Burgess Everett
@burgessev.bsky.social
Congressional bureau chief at Semafor. Former Politico
New: ACA's enhanced subsidies expired on Jan. 1, but Senate's bipartisan negotiating crew has continued talking over the recess
They are aiming to meet in person again this week, potentially as soon as tomorrow, to continue those talks
They are aiming to meet in person again this week, potentially as soon as tomorrow, to continue those talks
January 4, 2026 at 8:34 PM
New: ACA's enhanced subsidies expired on Jan. 1, but Senate's bipartisan negotiating crew has continued talking over the recess
They are aiming to meet in person again this week, potentially as soon as tomorrow, to continue those talks
They are aiming to meet in person again this week, potentially as soon as tomorrow, to continue those talks
GOP Sen. Collins, who serves on Intel Committee, says she was briefed by Rubio on Maduro this morning but also says "Congress should have been informed about the operation earlier and needs to be involved as this situation evolves"
January 3, 2026 at 8:50 PM
GOP Sen. Collins, who serves on Intel Committee, says she was briefed by Rubio on Maduro this morning but also says "Congress should have been informed about the operation earlier and needs to be involved as this situation evolves"
Schumer says Trump administration has not yet responded to Democratic leaders' requests for Gang of Eight and and all-senators briefings on Venezuela
January 3, 2026 at 8:18 PM
Schumer says Trump administration has not yet responded to Democratic leaders' requests for Gang of Eight and and all-senators briefings on Venezuela
Schumer says Republican senators have "expressed a lot of troublesome comments about what Trump is doing and the way he is doing it" in conversations with Democratic senators today ...
January 3, 2026 at 8:14 PM
Schumer says Republican senators have "expressed a lot of troublesome comments about what Trump is doing and the way he is doing it" in conversations with Democratic senators today ...
Schumer: “I was in the SCIF on 3 different occasions … I asked them: Are you pursuing regime change? Are you intent on taking military action in Venezuela?"
“And they are assured me they are not pursuing those things”
“And they are assured me they are not pursuing those things”
January 3, 2026 at 8:11 PM
Schumer: “I was in the SCIF on 3 different occasions … I asked them: Are you pursuing regime change? Are you intent on taking military action in Venezuela?"
“And they are assured me they are not pursuing those things”
“And they are assured me they are not pursuing those things”
Sen. Kaine tells reporters he has "reviewed the classified legal memo that the State Department prepared … and find it laughably weak. But even that memorandum contained no legal justification for war inside of Venezuela”
January 3, 2026 at 7:41 PM
Sen. Kaine tells reporters he has "reviewed the classified legal memo that the State Department prepared … and find it laughably weak. But even that memorandum contained no legal justification for war inside of Venezuela”
Schumer spokesperson says the top congressional/Intel leaders — at least on Dem side — did not get a heads up on Maduro operation: “Gang of 8 was not notified ahead of time.”
January 3, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Schumer spokesperson says the top congressional/Intel leaders — at least on Dem side — did not get a heads up on Maduro operation: “Gang of 8 was not notified ahead of time.”
How Trump gradually tested and quelled GOP skeptics in Congress on Venezuela, setting the stage for Maduro capture and little pushback from Republicans ... another vote coming next week but only two defections in November (Murkowski and Rand)
@ShelbyTalcott
www.semafor.com/article/01/0...
@ShelbyTalcott
www.semafor.com/article/01/0...
How Trump kept Republicans behind his Maduro campaign
The Venezuelan leader’s capture is the latest test of the US president’s support within the party.
www.semafor.com
January 3, 2026 at 3:05 PM
How Trump gradually tested and quelled GOP skeptics in Congress on Venezuela, setting the stage for Maduro capture and little pushback from Republicans ... another vote coming next week but only two defections in November (Murkowski and Rand)
@ShelbyTalcott
www.semafor.com/article/01/0...
@ShelbyTalcott
www.semafor.com/article/01/0...
Democratic Sen. Kaine didn't force a vote in December, but now after new strikes he says his "bipartisan resolution stipulating that we should not be at war with Venezuela absent a clear congressional authorization will come up for a vote next week"
January 3, 2026 at 2:53 PM
Democratic Sen. Kaine didn't force a vote in December, but now after new strikes he says his "bipartisan resolution stipulating that we should not be at war with Venezuela absent a clear congressional authorization will come up for a vote next week"
Democratic Sen. Andy Kim on capture of Maduro: "Secretaries Rubio and Hegseth looked every Senator in the eye a few weeks ago and said this wasn’t about regime change. I didn’t trust them then and we see now that they blatantly lied to Congress"
January 3, 2026 at 12:36 PM
Democratic Sen. Andy Kim on capture of Maduro: "Secretaries Rubio and Hegseth looked every Senator in the eye a few weeks ago and said this wasn’t about regime change. I didn’t trust them then and we see now that they blatantly lied to Congress"
! Sens. Heinrich and Whitehouse says permitting reform is dead unless Trump admin reverses offshore wind project decisions
December 22, 2025 at 9:46 PM
! Sens. Heinrich and Whitehouse says permitting reform is dead unless Trump admin reverses offshore wind project decisions
We are looking for a House reporter who wants to ball out next year job-boards.greenhouse.io/semafor/jobs...
