Could Joni Ernst's retirement help Democrats?

Sources tell CBS News that Republican Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa will not seek reelection in 2026. Political strategists Meghan Hays and Matt Gorman join "The Takeout" with analysis.

• Aug 29
• 05:51

Gallego visits Iowa fair amid 2028 speculation

Democratic Sen. Ruben Gallego of Arizona visited the Iowa State Fair this week as Democrats look to fill a leadership void ahead of the 2028 presidential election. CBS News senior White House and political correspondent Ed O'Keefe spoke with Gallego about why he's visiting the Hawkeye State.

• Aug 8
• 02:06

GOP Sen. Josh Hawley, Democrats vote to advance congressional stock trading ban

Republican Sen. Josh Hawley voted with Democrats to advance legislation to ban members of Congress from owning individual stocks.

• Jul 31

Democrats eye forced release of Epstein files

Senate Democrats are eyeing a rarely used law to force the Justice Department to release files related to Jeffrey Epstein. CBS News Department of Justice correspondent Scott MacFarlane explains.

• Jul 30
• 04:28

Infighting among Democrats and Republicans

A wave of party infighting has hit the Senate, with Democrats openly sparring on the upper chamber's floor over the direction of the party, and Republicans squabbling over a potential congressional ban on stock trading. Megan Scully, Capitol influence team leader for Bloomberg News, and Shelby Talcott, White House reporter for Semafor, join "The Takeout" with analysis.

• Jul 30
• 07:51

Senate Democrats have "grave concerns" about U.S. support for GHF Gaza aid efforts

Senate Democrats told the secretary of state they have "grave concerns" about the U.S. role in financing GHF, the main group distributing aid in Gaza.

• Jul 28

Sources say RNC Chair Whatley runs for Senate

Several sources tell CBS News that Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley is preparing to run for Senate in North Carolina next year. CBS News executive director for the White House and politics, Fin Gómez, reports.

• Jul 24
• 05:11

Full Interview: Sen. Maria Cantwell

In the wake of the Texas flooding tragedy, there is now a new push to address severe weather warnings. Democratic Sen. Maria Cantwell of Washington joins "The Takeout" to discuss her letter to President Trump about updating the nation's weather systems so communities are alerted to extreme weather events before they occur.

• Jul 21
• 19:29

Full Interview: Beto O'Rourke

Beto O'Rourke joins "The Takeout" to chat with CBS News chief Washington correspondent Major Garrett about a possible Senate run, President Trump's effort to redraw congressional maps in Texas, and what Democrats can learn from Zohran Mamdani's victory in the New York City Democratic mayoral primary.

• Jul 21
• 33:38

Beto O'Rourke on possible 2026 Senate bid

Although political forecasters see the Republican Party as the favorite to win next year's Texas Senate race, a new analysis has shifted the contest slightly more in Democrats' favor. Could this inspire former Texas Rep. and presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke to announce a second Senate bid? O'Rourke joins "The Takeout" to discuss.

• Jul 21
• 08:37

Lead-up to Congress' funding cuts

President Trump has signed the first major legislation addressing cryptocurrencies in the U.S. It comes less than 24 hours after Congress passed cuts worth $9 billion in foreign aid and public broadcasting funding. CBS News congressional correspondent Nikole Killion reports.

• Jul 18
• 03:07

Senate advances Emil Bove's nomination

The Senate on Thursday advanced the nomination of controversial Trump ally Emil Bove, while the Justice Department fired the daughter of a Trump rival, Maurene Comey. Meanwhile, President Trump has been diagnosed with a minor health condition related to his veins and on Capitol Hill, lawmakers moved forward with $9 billion in cuts to foreign aid and public broadcasting. CBS News' Scott MacFarlane, Nancy Cordes and Nikole Killion have the details.

• Jul 17
• 13:29

Senate approves $9 billion in cuts to foreign aid, public media funding

The Senate passed President Trump's request to rescind $9 billion in foreign aid and public broadcasting funding early Thursday and sent it back to the House ahead of a Friday deadline.

• Jul 17

Senate advances Trump spending cuts

Vice President JD Vance travelled to Pennsylvania on Wednesday to rally supporters following the passage of the president's massive spending and tax bill. Before the campaign stops, Vance delivered a decisive vote in the Senate on Tuesday, advancing President Trump's spending cuts on foreign aid and public broadcasters. CBS News congressional correspondent Nikole Killion reports.

• Jul 16
• 05:21

Democrats push for presidential library rules

President Trump's library is still several years away from fruition, but he's already raised millions of dollars toward its construction. The sources of the donations are raising concerns among some Senate Democrats. CBS News political investigative producer Madeleine May reports.

• Jul 16
• 02:28

How rescission requests work in Congress

The Senate is expected to vote this week on the Trump administration's request to cancel billions of dollars in funding previously approved for multiple government departments and agencies. CBS News' Nancy Chen explains how the rescission process works.

• Jul 16
• 02:17

Key details on Waltz' confirmation hearing

President Trump's former national security adviser, Mike Waltz, was grilled on Capitol Hill Tuesday over his role in the Signal group chat, where officials inadvertently disclosed sensitive military details about a strike in Yemen to a reporter. CBS News congressional correspondent Nikole Killion has more details.

• Jul 15
• 04:36

Trump pushes for major Senate budget cuts

President Trump is pushing for Senate Republican lawmakers to agree to make $9.4 trillion in spending cuts, including Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) slashes to things like foreign aid and public broadcasting. CBS News' Caitlin Huey-Burns has the latest.

• Jul 14
• 03:40

North Carolina Senate race moves to toss up

Republican Sen. Thom Tillis' surprise retirement could benefit Democrats in the race for his North Carolina Senate seat. Jessica Taylor, Senate and governors editor for the Cook Political Report, and Laura Davison, Washington deputy bureau chief for Bloomberg News, join "The Takeout" with more.

• Jul 11
• 06:48

Ukraine secures billions in rebuild pledges

During a recovery conference in Rome on Thursday, Global leaders pledged to help rebuild Ukraine. The renewed vows of support come as Kyiv faces a new wave of Russian attacks. CBS News' Chris Livesay and Caitlin Huey-Burns have more.

• Jul 10
• 05:46

Warren, Sheehy team up on Defense Depart. bill

In a rare moment of bipartisanship, Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Republican Sen. Tim Sheehy of Montana are partnering on a bill that would change the way the military repairs equipment. CBS News congressional correspondent Caitlin Huey-Burns spoke with the pair about why the issue has them crossing party lines.

• Jul 10
• 07:14

Full Interview: Sen. Peter Welch

Vermont Democratic Sen. Peter Welch joins "The Takeout" to discuss his idea to overhaul FEMA in the aftermath of the Texas floods.

• Jul 9
• 15:02

Full Interview: Sen. Roger Marshall

Kansas Republican Sen. Roger Marshall, a physician, speaks with Major Garrett about how the passage of President Trump's budget bill will impact rural hospitals.

• Jul 9
• 16:20

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets with congressional leaders

Congressional leaders are meeting this week with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after some lawmakers accused the Israeli leader of trying to drag the U.S. into another war.

• Jul 9

Sen. Roger Marshall calls for Russia sanctions

President Trump says Russian leader Vladimir Putin has been dishing him a lot of "bull----" regarding Ukraine. Republican Sen. Roger Marshall of Kansas joins "The Takeout" to discuss U.S. aid to Ukraine, the future of rural hospitals and more.

• Jul 9
• 06:34

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