Senate Majority Leader John Thune has indicated he is not in a hurry to bring the SAVE America Act to a vote, despite pressure from President Trump and conservative activists. Thune stated there is no support for changing the filibuster rules or for an immediate vote on the bill, which seeks to implement stricter voter identification and citizenship proof measures. While some Republicans and activists advocate for ending the filibuster to pass the bill, Thune emphasized the lack of GOP consensus and the need to prioritize other legislative issues.
During President Trump's State of the Union address, congresswoman Lauren Boebert lost her balance while attempting to leave her chair, causing her to fall and inadvertently pull down fellow congresswoman Claudia Tenney. Boebert and Tenney, both supporters of Trump, later laughed about the incident. Other Republican lawmakers, including Derrick Van Orden and John McGuire, also experienced minor embarrassments trying to engage with Trump as he exited the chamber.
The February 20 Supreme Court ruling invalidated President Trump's use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose tariffs, reaffirming congressional authority and increasing trade uncertainty among US allies. Despite the nullification of IEEPA-based tariffs, the administration has continued to implement Sec. 122 tariffs, maintaining higher-than-average tariff rates and leaving ongoing trade deals uncertain. This legal development is unlikely to stop efforts by US partners to diversify their trade relationships, and the ruling may lead to more court disputes and strategic caution in US trade policy.
The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously rejected GEO Group's attempt to invoke "derivative sovereign immunity" to avoid accountability in a lawsuit concerning the treatment of detainees in Colorado immigration facilities. Justice Elena Kagan clarified that the protections GEO sought are defenses, not immunity, allowing the lawsuit to proceed and enabling quicker judicial review of claims against federal contractors. The decision marks a significant ruling against the private prison company's efforts to shield itself from liability, with implications for accountability under government contracts.
U.S. Senator Alex Padilla criticized the Republican-backed SAVE America Act, calling it a voter suppression and voter purge bill, and condemned efforts by former President Trump and the Department of Justice to obtain sensitive voter information. Padilla highlighted concerns about potential voter roll purges and efforts to undermine election integrity, while emphasizing the need for Democrats to promote voter registration and voting rights amid Republican opposition. He also condemned Republican reluctance to oppose Trump's attempts to control election processes and warned of ongoing threats to American electoral democracy.
President Trump delivered his longest-ever State of the Union address, emphasizing the strength of the economy and his immigration policies, while facing Democratic opposition and protests. He made several claims, including about lowering gas prices, reducing fraud, and lifting Americans from food assistance, which fact-checking revealed as exaggerated or false. The speech also included partisan tensions, moments of national recognition, and promises to continue his economic agenda despite the political divide.
Ivory Coast is on track to accumulate about 200,000 metric tons of unsold cocoa by the end of March due to high government-regulated farmer prices set above current market levels, leading to decreased sales from farmers and a stockpiling crisis. The surplus has contributed to a 50% drop in global cocoa prices this year, with international traders largely refraining from purchasing Ivorian beans. The country has made limited mid-crop sales and pledged to buy some unsold stocks to support farmers, but experts estimate larger volumes remain unsold if prices are not adjusted downward. The Ivory Coast government is expected to announce new farmer prices for the upcoming mid-crop by late February.
Larry Summers announced his resignation from Harvard, citing the backlash over his past association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. He will leave his academic and faculty roles at the end of the current academic year and resigned from the Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government, amid broader scrutiny of university ties to Epstein. Other academic institutions, including Columbia University and Bard College, are also reviewing their connections to Epstein, with some faculty stepping down or being investigated.
Attorney General Pam Bondi testified before the House Judiciary Committee regarding Jeffrey Epstein files, defending the DOJ’s handling and release of the documents despite legal and statutory concerns, including the inclusion of victim names and redactions. The hearing was contentious, lasting nearly five hours, with victims and members criticizing the DOJ's transparency and actions, and Bondi refusing to apologize to victims. Public trust in government handling of the Epstein case appears to have diminished, and the House Committee plans to continue reviewing the files and DOJ's conduct.
A top House Democrat, Rep. Robert Garcia, has called on the Justice Department to explain why dozens of pages of Epstein-related files involving President Trump are missing from public records, following NPR's report. He urged Attorney General Pam Bondi to clarify whether there is an ongoing investigation into the allegations and to provide transparency on the withheld documents, which include interviews and notes related to sexual abuse accusations. The Justice Department has defended its decision to withhold certain files, citing privileges and ongoing investigations, while Congress continues to scrutinize the handling and release of Epstein files.
Senators Kelly, Durbin, and Padilla criticized the Department of Homeland Security for arresting 261 DACA recipients and removing 86 from the U.S. since January 2025, responding to DHS confirmation following their September inquiry. They expressed concern over the treatment of DACA recipients, questioning the assertion that most had criminal histories and emphasizing the need for more transparency and protections for young immigrants.
During her confirmation hearing for surgeon general, Casey Means moderated her previously outspoken and unconventional wellness beliefs, emphasizing her medical education and avoiding controversial topics. Although her past advocacy included anti-vaccine and anti-birth control views, she expressed support for vaccines and sought to present a more neutral stance on public health issues. Means also discussed her efforts to resolve conflicts of interest and position herself as a unifying figure amid tensions within the MAHA movement and broader political dynamics.
