“We have no choice but cut off that dirty neck that has been lunged at us without hesitation," a Chinese official said.

The California governor drew crowds at an economic summit ahead of this week's UN climate talks.

The House could clear the package for President Donald Trump’s signature by Wednesday.

76 lawmakers voted to block the Kentucky Republican’s effort to strip language that he argues will destroy the hemp industry. Senators shot down an attempt by Sen. Rand Paul to eliminate language in their shutdown-ending deal that the Kentucky Republican argues will destroy the booming hemp industry. The amendment was blocked on a 76-24 vote with Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Paul as the lone GOP senators in favor of proceeding, along with 22 Democrats. The vote comes after Paul’s monthslong fight with senior appropriators Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.) over a provision that would crack down on intoxicating hemp products that were legalized through the 2018 farm bill. The amendment’s failure clears the path for lawmakers to vote on final passage of a funding package that moves Congress closer to ending the record-breaking government shutdown. Paul told reporters that his amendment wasn’t designed to “hold things up,” but to protect the hemp business that’s blossomed in Kentucky since 2018. “My goal is to condense the time, have one vote, express my displeasure with them screwing up an entire industry, and people will feel ... there’s at least been somebody fighting,” Paul said. The vote also marked the first time in years that senators were forced to take a public stance on how the government should regulate THC and hemp products. McConnell championed the legalization of hemp production during negotiations over the 2018 farm bill. He has subsequently expressed privately that he views passing new language restricting the industry as key to preserving his agriculture policy legacy before he retires from the Senate in 2026. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), who pushed for the legalization of hemp in the 2018 farm bill alongside McConnell, backed Paul’s amendment. “We’re going to keep at it until we get this fixed,” Wyden told POLITICO. “The reality is, the legalization was essentially myself and Senator McConnell, so we’re going to stay at it.” Hemp industry representatives and lobbyists have spent months campaigning against McConnell’s language, arguing that his proposal would effectively kill their industry. Those hemp business leaders were left in the dark about whether McConnell’s language would be included in the Senate’s Ag-FDA funding plans until the bill’s release on Sunday. It was previously stripped in the Senate after Paul threatened to block the funding bill. Other industry groups representing alcohol and marijuana products have encouraged lawmakers to crack down on hemp, as have dozens of state officials who have warned about the proliferation of synthetic cannabinoids sold in gas stations and convenience stores and marketed toward children. Kentucky and other hemp-producing states have since scrambled to introduce their own regulatory frameworks. McConnell argued on the Senate floor Monday that children are “being sent to the hospital at an alarming rate” due to the hemp products. “While some may masquerade as advocates for hemp farmers, even sometimes threatening to hold up government funding over this issue, I’ll continue to work on behalf of Kentucky farmers while protecting our children,” McConnell said. Proponents of the measure argue that it will prevent the unregulated sale of intoxicants and preserve non-intoxicating CBD and industrial hemp. But Paul and the hemp industry have said the new regulations will make current hemp plants illegal, given the level of THC naturally occurring in the plants. “Every hemp plant in America will have to be destroyed,” Paul said. “Every hemp seed in America will have to be destroyed, and 100 percent of the hemp products that are sold will no longer be allowed to be sold.” Some hemp industry representatives have expressed hope that the White House or lawmakers will step in and soften the blow to their businesses during the one-year implementation period, according to two people familiar with the talks. President Donald Trump has previously expressed an openness to reclassifying marijuana and even posted on Truth Social advocating for the use of hemp-derived CBD in health care, a move that hemp farmers celebrated. Rachel Shin contributed to this report. Lead Art: Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said his goal "is to condense the time, have one vote, express my displeasure with them screwing up an entire industry." | Francis Chung/POLITICO

Gavin Newsom and Zohran Mamdani are energizing Democrats in distinct ways.

The new legislative language is an escalation of the GOP’s efforts to discredit former special counsel Jack Smith.

The language in the pardon also underscores that Trump’s clemency is not limited to people named in the document.

Speaker Mike Johnson is faced with jump-starting dormant committees, tackling a looming health care deadline and resolving the long-brewing Jeffrey Epstein fight — if he can reopen the government first.

Fishback would become the latest Republican to challenge Trump-endorsed Rep. Byron Donalds.

The White House was blindsided by the idea and is now dealing with a furious backlash from conservative allies, business leaders and lawmakers.

