Burgess Everett
@burgessev.bsky.social
Congressional bureau chief at Semafor. Former Politico
New: After a bunch of delays, DHS Sec Noem likely to appear before House Homeland Security Committee in December for worldwide threats hearing www.semafor.com/newsletter/1...
🟡 Semafor Washington, DC: Talking turkey | Semafor
In today’s edition: How leaks left talks on AI and health care in limbo, and economic fears are weighing on many Americans this Thanksgiving.
www.semafor.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:34 PM
New: After a bunch of delays, DHS Sec Noem likely to appear before House Homeland Security Committee in December for worldwide threats hearing www.semafor.com/newsletter/1...
New Trump trend: His admin's plans on AI and health care getting leaked, criticized, then delayed
@Eleanor_Mueller
www.semafor.com/article/11/2...
@Eleanor_Mueller
www.semafor.com/article/11/2...
Trump’s AI, health care plans in limbo after leaks
Republicans are making no secret of being divided over the ideas.
www.semafor.com
November 26, 2025 at 1:49 PM
New Trump trend: His admin's plans on AI and health care getting leaked, criticized, then delayed
@Eleanor_Mueller
www.semafor.com/article/11/2...
@Eleanor_Mueller
www.semafor.com/article/11/2...
Some Republicans coming to Sen. Mark Kelly's defense tonight amidst DoD investigation into his video appearance
Murkowski says "to accuse him and other lawmakers of treason and sedition for rightfully pointing out that servicemembers can refuse illegal orders is reckless and flat-out wrong"
Murkowski says "to accuse him and other lawmakers of treason and sedition for rightfully pointing out that servicemembers can refuse illegal orders is reckless and flat-out wrong"
November 25, 2025 at 11:57 PM
Some Republicans coming to Sen. Mark Kelly's defense tonight amidst DoD investigation into his video appearance
Murkowski says "to accuse him and other lawmakers of treason and sedition for rightfully pointing out that servicemembers can refuse illegal orders is reckless and flat-out wrong"
Murkowski says "to accuse him and other lawmakers of treason and sedition for rightfully pointing out that servicemembers can refuse illegal orders is reckless and flat-out wrong"
New: All 6 Dems from video say FBI is targeting them
Sen. Slotkin: "Last night, the FBI's Counterterrorism Division appeared to open an inquiry"
Sen. Kelly received FBI inquiry via sergeant at Arms, as did Reps. Crow, Deluzio, Goodlander and Houlahan, who say FBI "requesting interviews"
Sen. Slotkin: "Last night, the FBI's Counterterrorism Division appeared to open an inquiry"
Sen. Kelly received FBI inquiry via sergeant at Arms, as did Reps. Crow, Deluzio, Goodlander and Houlahan, who say FBI "requesting interviews"
November 25, 2025 at 7:02 PM
New: All 6 Dems from video say FBI is targeting them
Sen. Slotkin: "Last night, the FBI's Counterterrorism Division appeared to open an inquiry"
Sen. Kelly received FBI inquiry via sergeant at Arms, as did Reps. Crow, Deluzio, Goodlander and Houlahan, who say FBI "requesting interviews"
Sen. Slotkin: "Last night, the FBI's Counterterrorism Division appeared to open an inquiry"
Sen. Kelly received FBI inquiry via sergeant at Arms, as did Reps. Crow, Deluzio, Goodlander and Houlahan, who say FBI "requesting interviews"
Rep. Mike Flood, who chairs center-right Main Street, says they back "President Trump’s ongoing efforts to address the ACA tax credit cliff with an extension. Any effort to address this cliff needs to include income caps and make serious reforms to the credits"
November 25, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Rep. Mike Flood, who chairs center-right Main Street, says they back "President Trump’s ongoing efforts to address the ACA tax credit cliff with an extension. Any effort to address this cliff needs to include income caps and make serious reforms to the credits"
What to make of Trump’s purported plan to extend expiring enhanced tax credits for Obamacare for two years?
Republicans are responding with tepid quiet as the president figures out whether to even release the proposal, while Democrats are sounding “encouraged"
www.semafor.com/article/11/2...
Republicans are responding with tepid quiet as the president figures out whether to even release the proposal, while Democrats are sounding “encouraged"
www.semafor.com/article/11/2...
