Lisa Mascaro, The Associated Press

While National Newswatch does not keep an archive of external articles for longer than 6 months, we do keep all articles written by contributors who post directly to our site. Here you will find all of the contributed and linked external articles from Lisa Mascaro, The Associated Press.

House gets back to work and quickly falls into a cycle of punishing its own

House gets back to work and quickly falls into a cycle of punishing its own

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The U.S. House is back in session after a multi-week hiatus, but its agenda has been quickly overtaken by a sudden flurry of censures, reprimands and the investigation of members, leaving little bandwidth for legislating.

Speaker Johnson faces an unruly House as lawmakers return for shutdown vote

Speaker Johnson faces an unruly House as lawmakers return for shutdown vote

WASHINGTON (AP) -- After refusing to convene the U.S. House during the government shutdown, Speaker Mike Johnson is recalling lawmakers back into session -- and facing an avalanche of pent-up legislative demands from those who have largely been sidelined from governing.

Speaker Johnson shuttered the House and amassed quiet power with Trump

Speaker Johnson shuttered the House and amassed quiet power with Trump

WASHINGTON (AP) -- After refusing to convene the U.S. House during the government shutdown, Speaker Mike Johnson is recalling lawmakers back into session -- and facing an avalanche of pent-up legislative demands from those who have largely been sidelined from governing.

Pelosi-isms: 'Throw a punch, for the children' and more forge a legacy

Pelosi-isms: 'Throw a punch, for the children' and more forge a legacy

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Nancy Pelosi is bringing her history-making career in the U.S. House to an end, but she leaves a linguistic legacy in Congress and beyond.

Pelosi-isms: In showing how to 'throw a punch -- for the children,' she leaves a linguistic legacy

Pelosi-isms: In showing how to 'throw a punch -- for the children,' she leaves a linguistic legacy

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Nancy Pelosi is bringing her history-making career in the U.S. House to an end, but she leaves a linguistic legacy in Congress and beyond.

Nancy Pelosi won't seek reelection, ending her storied career in the US House

Nancy Pelosi won't seek reelection, ending her storied career in the US House

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi will not seek reelection to the U.S. House, bringing to a close her storied career as not only the first woman in the speaker's office but arguably the most powerful in American politics.

Trump says Senate should scrap the filibuster to end the shutdown, an idea opposed by Republicans

Trump says Senate should scrap the filibuster to end the shutdown, an idea opposed by Republicans

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Back from a week abroad, President Donald Trump is calling on the Senate to scrap the filibuster and reopen the government after a monthlong shutdown, breaking with majority Republicans who have long opposed such a move.

Trump says Senate should scrap the filibuster to end the government shutdown

Trump says Senate should scrap the filibuster to end the government shutdown

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump is calling on the Senate to scrap the filibuster, so that the Republican majority can bypass Democrats and reopen the federal government.

Trump says Senate should scrap the filibuster to end the government shutdown.

Trump says Senate should scrap the filibuster to end the government shutdown.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump is calling on the Senate to scrap the filibuster, so that the Republican majority can bypass Democrats and reopen the federal government.

Spiraling effects of the shutdown leave lawmakers grasping for ways to end it

Spiraling effects of the shutdown leave lawmakers grasping for ways to end it

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Certain senators know it. House Speaker Mike Johnson knows it. And with President Donald Trump back in Washington from his overseas trip, perhaps the White House knows it, too.

Trump says he'd love a third term. House Speaker Johnson says there's 'no path'

Trump says he'd love a third term. House Speaker Johnson says there's 'no path'

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump's musings about a potential third-term bid for the White House have run up against at least one obstacle: House Speaker Mike Johnson.

Trump and budget chief Vought are making this a government shutdown unlike any other

Trump and budget chief Vought are making this a government shutdown unlike any other

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump is making this government shutdown unlike any the country has ever seen, enabling his budget office a rare authority to pick winners and losers -- who gets paid or fired -- in an unprecedented restructuring across the federal workforce.

