Hans Nichols

Washington, D.C.

Reporter at Axios

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

Articles

Thune's office nears bragging rights on bipartisan fitness challenge

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

This is John Thune. Photo: Andrew Harnik/Getty ImagesSenate Majority Leader John Thune's office is on the cusp of victory in the annual bipartisan Congressional Physical Activity Challenge, sources familiar tell Axios. Why it matters: Bragging rights are on the line. But there's controversy in this year's contest. Zoom in: Thune's team is the most active team on average, which gives them a claim to victory. But on overall points, Sen.
GOP grabs the third rail with Medicare and Medicaid cuts

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

Republicans know they are playing with fire by makingsignificant changes to Medicaid. Now GOP senators are eyeing Medicare as well. Why it matters: Medicare is part of the third rail of politics. Still, some GOP senators think they can find billions in savings without paying a political price. "Find me an American who thinks we should have waste, fraud and abuse in Medicare," Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mt.) told reporters.
Senate GOP eyes Medicare cuts with Trump's blessing

1 day ago | axios.com | Stef W. Kight |Peter Sullivan |Hans Nichols

Photo: Jack Gruber - Pool/Getty ImagesPresident Trump gave Republican senators a green light to explore ways to save money on Medicare during a meeting at the White House, senators said Thursday. Why it matters: Changes to save money on Medicaid have already proven contentious with some Republicans. Medicare could open a new can of worms. "The president is willing to eliminate any waste, fraud and abuse anywhere," Sen.
Impeachment wars

2 days ago | axios.com | Hans Nichols

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and guest Rep. Jasmine Crockett on May 12, 2025. Photo by Scott Kowalchyk/CBS via Getty ImagesRep. Jasmine Crockett's mere mention of a possible impeachment inquiry into President Trump has touched off negative reactions from some colleagues. "I think she's going to turn off a lot more people than gain," a House Democrat told us. Why it matters: House Democratic leaders are staying neutral.
3 hot numbers

2 days ago | axios.com | Hans Nichols

The Congressional Budget Office threw three curveballs today into the tax, tariff and spendings debates that have roiled Washington under President Trump. Why it matters: It wasn't quite choose your own adventure, but it was choose your own numbers. "You don't need to go back that far to see how wrong the CBO has been," House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) said in response to today's estimate that the bill would add $2.4 trillion in debt over 10 years.
"Big Beautiful Betrayal"

2 days ago | axios.com | Hans Nichols

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) at the U.S. Capitol on June 4, 2025. Photo: Kevin Dietsch/Getty ImagesAt his presser today, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer stood by a posterboard titled "Well, We're All Going to Die Act," featuring CBO estimates (see item #2) on the health care and nutrition fallout from Trump's budget bill.
Senators broach $2 trillion in spending cuts in W.H. meeting with Trump

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

This is John Thune. Photo via Getty ImagesKey Senate Republicans strategized with President Trump on how to cut spending deeper than the House-passed budget bill and pressed him to make his proposed business tax cuts permanent. Why it matters: "Failure is not an option," Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) told reporters after the hour-and-a-half meeting on Wednesday. "We are going to cut some more money from what the House has done," Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kansas.) told Axios.
Musk nukes Johnson and Thune

3 days ago | axios.com | Hans Nichols

Speaker Mike Johnson (R) behind Elon Musk (L) at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill on November 13, 2024. Photo: Andrew Harnik/Getty ImagesElon Musk is aiming his ire, and massive online following, at House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune. Why it matters: In private, Musk failed to save the electric vehicle tax credit from being axed by the Trump budget bill, our colleague Marc Caputo scooped earlier today. Now he's trying to nuke the entire bill.
Scoop: Fetterman chief exits

3 days ago | axios.com | Hans Nichols

John Fetterman speaking to the press. Photo: Kayla Bartkowski/Getty ImagesEmbattled Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) is about to have another new chief of staff, we scooped today. Cabelle St. John, Fetterman's deputy chief of staff, will take over for Krysta Sinclair Juris, who succeeded Adam Jentleson as chief of staff last year. Why it matters: It continues a string of departures following reports of internal concerns about Fetterman's mental health and job performance.
Fear and horror after Boulder

4 days ago | axios.com | Hans Nichols

Flowers and a flag at the site of the attack outside the Boulder County Courthouse on June 2. Photo by Chet Strange/Getty ImagesSenate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and other Jewish lawmakers are worried by a growing spate of attacks aimed at Jews ā with some openly saying they may be next on the target list.