KEVIN FREKING

FILE - Ranking member Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., speaks during a hearing of a special House committee dedicated to countering China, on Capitol Hill, Feb. 28, 2023, in Washington. A special House committee focused on China is calling for altering the way the U.S. treats Chinese-made goods, possibly subjecting them to higher tariffs even if its risks increased tensions between the two economic superpowers. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)
House panel urges tougher trade rules for China, raising chance of more tariffs if Congress agrees
A special House committee focused on China is calling for altering the way the U.S. treats Chinese-made goods, possibly subjecting them to higher tariffs and risking increased economic tensions between the two economic superpowers.
 
House Speaker Mike Johnson of La., speaks during the U.S. Capitol Christmas tree lighting ceremony on the West Front of the Capitol, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023 in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
The GOP’s slim House majority is getting even tighter with Kevin McCarthy’s retirement
House Speaker Mike Johnson’s margin for error in getting Republican priorities through the House is getting slimmer. The expulsion of Rep. George Santos of New York and the end-of-year retirement of Rep.
 
FILE - Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., speaks to reporters hours after he was ousted as Speaker of the House, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023, at the Capitol in Washington. McCarthy says he's resigning from his congressional seat in California two months after his historic ouster as House speaker. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)
Kevin McCarthy was booted as House speaker two months ago. Now he’s leaving Congress by year’s end
Two months ago, Kevin McCarthy was booted as House speaker. Now, the Republican congressman from California says he’s resigning and will leave Congress by year’s end.
 
FILE - Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, talks to reporters as he and other senators arrive at the chamber for votes, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023. Tuberville announced on Tuesday, Dec. 5, that he’s ending his blockade of hundreds of military promotions, following heavy criticism from many of his colleagues in the Senate and clearing the way for hundreds to be approved. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)
Senate approves hundreds of military promotions after Republican senator ends blockade of nominees
The Senate in a single stroke has approved about 425 military promotions after Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama ended a monthslong blockade of nominations over a Pentagon abortion policy.
 
FILE - Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., leaves the Capitol after being expelled from the House of Representatives, Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, in Washington. Santos is out of Congress, but his name is certain to pop up in key congressional races throughout New York next year, with Democrats targeting five seats held by first-term Republicans and looking to associate those incumbents with Santos as often as they can. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough, File)
Republicans had New Yorkers lead the way in expelling Santos. Will it help them keep the majority?
George Santos is gone from the House, but his name is certain to pop up in key congressional races across New York next year.
 
Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., leaves the Capitol after being expelled from the House of Representatives, Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, in Washington. The House has voted to expel Santos following a critical ethics report on his conduct that included converting campaign donations for his own use, making him just the sixth member in the chamber’s history to be ousted by his colleagues. Expulsion requires support from two-third of the House. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
House expels New York Rep. George Santos. It’s just the sixth expulsion in the chamber’s history
The House has voted to expel Republican Rep. George Santos of New York following a blistering ethics report on his conduct that included converting campaign donations for his own use.
 
Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., faces reporters at the Capitol in Washington, early Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023. After a scathing report by the House Ethics Committee citing egregious violations, Santos could be expelled from Congress this week. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
GOP Rep. George Santos refuses to resign and warns his expulsion from Congress would set a precedent
In his closing arguments for remaining a member of the House, a defiant Rep. George Santos is depicting himself as a victim of a smear campaign by some of his colleagues.
 
FILE - Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., watches as Republicans try to elect Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., to be the new House speaker, at the Capitol in Washington, Oct. 25, 2023. The House Ethics panel says it has found “substantial evidence” of lawbreaking by Republican Rep. George Santos of New York and has referred its findings to the Justice Department. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)
Lawmakers can ‘vote their conscience’ on expelling Santos, House speaker says, but he has concerns
House Speaker Mike Johnson is expressing reservations about expelling Rep. George Santos from the chamber this week. But Johnson says GOP leaders won’t push colleagues to oppose removing the New York Republican from office.
 
FILE - Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., speaks to reporters outside the Capitol, in Washington, May 17, 2023. The House Ethics panel says it has found “substantial evidence” of lawbreaking by Republican Rep. George Santos of New York and has referred its findings to the Justice Department. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)
Lawmakers move to force a vote this week on expelling Rep. George Santos from the House
House lawmakers from both parties are moving to force a vote this week on the expulsion of Rep. George Santos, a Republican from New York.
 
FILE - Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., watches as Republicans try to elect Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., to be the new House speaker, at the Capitol in Washington, Oct. 25, 2023. The House Ethics panel says it has found “substantial evidence” of lawbreaking by Republican Rep. George Santos of New York and has referred its findings to the Justice Department. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)
Ethics chairman launches a new bid to expel George Santos after a withering report on his conduct
The chairman of the House Ethics Committee has filed a resolution to force a vote on expelling Republican Rep. George Santos from Congress.
 