Congressional Reporter
Washington DC
job-boards.greenhouse.io
December 22, 2025 at 3:44 PM
We are looking for a House reporter who wants to ball out next year job-boards.greenhouse.io/semafor/jobs...
Schumer introduces Epstein resolution "providing for authority to initiate litigation for actions by the President and Department of Justice officials inconsistent with their duties under the laws of the United States"
www.democrats.senate.gov/imo/media/do...
www.democrats.senate.gov/imo/media/do...
www.democrats.senate.gov
December 22, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Schumer introduces Epstein resolution "providing for authority to initiate litigation for actions by the President and Department of Justice officials inconsistent with their duties under the laws of the United States"
www.democrats.senate.gov/imo/media/do...
www.democrats.senate.gov/imo/media/do...
News: Lindsey Graham is prepping a budget to set up a second budget reconciliation bill for next year. He wants it to include grants for states cooperating with ICE, health care and military spending
“It would be political malpractice not to do another"
www.semafor.com/article/12/2...
“It would be political malpractice not to do another"
www.semafor.com/article/12/2...
Exclusive: Budget chair Graham plots next Republican party-line bill
Graham said it would be “political malpractice” not to do another reconciliation bill.
www.semafor.com
December 22, 2025 at 2:40 PM
News: Lindsey Graham is prepping a budget to set up a second budget reconciliation bill for next year. He wants it to include grants for states cooperating with ICE, health care and military spending
“It would be political malpractice not to do another"
www.semafor.com/article/12/2...
“It would be political malpractice not to do another"
www.semafor.com/article/12/2...
Dept. of Hell Freezing Over: Democratic Sen. Hassan doing a press conference with former GOP NH Gov. Sununu on Monday about travel scams
Sununu in 2022: "Senator Hassan is going to lose, no question" (she won)
Sununu in 2021: "She has not been here for 4 or 5 years (Hassan: "outright false")
Sununu in 2022: "Senator Hassan is going to lose, no question" (she won)
Sununu in 2021: "She has not been here for 4 or 5 years (Hassan: "outright false")
December 19, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Dept. of Hell Freezing Over: Democratic Sen. Hassan doing a press conference with former GOP NH Gov. Sununu on Monday about travel scams
Sununu in 2022: "Senator Hassan is going to lose, no question" (she won)
Sununu in 2021: "She has not been here for 4 or 5 years (Hassan: "outright false")
Sununu in 2022: "Senator Hassan is going to lose, no question" (she won)
Sununu in 2021: "She has not been here for 4 or 5 years (Hassan: "outright false")
New statement from Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed on ACA fight
"Democrats need to force the issue. The weak ones bend too quickly. We need Democratic leaders who aren’t bought and aren’t broken—and we’ll be the ones fighting for Medicare for All.”
"Democrats need to force the issue. The weak ones bend too quickly. We need Democratic leaders who aren’t bought and aren’t broken—and we’ll be the ones fighting for Medicare for All.”
Democrats steer away from another shutdown fight over ACA
“There’s been no discussion about shutdowns. I haven’t heard a word by any of my colleagues about a shutdown,” Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., told Semafor.
www.semafor.com/article/12/1...
“There’s been no discussion about shutdowns. I haven’t heard a word by any of my colleagues about a shutdown,” Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., told Semafor.
www.semafor.com/article/12/1...
Democrats steer away from another shutdown fight
Even progressives who disliked the deal to end the shutdown said the party is not talking about plunging into another one.
www.semafor.com
December 19, 2025 at 4:16 PM
New statement from Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed on ACA fight
"Democrats need to force the issue. The weak ones bend too quickly. We need Democratic leaders who aren’t bought and aren’t broken—and we’ll be the ones fighting for Medicare for All.”
"Democrats need to force the issue. The weak ones bend too quickly. We need Democratic leaders who aren’t bought and aren’t broken—and we’ll be the ones fighting for Medicare for All.”
Newsy Missouri poll this morning
Extend ACA subsidies, 55-38
Raise minimum wage, 63-33
Hawley approval, 51-41
www.semafor.com/article/12/1...
Extend ACA subsidies, 55-38
Raise minimum wage, 63-33
Hawley approval, 51-41
www.semafor.com/article/12/1...
Exclusive: Hawley’s populist policies in sync with Missouri voters, poll finds
Republican Sen. Josh Hawley’s stances are pretty popular in a conservative state like Missouri.
www.semafor.com
December 19, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Newsy Missouri poll this morning
Extend ACA subsidies, 55-38
Raise minimum wage, 63-33
Hawley approval, 51-41
www.semafor.com/article/12/1...
Extend ACA subsidies, 55-38
Raise minimum wage, 63-33
Hawley approval, 51-41
www.semafor.com/article/12/1...
