PrairiePundit

 Newsmax: With Democrats reportedly talking about obstructing a continuing resolution and forcing a government shutdown by Oct. 1, the White House has requested $58 million from Congress to strengthen security for the executive and judicial branches following the assassination of Charlie Kirk. A White House official confirmed to Newsmax the amount and the request to be included as part of upcoming government funding deal. The funding would expand protection for Supreme Court justices and increase resources for the U.S. Marshals Service, officials said. The request comes ahead of a Sept. 30 government funding deadline, raising pressure on Congress to act quickly The move follows warnings from House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., who this past week said lawmakers face a "deluge" of threats in the wake of Wednesday's Kirk shooting. Johnson has pressed for enhanced security measures for Congress and warned about social media-fueled calls for violence. "We've got to p...

 Newsmax: Political analyst Dick Morris told Newsmax Saturday that he has witnessed two incredible recent shifts in voter sentiment. "One is that trend, which is that a lot of new voters are coming into the Republican Party, and a lot of voters are leaving the Democratic Party," Morris told " America Right Now." Morris attributed the pendulum swing to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's announcement that the administration has deported 1.6 million illegal immigrants from the United States during President Donald Trump's first seven months in office. "And that means that when seats for Congress are reapportioned, when the census comes in and earlier, if they do it earlier, Democrats will lose representation for those seats. "So when you combine, when you combine the country moving toward Republicans and away from Democrats and the congressional seats themselves being reallocated not to count illegal immigrants — not because of we're not c...

 Trending Politics: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reiterated the Trump Administration’s desire for a ban on congressional stock trading, as well as a formal investigation into former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) over allegations of using insider knowledge to profit. “I am going to start pushing for a single-stock trading ban, because it is the credibility of the House and the Senate,” Bessent said Wednesday while speaking with Bloomberg TV. “You look at some of these eye-popping returns — whether it is Rep. Pelosi, Sen. Wyden — every hedge fund would be jealous of them. And the American people deserve better than this,” the treasury secretary added. Bessent’s most recent comments come as bipartisan support for a stock trading ban continues to grow, in addition to rising public support for such a move. Current law prohibits insider trading by lawmakers and requires more disclosures, though critics argue the law does not do nearly enough to prevent insider trading. “People sh...

  Texas Democrats are making a mistake in their response to the Republican majority in the Texas legislature.  Democrats are already a minority party in Texas, and these stunts are unlikely to change that dynamic.  Maryland is a relatively small state compared to Texas, yet it went to extremes to gerrymander congressional districts.

 CIS.org: ... As I recently reported , Border Patrol apprehensions of illegal migrants at the Southwest border dropped to their lowest level in recorded history in June: 6,072, in total, a roughly 93-percent decline compared to June 2024, but more impressively 45.5 percent fewer than the previous record low, three months into President Trump’s first term in April 2017. And it’s not just Border Patrol. In June, CBP officers at the agency’s Southwest border ports of entry recorded just 3,234 encounters, or 26.5 percent fewer than their prior low-water mark of 4,393 in March 2017. Lest you get too optimistic, note that CBP encounters at the U.S.-Mexico line rebounded by the middle of the first Trump administration before Covid-19 shut down nearly all international travel. In May 2019, Southwest border agents apprehended nearly 133,000 illegal migrants and CBP officers stopped more than 11,000 inadmissible travelers at the ports there. It’s possible that we may yet see a similar swi...

 Blaze: While Democrats are raging over mass deportation efforts by the current administration, a video showing the real reason those on the left want more migrants has gone viral years after it was recorded. In the resurfaced video of Democratic Rep. Yvette Clarke of New York, she says that in her district, they need to bring in migrants to increase the population in time for redistricting. The video is from a 2021 House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing where she questioned a government official about the Biden administration's reaction to Haitian migrants escaping the chaos in their home country. "I'm from Brooklyn, New York. We have a diaspora that can absorb a significant number of these migrants," said Clarke in the video. "When I hear colleagues talk about, you know, the doors of the inn being closed, no room in the inn, I’m saying, you know, I need more people in my district, just for redistricting purposes, and those members could clearly fit here,"...

 The Hill: A record-high share of American voters are content with the work of Republican lawmakers, according to the latest NPR/PBS News/Marist Poll . In the survey, conducted in late June, 36 percent of registered voters approve of the job Republicans in Congress are doing — the highest level recorded since pollsters began asking the question in 2011. The latest approval rating also marks a 10-point jump from the last time the question was asked, in February 2024, when 26 percent of registered voters approved of the job Republicans in Congress were doing. Before that, the survey was conducted in March 2021, when 28 percent approved; and in January 2019, when 29 percent approved. ... The 2024 election gave the GOP a majority in Congress for the first time in years.  The GOP majority would be even higher if states like California restricted illegal immigrants from voting.  See also: Eye-popping analysis of Trump’s win shows Democrats are in serious trouble

 DC Daily Journal: ... A recent Marist/NPR/PBS News poll reveals a stark reality for Democrats in Congress: most Americans are increasingly dissatisfied with their performance. The survey, conducted from June 23 to June 25, 2025, shows that only 27% of registered voters approve of how congressional Democrats are handling their duties, a sharp decline from 39% in February 2024. Meanwhile, 58% of voters disapprove, and 15% remain uncertain, signaling a growing frustration with Democratic leadership as the 2026 midterm elections loom. The poll highlights a troubling trend for Democrats, who appear out of touch with the priorities of average Americans. Even within their own ranks, Democrats are divided, with 44% approving of their congressional leaders and 43% expressing disapproval. This lack of unity suggests an inability to rally around a cohesive vision that resonates with the public, leaving many voters questioning the party’s direction. By contrast, congressional Republicans are ...

  Federalist Wire: ... In a major setback for President Donald Trump’s ambitious domestic policy agenda, Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough, an unelected official wielding significant influence, has dealt a blow to the Senate’s version of the president’s “one big, beautiful” bill. MacDonough’s rulings have forced Senate Republicans to rethink critical elements of the legislation, which is central to delivering on Trump’s promises to overhaul federal spending and immigration policy. MacDonough has advised Senate Republicans to strip or revise 47 provisions from the bill to comply with the Senate’s strict budget reconciliation rules. These rules, known as the Byrd Rule, limit what can be included in legislation passed with a simple majority, a process Republicans are using to bypass Democratic opposition. The parliamentarian’s decisions have sparked frustration among conservatives eager to see Trump’s vision enacted swiftly. Among the provisions MacDonough struck are key hea...

  Trending Politics: The Trump administration is preparing to strip illegal aliens from the U.S. census count—a decision with massive implications for congressional representation, Electoral College votes, and federal funding. The battle over who counts in the U.S. census is heating up again as President Donald Trump sets his sights on reversing one of the most impactful policies from the Biden era. At the center of the renewed effort is a plan to exclude illegal immigrants from the official population count used to determine congressional apportionment—something Democrats argue is unconstitutional, but Republicans see as a necessary correction. Rather than reintroduce a citizenship question, which failed in 2020, Trump’s team plans to rely on administrative data from federal agencies to identify and exclude those unlawfully present in the country. This would directly target the way congressional seats, Electoral College votes, and federal funds are distributed—cutting off the poli...

 Red State: Elon Musk, head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), indicated he will be turning his crew's attention to members of Congress who have amassed fortunes despite having base salaries under $200,000. The tech mogul and philanthropist made the comments during a rally in Wisconsin for state Supreme Court candidate Judge Brad Schimel. "A lot of strangely wealthy members of Congress - where I just can't - I'm trying to connect the dots of how did they become rich," he told those in attendance. "How'd they get $20 million if they're earning $200,000 a year? Nobody can explain that," added Musk. "We're gonna try to figure it out and certainly stop it from happening." ... If you thought members of Congress were losing their minds before over DOGE's efforts to investigate fraud, you ain't seen nothin' yet. Members of Congress may currently purchase and trade stocks and cryptocurrency, provided they report ...

 Red State: Congress illegally spent at least $516 billion in 2024 on programs for which there was no authorization. Yes, billion, with a "b." A stunning report by the Congressional Budget Office underscores the reason for the legal assault upon President Trump's right to audit payments by the Treasury Department. In a report titled "Expired and Expiring Authorizations of Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2024," the CBO observes: "Historically, House and Senate rules restrict lawmakers from considering an appropriation if it lacks a current authorization." Nevertheless, "CBO estimates that $516 billion was appropriated for 2024 for activities with expired authorizations, which the agency identified for each House and Senate authorizing committee and appropriations subcommittee." That $516 billion in illegal payments cover "1,264 authorizations of appropriations that expired before the beginning of fiscal year 2024 and 251 authorizations o...

  American Action News: Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi outperformed the S&P 500 index by over 280% in 2024, but she still fell behind nine of her congressional colleagues. Pelosi’s portfolio’s 70.9% increase from Dec. 29, 2023, to Dec. 30, 2024, was nearly triple the S&P 500’s 24.9% return, but it fell well below those of Republican North Carolina Rep. David Rouzer and Democratic Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz , who saw returns of 149% and 142.3% — topping the list of members of Congress. Democratic Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden, Republican Texas Rep. Roger Williams and Democratic Kentucky Rep. Morgan McGarvey’s portfolios also saw double-digit increases, rising 123.8%, 111.2% and 105.8% in 2024, respectively, according to financial data platform Unusual Whales’ 2024 Congress Trading Report . Pelosi’s annual returns also lagged behind those of Republican Reps. Larry Bucshon of Indiana and Pete Sessions of Texas, who saw increases of 98.6% and 95.2%, as well as Republic...

