INTERNACIONAL
Fragile relationship with House GOP has Senate Republicans warning ‘something needs to change’
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Senate Republicans are taking stock of their relationship with the House GOP as they gear up for another key test of their unity across chambers.
Dysfunction, miscommunications and wasted time have dotted the last few months of Republicans’ control of Congress, particularly during the longest government shutdown on record.
Republicans in the upper chamber aren’t singling out others in the House who should bear responsibility, but they do agree that something needs to change as they plow forward to fund immigration operations for the next few years.
TRUMP SAYS HE ‘CAN’T STAND’ SOME REPUBLICANS FOR REFUSING ONE KEY MOVE FOR HIS AGENDA
Senate Republicans have grown frustrated with their counterparts in the House over the sluggish pace of legislation. Some argue it’s a communication breakdown among leadership, others put the blame on just how different the two chambers are. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images; Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc. via Getty Images)
«I think we all need to get in a room and figure out what’s our plan,» Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., told Fox News Digital. «And how are we going to get things done for the American people? That has to be the goal, and right now something needs to change.»
Republicans are readying to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol for the next three and a half years through budget reconciliation, which will require near-perfect unanimity in both chambers to work, given that Democrats are getting cut out of the process.
But divisions between the chambers were laid bare during the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown, when House Republicans, led by House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., refused to consider the Senate’s compromise plan to reopen the agency.
That decision prolonged the shutdown for nearly a month, and spurred the necessity to turn to reconciliation. It also fostered frustration between the Senate and House at a time when leadership and President Donald Trump are calling for unity.
JOHNSON SCRAMBLES AS TRUMP, SENATE REPUBLICANS PRESSURE HOUSE TO FUND DHS
Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., attends a Senate hearing in the U.S. Capitol. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Both Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., have thin majorities to work with — Johnson more so than Thune. That reality isn’t something that’s lost on Senate Republicans, particularly on legislation that Democrats won’t support, and is so far preventing the knives from coming out in the upper chamber.
«I mean, I think we understand the challenges that Mike has over there. He’s not king. He’s the speaker of the House,» Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., told Fox News Digital. »And their margin of error is less than ours, proportionately. So I can’t imagine. I think he’s doing the very best he can.»
Some Republicans argue that it’s more of a communication issue between the chambers than unfettered dysfunction in the House.
Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, told Fox News Digital he didn’t buy the «whole House’s dysfunction» argument, and instead said it was incumbent on senators to make more of an effort.
«I think we have to take a little bit of ownership ourselves here in the Senate, and that’s certainly not [just] the leadership, but all of us,» Moreno said. «Because when we’re working on bills, we should have total, complete synchronicity with the House.»
‘SHIRTS AND SKINS’: HOW ONE REPUBLICAN BRIDGED THE GAP TO PASS TRUMP’S ‘BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL’
Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso, R-Wyo., speaks to reporters after voting at the U.S. Capitol on March 4, 2026. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
House Republicans, for example, contended that they were blindsided by the Senate deal to reopen the bulk of DHS earlier this year that carved out funding for ICE and Border Patrol.
«We’ve got to be able to make sure we’re communicating better and working through the issues,» Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., told Fox News Digital. «The House isn’t our enemy. We gotta be able to resolve all the issues on a piece of legislation. We have differences of opinion. OK, let’s work them out.»
The issue of communication is one that, since Republicans took control of both chambers last year, was largely handled by DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, the former GOP senator who acted as a de facto liaison between both chambers for major legislative pushes.
When asked if Republicans needed a Mullin 2.0, Lankford said that the main points of communication fell on Thune and Johnson.
And Thune has not been quick to criticize Johnson or House Republicans publicly and noted that the nature of both chambers and how they operate would lead to issues along the way.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
«We obviously have a 60-vote threshold,» Thune said. »We need Democrats. You know, he doesn’t need Democrats, but he needs every Republican, and that’s a real challenge on a good day. And, you know, sometimes there aren’t a lot of good days around here.»
Conversely, Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso, R-Wyo., argued that despite the issues, if Democrats were in control of the chambers, Americans would have been hit with the largest tax hike in decades had Republicans not mustered a unified front to pass Trump’s «big, beautiful bill.»
«All of that would have been in the opposite if the Democrats had been in the majority and been able to do what they wanted to do to raise taxes,» Barrasso told Fox News Digital.
politics, mike johnson, congress, john thune, republicans, senate elections
INTERNACIONAL
El Gobierno de Guatemala inaugura el puente El Jícaro sobre el río Motagua tras 14 años de espera
El puente El Jícaro sobre el río Motagua fue inaugurado en El Progreso tras 14 años de espera y dará una conexión permanente con la ruta CA-9 Norte para 34.214 habitantes, con el objetivo de reducir el aislamiento, mejorar los traslados durante todo el año y facilitar el acceso a comercio, salud y educación, según el Ministerio de Comunicaciones, Infraestructura y Vivienda y el Fondo Social de Solidaridad.