Inside Congress’ reaction to Trump’s in-limbo ACA plan
Some Democrats see a path forward. It’s not clear whether Republicans do, too.
www.semafor.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:29 PM
What to make of Trump’s purported plan to extend expiring enhanced tax credits for Obamacare for two years?
Republicans are responding with tepid quiet as the president figures out whether to even release the proposal, while Democrats are sounding “encouraged"
www.semafor.com/article/11/2...
Republicans are responding with tepid quiet as the president figures out whether to even release the proposal, while Democrats are sounding “encouraged"
www.semafor.com/article/11/2...
With the cases against Letitia James and James Comey void, the Trump administration has picked a new enemy: Sen. Mark Kelly.
www.semafor.com/article/11/2...
www.semafor.com/article/11/2...
Mark Kelly becomes Trump’s newest target
The Arizona Democrat appeared in a video discouraging national security members from following illegal orders.
www.semafor.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:01 PM
With the cases against Letitia James and James Comey void, the Trump administration has picked a new enemy: Sen. Mark Kelly.
www.semafor.com/article/11/2...
www.semafor.com/article/11/2...
Dems are happy that Trump is engaging on ACA $$$ (except ... is he? Stay tuned!)
Rosen: WH "signaling that they are interested in having a serious conversation"
Shaheen: “If the reports are true ... I believe we can find a path forward"
Hassan: Potential "starting point for serious negotiations"
Rosen: WH "signaling that they are interested in having a serious conversation"
Shaheen: “If the reports are true ... I believe we can find a path forward"
Hassan: Potential "starting point for serious negotiations"
November 24, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Dems are happy that Trump is engaging on ACA $$$ (except ... is he? Stay tuned!)
Rosen: WH "signaling that they are interested in having a serious conversation"
Shaheen: “If the reports are true ... I believe we can find a path forward"
Hassan: Potential "starting point for serious negotiations"
Rosen: WH "signaling that they are interested in having a serious conversation"
Shaheen: “If the reports are true ... I believe we can find a path forward"
Hassan: Potential "starting point for serious negotiations"
Not at all clear when/if the Trump ACA subsidies extension plan will officially drop ... a lot of people in both parties waiting to see a final version before weighing in.
November 24, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Not at all clear when/if the Trump ACA subsidies extension plan will officially drop ... a lot of people in both parties waiting to see a final version before weighing in.
Sen. Hassan, a key Democrat on the shutdown talks, on Trump's forthcoming health care proposal
"While I have significant concerns about some of the ideas reportedly in the President’s proposal, it nonetheless represents a starting point for serious negotiations.
"While I have significant concerns about some of the ideas reportedly in the President’s proposal, it nonetheless represents a starting point for serious negotiations.
November 24, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Sen. Hassan, a key Democrat on the shutdown talks, on Trump's forthcoming health care proposal
"While I have significant concerns about some of the ideas reportedly in the President’s proposal, it nonetheless represents a starting point for serious negotiations.
"While I have significant concerns about some of the ideas reportedly in the President’s proposal, it nonetheless represents a starting point for serious negotiations.
New: Congress in a state of confusion about Russia-Ukraine talks. They're going back to pick and roll: Pressing to pass the sanctions bill
There's still a bunch of issues: And Sen. Paul says he would "absolutely" slow down what he calls “ill-conceived" sanctions
www.semafor.com/article/11/2...
There's still a bunch of issues: And Sen. Paul says he would "absolutely" slow down what he calls “ill-conceived" sanctions
www.semafor.com/article/11/2...
US senators favor pressure on Russia amid Ukraine peace talks
As Trump pressures Kyiv on a controversial peace proposal, US lawmakers would prefer to turn the screws on Putin.
www.semafor.com
November 23, 2025 at 10:04 PM
New: Congress in a state of confusion about Russia-Ukraine talks. They're going back to pick and roll: Pressing to pass the sanctions bill
There's still a bunch of issues: And Sen. Paul says he would "absolutely" slow down what he calls “ill-conceived" sanctions
www.semafor.com/article/11/2...
There's still a bunch of issues: And Sen. Paul says he would "absolutely" slow down what he calls “ill-conceived" sanctions
www.semafor.com/article/11/2...