The Oval Office meeting didn't stop a shutdown, but the Trump 2028 hats and a sombrero set a tone

The Oval Office meeting didn't stop a shutdown, but the Trump 2028 hats and a sombrero set a tone

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Halfway through Donald Trump's inaugural White House meeting with congressional leadership days before a government shutdown, the red hats appeared on the president's desk.

Trump uses government shutdown to dole out firings and political punishment

Trump uses government shutdown to dole out firings and political punishment

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump has seized on the government shutdown as an opportunity to reshape the federal workforce and punish detractors, by threatening mass firings of workers and suggesting "irreversible" cuts to programs important to Democrats.

Trump's vast federal cuts create distrust on Capitol Hill as shutdown risk grows

Trump's vast federal cuts create distrust on Capitol Hill as shutdown risk grows

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The money started drying up quickly, almost as soon as President Donald Trump began issuing his executive orders.

Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries says Trump is marching the country into a government shutdown

Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries says Trump is marching the country into a government shutdown

WASHINGTON (AP) -- House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said President Donald Trump and the Republican Party are "marching the country" into a government shutdown over their refusal to meet with Democrats and strike a deal to save health care funding from cuts.

Senior Republican says Ukraine can beat back Russia and urges action on sanctions bill

Senior Republican says Ukraine can beat back Russia and urges action on sanctions bill

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Just back from a congressional delegation trip to Ukraine, a senior Republican said he's more optimistic that the country can succeed in the war with the right support from the U.S. and other allies and he urged Congress to pass a long-stalled Russia sanctions bill as soon as possible.

House turns back effort to censure Rep. Ilhan Omar over remarks about Charlie Kirk

House turns back effort to censure Rep. Ilhan Omar over remarks about Charlie Kirk

The House declined late Wednesday to punish one of its own over commentary in the aftermath of Charlie Kirk's assassination, but the effort showed the reach of President Donald Trump's push for political retribution and set the stage for more to come.

Trump extends his reach into Congress in ways large and small

Trump extends his reach into Congress in ways large and small

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The invitation arrived in the final days of the summer recess, President Donald Trump's political team summoning House Republican staff to an early morning meeting about the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and the coming midterm elections.

House GOP seeks to censure Democrat McIver over New Jersey detention center incident

House GOP seeks to censure Democrat McIver over New Jersey detention center incident

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A House Republican proposed a resolution Wednesday to censure Democratic Rep. LaMonica McIver over an incident with law enforcement during a congressional oversight visit to a new immigration detention facility in her home state of New Jersey.

Centrist Republican Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska won't seek reelection

Centrist Republican Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska won't seek reelection

WASHINGTON (AP) -- U.S. Rep. Don Bacon, a centrist Republican who represents Nebraska's second district with its so-called "blue dot" that includes many progressive voters around Omaha, will not seek reelection.

The Senate is working to put Trump's big bill back on track but hurdles remain

The Senate is working to put Trump's big bill back on track but hurdles remain

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Senate Republicans appeared Friday to push President Donald Trump's big bill back on track after a flurry of last-minute revisions, including deep cuts to food stamps, but there's still a long way to go ahead of expected weekend votes.

The Senate is putting Trump's big bill back on track but hurdles remain

The Senate is putting Trump's big bill back on track but hurdles remain

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Senate Republicans appeared Friday to push President Donald Trump's big bill back on track after a flurry of last-minute revisions, including deep cuts to food stamps, but there's still a long way to go ahead of expected weekend votes.

Key Medicaid provision in Trump's bill is found to violate Senate rules. The GOP is scrambling

Key Medicaid provision in Trump's bill is found to violate Senate rules. The GOP is scrambling

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Senate parliamentarian has advised that a Medicaid provider tax overhaul central to President Donald Trump's tax cut and spending bill does not adhere to the chamber's procedural rules, delivering a crucial blow as Republicans rush to finish the package this week.

Senate parliamentarian deals blow to GOP plan to gut consumer bureau in tax bill

Senate parliamentarian deals blow to GOP plan to gut consumer bureau in tax bill

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Republicans have suffered a sizable setback on one key aspect of President Donald Trump's big bill after their plans to gut the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau and other provisions from the Senate Banking Committee ran into procedural violations with the Senate parliamentarian.

