February 6th, 2026
In this edition
| [1] | INTERVIEW: Michele Tafoya discusses going from the NFL sidelines to the fray of politics with her Senate bid | | [2] | Heard on the Hill | | [3] | EXCLUSIVE: Sen. Tom Cotton unveils legislation to withhold funds from sanctuary states | | [4] | EXCLUSIVE: AHA vs. MAHA: How the hospital lobby advocated against President Trump's health care priorities | | [5] | SCOOP: RSC members press Senate on SAVE Act movement | | [6] | SCOOP: Tulsi Gabbard rejects "false" whistleblower claims as "politically motivated" | | [7] | SCOOP: Trump alumni break down open banking rule | | [8] | SCOOP: Sen. Ted Cruz shines spotlight on "morally repugnant" Somali fraud | | [9] | SCOOP: Senate Republicans sound alarm on illicit Chinese vape threat, urge administration action | | [10] | OPINIONATED: Stefan Grow on how to use the One Big, Beautiful Bill to incentivize fiscal responsibility in state |
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| [1] | INTERVIEW: Michele Tafoya discusses going from the NFL sidelines to the fray of politics with her Senate bid
By: Matthew Foldi
Days before the Super Bowl, legendary sports broadcaster Michele Tafoya announced that she will enter a different arena — the race for the open seat in Minnesota.
This isn't the first cycle Tafoya has toyed with running for office — but she told the Washington Reporter in an interview shortly after her campaign launched that "a lot of things have lined up, but primarily I looked at this situation and saw a major crisis of leadership."
"The career politicians who have been running Minnesota got us to this place, and they are not coming to save us," Tafoya said. The leading contenders on the Democratic side to succeed Sen. Tina Smith (D., Minn.) are a pair of career politicians: the Smith-backed lieutenant governor of the state, Peggy Flanagan, and Rep. Angie Craig (D., Minn.).
"So," Tafoya said, "it's going to be up to the rest of us to clean up the mess. I love this state. I've lived here for over 30 years. We've raised our family here. This state's been known for all of the positives: the great public schools, safe neighborhoods, clean cities, but we have slid backwards, and we've gotten to a point where violent crime is on the rise, and test scores are down. And that infuriates me."
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[2] |
Heard on the Hill
- VICTORY AT LAST: For years, Rep. Darrell Issa (R., Calif.) waged a longshot battle against the system on behalf of Captain Royce Williams, a 100-year-old constituent who will now receive a long overdue Congressional Medal of Honor. This week, President Donald Trump himself delivered the news, personally calling Williams and telling him that he will receive "the ultimate honor." Williams told the president that he feels "wonderful" upon hearing the news. Williams's heroism during the Korean War is quite literally what legends are made of and movies attempt to depict, yet the bid for him to receive a Medal of Honor languished for years, due to bureaucratic inertia, opposition within the Pentagon, and unsurprisingly, refusal from Democrats to work with Issa and take on either one. The Wall Street Journal summarized his heroism as follows: "Lt. Williams picked off jets in a tussle that lasted more than 30 minutes — an astonishing duration, given that dogfights tend to be measured in seconds. He escaped into the clouds only when he was out of ammunition, and managed to limp his badly damaged F9F-Panther back to land on the carrier USS Oriskany...By singlehandedly shooting down four MiG-15s in a single fight, ‘Royce Williams had accomplished what no other American fighter pilot would ever accomplish,' Thomas McKelvey Cleaver wrote in a history of the Korean naval air campaign." Following Trump's call, Issa praised the heroism of his friend: "What Royce did is — still to this day — the most unique U.S.-Soviet aerial combat dogfight in the history of the Cold War, and one in which Royce Williams demonstrated indomitable courage of the highest skill under incalculable duress. It is my honor to have fought all these years for Royce to gain a recognition that he has not sought, but so richly deserves."
- SALUTE TO SERVICE: President Donald Trump also awarded Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis the Medal of Honor this week. Ollis was killed by a suicide bomber while protecting a Polish army officer, 2nd Lt. Karol Cierpica, during the War in Afghanistan. Following Trump's announcement, Ollis's heroism was immediately praised by many, including Poland's Deputy Prime Minister, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, who noted that "this story is a symbol of the unbreakable bond that connects Poland and the United States. Our nations serve shoulder to shoulder, defending shared values, freedom and democracy."