President Donald Trump on Monday delivered a sharp rebuke of Georgia GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a onetime ally who has become increasingly critical of the president in recent months. “I don’t know what happened to Marjorie,” he told reporters at an Oval Office press conference. “Nice woman. But I don’t know what happened, she’s lost her way, I think.” Greene emerged as a vocal opponent of Republican strategy during the government shutdown, accusing party leadership of failing to focus on healthcare as Democrats pushed in vain for an extension on expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies. Trump’s comments came in response to a question about a Monday social media post from the three-term lawmaker in which she said: “I would really like to see nonstop meetings at the WH on domestic policy not foreign policy and foreign country’s leaders.” The president hosted Syrian leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa at the White House on Monday, the next step in his work on fostering diplomacy in the Middle East and shore up relations with Damascus, almost one year after Al-Sharaa’s forces took down authoritarian leader Bashar Assad. “I have to view the presidency as a worldwide situation, not locally,” Trump said. “We could have a world that’s on fire where wars come to our shores very easily if you had a bad president.” Greene has also pressured the White House to release more information about the files related to deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and is one of several Republicans who signed a discharge petition to force a floor vote on their release. In July, she bucked the GOP establishment by calling out the “genocide, humanitarian crisis and starvation” in Gaza, accusing Israel of committing a genocide. Trump accused her of “now catering to the other side.” “When somebody like Marjorie goes over and starts making statements like that, it shows she doesn’t know,” he said. Greene’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Lead Art: U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), right, speaks to journalist Don Lemon, left, following a press conference alongside alleged victims of Jeffrey Epstein at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. on September 3, 2025. | Bryan Dozier/AFP via Getty Images

Sen. Rand Paul and others object to policy changes that could stifle a growing industry in his state.

The proposal comes after Trump directed Pulte to leverage Fannie and Freddie to ramp up the country’s stalled housing production.

The two prominent Maryland Democrats sent a four-page letter to the entire Maryland General Assembly Monday on redistricting

The committee’s portion of the so-called crypto market structure bill has been the subject of great anticipation in the crypto world. The Senate Agriculture Committee on Monday released a much-anticipated discussion draft of its portion of a sweeping bill that would overhaul how cryptocurrencies are regulated, inching the chamber closer to advancing the legislation. The draft, which would overhaul regulations affecting digital asset commodities, was unveiled by Agriculture Chair John Boozman (R-Ark.) and Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), a member of the panel who has been negotiating with Republicans over the issue. The text included several sections in brackets that remain the subject of negotiations, indicating that lawmakers still have sticky issues to sort out. Senate Agriculture’s portion of the so-called crypto market structure bill has been the subject of great anticipation in the crypto world in recent months as senators have pushed to advance the legislation. The committee has jurisdiction over half of the bill because it oversees the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, which would gain new authority to regulate crypto tokens like bitcoin and ether under the proposal. Republicans on the Senate Banking Committee, which is responsible for the other half of the bill dealing with securities regulations, released a partisan discussion draft of its portion of the market structure legislation earlier this year. They are now negotiating with Democrats to try to come to a bipartisan agreement on the bill, in hopes of holding a markup this year. The bill — a top priority for both the politically powerful crypto industry and President Donald Trump — is designed to provide the “regulatory clarity” that digital asset executives and lobbyists have long argued they need from Washington. Declan Harty contributed to this report. Lead Art: Senate Agriculture Chair John Boozman (R-Ark.) unveiled the bill with Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.). | Mark Schiefelbein/AP

Dean Fuleihan will return as first deputy mayor and Elle Bisgaard-Church will be chief of staff.

Library of Congress employees were informed to take caution when emailing the office of the congressional scorekeeper. A cybersecurity breach discovered last week affecting the Congressional Budget Office is now considered “ongoing,” threatening both incoming and outgoing correspondence around Congress’ nonpartisan scorekeeper. Employees at the Library of Congress were warned in a Monday email, obtained by POLITICO, that the CBO cybersecurity incident is “affecting its email communications” and that library staff should take a range of measures to protect themselves. Library of Congress workers also were told to restrict their communication with the nonpartisan agency tasked with providing economic and budgetary information to lawmakers. “Do NOT click on any links in emails from CBO. Do NOT share sensitive information with CBO colleagues over email, Microsoft Teams, or Zoom at this time,” the email reads. “Maintain a high level of vigilance and verify the legitimacy of CBO communications by confirming with the sender via telephone that they sent the message,” the note continues. Congressional staff are in regular communication with CBO regarding scores of legislation and cost estimates the agency prepares for bills in both the House and Senate. There was no immediate information Monday about the broader implications that a legislative branch office was continuing to experience cybersecurity vulnerabilities. A CBO spokesperson said last week that officials had taken “immediate action to contain” the breach as officials investigate the incident. When asked for comment Monday about ongoing issues, the CBO spokesperson referred to the prior statement.

