

By Courtney Flatt July 23, 2018

This undated file photo provided by the National Park Service shows a grizzly bear walking along a ridge in Montana.National Park Service CREDIT: NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

An amendment to prevent the relocation of grizzly bears to Washington’s North Cascades has passed the U.S. House. The move is opposed by conservation groups, which say more grizzly bears are needed in the state. Continue Reading Read More

On 4/20, U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer Introduces Bill To Decriminalize Marijuana

By NPR News April 20, 2018

Thirty states have legalized some form of medical marijuana. Nine of those states and Washington, D.C., allow recreational sale of the drug.CREDIT: TED S. WARREN

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., plans to introduce legislation to decriminalize marijuana on the federal level, adding a high-profile advocate in the effort to decriminalize, legalize and normalize marijuana use in America. Continue Read More