Trump's mass deportations leave Democrats more ready to fight back

Trump's mass deportations leave Democrats more ready to fight back

WASHINGTON (AP) -- California Gov. Gavin Newsom looked straight into the camera and staked out a clear choice for his Democratic Party.

Trump's actions in Los Angeles spur debate over deportation funds in his 'big, beautiful' bill

Trump's actions in Los Angeles spur debate over deportation funds in his 'big, beautiful' bill

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump's "big, beautiful bill" in Congress includes more than tax breaks and spending cuts -- it also seeks to pour billions of dollars into the administration's mass deportation agenda.

Trump's actions in LA spur debate over deportation funds in his 'big, beautiful' bill

Trump's actions in LA spur debate over deportation funds in his 'big, beautiful' bill

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump's "big, beautiful bill" in Congress includes more than tax breaks and spending cuts -- it also seeks to pour billions of dollars into the administration's mass deportation agenda.

Trump's big bill also seeks to undo the big bills of Biden and Obama
Trump tax bill will add $2.4 trillion to the deficit and leave 10.9 million more uninsured, CBO says

Trump tax bill will add $2.4 trillion to the deficit and leave 10.9 million more uninsured, CBO says

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump's big bill making its way through Congress will cut taxes by $3.75 trillion but also increase deficits by $2.4 trillion over the next decade, according to an analysis released Wednesday by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.

Trump tax bill will add $2.4 trillion to deficit and leave 10.9 million uninsured, CBO analysis says

Trump tax bill will add $2.4 trillion to deficit and leave 10.9 million uninsured, CBO analysis says

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump's big bill making its way through Congress will cut taxes by $3.75 trillion but also increase deficits by $2.4 trillion over the next decade, according to an analysis released Wednesday by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.

Trump's big bill will cut taxes by $3.7T and add $2.4T to deficit, budget office says

Trump's big bill will cut taxes by $3.7T and add $2.4T to deficit, budget office says

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump's big bill making its way through Congress will cut taxes by $3.7 trillion but also increase deficits by $2.4 trillion over the next decade, according to an analysis released Wednesday by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.

House Republicans unveil Medicaid cuts that Democrats warn will leave millions without care

House Republicans unveil Medicaid cuts that Democrats warn will leave millions without care

WASHINGTON (AP) -- House Republicans unveiled the cost-staving centerpiece of President Donald Trump's " big, beautiful bill " late Sunday, at least $880 billion in cuts largely to Medicaid to help cover the cost of $4.5 trillion in tax breaks.

What's in Trump's big bill? Money for migrant clampdown but tax breaks and program cuts hit 'bumps'

What's in Trump's big bill? Money for migrant clampdown but tax breaks and program cuts hit 'bumps'

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Congress is deep into drafting President Donald Trump's big bill of tax breaks, spending cuts and beefed-up funding to halt migrants, but it's "bumpy," one Republican chairman says, with much work ahead to meet House Speaker Mike Johnson's goal of passing the package out of his chamber by Memorial Day.

Democratic Leader Jeffries says Trump's 100 days filled with 'chaos, cruelty and corruption'

Democratic Leader Jeffries says Trump's 100 days filled with 'chaos, cruelty and corruption'

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Bringing the kind of punch many voters are demanding, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Wednesday that President Donald Trump's 100 days in office have been an assault of Americans' very way of life and promised Democrats in Congress are fighting as hard as they can to stop more " bad things" from happening.

House GOP wants to pump billions into Trump's deportations and detentions as part of tax bill

House GOP wants to pump billions into Trump's deportations and detentions as part of tax bill

WASHINGTON (AP) -- As part of their big tax bill, Republicans in Congress are pumping billions of dollars into President Donald Trump's mass deportation and border security plan with nearly 20,000 new officers, stark new fees starting at $1,000 on migrants seeking asylum and $46.5 billion for a long-sought border wall.

