Democratic Representative Ro Khanna’s family investments have outperformed the stock market by 112 percent, beating other lawmakers’ returns, according to a recent analysis. Khanna has said he does not personally trade stocks and supports banning stock trading by members of Congress.
Key Facts
Ro Khanna’s family-linked stock trades gained 112.1% more than the S&P 500 from January 2024 to April 2026.
His returns surpassed those of Nancy Pelosi’s family, who had a 38.5% excess return in the same period.
The high returns come mainly from investments in artificial intelligence-related companies.
Khanna has publicly advocated for banning stock trading by Congress members to avoid conflicts of interest.
He says he does not personally trade stocks and that investments are managed by a trust held by his wife.
Members of Congress are allowed to trade stocks but must follow disclosure rules.
Some critics have noted past investments by Khanna’s wife in fossil fuel companies, despite his climate policy stance.
The performance of lawmakers’ stock trades raises ongoing debate about whether Congress members should be allowed to trade stocks.
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The U.S. House of Representatives voted 219–209 to advance a bill extending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian immigrants, despite opposition from President Donald Trump. Six House Republicans and one Independent joined all Democrats to support the measure, which aims to protect Haitians through April 2029.
Key Facts
The vote was 219 in favor and 209 against to move forward the TPS extension for Haitians.
Six House Republicans broke with President Trump and voted for the TPS extension.
The Republicans who voted for the bill are Don Bacon, Brian Fitzpatrick, Mike Lawler, María Elvira Salazar, Carlos Giménez, and Nicole Malliotakis.
Independent Representative Kevin Kiley, who recently left the Republican Party, also supported the measure.
The bill seeks to extend TPS protections for Haitians until April 2029.
The effort is led by Representative Ayanna Pressley, a Democrat from Massachusetts.
TPS is a program that allows people from certain countries affected by disasters or conflict to stay in the U.S. temporarily.
The bill faces opposition from President Trump and his supporters.
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Representative Ilhan Omar said lawmakers who once supported President Donald Trump but now criticize him should be recognized for changing their views. She called for Americans to work together to protect the country and address problems caused by Trump’s leadership.
Key Facts
Ilhan Omar praised former Trump allies who have spoken against the President’s actions.
Omar wants politicians from different parties to collaborate for the country’s good.
Marjorie Taylor Greene, a former Republican representative and past Trump supporter, has become a vocal critic of Trump.
Greene resigned from Congress after breaking with Trump and criticizing his policies, especially on foreign affairs and health care.
Greene said Trump demands "cult-like worship" and is not the same leader she once supported.
Omar and Greene have had moments of cooperation, including Greene thanking Omar for supporting peace efforts in Gaza.
Omar said people like Greene and Candace Owens have "gotten off the sycophantic train," meaning they stopped blindly supporting Trump.
Omar emphasized the need to save the country from damage caused by Trump’s leadership.
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The US Space Force is facing challenges with United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket, which has had two serious problems with its solid rocket boosters since its first flight in January 2024. These issues are influencing how the Pentagon plans to buy rocket launch services in the future.
Key Facts
The Vulcan rocket is one of two main rockets the Space Force uses, along with SpaceX’s Falcon 9.
Vulcan has flown only four times since January 2024 despite nearly 70 launches waiting to happen.
On two flights, a part of the Vulcan’s solid rocket booster broke off, but the rockets still reached their destinations.
Vulcan is expected to be grounded for many months and may not fly again this year for military missions.
Lt. Gen. Philip Garrant said Vulcan’s problems will affect Pentagon decisions on rocket contracts.
United Launch Alliance (ULA), owned by Boeing and Lockheed Martin, was the Pentagon’s top launch provider for almost 20 years.
SpaceX recently won most military launch contracts for 2025 to 2029, offering cheaper and more frequent launches.
The Space Force added Blue Origin as a new contractor but their New Glenn rocket still needs more successful test flights before full certification.
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President Donald Trump is urging Congress to pass the SAVE America Act, a voting law that would require voters to prove their citizenship before registering and voting. The bill has strong support from Republicans but faces opposition from Democrats and has stalled in the Senate due to insufficient votes.
Key Facts
The SAVE America Act would make voters show proof of citizenship, like a birth certificate or passport, when registering to vote.
The bill would enforce stricter ID rules for voting in person or by mail.
States currently run elections and have different rules for voter registration and citizenship verification.
The legislation does not provide money to help states implement these new rules.
It requires states to check voter lists against a government system that flags noncitizens.
Election officials could face criminal penalties if they register voters without proper documents.
