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General Politics
Today's Political News Compilation - Thursday, January 8, 2026
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Senate pushes back on Trump’s military threats against Venezuela with war powers vote
By STEPHEN GROVES and JOEY CAPPELLETTIUpdated 5:43 PM CST, January 8, 2026
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate advanced a resolution Thursday that would limit President Donald Trump’s ability to conduct further attacks against Venezuela, sounding a note of disapproval for his expanding ambitions in the Western Hemisphere.
Democrats and five Republicans voted to advance the war powers resolution on a 52-47 vote and ensure a vote next week on final passage. It has virtually no chance of becoming law because Trump would have to sign it if it were to pass the Republican-controlled House. Still, it was a significant gesture that showed unease among some Republicans after the U.S. military seized Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro in a surprise nighttime raid over the weekend.
Trump’s administration is now seeking to control Venezuela’s oil resources and its government, but the war powers resolution would require congressional approval for any further attacks on the South American country.
“To me, this is all about going forward,” said Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley, one of the five Republican votes. “If the president should determine, ‘You know what? I need to put troops on the ground of Venezuela,’ I think that would require Congress to weigh in.” ...
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Trump says 5 GOP senators who voted to limit Venezuela war powers "should never be elected to office again"
Republican Sens. Todd Young, Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins, Rand Paul and Josh Hawley voted with all Democrats to advance the measure.
www.cbsnews.comFatal ICE shooting sparks jurisdiction clash between state and federal authorities
Fights over which agencies will be involved in the investigation into the fatal shooting of a woman by a federal immigration officer in Minneapolis are roiling as calls for a thorough investigation and accountability mount.
apnews.com
Walz takes aim at "disconnect" between Noem's ICE shooting comments, Homan's remarks on Evening News
ICE head Tom Homan told "CBS Evening News" Wednesday it would be "unprofessional to pass judgment" before a full review.
www.cbsnews.com
House votes to extend health care subsidies in defiance of GOP leaders
In a remarkable rebuke of Republican leadership, the House voted to extend expired health care subsidies for those who get coverage through the Affordable Care Act.
apnews.com
'Real threat' of US military action against Colombia, president tells BBC
Gustavo Petro tells the BBC's Ione Wells that the United States is treating other nations as part of a US "empire", after Trump threatened Colombia with military action.
www.bbc.comHouse easily passes spending package as lawmakers work to avoid another shutdown
The House has passed a bipartisan package of three spending bills that would fund parts of the federal government through September.
apnews.com
Immigration enforcement ramp-up has only just begun, VP Vance promises
'If you're an illegal alien you've got to get out of this country,' says Vice President JD Vance, promising agents will go 'door to door' to find them.
www.usatoday.com
House falls short of overriding 2 Trump vetoes of bipartisan bills, including Colorado water project
Colorado and Florida projects passed unanimously in the House and Senate.
Gov. Walz doubts ICE shooting investigation will reach "fair outcome" unless FBI allows state to participate
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz implored the federal authorities to allow state investigators to work alongside them as they launch a probe into the shooting death of a 37-year-old woman by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer on Wednesday.
www.cbsnews.com
'It's a tragedy of her own making:' Vance blames victim after ICE officer kills a woman in Minnesota
“What you see is what you get in this case,” Vance said in the White House briefing room, downplaying ambiguity about the fatal shooting.
apnews.com
2 shot by federal agent after 'targeted' stop, Portland mayor asks ICE to halt operations
Two people were injured in a shooting involving a federal agent in Portland, Oregon, on Thursday, authorities said.
Mayor says ICE seeks to cause "chaos and disruption" in Minneapolis
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey indicated Thursday that the city is united in the wake of Wednesday's shooting of a 37-year-old woman by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer.
www.cbsnews.com
Lawmakers want third party to oversee DOJ's release of Epstein files
Reps. Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie asked a federal court to appoint someone to make sure the Department of Justice releases all of the Epstein files.
www.usatoday.com
Dozens of House Republicans defy Trump, join Democrats in failed veto override effort
Several House Republicans join Democrats in a failed effort to override Trump vetoes in rare rebuke, challenging Colorado water project and Florida tribal decisions.
Analysis: JD Vance just sharply undercut the Trump team’s ICE shooting narrative | CNN Politics
Mere hours after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent killed a woman Wednesday in Minneapolis, the Trump administration staked out a maximalist position.
www.cnn.com
House votes to revive Obamacare funds as senators plot a scaled-back bill
The legislation to continue ACA funds for three years passed with unanimous support from Democrats and a group of Republicans who rebelled against party leaders to force the vote.
www.nbcnews.com
Vance says ICE agent involved in fatal shooting has 'absolute immunity'
Vice President JD Vance defended the actions of an ICE agent involved in the fatal shooting of a 37-year-old woman in Minneapolis Wednesday, insisting he was engaging in "federal law enforcement action" and is protected by "absolute immunity."
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