Author Archive
Jennifer Shutt
Management
Why Congress separated immigration funding from oversight
After negotiations over enforcement restrictions collapsed, lawmakers approved $70 billion, funding that will give the Trump administration resources to continue its immigration crackdown through nearly the end of the president's second term.
- Jennifer Shutt, States Newsroom
Management
GOP advances $70B immigration enforcement funding bill without new limits on ICE operations
The Senate moved the package forward after bipartisan talks over immigration enforcement restrictions collapsed, clearing the way for House consideration of the funding measure.
- Jennifer Shutt, States Newsroom
Management
Secret Service funding fight sharpens over White House modernization push
House Republicans are backing a funding request tied to White House grounds upgrades while lawmakers demand more detail on how the agency would spend the money.
- Jennifer Shutt and Ariana Figueroa, States Newsroom
Pay & Benefits
Future shutdowns could temporarily halt senators’ paychecks
The Senate approved a rules change on Thursday aimed at raising the political cost of funding lapses as Congress barrels toward another high-risk appropriations season.
- Jennifer Shutt, States Newsroom
Management
$1 billion Secret Service funding boost plan draws scrutiny over limited details
Lawmakers are seeking a clearer breakdown of how the funds would be used as debate continues over security upgrades, modernization projects and the scale of the request.
- Jennifer Shutt and Ariana Figueroa, States Newsroom
Management
Trump taps former FEMA official ousted after defending agency
Cameron Hamilton, who was removed after publicly opposing efforts to eliminate FEMA, would return to lead the agency as the administration pushes states to take on a larger disaster response role.
- Jennifer Shutt, States Newsroom
Management
DHS funding bill heads to Trump, ending shutdown for department employees
After months of delays and three shutdowns, lawmakers move forward while punting immigration funding fight.
- Jennifer Shutt, States Newsroom
Management
DHS funding bill stalls as House GOP seeks changes to Senate deal
House Republicans’ push to change a Senate funding bill is slowing efforts to end the DHS shutdown and raising the risk of missed paychecks for federal workers.
- Jennifer Shutt, States Newsroom
Management
Senate advances GOP budget blueprint to boost ICE and Border Patrol funding
The measure cleared 50-48 after a marathon amendment session and sets up a reconciliation path for immigration enforcement spending.
- Jennifer Shutt, States Newsroom
Defense
When does federal service really end? DOD case challenges retirees’ speech rights
A Pentagon effort to discipline retired Navy officer and Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., over public comments is raising broader questions about whether military retirees remain subject to federal authority, and what that could mean for speech rights, retirement benefits and post-service obligations.
- Jennifer Shutt, States Newsroom
Management
‘Shirtless in a hot tub with Kid Rock’: Dems question RFK Jr. on HHS priorities and budget decisions
Lawmakers pressed HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on proposed spending reductions and agency priorities, criticizing both policy decisions and his public messaging as they questioned the department’s direction under the Trump budget.
- Jennifer Shutt, States Newsroom
Management
Republicans weigh reconciliation for DHS funding as shutdown strains agencies
Amid an extended funding standoff affecting parts of the Department of Homeland Security, GOP leaders are considering whether the budget reconciliation process could provide a path to advance funding and immigration priorities without Democratic votes.
- Jennifer Shutt, States Newsroom
Management
GOP plan would fund immigration enforcement for 3 years as DHS shutdown drags on
Senate Republicans are preparing a reconciliation push that would fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol for three years, a move that could help end the Homeland Security Department shutdown but it faces opposition from Democrats and uncertainty in the House.
- Jennifer Shutt, States Newsroom
Management
Trump moves to pay TSA agents as shutdown talks stall in Congress
Emergency order would cover airport screeners who have gone without full pay since mid-February but not other DHS employees, as lawmakers remain deadlocked on funding.
- Jennifer Shutt, States Newsroom
Management
Top Dems in Congress list ICE constraints they want in funding bill
Proposed restrictions on the agency include requiring wearing body camera, the removal of masks and limitations on certain locations where people can be detained.
- Jennifer Shutt and Ariana Figueroa, States Newsroom
Management
Senate Dems demand immigration agents unmask, wear body cameras and carry IDs as shutdown looms
The lawmakers say the measures are needed to increase transparency and accountability within Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection.
- Jennifer Shutt and Ariana Figueroa, States Newsroom
Management
Major meeting on FEMA overhaul recommendation suddenly shelved
The scheduled gathering of the FEMA review council was supposed to include "a public vote on the draft final report" outlining recommendations about the future of the federal agency, but was abruptly canceled Thursday.
- Jennifer Shutt, States Newsroom
Management
Trump says he is voiding Biden executive actions signed with autopen
In a social media post, the president declared any Biden-era orders, pardons or laws authorized with an autopen “terminated,” leaving legal authority unclear and federal agencies uncertain about whether any directives are actually affected.
- Jennifer Shutt, States Newsroom
Updated
News
2 National Guard members from West Virginia wounded in 'targeted' shooting in D.C.
Officials say both guardsmen are in critical condition and a suspect is in custody. President Trump says the attacker will “pay a very steep price.”
- Jennifer Shutt and Ariana Figueroa, States Newsroom
Updated
Pay & Benefits
Marjorie Taylor Greene retirement launches speculation about congressional pensions
For former members of Congress, pension and health care benefits can depend on your tenure.
- Jennifer Shutt, States Newsroom