Stories from Washington DC · United States

The US Congress is expected to face significant legislative challenges in the coming week, with a vote on war powers related to Iran being a high-profile issue. This comes as the 60-day limit for presidential military action, stemming from the Vietnam War era, is approaching. Previous attempts to limit presidential actions on Iran have failed. Republicans control both the House and Senate and must resolve a dispute over spy agency powers before the upcoming congressional break. Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, a major surveillance tool, is set to expire on April 30. Additionally, Congress must secure funding for the Department of Homeland Security, which has remained unfunded for over 70 days.

The EPA, FBI, CISA, and NSA have issued a joint cybersecurity advisory regarding cyberattacks on water systems affiliated with Iran.

Senior trade officials in the United States have outlined the government's negotiating strategy and ultimate goals for upcoming trade talks. The discussions aim to provide clarity on how these negotiations will impact the economy.

The Protecting Victims Amendment Act of 2026 has been introduced to provide enhanced legal protections for survivors of domestic violence. Executive Director Natalia Otero of DC Safe noted that the legislation is a crucial first step in breaking cycles of violence. Implementation details are currently being reviewed to ensure the provisions are effective.

Homeland Security Secretary Mark Wayne Mullen stated that the Department of Homeland Security spends approximately $1.7 billion every two weeks on payroll. Mullen attributed the current border situation to Democratic policies, suggesting they favor open borders over robust border protection and immigration enforcement.

Scammers in the United States are reportedly targeting gift card payments.

President Trump is expected to make remarks, signaling the end of a years-long boycott. The announcement comes as he is spending time in the region.

President Trump stated that the United States possesses all leverage in the conflict with Iran, asserting that Iran can initiate contact. However, he indicated that envoys would not undertake an 18-hour journey for such discussions.

The United States reported a GDP growth rate of only 1.4% for the fourth quarter.

A court has upheld the conviction of a man found guilty of illegally accessing and leaking the medical records of the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The defendant claimed the access was accidental and blamed a software error. The ruling reinforces legal protections for sensitive judicial medical data.