Higher taxes on millionaires? Trump says he's open, but many in his party are not

Higher taxes on millionaires? Trump says he's open, but many in his party are not

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Why not tax the millionaires?

Talk of raising taxes on millionaires swirls as Republicans draft Trump's 'big, beautiful bill'
Law firms, universities and now civil society groups are in Trump's sights for punitive action

Law firms, universities and now civil society groups are in Trump's sights for punitive action

WASHINGTON (AP) -- First the nation's top law firms. Then its premier universities. Now, President Donald Trump is leaning on the advocacy groups that underpin U.S. civil society.

Tentative deal is reached in House Republican fight over proxy voting for new parents

Tentative deal is reached in House Republican fight over proxy voting for new parents

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A tentative deal has been reached with the Florida Republican leading a bipartisan push to allow proxy voting in the U.S. House for new parents, potentially ending a standoff that halted legislative work for days and threatened to delay a vote this week to advance President Donald Trump's agenda.

Tentative deal is reached in Republican fight over proxy voting for new parents

Tentative deal is reached in Republican fight over proxy voting for new parents

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A tentative deal has been reached with the Florida Republican leading a bipartisan push to allow proxy voting in the U.S. House for new parents, potentially ending a standoff that halted legislative work for days and threatened to delay a potential vote this week to advance President Donald Trump's agenda.

Republicans moving ahead with Trump's 'big' bill of tax breaks and spending cuts amid tariff uproar

Republicans moving ahead with Trump's 'big' bill of tax breaks and spending cuts amid tariff uproar

WASHINGTON (AP) -- After a long wait, the Senate is launching action on President Donald Trump's "big, beautiful bill" of tax breaks and spending cuts at a risky moment for the U.S. and global economy.

Republicans eye actions against the courts and judges as Trump rails against rulings

Republicans eye actions against the courts and judges as Trump rails against rulings

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Angry over the crush of court rulings against the Trump administration, Republicans in Congress are trying to slap back at the federal judiciary with proposals to limit the reach of its rulings, cut funding and even impeach judges, tightening the GOP's grip on government.

Senate Democrats refuse to go along with GOP spending plan, as shutdown deadline nears

Senate Democrats refuse to go along with GOP spending plan, as shutdown deadline nears

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A day before a shutdown deadline, Senate Democrats are mounting a last-ditch protest over a Republican-led government funding bill that already passed the House but failed to slap any limits on President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk's efforts to gut federal operations.

'In DOGE we trust': House GOP governs by embracing Trump's effort to cut government

'In DOGE we trust': House GOP governs by embracing Trump's effort to cut government

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A familiar scene has played out over and over in the U.S. House: Republicans, unable to approve federal funding legislation on their own, edge toward a risky government shutdown, until Democrats swoop in with the votes needed to prevent catastrophic disruptions.

'In DOGE we trust:' House GOP governs by embracing Trump's effort to cut government

'In DOGE we trust:' House GOP governs by embracing Trump's effort to cut government

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A familiar scene has played out over and over in the U.S. House: Republicans, unable to approve federal funding legislation on their own, edge toward a risky government shutdown, until Democrats swoop in with the votes needed to prevent catastrophic disruptions.

House GOP campaign chairman says voters will 'reward us' for the Trump-Musk DOGE cuts

House GOP campaign chairman says voters will 'reward us' for the Trump-Musk DOGE cuts

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Almost two months into President Donald Trump's second term, the chairman of the House Republican campaign committee is already predicting his party will pick up seats in the midterm elections some 20 months away.

Elon Musk comes to Capitol Hill to meet with Republicans who discuss turning DOGE cuts into law

Elon Musk comes to Capitol Hill to meet with Republicans who discuss turning DOGE cuts into law

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Billionaire Elon Musk arrived on Capitol Hill Tuesday and learned about something new -- budget rescissions, an obscure legislative tool that could bring legal heft to his federal budget slashing effort and enshrine the cuts into law.

