US Senate

The US Senate votes on and approves major appointments, legislation, and war powers measures in the Trump administration's second term.

2026-05-142026-07-30

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

June 2026
2 JunJoy Online
… Senate Majority Leader John Thune, the top Republican in the US Senate, has come out forcefully against the fund. …
Trump administration drops $1.8bn ‘anti-weaponisation’ fund
May 2026
14 MayJoy Online
Donald Trump’s Federal Reserve chair has been confirmed by the US Senate in a vote that fell largely along party lines. …
Trump’s Fed chair pick Kevin Warsh confirmed by US Senate

World & Region

Fauci invokes Fifth Amendment over 100 times at Senate hearing

The News

Former US health official Anthony Fauci refused to answer questions at a Senate hearing on Covid-19 origins, invoking the Fifth Amendment more than 100 times and citing concerns that Republicans might use his testimony to prosecute him for perjury. Fauci has previously denied Republican accusations that he concealed pandemic information and lied about its dangers, calling the allegations "simply preposterous."

7 hours ago · Joy Online →

Today

Fauci invokes Fifth Amendment over 100 times at Senate hearing
Former US health official Anthony Fauci refused to answer questions at a Senate hearing on Covid-19 origins, invoking the Fifth Amendment more than 100 times and citing concerns that Republicans might use his testimony to prosecute him for perjury. Fauci has previously denied Republican accusations that he concealed pandemic information and lied about its dangers, calling the allegations "simply preposterous."
7 hours ago · Joy Online →

Yesterday

Fauci invokes Fifth Amendment at Senate Covid origins hearing
Former US health official Anthony Fauci refused to answer questions at a US Senate hearing about Covid-19's origins, invoking the Fifth Amendment to protect against potential perjury prosecution. Fauci cited advice from his attorneys and expressed concern that Republican Senator Rand Paul intended to use his testimony against him.
15 hours ago · Joy Online →
Jay Clayton confirmed as US director of national intelligence
The US Senate voted 51 to 47 to confirm Jay Clayton as director of national intelligence, replacing acting DNI Bill Pulte, whose original appointment faced backlash for his lack of intelligence experience. Clayton, a former US attorney for the Southern District of New York and securities regulator, succeeds Tulsi Gabbard.
17 hours ago · Joy Online →

Friday 10 July

Trump blocks bipartisan housing bill over voter ID failure
President Donald Trump has said he will not sign a bipartisan housing bill into law in protest over the US Senate's failure to pass voter ID legislation. The housing bill, approved by Congress, is set to become law automatically unless the president vetoes it.
10 July 2026 · Joy Online →

Wednesday 24 June

US Congress approves measure urging Trump to halt Iran war
The Republican-controlled Senate approved a measure instructing President Trump to halt the war in Iran or seek congressional approval before continuing military action, with a handful of Republicans joining Democrats in a 50-48 vote. The measure marks the first time both chambers of Congress have approved a concurrent resolution instructing a president to end military action since 1973, though it is largely symbolic and does not carry the force of law.
24 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Friday 12 June

Trump appoints New York prosecutor as national intelligence director
US President Donald Trump has named Jay Clayton, the top federal prosecutor in New York, as director of national intelligence after Congress objected to his previous choice for lacking intelligence experience. Clayton, who formerly led the SEC, will oversee 18 government intelligence agencies and replace outgoing director Tulsi Gabbard.
12 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Friday 5 June

US Senate approves $70bn for Trump immigration agencies
The US Senate has approved over $70bn in funding for President Trump's immigration agencies, including ICE and Border Patrol, for the remaining three years of his administration. The bill passed 52-to-47 largely along party lines and now heads to the House for a vote before going to Trump for signature.
5 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Thursday 4 June

House votes to restrict Trump's war powers over Iran
The US House of Representatives passed a measure 215-208 to require Trump to withdraw US forces from Iran or seek congressional approval for military action. Trump dismissed the vote as "unpatriotic" and blamed Democrats and four Republican voters for undermining his negotiations.
4 June 2026 · Joy Online →
US House votes to halt Trump military action in Iran
The US House of Representatives passed a war powers resolution 215-208 seeking to halt President Trump from taking further military action in Iran and requiring him to withdraw US forces or seek congressional approval. The measure is largely symbolic, passed with four Republicans joining Democrats, and the White House dismissed it as an unconstitutional attempt to restrict presidential power.
4 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Wednesday 3 June

Senate Republicans remove $1bn for Trump's White House ballroom
The US Senate voted to advance an immigration spending bill after Republicans removed $1bn in funding for President Trump's new White House ballroom, which was intended for Secret Service security upgrades. The $72bn reconciliation bill will now fund immigration agencies including ICE and Border Patrol, and heads to the House before final approval.
3 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Tuesday 2 June

Trump administration abandons $1.8bn compensation fund plan
The Trump administration has dropped plans for a $1.8bn fund to compensate individuals claiming unfair government targeting, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced to lawmakers. The fund, proposed to settle Trump's lawsuit against the IRS over his tax returns, faced strong criticism from Democrats and Republicans over concerns it could pay Capitol riot defendants, and was halted by a federal judge pending a June 12 hearing.
2 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Thursday 14 May

Trump's Federal Reserve chair pick Kevin Warsh confirmed by Senate
Kevin Warsh was confirmed as chair of the US Federal Reserve by the Senate with 54 votes in favour and 45 against, the narrowest margin for Fed chair confirmation since 1977. Warsh will succeed Jerome Powell and faces pressure from President Trump to lower interest rates despite rising inflation driven by energy costs.
14 May 2026 · Joy Online →