 American Action News: Unless Congress acts quickly, America’s small business owners, preparing for Christmas, may soon be visited by the compliance Grinch carrying fines and possible jail time down the chimney. New beneficial ownership information reporting requirements under the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) are set to ensnare millions of business owners across the country unknowingly. While the legislation’s stated purpose was to combat money laundering, terrorism financing and other illicit activities, the burdens it places on small businesses — particularly during the holiday season — strongly outweighs its intended benefits. As Christmas approaches, policymakers should consider granting relief to small businesses by delaying the reporting requirements. Here is why the CTA poses significant challenges and why a reprieve is urgently needed. First, the CTA requires small businesses to disclose detailed information about their “beneficial owners” to the Financial Crimes Enfo...

 Blaze: CNN's chief congressional correspondent, Manu Raju, took a shot from an angry Democratic politician when he questioned the wage raise for members of Congress in the emergency spending bill. Raju asked Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois whether members of Congress deserved the pay raise included for them in the bill when Durbin said he had no clue it was even in the bill. "Well, that's news to me. It's good news!" Durbin joked. "You know, what has it been, ten years, or fourteen years with no [cost of living adjustment], no change at all. I think it's about time." Raju pressed him on whether Congress had earned a pay raise, and Durbin spun the question around on the media. “People look at the performance of Congress and say, ‘Why should we give them more money?’” Raju said. “What about the media? Think about that for a second!" Durbin fired back. "We're not paid by public money," Raju responded, laughing at the comparison. "I...

 Newsmax: ... And during his recent visit to Capitol Hill, Musk and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy delivered a warning to Republicans who do not go along with their plans to slash spending as part of Trump's proposed Department of Government Efficiency. "Elon and Vivek talked about having a naughty list and a nice list for members of Congress and senators and how we vote and how we're spending the American people's money," Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., said. Trump's second term comes with the specter of the world's richest man serving as his political enforcer. Within Trump's team, there is a feeling Musk not only supports Trump's agenda and Cabinet appointments, but is intent on seeing them through to the point of pressuring Republicans who might be less devout. ... It will take discipline to impose the spending cuts necessary to get the budget into balance.  That is something that neither party has been willing to do in recent years.  See als...

 Newsmax: Democrats are planning an aggressive push to fill as many federal judicial vacancies as possible before Republicans take control of Congress on Jan. 3 and President-elect Donald Trump is sworn in Jan. 20, Newsweek reported Tuesday. The news comes a day after the White House reportedly dismissed demands from Trump to put a stop to judicial confirmations during the lame-duck session of Congress, which began Tuesday. "While still in charge of the Senate and the White House, we must do all we can to safeguard our democracy," Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., wrote in a Time magazine editorial published Nov. 7. "Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer must use every minute of the end-of-year legislative session to confirm federal judges and key regulators — none of whom can be removed by the next president." Schumer, D-N.Y., filed for cloture to break filibusters to accelerate two of President Joe Biden's judicial nominations, both of whom were nominated for fed...

 Fox News: Fox News projects Donald Trump defeats Kamala Harris to become 47th president of the United States Trump will be the first president to serve two nonconsecutive terms since Grover Cleveland in 1892 The Fox News Decision Desk projects former President Trump has defeated Vice President Kamala Harris in a stunning victory, delivering him a second term in the White House after a historic election cycle filled with unprecedented twists and turns and two attempts on his life. ... Trump was projected to have breached the 270 electoral vote threshold after stunning wins in the battleground states of North Carolina , Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Georgia. ... See also:   US election: close races to decide control of US Congress Republicans won control of the U.S. Senate with victories in West Virginia and Ohio on Tuesday, ensuring Donald Trump's party will control at least one chamber of Congress next year. Republicans also posted early gains as they battled to retain contr...

 American Action News: High inflation during President Joe Biden’s term will result in voters paying significantly higher prices as they cast their ballots in the 2024 election. Prices since November 2020 have increased by roughly 21%, with year-over-year inflation under Biden peaking at about 9% in June 2022 and decelerating to its current annual rate of 2.4% as of September, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics analyzed by the Daily Caller News Foundation. Price hikes for a slew of products have well-exceeded the overall price rise, including household staples like eggs and butter , which rose by approximately 163% and 50% between November 2020 and September 2024, respectively. Beef products have also been hit hard by Biden-era inflation, with prices for uncooked beef roasts rising over 31%, uncooked ground beef climbing nearly 27% and uncooked beef steaks increasing approximately 28%, according to BLS. Meanwhile, the price of bread is up over 23% and bake...

 Daily Signal: It’s no secret that Congress is highly unpopular with the American people. For years, it consistently has ranked near the bottom of U.S. institutions. This month’s Gallup/Newsweek poll put its disapproval at 80%. But how about its leaders? Veteran pollster and TV host Scott Rasmussen , president of RMG Research, surveyed 2,000 registered voters last week to see how Congress’ four party leaders stack up. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky., the longest-serving party leader in the chamber’s history, fares the worst with a 58% unfavorable rating. His counterpart, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y., comes in at 43%. On the House side, Speaker Mike Johnson , R-La., the newest of the four congressional leaders, has a 31% unfavorable rating compared to 26% for Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries , D-N.Y. ... Personally, I rate the Democrat leaders lower than Republicans.