Senators have confirmed a veteran of U.S.-Asian engagement and security as the State Department’s second-ranking diplomat.

It’s a big year for congressional elections, and already it’s known there will be some attrition with candidates who won’t mount reelection bids in 2024.

A federal judge has rejected a request from Oregon Republican state senators who boycotted the Legislature to be allowed on the ballot after their terms end.

Five women state senators from South Carolina who formed a bipartisan coalition to filibuster a near-total abortion ban in their state have been chosen to receive the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award this year.

The victory for Attorney General Paxton was not even close, it was overwhelming and it also was filled with much emotion especially afterwards from both sides with what took place in there.

A group of Democratic senators is asking the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to take action against medical credit cards such as CareCredit, saying the cards’ deferred interest features are confusing and often lead to consumers paying high interest rates after a promotional period has ended.

The bill would provide federal recognition and interstate portability of same-sex marriages, but it stops short of guaranteeing a right to such marriages.

California lawmakers have voted to make vasectomies cheaper for men.

Texas Republican Senator John Cornyn is among a contingent of Senators who filed a bill to prevent the ending of Title 42. The Public Health and Border Security Act calls for Title 42 to remain in place until 60 days “after ending the COVID-19 national emergency declaration.”

In a final push to secure federal voting rights legislation this year, congressional Democrats failed to secure the necessary votes to avoid a GOP filibuster on the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.

It's largely symbolic, but the Texas Senate is nearing the end of its work on Republican priorities for the special legislative session after passing bills limiting "critical race theory" and abortion access Friday.

A bipartisan group of senators is eyeing an infrastructure deal with $579 billion in new spending as part of a $1 trillion total package.

The American and Texas flags fly outside of a building in Galveston, Texas, in this undated file image. As part of our Ask 2 series, the newsroom will answer your questions about all things Houston. Question: Who is my state representative and how do I contact them? Answer: The Texas State Capitol has a website where you can input your Texas city and address to see who represents you in your area. Links to contact the elected officials -- including phone numbers and email addresses -- can be found by clicking on their profiles.

The duo were the architects of the $1.8 trillion CARES Act, the landmark relief bill passed in March. Here are the top issues for the end-stage COVID-19 relief talks. ___JOBLESS BENEFITSThe CARES Act created a $600 per-week bonus COVID-19 unemployment benefit that sustained household incomes and consumer demand during the springtime shutdowns. House Democrats support the idea, but it is unpopular with many Senate Republicans and was left out of a scaled-back Senate GOP plan. ___LIABILITY SHIELDBusinesses reopening during the pandemic have for months been seeking a shield against lawsuits claiming negligence for COVID-19 outbreaks.

I think we’re both interested in getting an outcome, both on the omnibus and on a coronavirus package,” McConnell said. Some conservatives, including Republicans from COVID hotspots like North Dakota and Iowa, said they were comfortable with an aid package carrying the almost $1 trillion price tag. Added Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.: “There’s a bipartisan package for $908 billion that will really help people." Biden is supporting an additional aid package that's as large as possible now. Any relief package would be attached to a $1.4 trillion year-end spending bill required to avert a government shutdown next weekend.

Biden said the developing aid package "wouldn’t be the answer, but it would be the immediate help for a lot of things.” He wants a relief bill to pass Congress now, with more aid to come next year. His top deputy, Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., said GOP leaders might agree to merging the bipartisan proposal with McConnell's bill. Any relief package would be attached to a $1.4 trillion year-end spending bill required to avert a government shutdown next weekend. Their proposal includes $228 billion to extend and upgrade “paycheck protection” subsidies for businesses for a second round of relief to hard-hit businesses such as restaurants. Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin struggled over a relief bill for weeks before the November election, discussing legislation of up to $2 trillion.

HOUSTON – The reaction to President Donald Trump selecting Amy Coney Barrett as his Supreme Court nominee fell along party lines after the announcement Saturday at the White House. Greg Abbott called Coney Barrett “a remarkable individual who will make an outstanding Supreme Court Justice.”“Her proven legal brilliance is matched by her exceptional character and unflinching commitment to the U.S. Constitution. The Senate should swiftly confirm Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the United States Supreme Court just as it recently confirmed her to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals,” Abbott said in a statement. Judge Barrett will make an outstanding addition to the Supreme Court,” Paxton said in a statement. This is a pivotal moment not only for the Supreme Court but for the fate of our country.