U.S. Senate

Senate passes Trump’s big tax and spending cuts bill as Vance breaks a 50-50 tie

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans hauled President Donald Trump’s big tax breaks and spending cuts bill to passage Tuesday by the narrowest of margins, pushing past opposition from Democrats and their own GOP ranks after a turbulent overnight session. The outcome capped an unusually tense weekend of work at the Capitol, the president’s signature legislative priority teetering on the edge of approval or collapse. In the…

Senate votes on amendments to Trump’s big bill ahead of July 4 deadline

Possible changes to President Donald Trump’s big bill of tax breaks and spending cuts are being considered in what’s called a vote-a-rama, though most of the amendments are expected to fail. After a weekend of setbacks, the Senate is rushing Monday to move ahead with the bill despite a series of challenges. The hours ahead will be pivotal for the Republicans, who have control of Congress and…

Democrat Melissa Lopez Franzen Drops Out of U.S. Senate Race in Minnesota

EDINA, Minn. (KVRR) — Former Minnesota Senate Minority Leader Melissa Lopez Franzen has ended her campaign for U.S. Senate. In a statement, Franzen says she decided to end her run after thoughtful reflection and conversations with family, supporters, and community leaders. She served ten years in the state senate but left after new legislative maps were drawn in 2022. The…

Democrat Melissa Lopez-Franzen Enters Minnesota U.S. Senate Race

ST. PAUL (KVRR/KFGO) — Former Minnesota Senate Minority Leader Melissa Lopez-Franzen is joining the race for U.S. Senate. The Democrat from Edina says she’s launching a campaign focused on fighting for working families and bringing common sense and decency to Washington. She served ten years in the state senate but left after new legislative maps were drawn in 2022. Democratic…

Gov. Tim Walz Tells Podcast Host He Is Open To Running For President

Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz arrive at a campaign rally in Philadelphia, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)ST. PAUL (KVRR/KFGO) — Gov. Tim Walz says he’s open to running for president in 2028. The Democrat made the comments to editor David Remnick on the New Yorker Radio Hour podcast….

Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan Officially Launches Campaign for U.S. Senate

Peggy Flanagan/FacebookST. PAUL (KVRR/FOX9) — Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan has officially launched her campaign for U.S. Senate. Flanagan made the announcement on social media saying she is running to take Minnesota values to D.C. She also says a Native American woman has never won a seat in the U.S. Senate and she believes she can change that. Flanagan, a…

Burgum Confirmed To Lead Interior Department in Trump Administration

WASHINGTON, D.C. (KVRR/AP/FOX) — Former North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate to become Interior Secretary in the second Trump Administration. The Republican was confirmed by a vote of 79-18. Burgum served as governor of North Dakota from 2016 to 2024. He also launched a presidential bid for the 2024 election in June 2023, where…

Senate Votes To Advance Burgum Interior Secretary Nomination To Final Confirmation Vote

WASHINGTON, D.C. (KVRR/FOX) — The Senate voted 78–20 to advance President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Interior Department, former North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, for a final confirmation vote. That isn’t expected until Thursday. Burgum appeared before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee in mid-January. He told lawmakers that national security issues and the economy were his two…

Sen. Tina Smith Co-Authors Bill to Combat Drug Trafficking in Tribal Communities

The current laws on the books do not allow for tribal law enforcement to prosecute non-natives.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (KVRR) —  Democratic Sen. Tina Smith of Minnesota has introduced legislation aimed at combatting the drug trade within indigenous communities. The junior Senator from Minnesota has partnered with Republican Sen. Steve Daines of Montana to create the PROTECT Act. The goal is to give tribal nations more power in pursuing drug cases. Right now, tribal law enforcement is…