La obra requirió una inversión de Q130.014.841,75, después de que el proyecto iniciara en 2022 con 116 millones, de acuerdo con la información oficial. El Gobierno de Guatemala indicó que la ejecución enfrentó cinco suspensiones antes de concluir en 2026.
El nuevo paso vehicular está ubicado en el ingreso principal al municipio de El Jícaro y enlaza con la CA-9 Norte en el kilómetro 98, una de las rutas principales del país, según el CIV. Esa conexión permitirá el traslado de personas y mercancías con una vía estable incluso en temporada de lluvias.
La estructura se ubica entre las más grandes construidas recientemente en Guatemala
El Gobierno de Guatemala afirmó que el puente se posiciona como uno de los cinco más grandes del país. La infraestructura tiene una longitud total de 440 metros, e incluye rampas de ingreso y salida.
La estructura tiene un ancho total de 10 metros y dos carriles vehiculares de cuatro metros de ancho cada uno, además de banquetas peatonales a ambos lados, según el detalle técnico difundido por el FSS. También cuenta con señalización horizontal y vertical para ordenar la circulación.
Entre los componentes constructivos figuran vigas de acero estructural, losa metálica y carpeta de rodadura de concreto reforzado. El diseño incorpora pilas de concreto reforzado con geometría hidrodinámica y cimentaciones profundas mediante pilotes de perfiles H de acero estructural, de acuerdo con la descripción oficial.
El proyecto incluye cinco tramos estructurales de 42 metros cada uno. Según el CIV, ese conjunto fue diseñado para garantizar transitabilidad permanente durante las distintas estaciones del año.
La respuesta directa al problema histórico de la zona es concreta: las familias de El Jícaro ya no dependerán de canoas ni de las condiciones climáticas para cruzar el Motagua, porque el nuevo puente habilita un paso seguro y continuo hacia trabajos, centros educativos, servicios de salud y mercados, según la información oficial.
Durante años, en época de lluvia, muchos vecinos debían cruzar el río en embarcaciones precarias para llegar a sus actividades cotidianas. El Gobierno sostuvo que esa situación exponía a la población a riesgos de seguridad y limitaba la movilidad del municipio.
El impacto económico también forma parte del objetivo de la obra. Según el CIV, el puente favorecerá el transporte de productos agrícolas y comerciales, reducirá tiempos de traslado y mejorará la competitividad de productores, comerciantes, estudiantes y trabajadores de las comunidades cercanas.
El coordinador ejecutivo del Fondo Social de Solidaridad, Luis Rivera, explicó que la terminación del proyecto implicó resolver obstáculos ajenos a la obra misma. “Este proyecto fue un verdadero reto, debido a los derechos de paso, pero sin duda reactivarlo fue una de las mejores labores que se han realizado para llegar hasta donde estamos ahora. Por ello, el FSS se concentró en culminar el proyecto para darle continuidad de paso y desarrollo al pueblo”.
Desde la comunidad, Carlos Sandoval, representante de Las Ovejas, vinculó la inauguración con una demanda sostenida durante años. “Valió la pena tanta lucha, tanto esfuerzo. Hoy llega a ustedes el resultado de esa espera. Agradecemos a los señores del Gobierno, al CIV y al FSS, quienes resolvieron favorablemente las gestiones para desarrollar este proyecto. El Jícaro hoy disfruta de esta fiesta principal. Agradecemos por permitirnos vivir este momento y disfrutar de este puente”.
Geovany Safaroli, representante de la empresa encargada de la construcción, también describió las dificultades del proceso y atribuyó la continuidad del proyecto al respaldo oficial. “Este proyecto fue difícil, porque con el cambio de proyecto se pensó que no iba a haber apoyo, pero gracias a Dios, el presidente de la República giró instrucciones para que el CIV respaldara incondicionalmente. Agradecemos el apoyo del Gobierno, el sacrificio y la paciencia de la población”.
puente de concreto,puente,infraestructura,conectividad,montañas,rural,comunidad,caminantes,construcción,desarrollo
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Justice is already facing headwinds among Senate Republicans that could derail, or outright torpedo, his confirmation process.
And the process to either confirm or deny acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to replace former Attorney General Pam Bondi is already underway in the Senate, with Trump officially sending his nomination to the upper chamber on Monday.
Blanche’s involvement in the controversial, now-defunct $2 billion anti-weaponization fund, and his actions surrounding the Jan. 6 Capitol Hill rioters are two key breaking points for some Senate Republicans.
