Washington, May 8 (IANS) A bipartisan group of US senators has introduced a resolution describing China as the “foremost rival and strategic competitor” of the United States and calling for deeper engagement with India and stronger Indo-Pacific alliances to counter Beijing.The resolution, introduced by Senator Chris Coons and several Republican and Democratic lawmakers, said China has the “intent and capacity to undermine the security, economic prosperity, and strategic interests” of the…
Latest US Senate News & Updates
Washington, May 1 (IANS) A heated Senate hearing saw sharp clashes between US SEcretary of War Pete Hegseth and lawmakers, as divisions deepened over the Iran war, rising costs and a proposed $1.5 trillion defence budget.At the Senate Armed Services Committee, Democratic and some independent senators challenged the administration’s claims of success in Iran and questioned the scale of military spending.Ranking Member Jack Reed led the criticism, accusing the administration of entering an “un…
Washington, April 29 (IANS) China’s growing global influence drew sharp attention at a US Senate hearing, with diplomatic nominees warning of Beijing’s expanding footprint across Latin America, Africa and parts of Eurasia.Testifying before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, several nominees flagged China’s economic and strategic outreach as a direct challenge to US interests.Juan Rodriguez, nominated as US ambassador to Guatemala, said: “China’s economic expansion in the Western H…
Washington, March 24 (IANS) The US Senate has confirmed Senator Markwayne Mullin’s nomination for Department of Homeland Security (DHS) secretary, replacing embattled Kristi Noem, amid the department’s continued shutdown.The upper chamber voted 54-45 to approve 48-year-old Mullin, who has served in the Senate since 2023, following a decade in the House representing the state of Oklahoma. One Republican senator voted against the nomination, and two Democrats supported it.Mullin’s nomination, anno…
Washington, March 22 (IANS) US President Donald Trump threatened to deploy Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to provide security at airports amid an ongoing shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which has dragged on for more than a month and left regular security personnel going unpaid.Trump wrote on Truth Social that if Democrats did not “immediately sign an agreement,” “I will move our brilliant and patriotic ICE Agents to the Airports where they will do Securit…
Washington, March 20 (IANS) Facing rising health care costs and access gaps, US senators advanced bipartisan proposals on drug pricing, maternal care and insurance reform.At a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee hearing, lawmakers from both parties pitched a wide range of bills aimed at lowering costs, expanding access, and addressing workforce shortages.Opening the session, Committee Chairman Bill Cassidy stressed the need for practical solutions. “As chair, my focus is cu…
Washington, March 18 (IANS) A fierce political battle opened in the US Senate as Republicans pushed the SAVE Act as a safeguard for elections, while Democrats denounced it as a voter suppression measure that could block millions of eligible Americans from voting.Senate Majority Leader John Thune said the proposal focused on two basic requirements: “you have to prove citizenship to be able to register to vote in this country” and “you actually have to show an ID to vote in this country.”H…
Washington, March 14 (IANS) A US senator has introduced legislation to block any transfer of sovereignty over the Chagos Islands — including the strategic Diego Garcia military base — unless the US Senate formally approves changes to the long-standing defence treaty between Washington and London.Sen. John Kennedy, a Republican from Louisiana and a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, introduced the Diego Garcia Treaty Oversight Act, which would require the advice and consent of the…
Washington, March 12 (IANS) Two US senators introduced legislation seeking sanctions against individuals involved in alleged forced organ harvesting in China. Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas and Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon, both members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, unveiled the Falun Gong and Victims of Forced Organ Harvesting Protection Act, a bill that would impose sanctions on individuals responsible for forced organ harvesting and require the US administratio…
Washington, March 11 (IANS) Concerns about Chinese nationals exploiting America’s birthright citizenship laws through a growing “birth tourism” industry surfaced during a US Senate hearing, with one witness warning lawmakers that thousands of children born in the United States are later raised in China.The issue was raised during a hearing of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution examining whether children born in the United States to undocumented migrants or temporary visi…