Rep. Al Green shouts down Trump and may face censure by the House for the outburst

Rep. Al Green shouts down Trump and may face censure by the House for the outburst

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Democratic Rep. Al Green of Texas wasn't the first lawmaker ever to blurt out a shout of protest during a presidential address to Congress.

Speaker Johnson tells GOP lawmakers to skip town halls after an onslaught of protests

Speaker Johnson tells GOP lawmakers to skip town halls after an onslaught of protests

WASHINGTON (AP) -- House Speaker Mike Johnson is encouraging Republican lawmakers to skip town halls that have been filled with protesters decrying the Trump administration's slashing of federal government, echoing the president's claims that the demonstration's are fueled by professional protesters.

Trump's speech to Congress comes as he wields vast power almost daring lawmakers, courts to stop him

Trump's speech to Congress comes as he wields vast power almost daring lawmakers, courts to stop him

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump arrives this week on Capitol Hill to deliver a speech to Congress, a coequal branch of government he has bulldozed past this first month in office, wielding unimaginable executive power to get what he wants, at home and abroad.

Democrats channel their outrage over DOGE, Ukraine and more in marathon Senate session

Democrats channel their outrage over DOGE, Ukraine and more in marathon Senate session

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The budget resolution from Republicans was on the agenda in the Senate, but the late-night debate encompassed so much more.

Senate GOP pushes ahead with budget bill that funds Trump's mass deportations and border wall

Senate GOP pushes ahead with budget bill that funds Trump's mass deportations and border wall

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Senate Republicans pushed ahead late Tuesday on a scaled-back budget bill, a $340 billion package to give the Trump administration money for mass deportations and other priorities, as Democrats prepare a counter-campaign against the onslaught of actions coming from the White House.

McConnell tests the strengths and limits of his power opposing a trio of Trump's Cabinet nominees

McConnell tests the strengths and limits of his power opposing a trio of Trump's Cabinet nominees

WASHINGTON (AP) -- No longer in charge, Sen. Mitch McConnell has been speaking his mind, the long-serving GOP leader rejecting President Donald Trump's more high-profile Cabinet nominees -- alone at times, among the Republicans, casting his no votes.

Conspiracies, espionage, an enemies list: Takeaways from a wild day of confirmation hearings

Conspiracies, espionage, an enemies list: Takeaways from a wild day of confirmation hearings

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Conspiracy theories about vaccines. Secret meetings with dictators. An enemies list.

Senate confirms Marco Rubio as secretary of state, giving Trump the first member of his Cabinet

Senate confirms Marco Rubio as secretary of state, giving Trump the first member of his Cabinet

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Senate quickly confirmed Marco Rubio as secretary of state Monday, voting unanimously to give President Donald Trump the first member of his new Cabinet on Inauguration Day.

Senators are preparing to vote on Marco Rubio as secretary of state, a first in Trump's Cabinet

Senators are preparing to vote on Marco Rubio as secretary of state, a first in Trump's Cabinet

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Senators are preparing to vote Monday on Sen. Marco Rubio as President Donald Trump's nominee for secretary of state, a first Cabinet pick to be considered on Inauguration Day.

Senators are working into the evening hoping to confirm Trump's first Cabinet nominees

Senators are working into the evening hoping to confirm Trump's first Cabinet nominees

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Senators returned to the Capitol Monday for a late-evening session pushing ahead on President Donald Trump's Cabinet picks, with voting possible to confirm Sen. Marco Rubio as the nation's secretary of state on Inauguration Day.

Trump's outsider Cabinet picks are rapidly gaining support for confirmation

Trump's outsider Cabinet picks are rapidly gaining support for confirmation

WASHINGTON (AP) -- One by one, all the president-elect' s men, and women, are falling into place in his Cabinet.

Trump is planning 100 executive orders starting Day 1 on border, deportations and other priorities

Trump is planning 100 executive orders starting Day 1 on border, deportations and other priorities

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President-elect Donald Trump is preparing more than 100 executive orders starting Day One of the new White House, in what amounts to a shock-and-awe campaign on border security, deportations and a rush of other policy priorities.