It's Thursday at 7:30 p.m., the Senate is expected to leave soon for the holiday but member conversations on the appropriations bill are still live...
December 19, 2025 at 12:38 AM
It's Thursday at 7:30 p.m., the Senate is expected to leave soon for the holiday but member conversations on the appropriations bill are still live...
Sen. Kelly’s lawyer has questions for Sec. Hegseth
December 18, 2025 at 11:34 PM
Sen. Kelly’s lawyer has questions for Sec. Hegseth
Democrats steer away from another shutdown fight over ACA
“There’s been no discussion about shutdowns. I haven’t heard a word by any of my colleagues about a shutdown,” Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., told Semafor.
www.semafor.com/article/12/1...
“There’s been no discussion about shutdowns. I haven’t heard a word by any of my colleagues about a shutdown,” Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., told Semafor.
www.semafor.com/article/12/1...
Democrats steer away from another shutdown fight
Even progressives who disliked the deal to end the shutdown said the party is not talking about plunging into another one.
www.semafor.com
December 18, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Democrats steer away from another shutdown fight over ACA
“There’s been no discussion about shutdowns. I haven’t heard a word by any of my colleagues about a shutdown,” Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., told Semafor.
www.semafor.com/article/12/1...
“There’s been no discussion about shutdowns. I haven’t heard a word by any of my colleagues about a shutdown,” Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., told Semafor.
www.semafor.com/article/12/1...
Thune dumps large bucket of ice water on the House Dems' three-year ACA subsidies extension discharge petition. Says it's "not happening"
“A straight up extension is a waste of money"
Says one option could be a short extension that gives people option of putting money in HSAs
“A straight up extension is a waste of money"
Says one option could be a short extension that gives people option of putting money in HSAs
December 18, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Thune dumps large bucket of ice water on the House Dems' three-year ACA subsidies extension discharge petition. Says it's "not happening"
“A straight up extension is a waste of money"
Says one option could be a short extension that gives people option of putting money in HSAs
“A straight up extension is a waste of money"
Says one option could be a short extension that gives people option of putting money in HSAs
Sen. Schatz: “Democrats have a tendency to love to dive into internal disagreements, especially as they relate to policy that won’t be enacted anytime soon. And I think we should resist that urge"
"A midterm message that has historically been viable is, ‘Have you had enough of this shit yet?’”
"A midterm message that has historically been viable is, ‘Have you had enough of this shit yet?’”
December 17, 2025 at 10:49 PM
Sen. Schatz: “Democrats have a tendency to love to dive into internal disagreements, especially as they relate to policy that won’t be enacted anytime soon. And I think we should resist that urge"
"A midterm message that has historically been viable is, ‘Have you had enough of this shit yet?’”
"A midterm message that has historically been viable is, ‘Have you had enough of this shit yet?’”
Isaacman's NASA nomination just got 67 votes -- making the initial decision to rescind his nomination even more puzzling
www.senate.gov/legislative/...
www.senate.gov/legislative/...
U.S. Senate: U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 119th Congress - 1st Session
www.senate.gov
December 17, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Isaacman's NASA nomination just got 67 votes -- making the initial decision to rescind his nomination even more puzzling
www.senate.gov/legislative/...
www.senate.gov/legislative/...
News: Senate has a deal to pass the ROTOR Act, an aviation safety bill
Deal will override the controversial language in NDAA on military flights around the DCA airspace. Sen. Cruz will ask unanimous consent soon and it's expected to pass
Deal will override the controversial language in NDAA on military flights around the DCA airspace. Sen. Cruz will ask unanimous consent soon and it's expected to pass
December 17, 2025 at 7:05 PM
News: Senate has a deal to pass the ROTOR Act, an aviation safety bill
Deal will override the controversial language in NDAA on military flights around the DCA airspace. Sen. Cruz will ask unanimous consent soon and it's expected to pass
Deal will override the controversial language in NDAA on military flights around the DCA airspace. Sen. Cruz will ask unanimous consent soon and it's expected to pass
News: Work behind the scenes on bringing Venezuela opposition leader Machado to meet with Trump
Sen. Rick Scott: "I'd like her to meet the president"
One person familiar told Semafor that Machado would like to “present [Trump] with her Nobel medal"
www.semafor.com/article/12/1...
Sen. Rick Scott: "I'd like her to meet the president"
One person familiar told Semafor that Machado would like to “present [Trump] with her Nobel medal"
www.semafor.com/article/12/1...
Trump allies seek White House visit for Venezuelan opposition leader
Rick Scott is among those working behind the scenes to bring María Corina Machado to meet Trump.
www.semafor.com
December 17, 2025 at 6:51 PM
News: Work behind the scenes on bringing Venezuela opposition leader Machado to meet with Trump
Sen. Rick Scott: "I'd like her to meet the president"
One person familiar told Semafor that Machado would like to “present [Trump] with her Nobel medal"
www.semafor.com/article/12/1...
Sen. Rick Scott: "I'd like her to meet the president"
One person familiar told Semafor that Machado would like to “present [Trump] with her Nobel medal"
www.semafor.com/article/12/1...