Senate Hearing

Anthony Fauci invoked fifth amendment dozens of times to parry hostile Republican inquisition over Covid responseUS politics live – latest updatesA Republican-controlled US Senate committee voted to hold Dr Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress after the veteran public health official repeatedly pleaded the fifth amendment to parry a hostile inquisition into his stewardship of the response to the Covid-19 pandemic.Fauci, the former director of National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (Niaid), who led the agency for 38 years before retiring in 2022, gave the same response to multiple questions while refusing to give clarifying answers during a tense hearing last week, citing his constitutional protections. Continue reading...

Six years on from Covid crisis, Republicans still politicizing science – and Fauci remains a political punching bagA US Senate committee hearing featuring Dr Anthony Fauci revealed at least one certainty: six years after the pandemic, politicizing science remains a vital political tactic.The high-profile hearing was pitched by its Republican chair, Rand Paul of Kentucky, as an investigation into the origins of the Covid pandemic. It quickly became a forum for recrimination of a once-leading US government scientist by Republican senators. Continue reading...

• Attorney General nominee Todd Blanche and intelligence chief nominee Jay Clayton are facing high-stakes Senate confirmation hearings today. • Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) has stated he remains "uncommitted" regarding Blanche's nomination ahead of the Senate Judiciary Committee testimony. • Simultaneously, Republicans are attempting to pass a third partisan reconciliation package to fund the war with Iran and advance the "Save AMERICA Act" election overhaul bill.

Trump’s nominee – his former personal defense lawyer – will face what is expected to be a contentious Senate nomination hearing Hello and welcome to the US politics live blog.President Donald Trump’s pick to be the next US attorney general – his former personal defense lawyer Todd Blanche – faces what is expected to be a contentious Senate nomination hearing today.Federal immigration officials have been instructed to stop pulling over vehicles until further notice, according to a homeland security source, following two recent deadly shootings in Texas and Maine during which officials shot and killed immigrants in vehicles. More here.Darline Graham, the sister of the late Republican senator Lindsey Graham, was sworn in to temporarily fill his Senate seat on Tuesday, just three days after his sudden death. Graham was appointed by Henry McMaster, South Carolina’s governor, to fill the remainder of her brother’s current term. More here.A person died during an encounter with federal immigration officials on Tuesday morning in Florida, marking the third death in one week linked to immigration enforcement operations. Officials with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), which is a component of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), had an “encounter” with four men in a vehicle in the parking lot of a convenience store along a busy road in St Augustine, Florida, the highway patrol spokesperson said. More here.Supreme court justices requested $14.6m increase in security amid a rise in threats. Amy Coney Barrett told House lawmakers that a sharp rise in threats against her and other justices is increasingly affecting her personal and family lives. More here. Continue reading...

• Senate Democrats, led by Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey, are demanding more information and a hearing regarding a $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund. • The group alleges that the Justice Department may have violated internal policies by agreeing to create the fund as part of a settlement with President Trump. • The inquiry is directed at Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to determine the legality and procedural validity of the controversial program.

• FBI Director Kash Patel denied drinking allegations raised during a Senate budget hearing, addressing questions about his conduct while leading the federal law enforcement agency. • The testimony occurred as the Senate reviewed FBI budget appropriations and operational oversight priorities for the fiscal year. • Patel's public defense signals the continuation of scrutiny regarding leadership practices at the Bureau during a period of significant policy transitions.

FBI director also dismisses allegations of unexplained absences as Democrats challenge him over Atlantic reportUS politics live – latest updatesEmbattled FBI director Kash Patel has denied under oath allegations of excessive drinking and unexplained absences on the job, dismissing them as “baseless” during a fiery congressional hearing.Patel sought to push back as Democrats challenged him over the “extremely alarming” reports, which ran in the Atlantic, which they argued would a mount to a “gross dereliction” of duty. Continue reading...

Company pushes for lower excise and claims threats warrant secrecy, while critics say it has ‘no interest in public health or safety’Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastTobacco giant Philip Morris told a secret Senate hearing that soaring trade in illegal cigarettes would wipe out legal products in Australia as soon as 2030, claiming executives’ identities should be kept secret because of threats from organised crime.Labor criticised Coalition MPs for allowing the company to give evidence to an inquiry on illegal tobacco in a closed-door session in Canberra on Monday, ending more than 15 years of precedent under a World Health Organization (WHO) agreement. Continue reading...

• During a heated Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand directly challenged Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over rising Iran war costs, specifically questioning reports of a potential $200 billion additional spending request. • Gillibrand pressed Hegseth on the lack of evidence that military operations have made Americans safer, arguing the massive spending burden conflicts with domestic economic pressures and inflation affecting citizens. • Hegseth defended the campaign as a necessary and "defined mission" with strategic objectives, comparing it to long-term conflicts like Iraq and Afghanistan, highlighting growing Washington tension over war costs and direction.

• Markwayne Mullin appeared before the Senate Homeland Security Committee on March 18 for his confirmation hearing as Trump's DHS nominee, replacing fired Secretary Kristi Noem, and pledged to secure funding for the department amid a Democratic standoff over immigration enforcement constraints. • Mullin defended Trump's mass deportation agenda against Democratic concerns about aggressive enforcement operations, while Republican Sen. Rand Paul challenged Democrats' criticism and Mullin stated "We just don't get along" with Paul during heated exchanges. • Democrats, led by Sen. Gary Peters of Michigan, expressed reservations about Mullin's readiness, citing reports that DHS officers have been accused of smashing car windows, roughing up bystanders recording activities, and detaining immigrants in poor conditions.

• Senate Judiciary Committee convenes hearing on March 17, 2026, titled 'Stealth Stealing: China's Ongoing Theft of U.S. Innovation,' examining intellectual property threats. • The session addresses national security risks from Chinese espionage, amid escalating U.S.-China tensions over trade and technology. • This hearing underscores bipartisan concerns about protecting American innovation, potentially influencing future legislation on tech exports and sanctions.

• The Senate Commerce Committee’s Telecommunications and Media Subcommittee will hold a hearing on March 17, 2026, on radio frequency allocations assigned by NTIA and FCC. • Frequencies are vital for US government and commercial space operations, though often overlooked by the space community. • The event addresses spectrum management essential for space communications and tech developments.

• On March 3, 2026, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation’s Subcommittee convened a hearing titled 'Less Hype, More Help: AI That Improves Safety, Productivity, and Care' to explore AI's role in enhancing quality of life, jobs, and economic growth. • The hearings underscore Congress's ongoing focus on AI use across sectors, including healthcare, as a major priority for policy. • Recent congressional attention highlights the Administration's interest in regulating AI to balance innovation and safety.