Suddenly Trump not getting everything he wants from GOP after a year of unity
- Indiana redistricting
- many Rs don’t like tariff rebate checks
- skepticism on his health care plan and AI moratorium
- rejection of filibuster changes
- Argentine beef push back
@eleanormueller.bsky.social
- Indiana redistricting
- many Rs don’t like tariff rebate checks
- skepticism on his health care plan and AI moratorium
- rejection of filibuster changes
- Argentine beef push back
@eleanormueller.bsky.social
November 20, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Suddenly Trump not getting everything he wants from GOP after a year of unity
- Indiana redistricting
- many Rs don’t like tariff rebate checks
- skepticism on his health care plan and AI moratorium
- rejection of filibuster changes
- Argentine beef push back
@eleanormueller.bsky.social
- Indiana redistricting
- many Rs don’t like tariff rebate checks
- skepticism on his health care plan and AI moratorium
- rejection of filibuster changes
- Argentine beef push back
@eleanormueller.bsky.social
The reaction from Senate Majority Leader John Thune just now on Trump's posts
RE the Dems, he said: "What those folks did was ill advised, unnecessary and clearly provocative"
"But I certainly don't agree with the president's conclusion on how we ought to handle it"
RE the Dems, he said: "What those folks did was ill advised, unnecessary and clearly provocative"
"But I certainly don't agree with the president's conclusion on how we ought to handle it"
President Trump took to the social media platform that he owns to post a number of statements calling for imprisonment and even death of a number of Democratic lawmakers, including U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin, calling a video they made “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS.”
From @kdailey.bsky.social
From @kdailey.bsky.social
Trump threatens Democratic lawmakers including Slotkin, calling remarks ‘seditious’ on Truth Social • Michigan Advance
President Donald Trump took to Truth Social, the social media platform that he owns, to post and re-post a number of statements calling for imprisonment and even death of a number of Democratic lawmak...
michiganadvance.com
November 20, 2025 at 8:38 PM
The reaction from Senate Majority Leader John Thune just now on Trump's posts
RE the Dems, he said: "What those folks did was ill advised, unnecessary and clearly provocative"
"But I certainly don't agree with the president's conclusion on how we ought to handle it"
RE the Dems, he said: "What those folks did was ill advised, unnecessary and clearly provocative"
"But I certainly don't agree with the president's conclusion on how we ought to handle it"
Sen. Graham objects to Sen. Heinrich's bid to roll back language allowing senators to sue DOJ after metadata collection in J6 investigation
Says he's open to changes that satisfy outraged House and Senate members but: "the idea that I'm backing off and just letting this vote? you can forget that"
Says he's open to changes that satisfy outraged House and Senate members but: "the idea that I'm backing off and just letting this vote? you can forget that"
November 20, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Sen. Graham objects to Sen. Heinrich's bid to roll back language allowing senators to sue DOJ after metadata collection in J6 investigation
Says he's open to changes that satisfy outraged House and Senate members but: "the idea that I'm backing off and just letting this vote? you can forget that"
Says he's open to changes that satisfy outraged House and Senate members but: "the idea that I'm backing off and just letting this vote? you can forget that"
Sen. Heinrich tries to repeal the Arctic Frost language (allowing senators to sue DOJ).
Sen. Graham: "I object to a lot of what's being said"
Sen. Graham: "I object to a lot of what's being said"
November 20, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Sen. Heinrich tries to repeal the Arctic Frost language (allowing senators to sue DOJ).
Sen. Graham: "I object to a lot of what's being said"
Sen. Graham: "I object to a lot of what's being said"
Schumer says he’s asked for special Capitol Police protection for Sens. Kelly and Slotkin after Trump’s posts this morning
“He is throwing a match into a country filled with political extreme gasoline.”
“He is throwing a match into a country filled with political extreme gasoline.”
November 20, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Schumer says he’s asked for special Capitol Police protection for Sens. Kelly and Slotkin after Trump’s posts this morning
“He is throwing a match into a country filled with political extreme gasoline.”
“He is throwing a match into a country filled with political extreme gasoline.”
A week after the shutdown ... those health care talks are basically nowhere so far.