FILE - Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., watches as Republicans try to elect Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., to be the new House speaker, at the Capitol in Washington, Oct. 25, 2023. The House Ethics panel says it has found “substantial evidence” of lawbreaking by Republican Rep. George Santos of New York and has referred its findings to the Justice Department. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)
Rep. George Santos won’t seek reelection after scathing ethics report cites evidence of lawbreaking
Republican Congressman George Santos of New York says he won’t run for reelection in 2024 after a scathing House Ethics Committee report on his conduct cited “overwhelming evidence” of lawbreaking.
 
FILE - Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., talks with reporters ahead of the debate and vote on supplemental aid to Israel, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023. Johnson is facing his first big test as he tries to win House Republican support for a short-term funding plan to avert a government shutdown. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)
House Republicans look to pass two-step package to avoid partial government shutdown
House Speaker Mike Johnson has unveiled his proposal to avoid a partial government shutdown next weekend by extending government funding for some agencies and programs until Jan. 19 and continuing funding for others until Feb. 2.
 
FILE - Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., talks with reporters ahead of the debate and vote on supplemental aid to Israel, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023. Johnson is facing his first big test as he tries to win House Republican support for a short-term funding plan to avert a government shutdown. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)
New Speaker Mike Johnson grasps for a funding plan with a government shutdown rapidly approaching
New House Speaker Mike Johnson is facing his first big test as he tries to win House Republican support for a short-term funding plan to avert a government shutdown. The task looks increasingly difficult.
 
FILE - Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., questions Navy Adm. Lisa Franchetti during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on her nomination for reappointment to the grade of admiral and to be Chief of Naval Operations, Sept. 14, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington. The Senate circumvented a hold by Tuberville on Thursday and confirmed Adm. Lisa Franchetti to lead the Navy, making her the first woman to be a Pentagon service chief and the first female member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.(AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Tuberville under pressure from Republicans over military holds, says he is reviewing options
Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville said he’s open to negotiating an end to his blockade of almost 400 military nominees after meeting with fellow Republican senators, signaling a shift after he has dug in on his protest of a Pentagon abortion policy for more than nine months.
 
Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., listens as Republicans try to elect Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., to be the new House speaker, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Rep. George Santos survives effort to expel him from the House. But he still faces an ethics report
Rep. George Santos has easily survived a vote to expel him from the House as most Republicans opted to withhold punishment as both his criminal trial and a House Ethics Committee investigation proceed.
 
Speaker-elect Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., address members of congress at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023. Some Republicans worry the infighting that essentially shuttered the House for three weeks will serve as an obstacle to their bid to stay in the majority after next year's elections, but they hope that time and results will help voters forget the dysfunction. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)
Republicans hope the chaos of recent weeks will become a distant memory in next year’s elections
Some Republicans worry the infighting that essentially shuttered the House for three weeks will serve as an obstacle to their bid to stay in the majority after next year’s elections.
 
Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., takes the oath to be the new House speaker from the Dean of the House Rep. Hal Rogers, R-Ky., at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Mike Johnson, a staunch Louisiana conservative, is elected House speaker as GOP moves past chaos
Republican congressman Mike Johnson of Louisiana has been elected House speaker. Republicans eagerly gave Johnson the gavel on Wednesday by a vote of 220-209, with a few absences. Johnson picked up an important nod of support from Donald Trump.
 
Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., speaks after he was chosen as the Republicans latest nominee for House speaker at a Republican caucus meeting at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
Republicans nominate Mike Johnson for House speaker after Emmer’s withdrawal, desperate to end chaos
Republicans have chosen Rep. Mike Johnson of Louisiana as their latest nominee for House speaker. This comes hours after another Republican nominee, Rep. Tom Emmer, abruptly withdrew his bid amid opposition from Donald Trump.
 
Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee and a staunch ally of former President Donald Trump, talks with reporters as House Republicans meet again behind closed doors to find a path to elect a new speaker after House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., dropped out of the race Thursday night, at the Capitol in Washington, Friday, Oct. 13, 2023. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Republicans pick Jim Jordan as nominee for House speaker, putting job within the Trump ally’s reach
Republicans have chosen firebrand Rep. Jim Jordan as their new nominee for House speaker, putting the gavel within reach of the staunch ally of GOP presidential front-runner Donald Trump.
 
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise of La., talks to reporters as he announces he is ending his campaign to be the next House speaker after a Republican meeting at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
GOP’s Scalise ends his bid to become House speaker as Republican holdouts refuse to back the nominee
Republican Steve Scalise has ended his bid to become House speaker after failing to secure the votes to win the gavel. Scalise told GOP colleagues at a closed-door meeting late Thursday of his decision.
 
