What We're Watching

House passes spending bill, prompting far-right revolt

​Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) during a House Oversight Committee hearing on Hunter Biden and his business dealings on Wednesday, March 20, 2024.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) during a House Oversight Committee hearing on Hunter Biden and his business dealings on Wednesday, March 20, 2024.
Aaron Schwartz/REUTERS

Congress continues to be a source of seemingly nonstop political drama as lawmakers on Friday again scrambled to keep the US government’s lights on. The House of Representatives passed a $1.2 trillion spending bill hours ahead of a midnight deadline to avert a partial government shutdown.

The bill now moves to the Senate, where its passage could be held up if even one senator objects. This could push a vote into Saturday and trigger a partial shutdown, though the impact wouldn’t be major if the bill is passed before the end of the weekend.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and President Joe Biden have both urged the Senate to pass it quickly.

Meanwhile, GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) on Friday filed a motion to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson — just months after he got the top job in the lower chamber — over the spending package. But Greene, who accused Johnson of helping pass a “Democratic budget,” isn’t pushing for a hasty vote on the matter, stating, “It's more of a warning.”

"I'm not saying that it won't happen in two weeks or it won't happen in a month or who knows when, but I am saying the clock has started," Greene said. "It's time for our conference to choose a new speaker."

More For You

US President Donald Trump participates in an arrival ceremony at Beijing Capital International Airport during his visit to the country, in Beijing, China, on May 13, 2026.
REUTERS/Evan Vucci

Xi Jinping will welcome Donald Trump with lots of pomp and circumstance. The summit, though, will be short on substance.

- YouTube

Ian Bremmer breaks down the complicated reality inside Venezuela after Nicolás Maduro’s removal from power. While the Trump administration sees the operation as a major foreign policy victory, Ian argues the harder challenge is only beginning; turning Venezuela into a stable economy and a representative democracy.

Noam Bettan from Israel with the song "Michelle" are on stage at the 70th Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) during rehearsals for the first semi-final on May 12, 2026, in the Stadthalle.
Jens Büttner/dpa via Reuters Connect

Even Eurovision cannot escape geopolitics, South Africa’s constitutional court opens door to Ramaphosa impeachment vote, Zelensky’s former right-hand man accused in corruption probe