Author

Ariana Figueroa

Ariana Figueroa

Ariana covers the nation's capital for States Newsroom. Her areas of coverage include politics and policy, lobbying, elections and campaign finance.

Senator James Lankford talks to reporters

Border talks stuck as Senate nears vote on package for Israel, Ukraine aid

By: - December 6, 2023

WASHINGTON — The success of the U.S. Senate in passing a $106 billion global security supplemental aid package hinges on a bipartisan agreement about U.S. border security, but any deal was at an impasse Tuesday. “There will not be a national security bill unless and until there is serious and significant changes in security at […]

A Texas National Guardsman observes as Border Patrol agents pat down migrants who have surrendered

Congress is haggling over border security: Where does it stand?

By: - December 4, 2023

WASHINGTON — As Congress negotiates the White House’s $106 billion supplemental aid request for Israel, Ukraine and U.S. border security, fights over immigration policy have tied up the request. The White House sent its proposal that includes nearly $14 billion in supplemental border security funding to Congress in late October, but it will likely look […]

Senator Dick Durbin speaks into a microphone in a Senate committee room

Gun violence as a public health crisis explored by U.S. Senate Democrats

By: - November 29, 2023

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats on Tuesday discussed how to treat gun violence as a public health crisis, in hopes of building upon last year’s federal gun safety legislation. “Across the country, gun violence is a public health epidemic,” Illinois Democrat Dick Durbin, the chairman of the committee, said in his opening remarks. […]

An immigrant family wades through the Rio Grande

Trump immigration policies set the tone for most of the GOP presidential field

By: - November 24, 2023

This is one of an occasional series comparing the Republican presidential candidates’ positions on issues. WASHINGTON — Most of the candidates in this year’s 2024 Republican race for the presidential nomination mirror hard-line immigration policies set by the front-runner, former President Donald Trump. What were once considered far-right policies are now common talking points among […]

Student debt relief activists rally in front of the U.S. Supreme Court

Attempt to kill Biden student debt relief plan tied to income fails in U.S. Senate

By: - November 16, 2023

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Republicans on Wednesday night failed to garner enough votes to block a new Biden administration rule on an income-driven repayment plan for federal student loans. The resolution did not pass, 49-50. Sen. Joe Manchin III of West Virginia was the sole Democrat who joined Republicans in backing the resolution. Sen. Tim […]

lawmakers seatd at a table discuss gun violence

‘Nationwide gun emergency’ discussed by U.S. House Democrats at roundtable meeting

By: - November 14, 2023

WASHINGTON — U.S. House Democrats held a Monday roundtable forum on changing U.S. gun laws following a recent mass shooting in Maine, where 18 people were killed. The top Democrat on the committee, Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland, invited witnesses to discuss gun violence solutions, and said that the gun industry lobby, the National Rifle […]

Sen. Joe Manchin III talks with Sen. Jon Tester

Democrats’ struggle to keep U.S. Senate majority complicated by Manchin decision 

By: , and - November 10, 2023

WASHINGTON — U.S. Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin III announced Thursday he does not plan to run for reelection come 2024, giving Republicans an opportunity to pick up a seat and increasing their chances of flipping Senate control. A centrist who has long frustrated his party’s leadership and outside advocacy groups with his views on fossil […]

sculptured images and the words "Equal Justice Under Law" at the top of the U.S. Supreme Court Building

U.S. Supreme Court considers case dealing with gun rights and domestic violence

By: - November 8, 2023

WASHINGTON — U.S. Supreme Court justices during Tuesday’s oral arguments seemed to lean toward upholding a federal law that prevents the possession of firearms by a person who is subject to a domestic violence protective order. Liberal and conservative justices appeared to side with the Biden administration’s position that the 1994 federal law is in […]

Speaker Mike Johnson shakes hands with Rep. Andy Barr

Mike Johnson of Louisiana elected speaker of the U.S. House after three weeks of stalemate

By: and - October 25, 2023

WASHINGTON — U.S. House Republicans on Wednesday voted for Louisiana’s Mike Johnson as speaker in a chamber that has been frozen for more than three weeks after former Speaker Kevin McCarthy was ousted. In a 220-209 party-line vote, all Republicans present backed Johnson. All Democrats present voted for Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York. […]

Rep. Mike Johnson leaves a committee room

Mike Johnson of Louisiana picked as newest GOP nominee for U.S. House speaker

By: and - October 25, 2023

WASHINGTON — U.S. House Republicans late Tuesday voted to tap Louisiana’s Mike Johnson as speaker after the GOP nominee from earlier in the day was tanked. Johnson, 51, is the fourth Republican nominee attempting to break the deadlock in the lower chamber that has been leaderless and frozen for three weeks. He is the second […]

Rep. Tom Emmer and Rep. Guy Reschenthaler

Emmer nominated for U.S. House speaker but drops out after Trump opposition

By: , and - October 24, 2023

WASHINGTON — U.S. House Republicans Tuesday voted to tap Minnesota’s Tom Emmer as speaker following five rounds of ballots — but Emmer quit the race just four hours later, after he was attacked by the GOP’s most powerful figure, former President Donald Trump. After beating six candidates, Emmer, the No. 3 Republican, faced an uphill […]

Rep. Tom Emmer surrounded by two men as he arrives at a House GOP candidates forum

U.S. House Republicans mull eight new candidates for speaker in advance of votes

By: and - October 24, 2023

WASHINGTON — U.S. House Republicans Monday night gathered behind closed doors to hear the pitches of eight candidates for the speaker’s gavel, as the chamber approaches three weeks without a speaker. Monday’s nearly three-hour meeting was meant to produce a leading GOP candidate, so that when Republicans vote behind closed doors on Tuesday, there will […]