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise of La., speaks to reporters as he arrives for a meeting of House Republicans to vote on candidates for Speaker of the House on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023 in Washington. Stalemated over a new House speaker, the Republican majority is scheduled to convene behind closed doors to try to vote on a nominee. But lawmakers say Wednesday's private ballots to replace ousted Speaker Kevin McCarthy could take a while. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Republican Steve Scalise is seen as a fighter, but becoming the House speaker might require a brawl
Republican colleagues call Steve Scalise a fighter, but the nominee for House speaker may be in for a brawl. The Louisiana congressman was nominated by his colleagues on Wednesday to replace ousted Kevin McCarthy.
 
The Dome of the U.S. Capitol Building is visible as House Majority Leader Steve Scalise of La., leaves a meeting of House Republicans after they voted for him to be the next Speaker of the House on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
Republicans nominate Steve Scalise to be House speaker but struggle to unite quickly and elect him
Republicans have nominated Rep. Steve Scalise to be the next House speaker. Now they must try to unite their deeply divided majority to elect the conservative in a floor vote after ousting Rep. Kevin McCarthy from the job.
 
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., talks to reporters as he leaves Republicans closed-door forum to hear from the candidates for speaker of the House, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. House business and most congressional action has come to a standstill after Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., was ousted as speaker by conservatives in his own party (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
After one week without a House speaker, Republicans appear no closer to choosing a new leader
The House Republican majority is stuck and unable to coalesce around a new speaker. After having ousted Kevin McCarthy a week ago, there is no endgame in sight.
 
Former Speaker of the House Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., speaks during a news conference at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, Oct. 9, 2023. The militant Hamas rulers of the Gaza Strip carried out an unprecedented, multi-front attack on Israel at daybreak Saturday, firing thousands of rockets as dozens of Hamas fighters infiltrated the heavily fortified border in several locations, killing hundreds and taking captives. Palestinian health officials reported scores of deaths from Israeli airstrikes in Gaza. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
As Republicans split over who will be House speaker, McCarthy positions himself as a de facto leader
Republicans have no clear idea who will be U.S. House speaker, leaving an unprecedented power vacuum in Congress. The Republicans met Monday evening at the Capitol as anger spilled out, with no clear path forward.
 
Speaker of the House pro tempore Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., left, leaves the Speaker's office on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023 in Washington. Walking with McHenry is Rep. French Hill, R-Ark. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Supporters of US aid to Ukraine are watching the turmoil in the House with growing alarm
The future of additional U.S. aid to Ukraine is in doubt now that Kevin McCarthy has been ousted as House speaker. Many House Republicans are opposing help for the war-torn country, and support for Ukraine from the next House leader is uncertain.
 
Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., arrives for a closed-door meeting with House Republicans on the morning after he filed a motion to strip Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., from his leadership role, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
These 8 Republicans stood apart to remove Kevin McCarthy as House speaker
Rep. Kevin McCarthy had support from 208 members of his conference to remain as House speaker. But it took only eight dissenters in his party to boot him from the job. Most of the eight have never been members of the McCarthy fan club.
 
FILE - U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, talks to a member of the media during a campaign event in San Antonio, May 4, 2022. Cuellar was carjacked late Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, in Washington's Navy Yard area, about a mile from the U.S. Capitol, multiple media sources reported. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)
US Rep. Cuellar of Texas is back at work after being carjacked by 3 armed attackers near the Capitol
U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar of Texas is back at work after being carjacked by three armed attackers less than a mile from the Capitol.
 
Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., one of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy's harshest critics, answers questions from members of the media after speaking on the House floor, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, Oct. 2, 2023. Gaetz has said he plans to use a procedural tool called a motion to vacate to try and strip McCarthy of his office as soon as this week. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Rep. Matt Gaetz files motion to oust Speaker Kevin McCarthy, throwing House into new turmoil
Speaker Kevin McCarthy is facing an extraordinary referendum on his leadership of the House after Rep. Matt Gaetz, a longtime critic, moved to launch a vote to oust him from the helm.
 
FILE - Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., appears before the House Rules Committee to propose amendments to the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Bill, at the Capitol in Washington, Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)
Gaetz says he will seek to oust McCarthy as speaker this week. ‘Bring it on,’ McCarthy says
Rep. Matt Gaetz says he’ll try to remove House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, a fellow Republican, from his leadership position this week.
 
President Joe Biden speaks in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
Biden says there’s ‘not much time’ to keep aid flowing to Ukraine and Congress must ‘stop the games’
President Joe Biden says American aid to Ukraine will keep flowing for now as he tries to reassure allies of continued U.S. financial support for the war effort.
 
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