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.

Lengthy timeline for DACA legal fight puts lives on hold for years

By: - January 29, 2023

As the nation waits for the U.S. Supreme Court to rule on the legality of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, DACA recipients’ lives are on hold.

Democrats in Congress condemn Biden administration expansion of Title 42

By: - January 26, 2023

Democrats expressed their “great concern” that the Biden administration is walking back on its promise to restore migrants’ access to asylum.

Wave of mass shootings prompts Biden to call yet again for assault weapons ban

By: - January 25, 2023

As of Tuesday evening, there have been 39 mass shootings this year, according to data from the Gun Violence Archive.

Members of Congress sign up for TikTok, despite security concerns

By: - January 21, 2023

While there are no laws banning lawmakers from using TikTok on their personal devices, cybersecurity experts have raised concerns over data collection for those members who deal with sensitive government topics.

U.S. House agriculture leaders discuss anti-hunger measures in upcoming farm bill

By: - January 18, 2023

Rep. Glenn "GT" Thompson, the new Agriculture Committee chair, said he wants to focus on making nutritious food available, and affordable.

Days after Indiana attack, White House vows to fight hate against Asian Americans

By: - January 18, 2023

Pew Research Center has found that a third of Asian Americans have changed their daily routes due to fear of violence.

New federal student loan repayment plan aimed at low-income borrowers

By: - January 11, 2023

Its unclear how the Department of Education would be able to finance the program, which has been criticized for leaving out graduate students and parental loans

Biden administration to rapidly expel more migrants at the border, add legal pathways

By: and - January 6, 2023

The sweeping new immigration plan brought condemnation from advocates who called it a "shameful expansion" of Trump-era policies.

D.C. nears Jan. 6 anniversary with warnings about extremism, awards for courage

By: - January 5, 2023

President Joe Biden is scheduled on Friday to host a ceremony where he will speak about the Jan. 6 attack and award medals to a dozen people

U.S. Senate opens a new session with a record set by McConnell

By: - January 3, 2023

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer highlighted the bipartisan success of the last two years and outlined his optimism for a continued approach

U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona leaves Democratic Party, registers as independent

By: and - December 9, 2022

The first-term senator said she does not intend to change the way she legislates or casts votes, but plans to be “an independent voice for Arizona.”

U.S. Senate Democrats celebrate a 51-seat majority with Georgia win

By: - December 8, 2022

The last win in the 2022 midterm elections gives Senate Democrats a true majority for the next Congress, and won’t require a power-sharing agreement with Republicans.