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.

Government shutdown nears: U.S. House GOP fails to pass one-month spending plan

By: , , and - September 29, 2023

Both chambers of Congress must approve and President Joe Biden must sign government funding legislation before midnight on Saturday, otherwise a funding lapse would begin on Oct. 1.

Shutdown would mean even more delays in overwhelmed U.S. immigration courts

By: - September 29, 2023

Canceling or rescheduling court cases that many immigrants have awaited for years will cause even more backlogs, immigration attorneys and judges have warned.

U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California dies at 90

By: - September 29, 2023

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, holding back tears, said that the Senate is grieving, and praised Feinstein for her work as the longest-serving woman in the Senate.

GOP witnesses at Biden impeachment hearing see insufficient evidence of wrongdoing so far

By: - September 28, 2023

During the first U.S. House impeachment inquiry hearing, House Oversight and Accountability Chair James Comer of Kentucky alleged that Republicans will show evidence of how President Joe Biden “abused his public office for his family’s financial gain.”

Sen. Bob Mendendez speaking

Menendez urged to step down by a growing number of U.S. Senate Democrats

By: and - September 26, 2023

Sen. Bob Menendez has vehemently denied the federal bribery charges and has reiterated that he does not intend to resign.

Food benefits for low income families at risk in a government shutdown, White House says

By: - September 25, 2023

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said Monday that WIC recipients could feel the impact of the shutdown within days.

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.