Author

Ariana Figueroa

Ariana Figueroa

Ariana covers the nation's capital for States Newsroom. Her areas of coverage include politics and policy, lobbying, elections and campaign finance.

Biden administration to create new gun violence prevention office

By: - September 22, 2023

There have been 506 mass shootings this year alone, according to Gun Violence Archive, an organization that tracks gun violence in the U.S.

‘If we don’t get the aid, we will lose the war’: Zelenskyy asks Congress to help Ukraine

By: and - September 21, 2023

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday traveled to Capitol Hill to meet with lawmakers to reiterate the need for continued aid to support his country’s fight against the Russian invasion.

Biden administration offers temporary protection to Venezuelan migrants 

By: - September 21, 2023

The move comes after multiple requests from cities like New York City that have struggled to house asylum seekers.

U.S. attorney general defends Hunter Biden investigation under questioning by House GOP

By: - September 20, 2023

Attorney General Merrick Garland said he has kept his promise to “not interfere with” special counsel David Weiss’ investigation into Hunter Biden.

U.S. House GOP spending bills falter as Congress struggles to avoid a shutdown

By: and - September 19, 2023

Republicans remain unable to reach consensus on a short-term government funding bill as well as a path forward for the dozen full-year government spending bills.

States urged by Biden administration to rectify underfunding of land-grant HBCUs 

By: - September 18, 2023

The letter follows after lawsuits in several states have alleged discrimination was responsible for decades of underfunding of land grant HBCUs.

Sen. Bob Mendendez speaking

Menendez, other U.S. Senate Democrats vent frustrations after new ruling against DACA 

By: - September 14, 2023

Sen. Bob Menendez said that the president should use his “parole powers if Congress can’t get their act together.”

U.S. House Speaker McCarthy tells committees to launch Biden impeachment probe

By: - September 12, 2023

The inquiry for now will allow Speaker McCarthy to skirt a floor vote, as it’s unclear if he has 218 votes for the House to launch a probe.

Millions enrolled in new student loan repayment program

By: - September 5, 2023

92,300 New Jerseyans are among those seeking repayment from the Biden administration's new student debt relief plan.

Here’s what to know about new federal policies for repaying student loans

By: - August 22, 2023

It’s estimated by the administration that more than 20 million student loan borrowers will benefit from a new income-driven repayment plan.

Afghan refugees who aided the U.S. stuck in legal limbo, two years after Kabul’s fall

By: - August 19, 2023

Legislation in Congress known as the Afghan Adjustment Act would allow Afghan refugees to apply for permanent legal residency after undergoing additional vetting, but it’s failed to advance.

Biden administration provides guidance on diversity in college admissions 

By: - August 15, 2023

In June, the Supreme Court ruled that the admissions processes at Harvard University and the University of North Carolina violated the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment.