House Democrats want the Interior Department to preserve records on Trump's Washington construction projects, after whistleblowers said key paperwork has already been destroyed. Interior calls the claims false.
Rep. Jared Huffman, who takes over the House Natural Resources Committee in January, is sending preservation letters Tuesday to federal agencies and donor companies such as Lockheed Martin and John Deere.
The administration is rushing ahead with projects like a triumphal arch and an East Potomac golf course, and the committee is ready to issue subpoenas.
A proposed bill in Congress would create a federal hotline to help small businesses still trying to get tariff money back. The Supreme Court ruled those tariffs illegal, so $166 billion has to be refunded.
The hotline would link owners with the Small Business Administration for refund help. Target has already recovered nearly $1 billion and Walmart $2.9 billion, but many smaller firms find the process confusing.
Morrison, who co-wrote the bill, says the issue is bipartisan and hopes it passes in the lame-duck session.
Democrats, about to take over the House and Senate, want to curb White House control of federal spending. They aim to stop President Trump from withholding or redirecting money Congress already approved.
They also hope to boost funding for climate, education, health, housing and safety net programs next year, after many of them faced steep cuts.
Democrats also plan to probe budget chief Russell Vought, who is reportedly drafting a plan that could bring more cuts.
Democrats who will control Congress next year plan a fast start in January. Their early agenda targets voter concerns after the party's strong November 3 showing, including the Iran war, prices and healthcare.
Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii put a ban on lawmakers trading stocks at the top of his list, alongside ending the Iran war and reversing Medicaid cuts. Republican Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri also backs the stock trading ban and has a bill pending, but Democrats will need Republican votes to reach the 60 votes most Senate bills require.
Democrats who take over Congress in January plan to put Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. under heavy scrutiny. Some senior lawmakers have floated impeaching him.
The party also wants to work with Kennedy's MAHA supporters on shared goals, like pesticide rules and healthier school lunches. That could be tricky, since many of them still back him strongly.
Sen. Ron Wyden has already opened two probes: one into Kennedy's account of a 2019 Samoa trip, and one into reports that he took hundreds of thousands of dollars in pricey gifts.
Religious conservative activists took a heavy hit in last week's midterms, their steepest setback since gaining major influence under President Trump. With their goals closely tied to his, the losses suggest their grip on his party has loosened, and activists are scrambling to plan for 2028.
Terry Schilling, who leads the American Principles Project, says the administration delivered few wins beyond some executive orders. He argued the movement could have passed laws to protect children, contrasted that with the Iran war, and said there is no standout accomplishment to point to.