President Trump claims the bill is vital to stop illegal voting, despite no strong evidence of widespread voter fraud.
The bill passed the Republican-led House but needs 60 votes in the Senate, where Republicans hold 53 seats.
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Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said gas prices in the U.S. could go down to around $3 per gallon sometime between June and September. He explained that the price drop depends mainly on how talks with Iran progress amid the current conflict in the Middle East.
Key Facts
Current U.S. gas prices are above $4 per gallon due to the war in the Middle East.
Secretary Bessent expressed hope that gas prices will have a "3" in front of them by summer.
The return to $3 gas depends largely on negotiations with Iran.
The statement was made during a White House press briefing on Tax Day.
The situation is still developing, and further updates are expected.
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The U.S. law known as Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), which allows warrantless surveillance of foreign nationals and sometimes collects Americans' communications, is set to expire soon. There is strong disagreement in Congress and within the Republican Party about whether to renew the law as is or add reforms, with President Donald Trump supporting a clean extension.
Key Facts
Section 702 allows intelligence agencies to collect emails and texts of foreigners abroad without a warrant; Americans’ communications with those targets can also be collected.
The law is scheduled to expire on April 20, 2024, unless Congress acts to renew it.
President Trump supports extending Section 702 without changes, calling it important for national security and military efforts.
Some Republicans, along with progressive Democrats, want reforms to add warrant requirements for U.S. citizens caught up in surveillance.
The House GOP delayed a vote on renewing Section 702 due to disagreements within the party.
Courts have renewed approval for the program yearly, allowing surveillance to continue even without new congressional authorization.
In 2024, Congress passed a related reform law (RISAA) with limits and audits for U.S. citizen surveillance but did not require warrants.
The debate involves a split between privacy advocates and security supporters over balancing safety and civil liberties.
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Eric Swalwell, a Democratic congressman from California, announced he will resign from Congress amid multiple sexual assault and misconduct allegations, which he denies. The House Ethics Committee and the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office have opened investigations into the claims against him.
Key Facts
Eric Swalwell is resigning from Congress following allegations of sexual assault and misconduct.
Swalwell denies all the allegations against him.
The House Ethics Committee started an investigation into Swalwell’s behavior toward a staff member.
The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office is also investigating one of the allegations.
Swalwell suspended his campaign for California governor after losing support from Democratic leaders.
After his resignation announcement, more allegations surfaced, including a claim of rape by a California woman.
Democratic leaders and former allies withdrew support and called for investigations.
Swalwell served seven terms in the House and was involved in President Trump’s second impeachment trial as a Democratic prosecutor.
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Stefan Pildes, the leader of SantaCon in New York City, has been charged with wire fraud for stealing over $1 million raised during the event, which was meant for charity. Prosecutors say Pildes used the money for personal expenses like vacations and home improvements instead of donating it.
Key Facts
SantaCon is a yearly event in NYC where about 25,000 people dress as Santa Claus and visit bars.
Stefan Pildes, 50, organized SantaCon and claimed it was a charity fundraiser.
Around $2.7 million was raised from SantaCon between 2019 and April 2026.
Prosecutors say Pildes stole more than half of the money to pay for personal items and experiences.
Expenses included $365,000 for renovating a lakefront home, $124,000 on a Manhattan apartment, and $3,000 for a birthday dinner.
Only a small portion of the money went to actual charities.
Pildes faces one charge of wire fraud, which can lead to up to 20 years in prison.
An attorney for Pildes has not been named in the case yet.
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Marjorie Taylor Greene criticized Republicans who support extending the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) without adding new protections. President Donald Trump supports a clean extension of FISA, which allows national security surveillance, though it has raised privacy concerns in the past.
Key Facts
Marjorie Taylor Greene spoke out against some Republicans backing the FISA extension.
Greene said the “new MAGA” supports warrantless spying on Americans.
President Trump called for a clean extension of FISA before a key vote.
FISA is a law that controls how the government collects intelligence for national security.
Trump previously opposed parts of FISA but now wants it extended without changes.
Greene resigned from Congress earlier this year after disagreements with President Trump.
Both Democrats and Republicans have raised privacy concerns about FISA over the years.
The debate centers on whether the law should allow government surveillance without specific court approval (a warrant).
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Eric Swalwell, a former Democratic congressman from California, faces a new investigation into sexual assault allegations from 2018 in West Hollywood. Two Federal Election Commission filings show Swalwell was in the area at the time, but do not prove the misconduct claims. Swalwell has denied all accusations and resigned from Congress while suspending his run for California governor.
Key Facts
Eric Swalwell is under investigation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for a sexual assault claim from 2018.
The alleged incident took place in a business on Hammond Street, West Hollywood.
Two Federal Election Commission filings confirm Swalwell was in West Hollywood on July 18, 2018, listing travel expenses at a nearby hotel.
Swalwell denies all allegations of sexual misconduct.
This is the fifth sexual misconduct allegation publicly made against Swalwell.
A separate investigation is underway in New York regarding an alleged assault on a former staff member.
Swalwell resigned from Congress and paused his campaign for California governor following the allegations.
California will hold a special election on August 18, 2026, to fill Swalwell’s vacated congressional seat.
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President Donald Trump has said that the war with Iran is "very close to over" despite ongoing tensions and a U.S. naval blockade. Public support for the president is dropping because of the conflict and rising gas prices, which may affect Republican chances in the upcoming midterm elections.
Key Facts
President Trump recently told Fox News that gas prices might rise a little but downplayed worries about their impact on the midterms.
The U.S. has a naval blockade in place against Iran, and Iran has threatened to stop shipping in the Gulf in response.
The president expressed optimism that the war with Iran is near its end.
Four U.S. Senate races may shift toward the Democrats, including in Georgia and North Carolina, states Trump won in 2024.
China is involved in the naval blockade situation, adding complexity to the conflict.
Republicans are concerned about voter reaction to current events as midterm elections approach in November.
The podcast episode discusses whether Republicans can convince voters that short-term difficulties are worth it for long-term security.
The coverage comes from a BBC podcast called Americast.
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This tax season, the average refund for individual taxpayers in the U.S. has increased by 11.1 percent to $3,462, according to IRS data. The increase is linked to President Donald Trump’s recent tax and spending law that lowered taxes on some incomes and expanded tax credits.
Key Facts
The IRS reported an average tax refund of $3,462 as of April 3, up from $3,116 last year.
The total refunds issued so far amount to $241.7 billion, a 14.5 percent rise from the previous year.
Over 53 million taxpayers claimed at least one tax cut from President Trump’s new law.
The IRS has processed about 99.8 million individual tax returns this year, which is around 60 percent of the total expected.
Earlier predictions estimated refunds could rise by $1,000 or more on average; however, the current average refund is below the highest estimates.
Experts warn that higher gas prices caused by the Iran war could reduce the extra money households gain from bigger refunds.
Stanford economists estimate households might pay an extra $740 in gas costs this year due to disruptions in oil supply through the Hormuz Strait.
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The U.S. government is preparing to release files related to UFOs, as directed by President Donald Trump. This move follows public interest sparked by comments from President Trump and President Barack Obama about unidentified aerial phenomena and the possibility of extraterrestrial life. Government officials and experts are discussing what the documents might show.
Key Facts
President Trump ordered the Defense Department to find and release UFO-related government files to increase transparency.
President Obama said that while alien life is likely somewhere in the universe, there was no evidence of alien visits during his presidency.
The Pentagon missed a deadline to provide requested video files showing UFO encounters, prompting criticism from Florida Republican Anna Paulina Luna.
The requested videos reportedly show different UFO shapes, including spherical, cigar-shaped, and "Tic Tac" types, over military zones and restricted airspace.
Harvard physicist Avi Loeb said the most important evidence, such as high-resolution satellite images or materials from crash sites, might still be secret.
Loeb mentioned that recovered materials could be tested scientifically to see if they come from outside the solar system.
Officials say they are working on the file release but have not given a specific timeline.
White House press secretary Anna Kelly described President Trump as the most transparent president in history regarding UFO files.
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The UK government will introduce biometric checks like fingerprint and facial recognition in prisons after 179 people were mistakenly released in one year. An independent review found that mistaken releases are part of a bigger problem, and new technology and more staff are planned to improve the system.
Key Facts
179 prisoners were accidentally released in England and Wales in the year to March.
This number dropped from 262 the previous year but is higher than 115 in 2023-24.
Mistaken releases happen due to errors like wrong warrants, sentence miscalculations, or court mistakes.
Biometric checks will start being tested within six months, with a full rollout expected before the current parliament ends.
The government plans to spend £82 million to fix these errors, including £20 million on updating paper-based systems.
The review was led by Dame Lynne Owens after Hadush Kebatu was wrongly released from a prison in Essex.
Kebatu was arrested again after two days and deported to Ethiopia.
Additional security steps were introduced, including a checklist for prison officials when releasing prisoners.