Dems deciding whether to try for bipartisan bill
“There’s some [Republicans] that genuinely want to try to figure it out. Whether it’s 13? That’s questionable," said Sen. Peters
www.semafor.com/article/11/2...
Dems deciding whether to try for bipartisan bill
“There’s some [Republicans] that genuinely want to try to figure it out. Whether it’s 13? That’s questionable," said Sen. Peters
www.semafor.com/article/11/2...
Exclusive: Senate struggles toward a health care deal
There are no official negotiations going on yet, just informal talks with Republicans.
www.semafor.com
November 20, 2025 at 1:14 PM
A week after the shutdown ... those health care talks are basically nowhere so far.
Dems deciding whether to try for bipartisan bill
“There’s some [Republicans] that genuinely want to try to figure it out. Whether it’s 13? That’s questionable," said Sen. Peters
www.semafor.com/article/11/2...
Dems deciding whether to try for bipartisan bill
“There’s some [Republicans] that genuinely want to try to figure it out. Whether it’s 13? That’s questionable," said Sen. Peters
www.semafor.com/article/11/2...
News: this pm, Sen. Ernst hosting bipartisan meeting of lawmakers with MBS and Saudi Amb. Reema (Ernst is Abraham Accords co-chair)
Hill attendees: Sens. Ernst, Sheehy, Graham, Banks, Durbin, Lankford, Rosen, Cotton, Britt and Rep. French Hill, per person familiar
Hill attendees: Sens. Ernst, Sheehy, Graham, Banks, Durbin, Lankford, Rosen, Cotton, Britt and Rep. French Hill, per person familiar
November 19, 2025 at 10:56 PM
News: this pm, Sen. Ernst hosting bipartisan meeting of lawmakers with MBS and Saudi Amb. Reema (Ernst is Abraham Accords co-chair)
Hill attendees: Sens. Ernst, Sheehy, Graham, Banks, Durbin, Lankford, Rosen, Cotton, Britt and Rep. French Hill, per person familiar
Hill attendees: Sens. Ernst, Sheehy, Graham, Banks, Durbin, Lankford, Rosen, Cotton, Britt and Rep. French Hill, per person familiar
During MBS visit to DC, Democratic Sen. Kaine tries to pass a resolution commemorating Khashoggi's murder
SFRC Chair Sen. Risch says resolution "couldn't come at a more inappropriate time" w Saudi visit
"This resolution would do nothing to achieve accountability for the murder of Jamal Khashoggi
SFRC Chair Sen. Risch says resolution "couldn't come at a more inappropriate time" w Saudi visit
"This resolution would do nothing to achieve accountability for the murder of Jamal Khashoggi
November 19, 2025 at 10:39 PM
During MBS visit to DC, Democratic Sen. Kaine tries to pass a resolution commemorating Khashoggi's murder
SFRC Chair Sen. Risch says resolution "couldn't come at a more inappropriate time" w Saudi visit
"This resolution would do nothing to achieve accountability for the murder of Jamal Khashoggi
SFRC Chair Sen. Risch says resolution "couldn't come at a more inappropriate time" w Saudi visit
"This resolution would do nothing to achieve accountability for the murder of Jamal Khashoggi
More
The WH is considering an executive order preempting state legislation on AI if the moratorium does not pass in the NDAA, according to a person familiar with the matter. However, a WH official said until such an order is announced, "discussion about potential executive orders is speculation."
The WH is considering an executive order preempting state legislation on AI if the moratorium does not pass in the NDAA, according to a person familiar with the matter. However, a WH official said until such an order is announced, "discussion about potential executive orders is speculation."
News: Democrats seeking to block Trump’s state AI moratorium from NDAA. Top SASC Dem Reed says he “absolutely” wants to keep it out but it might be kicked up to leadership negotiation
www.semafor.com/article/11/1...
www.semafor.com/article/11/1...
Democrats fighting to preserve states’ ability to regulate AI
The issue is roaring back to life during defense bill talks after President Donald Trump urged Republicans to act; the Senate had voted 99-1 against a state-level moratorium.
www.semafor.com
November 19, 2025 at 9:35 PM
More
The WH is considering an executive order preempting state legislation on AI if the moratorium does not pass in the NDAA, according to a person familiar with the matter. However, a WH official said until such an order is announced, "discussion about potential executive orders is speculation."