The agency’s emergency order directing the reductions at 40 major airports had not been lifted as of early Monday afternoon.

Sen. Rand Paul wants a vote on his amendment to strike language from a shutdown-ending spending deal that would “unfairly target Kentucky’s hemp industry” before allowing the bill to clear the Senate, a spokesperson for the Kentucky Republican confirmed Monday. Paul’s objection to allowing the package to proceed without the vote is slowing down Senate GOP leaders as they race to end the 41-day shutdown. Without unanimous consent from all 100 senators, it could take the Senate much of the week to move through procedural voter before sending it to the House for final approval and President Donald Trump’s signature. Paul’s insistence on the hemp vote comes after a bruising fight with Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.) — both senior appropriators — over the language that would crack down on intoxicating hemp products. Paul’s one-page amendment would effectively preserve the status quo. Spokesperson Gabrielle Lipsky said in a statement said Paul “affirms his commitment to reopening the government without delay” and said the hemp provision he is seeking to strike “is unrelated to the budget and the government-reopening goal.” Paul wants a simple-majority vote on the measure, she added in response to a question from POLITICO; GOP senators and aides granted anonymity to describe internal Senate dynamics believe it’s unlikely to garner enough support for adoption. Lipsky added that Paul intends to “work to ensure that the final bill excludes this unrelated language in order to defend the livelihoods of Kentucky farmers, hemp processors, and manufacturing jobs.”

Longtime Democratic Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman announced Monday that she is not running for reelection next year and will retire at the end of her term, saying that it is “time to pass the torch.” The 80-year-old has served New Jersey’s 12th District since 2015, when she became the first Black woman to represent New Jersey in the House. Prior to her time in Congress, she was a member of the state Assembly, where she served as majority leader. Watson Coleman was also previously chair of the state Democratic Party. “I made this decision with tremendous thought and reflection, and through many personal conversations with my husband Bill and my family,” Watson Coleman said in a statement. “I am confident it is the right choice for me and my family who have graciously sacrificed by my side when I placed serving our community above all else and I can truly say, I am at peace with my decision.” Watson Coleman, a leader of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, in her retirement announcement touted her efforts to “build an economy for all, reform our criminal justice system, achieve health equity, and eliminate poverty,” and said she “pray[s] our leaders advocate for a two-state solution that paves the way for peace, prosperity, and dignity for Israelis and Palestinians.” She called for lawmakers to “continue to stand and fight against those who would target the vulnerable and attempt to harm our democracy.” Earlier this year, Watson Coleman was one of three Democrats in the New Jersey Democratic delegation — along with Reps. Rob Menendez and LaMonica McIver — who participated in a high-profile visit to Delaney Hall, an immigrant detention facility in Newark. Their visit turned into a chaotic scrum involving federal law enforcement. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested on a trespassing charge that was later dropped, and McIver was later accused of assaulting Homeland Security agents — though her trial, which was set to begin on Monday, has been delayed and she’s pleaded not guilty. NJ-12 is a safe Democratic seat that covers parts of Mercer, Middlesex, Somerset and Union counties. Prior to Watson Coleman announcing her retirement, just one other Democratic candidate filed with the Federal Election Commission for the seat: Kyle Little, a fitness studio owner who raised just over $10,000 since getting in the race over the summer. Other potential Democratic candidates to replace Watson Coleman include state Sen. Andrew Zwicker and Assemblymember Verlina Reynolds-Jackson, Mercer County Clerk Paula Sollami Covello, Mercer County Commissioner Sam Frisby and East Brunswick Mayor Brad Cohen, according to a Democratic official granted anonymity to discuss party positioning. Zwicker, who works at Princeton University’s Plasma Physics Laboratory, is a protege of Watson Coleman’s predecessor, former U.S. Rep. Rush Holt, who hired him at the lab. “It is my fervent hope that whoever is next elected to serve the people of the 12th Congressional District will be a public servant grounded in strong moral principles and an unabashed advocate in the United States Congress on behalf of those they have the privilege to represent,” Watson Coleman said in her statement. “I hope we will see, in this district and districts across the nation, representatives who, in the words of my dear former colleague and friend, Congressman John Lewis, stand ready to, ‘Get in good trouble, necessary trouble, and help redeem the soul of America.’” Matt Friedman contributed to this report. Lead Art: Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman and other protestors demand the release of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka after his arrest at an ICE detention prison May 9, 2025, in Newark, New Jersey. | Angelina Katsanis/AP

The Chinese Commerce Ministry announcement marks Beijing’s follow-through on a commitment to address its role in the U.S. opioid overdose epidemic.

