Hans Nichols

Washington, D.C.

Reporter at Axios

@axios Ex-other things and #Berlin #Freetown #London #Ithaca IG: hans_nichols

Articles

"We've been here before": Rage and mistrust course through Congress on Iran

3 days ago | axios.com | Stephen Neukam |Hans Nichols

This is Chuck Schumer. Photo: Allison Robbert/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesSkepticism is raging in Democratic quarters that U.S. strikes against Iran's nuclear facilities were not as successful as President Trump described them. Why it matters: On nearly all issues, foreign and domestic, there's a massive trust deficit between the White House and congressional Democrats. Add Iran's nuclear capabilities to that list.
Senate Democrats hunker down ahead of war powers confrontation

4 days ago | axios.com | Hans Nichols |Stephen Neukam

Photo: Tasos Katopodis/Getty ImagesSen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) said he and his colleagues want to see what comes out of their classified briefing Tuesday before scheduling a vote on his war powers resolution, which could come as soon as Wednesday. Why it matters: The procedural vote will allow Democrats to register their objections to President Trump's strikes against Iran's nuclear facilities. But it will also put pro-Israel Democrats in a potentially difficult position.
Moreno opens up Senate front in MAGA's war on Fed chair Powell

1 week ago | axios.com | Hans Nichols

Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) at the White House on April 2. Photo: Andrew Harnik/Getty ImagesSen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) is providing some supporting Senate fire in President Trump's unrelenting assault on Fed Chair Jerome Powell. Why it matters: Senate Republicans have largely defended Powell in the face of Trump's attacks and guarded the Fed's independence. But Moreno is sending a clear signal that tariffs and interest rates will be part of the conversation for whoever succeeds Powell at the Fed.
Congress dodges preemptive confrontation with Trump over Iran

1 week ago | axios.com | Stephen Neukam |Stef W. Kight |Hans Nichols

Israeli air defenses intercept Iranian missiles over Tel Aviv. Photo: Menahem Kahana/AFP via Getty ImagesSenate leaders are avoiding direct answers on whether President Trump needs approval from Congress before taking any military action against Iran. Why it matters: Congress is reluctant to second-guess the commander-in-chief before he actually authorizes strikes. But Democrats have a visceral distrust of Trump, and a growing GOP faction is deeply suspicious of foreign military interventions.
Trump's budget bill gets a new, bigger price tag

1 week ago | axios.com | Hans Nichols

Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty ImagesThe Congressional Budget Office released a new "dynamic" score of President Trump's "one, big beautiful bill" on Tuesday, estimating that it would increase budget deficits by as much as $2.8 trillion over the next decade. Why it matters: The fresh score, which factors in the effect of both higher GDP growth and higher interest rates, exceeds CBO's previous estimate of $2.4 trillion in deficit costs.
Senate picks fight with House GOP on the "big, beautiful bill"

1 week ago | axios.com | Hans Nichols |Stef W. Kight |Stephen Neukam

Senate Majority Leader John Thune at the Capitol on Monday. Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty ImagesSenate Finance Chair Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) has picked a big intra-GOP fight on SALT, Medicaid and clean energy β all but ignoring some of the House's most delicate budget compromises. π₯ Why it matters: Neither the House nor the Senate wants to go to a formal conference, but the Senate text released Monday afternoon showed just how extensive, and contentious, the conference-like negotiations will be.
Scoop: Democrats challenge Bessent's victory lap on IRS tax revenue

1 week ago | axios.com | Stephen Neukam |Hans Nichols

Sen. Elizabeth Warren is seen during a vote in the U.S. Capitol on June 3. Photo: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) is leading a Democratic effort to challenge Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on the victory he claimed last week on increasing tax revenue in April and May. Why it matters: Democrats argue widespread cuts at the IRS will only hurt tax revenue and contradict Bessent's commitment to reduce the federal deficit.
Senate unveils trickiest text of Trump's "big, beautiful bill"

1 week ago | axios.com | Stef W. Kight |Hans Nichols

Majority Leader John Thune, along with Sens. John Barrasso and Mike Crapo, speak to members of the media following a meeting outside the White House. Photo: Eric Lee/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesSenate Finance Committee Republicans published their text of President Trump's "one big, beautiful bill" Monday evening, which includes major tax reforms and even steeper Medicaid cuts than the House called for.
Trump administration briefed lawmakers before Israeli strikes

2 weeks ago | axios.com | Hans Nichols

Photo: Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesTrump administration officials provided classified briefings for congressional leaders before Israel struck Iran yesterday, with more planned for next week when lawmakers return to Washington, Axios has learned. Why it matters: Briefing key lawmakers is a matter of protocol. But it's also a way for the White House to guard against second-guessing from Congress, especially if U.S. forces are targeted by Iran and the conflict turns into a broader war.
House GOP to Senate: "Touch very lightly" on Trump budget bill

2 weeks ago | axios.com | Hans Nichols |Stef W. Kight

From left: Speaker Mike Johnson, President Trump and House Republican Conference Chair Lisa McClain on May 20. Photo: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty ImagesHouse Republican Conference Chair Lisa McClain has a stern warning for her Senate colleagues on the House-passed Trump budget bill: "Touch very lightly" and don't force a conference process.