The WH is considering an executive order preempting state legislation on AI if the moratorium does not pass in the NDAA, according to a person familiar with the matter. However, a WH official said until such an order is announced, "discussion about potential executive orders is speculation."
Senate stuff is afoot -- Senate just went into recess for an hour because Sen. Bernie Sanders stalled a HELP nominations vote in protest of the firing of former NLRB Board Member Gwynne Wilcox.
Nominations being considered today include NLRB member: www.help.senate.gov/hearings/nom...
Nominations being considered today include NLRB member: www.help.senate.gov/hearings/nom...
Nominations | The U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions
Executive Session on November 19, 2025 at 9:30 AM
www.help.senate.gov
November 19, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Senate stuff is afoot -- Senate just went into recess for an hour because Sen. Bernie Sanders stalled a HELP nominations vote in protest of the firing of former NLRB Board Member Gwynne Wilcox.
Nominations being considered today include NLRB member: www.help.senate.gov/hearings/nom...
Nominations being considered today include NLRB member: www.help.senate.gov/hearings/nom...
News: Democrats seeking to block Trump’s state AI moratorium from NDAA. Top SASC Dem Reed says he “absolutely” wants to keep it out but it might be kicked up to leadership negotiation
www.semafor.com/article/11/1...
www.semafor.com/article/11/1...
Democrats fighting to preserve states’ ability to regulate AI
The issue is roaring back to life during defense bill talks after President Donald Trump urged Republicans to act; the Senate had voted 99-1 against a state-level moratorium.
www.semafor.com
November 19, 2025 at 7:52 PM
News: Democrats seeking to block Trump’s state AI moratorium from NDAA. Top SASC Dem Reed says he “absolutely” wants to keep it out but it might be kicked up to leadership negotiation
www.semafor.com/article/11/1...
www.semafor.com/article/11/1...
NASA nominee Jared Isaacman is in the Capitol for his second confirmation go-round.
November 19, 2025 at 7:44 PM
NASA nominee Jared Isaacman is in the Capitol for his second confirmation go-round.
Senate Republicans are wrestling with what to do about the Arctic Frost language allowing senators to sue DOJ.
Daines: The “provision that Leader Thune put in there was appropriate.”
Rand: “It certainly looks like it’s pretty unpopular"
www.semafor.com/article/11/1...
Daines: The “provision that Leader Thune put in there was appropriate.”
Rand: “It certainly looks like it’s pretty unpopular"
www.semafor.com/article/11/1...
Exclusive: Measure allowing senators to sue DOJ splits Republicans
Senate Republicans are divided over whether to repeal the language, which was inserted in last week’s spending deal.
www.semafor.com
November 19, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Senate Republicans are wrestling with what to do about the Arctic Frost language allowing senators to sue DOJ.
Daines: The “provision that Leader Thune put in there was appropriate.”
Rand: “It certainly looks like it’s pretty unpopular"
www.semafor.com/article/11/1...
Daines: The “provision that Leader Thune put in there was appropriate.”
Rand: “It certainly looks like it’s pretty unpopular"
www.semafor.com/article/11/1...
New -- Some bipartisan pushback on MBS's visit 7 years after Khashoggi
Sen. Warner: "unlike the president, I believe the American intelligence community"
Sen. Paul: “I wouldn’t have invited him to the White House"
BUT MBS meeting with bipartisan House delegation
@eleanormueller.bsky.social
Sen. Warner: "unlike the president, I believe the American intelligence community"
Sen. Paul: “I wouldn’t have invited him to the White House"
BUT MBS meeting with bipartisan House delegation
@eleanormueller.bsky.social
November 19, 2025 at 1:04 AM
New -- Some bipartisan pushback on MBS's visit 7 years after Khashoggi
Sen. Warner: "unlike the president, I believe the American intelligence community"
Sen. Paul: “I wouldn’t have invited him to the White House"
BUT MBS meeting with bipartisan House delegation
@eleanormueller.bsky.social
Sen. Warner: "unlike the president, I believe the American intelligence community"
Sen. Paul: “I wouldn’t have invited him to the White House"
BUT MBS meeting with bipartisan House delegation
@eleanormueller.bsky.social