The speaker said President Donald Trump is “very anxious” to reopen the government. Speaker Mike Johnson urged House members Monday to start returning to Capitol Hill “right now” as the chamber prepares to vote on a funding package that would end the 41-day government shutdown. The Senate has yet to provide final sign-off on the legislation, but the success of a procedural vote Sunday was a firm signal it is on track to pass this week. House members are on a 36-hour notice to return to the Capitol, but Johnson noted the ongoing air travel disruptions due to the shutdown as he recommended members begin making their way to Washington. Johnson added he would officially call members back to the Capitol “at the very moment” the Senate passes the package, which will provide full-year funding for food aid, farm and veterans programs and congressional operations, while extending funding for most other federal departments and agencies through Jan. 30. Johnson, who made the rare decision to keep the House out of session for more than 50 days in a bid to persuade Senate Democrats to fold, declared victory in the shutdown during a Monday morning appearance. He left without taking questions but later told reporters in the hallway that “I think we will” have the votes to pass the package in the House. Johnson told reporters at his prior appearance that President Donald Trump was “very anxious” to reopen the government, suggesting he would ensure fellow Republicans fall in line. “As recently as last night, I was with him, and he told the press, he said, ‘We want to get the government open,’” he said. Lead Art: House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) speaks alongside other House Republicans during a press conference outside the U.S. Capitol on the 36th day of a government shutdown, Nov. 5, 2025. | Francis Chung/POLITICO An end to the longest government shutdown in U.S. history is finally in sight following a bipartisan breakthrough. Here’s what comes next after the Senate took a critical procedural step Sunday night. WHEN THE SENATE WILL WRAP — It’s possible the Senate passes the deal Monday, depending on whether leaders can secure unanimous consent to speed ahead. Getting to the finish line will require amending the House-passed continuing resolution to include three full-year appropriations bills for a number of programs plus a new CR for the rest of the government through Jan. 30. Conversations are ongoing about accelerating the timing. Key players to watch are progressive senators who blasted the deal as well as Sen. Rand Paul, who is upset over the impact the agriculture appropriations piece of the bill would have on hemp. Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters following Sunday night’s vote that it “remains to be seen” how quickly the Senate will be able to get to a final vote on the deal, including if senators will agree to yield back time Monday. Paul wants a vote to remove the hemp language and a “guarantee,” according to Thune, that it will be successful. “We’ll see how motivated people are [Monday],” Thune said. TRUMP AND THE HOUSE — The House GOP leadership circle expects to pass the deal once President Donald Trump leans on House Republicans to back it. House Republican leaders plan to give 36 hours’ notice to members before voting. Senior Senate Republicans worked behind the scenes with House Republicans through several issues during negotiations, but GOP hardliners are expected to grumble about pieces of the funding bill. While many House Democrats will likely come out against it, a handful of centrist Democrats could consider voting for the plan. Keep an eye on purple-district Democrats including Reps. Jared Golden, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and Henry Cuellar. Golden voted for the original House-passed CR. Cuellar praised the compromise on X, saying: “It’s past time to put country over party and get our government working again for the American people.” What else we’re watching: — A bipartisan duo’s ACA proposal: Reps. Sam Liccardo (D-Calif.) and Kevin Kiley (R-Calif.) are releasing a bill Monday that would extend expiring Affordable Care Act tax credits for two years. Unlike legislation from Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-Va.) that would enact a clean extension, the bill from Liccardo and Kiley would cap eligibility for the credits at those making six times poverty-level income. For a family of four, that would be $192,900. In a bid to “pay for” the legislation, the bill would target “upcoding” in Medicare Advantage and impose new penalties on brokers who submit false applications to enroll in the ACA. — House movement on stock trading limits: Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) says that Speaker Mike Johnson confirmed to her that the House would begin to move forward on proposed bipartisan stock trading restrictions once the government reopens. The bill, which many Republican House members oppose because of the impacts on lawmakers’ finances, would face an uncertain fate in the House, and there’s skepticism from Johnson’s leadership circle on how to pass it. Johnson has pledged in private conversations to work on the issue. Mia McCarthy and Benjamin Guggenheim contributed to this report.