House Speaker Mike Johnson abruptly sends Congress into early summer recess on July 23, 2025, specifically to prevent a vote on the Epstein Files Transparency Act discharge petition led by Representatives Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Ro Khanna (D-CA). The petition had gained bipartisan momentum …
Mike JohnsonThomas MassieRo KhannaHouse of Representativesobstruction-of-justiceepsteincongressional-corruptiontransparency
One week after the January 6, 2021 assault on the U.S. Capitol, the House of Representatives voted 232-197 to impeach President Donald Trump on a single article charging him with “incitement of insurrection,” making Trump the first president in American history to be impeached twice. The …
Donald TrumpNancy PelosiLiz CheneyAdam KinzingerHouse of RepresentativesTrump PresidencyImpeachmentJanuary 6 AttackConstitutional CrisisRepublican Party
House passes Democracy Is Strengthened by Casting Light On Spending in Elections (DISCLOSE) Act requiring disclosure of corporate political spending, but Republican leadership blocks Senate consideration to protect dark money donors
Chuck SchumerChris Van HollenMitch McConnellBarack ObamaHouse of Representatives+1 morelegislative-responsecampaign-finance-reformcorporate-disclosurepolitical-obstructiontransparency+2 more
Congress passed the FISA Amendments Act of 2008, fundamentally expanding the president’s warrantless surveillance authority while granting retroactive immunity to telecommunications companies that participated in the NSA’s illegal domestic wiretapping program since 2001. The Senate voted …
U.S. CongressGeorge W. BushSenateHouse of RepresentativesTelecommunications Companies+2 morefisa-amendmentstelecom-immunitywarrantless-surveillancecongressional-legislationsection-702+2 more
Representative Bob Ney (R-OH) pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy and making false statements in connection with the Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal, becoming the first member of Congress convicted in the case. Ney admitted to receiving gifts including golf trips to Scotland, expensive meals, and …
Bob NeyJack AbramoffHouse of RepresentativesDepartment of JusticeNeil Volz+1 morecorruptioncongressabramoffbriberylobbying+1 more
Congress passes the Department of Defense Appropriations Act for 2004 (H.R. 2658), containing language that permanently terminates funding for the Total Information Awareness (TIA) program and orders the immediate closure of DARPA’s Information Awareness Office. The Senate had voted …
U.S. CongressSenateHouse of RepresentativesGeorge W. BushDARPA+4 moresurveillanceprivacylegislationTIAmass-surveillance+4 more