TRUMP EYES NEXT ATTORNEY GENERAL AS KEY GOP SENATOR SIGNALS POTENTIAL ROADBLOCK
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche arrives for a House Appropriations Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Committee Subcommittee hearing in the Rayburn Building in Washington, D.C., on June 2, 2026. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc.)
His first challenge will be getting through the Senate Judiciary Committee, where Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., could be the pivotal vote that would make or break his confirmation.
Tillis was vehemently opposed to the anti-weaponization fund, going so far as to offer an amendment to divert the money to the nation’s anti-fraud fund and voting with Senate Democrats every step of the way to ensure there was no chance the move could be made again.
But for Tillis, Blanche’s comments and actions about the Jan. 6 rioters are his main «circuit breaker.»
«They better not have said for one minute that the people who beat up police officers, like these right down here, were righteous people,» Tillis said. «You come even close to saying that, you don’t have a [chance] of getting my vote in Judiciary.»
WATCH: DEM SENATOR SNAPS AFTER ACTING AG BLANCHE ACCUSES HIM OF ‘OBVIOUSLY LYING’ IN HEATED EXCHANGE
The skepticism about Blanche, who previously served as Trump’s personal lawyer before making the leap to the DOJ, extends beyond Tillis among those in the GOP. And he’ll receive no quarter from Senate Democrats, either in committee or during a confirmation vote.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., accused Blanche of both shielding Trump from legal consequences and using «the justice system to go after his boss’ political enemies, bringing baseless charges against the Southern Poverty Law Center, Jim Comey, and others.»
«Trump and Blanche are cut from the same crooked cloth,» Schumer said.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said it was «hard to say» whether Blanche would have the votes to be confirmed.
TODD BLANCHE ‘HONORED AND HUMBLED’ BY TRUMP’S AG NOMINATION AFTER EXPLOSIVE WEEK OF FEDERAL ARRESTS
Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., questions Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell during the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee hearing on the Semiannual Monetary Policy Report to Congress in the Dirksen building on June 25, 2025. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc.)
«I think obviously most of our members are pretty deferential to who the president wants in these key positions,» Thune said. «He’s already serving in the role and clearly has experience in it. But this is an environment where nothing is a safe or sure bet.»
Senate Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, announced that the committee had received the nomination Monday afternoon.
Grassley said he «worked well» with Blanche and has appreciated «his commitment to transparency and support for law enforcement.»
«Blanche is well-qualified and has shown his dedication to restoring law and order across our country,» Grassley said in a statement. «The Senate Judiciary Committee’s work to process Blanche’s nomination is underway.»
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Several Republicans were furious over the anti-weaponization fund, and berated Blanche behind closed doors last month over how it would operate, and whether Jan. 6 rioters would have access to the taxpayer money.
How much of a hand he had in that move could also determine his success in a Senate confirmation vote should he make it through the Senate Judiciary Committee.
«I think it’s gonna come down to the extent of his involvement in this weaponization fund,» Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said.
politics, pam bondi, chuck grassley, senate elections, donald trump
INTERNACIONAL
México se prepara para la tormenta tropical Boris mientras un segundo sistema se desplaza hacia el sur
Los signos del horóscopo que deberán revisar sus vínculos y tomar decisiones importantes amorosas en junio, según Jimena La Torre
Caso Adorni: la Justicia analiza el contenido del celular del contratista y prepara un pedido de justificación patrimonial
Aumento a jubilados: el dato clave de esta semana que definirá el monto que cobrarán en julio
Matthijs De Ligt pasa por el quirófano y se perderá el Mundial 2026
El kirchnerismo arremetió contra el camarista que avaló la reforma laboral del Gobierno y Bullrich salió al cruce
Pocos lo saben: por qué las gorras tienen un botón en la parte superior y para qué sirve
Desde Neuquén, Myriam Bregman pidió “organizar la bronca para terminar con Milei y su legado”
Cuantas reservas internacionales quieren acumular Milei y Caputo para evitar el riesgo K en 2027
Victoria Villarruel envió una corona de flores al funeral del Indio Solari y buscó diferenciarse del Gobierno
Reforma laboral: qué cambia para los trabajadores con la revisión de más de 100 convenios colectivos vencidos
POLITICA3 días agoDesde Neuquén, Myriam Bregman pidió “organizar la bronca para terminar con Milei y su legado”
- POLITICA23 horas ago
Victoria Villarruel envió una corona de flores al funeral del Indio Solari y buscó diferenciarse del Gobierno
- POLITICA1 día ago
Reforma laboral: qué cambia para los trabajadores con la revisión de más de 100 convenios colectivos vencidos
