Leigh Ann Caldwell

1 week ago | puck.news | Leigh Ann Caldwell

In recent weeks, Donald Trump has again broached a once-unthinkable topic. No, not tariffs on allies or extorting white shoe law firms or threatening a federal takeover of Harvard University. More jarring, from the perspective of Republicans on Capitol Hill, has been the president’s argument for raising taxes on the wealthy.

1 month ago | puck.news | Leigh Ann Caldwell

Representative Victoria Spartz, among the more chaotic and least predictable Republicans, had been a firm "no" on the House G.O.P. budget framework last night when she received a phone call from Donald Trump. He was fuming. In tandem with two colleagues, the Indiana congresswoman had forced the conference to hold off voting on Speaker Mike Johnson's blueprint for Trump's tax and spending agenda-they just didn't have the numbers to pass it without her.

1 month ago | puck.news | Leigh Ann Caldwell

Much has changed in the week since Rep. Adam Smith, the vocal Washington State Democrat, professed to me that his party had moved too far left on issues of culture and inclusion. Smith, as you'll recall, said that the Democrats had forgotten about personal accountability, and he called out the party for "framing everything as, It's a human right -you know, healthcare, transportation, asylum, all of that-implying there's no responsibility on the other side.

2 months ago | puck.news | Leigh Ann Caldwell

When the cameras are rolling, congressional Republicans are ostensibly on board with the budget-slashing and government-shrinking blitzkrieg being directed by Donald Trump and his partner Elon Musk. In private, though, G.O.P. lawmakers are starting to freak out over the likely impact of severe cuts on their own states, constituents, and of course, political careers-an outbreak of acute DOGE NIMBYism that is spurring a frantic behind-the-scenes campaign to ensure their districts are spared.

2 months ago | puck.news | Leigh Ann Caldwell

House Republicans remain consumed with internal drama regarding how they're going to pass Donald Trump's tax cuts and border security agenda. After months of debate and endless listening sessions, the current paralysis is stoking deep frustration with the usual conscientious objectors ( Thomas Massie, Chip Roy, etcetera), as well as trepidation that Republicans are on track to prove yet again why their party struggles to govern even with a power trifecta in Washington.