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A new poll shows Republican Ashley Hinson leading slightly over Democratic candidates Josh Turek and Zach Wahls in Iowa’s 2026 Senate race to replace retiring Senator Joni Ernst. Democrats see a chance to win the seat as part of their effort to take control of the Senate, but Iowa remains competitive and leans Republican.
Key Facts
Ashley Hinson, a Republican, holds a small lead over Democrats Josh Turek and Zach Wahls in a recent poll.
The poll surveyed 1,200 likely Iowa voters in March 2026 and has a margin of error of ±2.8%.
Democrats hope to flip Iowa’s Senate seat to gain a Senate majority, currently held 53-47 by Republicans.
Iowa has shifted more Republican in recent years, voting for President Trump by large margins in his three elections.
The poll found 50% of Iowans view President Trump unfavorably, and 45% view him favorably.
Another January poll also showed Hinson with a small advantage over these Democrats.
Political analysts classify the Iowa Senate race as likely leaning Republican.
Iowa was a swing state in the 2000s but has become more Republican in recent elections.
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U.S. wholesale prices increased in March, mainly because energy costs rose due to the war in Iran. The Labor Department says the producer price index, which shows inflation before it reaches consumers, rose 0.5% from February and 4% compared to the previous year.
Key Facts
The producer price index (PPI) rose 0.5% from February to March.
Year-over-year PPI increase was 4%, the highest in over three years.
Energy prices went up 8.5% from February, influenced by the Iran war.
Core producer prices (excluding food and energy) rose 0.1% from February and 3.8% yearly.
The increase in wholesale prices was smaller than economists expected.
The White House is holding a briefing on Tax Day with press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
The IRS chief is testifying about the tax filing season on this day.
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Utah state Senator Nate Blouin, a Democrat running for Congress, had several old online posts resurface where he made offensive comments about women and Mormons. Blouin apologized, saying the posts were from his early twenties and that he has since changed.
Key Facts
Nate Blouin is a Utah state senator running for a new congressional seat in Salt Lake County.
The posts were made between 2009 and 2015 on various online forums.
In one post, he joked about filming porn with an underage sister.
He used offensive language toward women and negative remarks about Mormons and the Church of the Latter-day Saints.
Some posts included crude comments about missionaries and inappropriate behavior.
Blouin previously gained attention for promoting accountability and ethics in politics.
He apologized, saying the posts were vulgar and from an earlier, less mature time.
The new district could increase Democratic chances to win in Utah, a state with mostly Republican congressional seats.
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Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deported 442,637 people between October 2024 and September 2025, which is less than half of President Donald Trump's goal of 1 million deportations per year. The data covers the end of the Biden administration and most of President Trump’s first year in his second term. ICE plans to increase deportations to reach 1 million annually in the future.
Key Facts
ICE deported 442,637 individuals from October 2024 to September 2025.
This number is about 171,000 more than the previous year but still below President Trump's 1 million annual deportation promise.
Around 38% of those deported had criminal records or pending charges.
ICE calls its focus the “worst of the worst," targeting immigrants with criminal histories, but many deportees do not have criminal records.
ICE’s budget request for fiscal year 2027 includes cuts to detention and transportation funding but plans to increase deportations.
DHS claims over 2 million migrants have “self-deported,” meaning they left voluntarily, but there is no detailed data for this claim.
ICE expects to deport over 600,000 people by 2026 and aims to reach 1 million deportations yearly going forward.
The data is part of ICE’s congressional budget justification as lawmakers review immigration enforcement funding.
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Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas will speak at the University of Texas at Austin amid discussions about possible future vacancies on the Supreme Court. President Donald Trump has said he is ready to nominate new justices if openings occur, though no justices have announced plans to retire.
Key Facts
Clarence Thomas, age 77, will give a lecture at the University of Texas as part of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence events.
The university is undergoing academic changes, including consolidating ethnic and gender studies departments and adding conservative programs.
President Trump said he might nominate between one to three new Supreme Court justices if vacancies arise.
Trump expressed hope that Justices Thomas and Samuel Alito, 76, remain on the court.
Republican leaders say they would move quickly to confirm nominees if a vacancy happens before midterm elections.
Possible nominees mentioned include Senators Ted Cruz and Mike Lee.
Justice Thomas’s current hiring of law clerks suggests he plans to stay on the Court.
The Supreme Court has a 6–3 conservative majority, including justices appointed during Trump’s first term.
Republicans are concerned their Senate majority might shrink in 2026, which could affect confirmation of Trump’s nominees.
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