DHS talks are at a near-standstill during the recess. Earmarks are making a comeback — big time. With major EPA regulations on the line, the Supreme Court may have the final say. Kristina Karisch has your CQ Morning Briefing for Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026.

The Department of Homeland Security is expected to partially shut down as lawmakers leave for recess without a deal. A long-awaited five-year farm bill is expected to be released. And House Republicans want to reverse their earmarks ban. David Higgins has your CQ Morning Briefing for Friday, Feb. 13, 2026.

The likelihood of a DHS funding lapse grows as negotiations stall. An El Paso airspace closure draws ire and questions from lawmakers. Democrats who released a video on illegal orders are keeping their legal options open after a failed indictment attempt. Kristina Karisch has your CQ Morning Briefing for Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.

Bondi faces lawmakers amid a spate of DOJ controversies. Time is running out for a DHS funding deal. GOP lawmakers hash out election administration bills. Kristina Karisch has your CQ Morning Briefing for Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026.

A focus on immigration enforcement intensifies on the Hill, as a spending deadline and high-profile hearings await. A retooled voter ID bill heads to the House floor. And a House panel marks up a first-responders emergency communications bill. David Higgins has your CQ Morning Briefing for Monday, Feb. 9, 2026.

DHS funding negotiations hit a logjam. Some senators are reluctant to again use reconciliation to boost defense funding. And the race is too close to call in New Jersey's Democratic primary for the special election to fill Gov. Mikie Sherrill's former seat in Congress. David Higgins has your CQ Morning Briefing for Friday, Feb. 6, 2026.

Democrats release proposal for DHS policy changes. Bessent faces Senate lawmakers after a grilling in the House. The New START expires today. Kristina Karisch has your CQ Morning Briefing for Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026.

Lawmakers seek consensus ahead of next week's DHS deadline. Some GOP members want more federal involvement in elections — but congressional leadership is pushing back. Democrats push to delay Warsh's nomination hearing amid Fed probe. Kristina Karisch has your CQ Morning Briefing for Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026.

The House is expected to take up the Senate-passed funding package. D.C. advocates push back against Congress' attempt to reject the District's tax code changes. Facing a contempt vote, the Clintons say they will testify before lawmakers. Kristina Karisch has your CQ Morning Briefing for Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026.

A partial government shutdown is underway, and the House faces a politically complicated vote on the spending package that would end it. A bipartisan duo makes a quiet bid for an Iran war powers resolution. And the nomination of Kevin Warsh to be Fed chair faces an uphill battle. David Higgins has your CQ Morning Briefing for Monday, Feb. 2, 2026.