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On Politics

Wed Jun 3 2026

Zachary Schermele | Congressional Reporter

@zachschermele

Hello readers and welcome back to On Politics. Zach Schermele here, USA TODAY's congressional reporter. It's Wednesday, and a good, old-fashioned Senate vote-a-rama is looming. Let's get into it.

Tough vote coming for Republicans

Senate Republicans' weekslong headache over what critics have called a "slush fund" for President Trump's political allies may have eased.

But the pain hasn't fully subsided – and it could get worse before it gets better.

After Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche promised lawmakers the Justice Department would fully halt the fund, Senate Majority Leader John Thune kicked off the voting on Wednesday for a long-planned bill to flood ICE with more cash. The vote had previously been delayed because Senate Republicans left town, furious about Trump's plans for a nearly $2 billion payout potentially benefiting Jan. 6 rioters.

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Now, at least some of their concerns seem to have been assuaged by Blanche's promise. ("We are not moving forward with the fund, period," he told lawmakers in the House yesterday.)

But if the ICE vote moves forward, it will unlock a relatively rare procedural opportunity known as a "vote-a-rama," during which Democrats can force a bunch of amendments that could prove politically difficult for their GOP counterparts in a midterm year. Topping their list of priorities is a vote to codify an end to the DOJ fund.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, (D-NY) speaks as Senate Democrat leaders hold a press conference following their weekly policy lunch on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on June 2, 2026.

Evelyn Hockstein, REUTERS

"I tell Republicans, you're going to have to vote," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said on the Senate floor today. "Does anyone think that Blanche will keep his word to stop this grift?"

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Congressman deletes homophobic tweet

Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tennessee, sparked a social media firestorm yesterday when he tweeted that "homosexuality has no place in America."

Even members of his own party were aghast. (There are several openly gay high-ranking officials in the Trump administration.)

Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN) speaks during a press conference regarding federal government spending on Capitol Hill in Washington on September 12, 2023.

ELIZABETH FRANTZ, REUTERS

"What an absolutely idiotic statement to make," replied Rep. Mike Lawler, R-New York.

Ogles' explanation yesterday: "Earlier today while working on the farm, my phone began going crazy because of a post made by a member of my comms team. The post was stupid, hurtful and a complete distraction from my America First focus. The employee has been reprimanded."

House Speaker Mike Johnson today called the tweet "untoward."

"Some errant staffer did that," the GOP leader said.

Johnson update on the long-absent Kean

Also on Wednesday, Johnson provided an update on Rep. Tom Kean Jr., the New Jersey congressman who last night officially clinched the GOP nomination in the Garden State's toss-up 7th congressional district.

Though he's running for a third term, Kean hasn't been seen in Washington since early March. He has repeatedly cited a mysterious health issue. In a new statement yesterday, he said he'd be returning to work in person in the coming weeks but offered no further specifics.

"I do know what his health issue is, but he's asked me not to disclose that," Johnson told reporters. "What he's dealing with is very common and not a big thing.

The speaker added: "When he explains it, it'll all make sense."

Before you go...

💬We also want to hear from you! What questions do you have for our team as we get closer to November? Is there a race you’re watching closely? Let us know by jumping in the comments on Reddit or responding to this newsletter. And you can find our answers here, including my explainer on each party's views on ICE funding.

Zachary Schermele is a congressional reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach him by email at zschermele@usatoday.com. Follow him on X at @ZachSchermele and Bluesky at @zachschermele.bsky.social.