- BLUEGRASS POLL: A new Emerson College Polling/FOX 56 News poll shows Rep. Andy Barr (R., Ky.) narrowly leading the GOP primary to succeed Sen. Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) with plurality support. Alex Bellizzi, Barr's spokesman, said of the findings that "this poll shows what Kentuckians have been seeing on the ground for months: Andy Barr is the strongest candidate in this race. Andy leads in the polls, is the only candidate dominating Democrats in the general election, has more major endorsements than both campaigns combined, and is crushing his competition in the race for fundraising with ten times the cash-on-hand his nearest opponent."
- A NEW ERA: The Republican Communication Association (RCA) unveiled its new leadership. Miranda Dabney, who works on the House Appropriations Committee, will continue serving as president. Her team will also consist of Vice President Grace Davis, who works for Rep. Tim Moore (R., N.C.), Treasurer Rosie Wilson, who works for the House GOP Conference, Professional Development Directors Alex Bellizzi and Katherine Vittone, who work for Reps. Andy Barr (R., Ky.) and Laurel Lee (R., Fla.), Social Directors Olivia Morgan and Lauren Ridinger, who work for Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R., La.) and Rep. Riley Moore (R., W.Va.) and Digital Directors Kadin Asbery and Caroline Brigham, who work for Rep. Mike Bost (R., Ill.) and for the House Financial Services Committee. Following her resounding win, Dabney told the Washington Reporter, "it's really such a joy to serve this organization that has given me so much over the years. I'm standing on the shoulders of giants — a long line of incredible leaders who made RCA what it is. Having genuine friendships and social connections outside of our 9-5 work relationships is so crucial, both for our Majority and for the Republican landscape at-large. RCA is a big part of that. I have a great team with the newly-elected executive board, and my hope is that we leave RCA better than we found it."
- TREND SETTER: Rep. Andy Barr (R., Ky.) backed the Trump-endorsed opponent to Rep. Thomas Massie (R., Ky.). Just minutes later, so too did one of Barr's GOP primary opponents, Nate Morris.
- TRUMPRX SUPPORT: Shortly after President Donald Trump announced TrumpRx, CVS Health was quick to praise the program. "CVS Health is proud to serve as a core partner to the TrumpRx Fertility program through our Specialty Pharmacy," the company said. "For all of us who are committed to providing affordable access to medicine, today's launch of TrumpRx marks another step forward."
- LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL: Washington Mardi Gras took over the nation's capital, with festivities ranging from the Washington Hilton to the Anthem to the National Portrait Gallery. Throughout the weekend, congressional leaders like Speaker Mike Johnson (R., La.), Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R., La.), and Sens. Bill Cassidy (R., La.) and John Kennedy (R., La.) entertained guests at Louisiana Alive, the Captain's Dinner Dance, and the Mardi Gras Ball. Among those spotted around town were Hunter Lovell, Stephen Lewerenz, Anna Marian Block, Alex Washington, Peyton Harvey, Mary Elizabeth Stringer, Benjamin Sumner, Anna Blake Langley, Ainsley Bice, Jocelyn Quinn, Eugenie Davis, Blake Nolan, Brett Richards, Mikhail Love, Bryn McCarthy, Libbey Dean, Gray Stream, Sarah Heebe, Sarah Selip, Anna Catherine Strong, Benjamin Luke, Kevin Norton, Victoria Vincent, and Angelina Nelms.
| | | [3] | EXCLUSIVE: Sen. Tom Cotton unveils legislation to withhold funds from sanctuary states
By: Matthew Foldi
Sen. Tom Cotton (R., Ark.) is introducing legislation that would allow the Secretary of Transportation to withhold funding from states that do not comply with federal immigration law.
The Enforce Immigration or Lose Transportation Act, obtained exclusively by the Washington Reporter, would also empower the Department of Transportation (DOT) to audit states and issue regulations to ensure compliance with federal transportation and immigration laws. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy has made holding blue states accountable a priority.
"States that don't comply with federal immigration laws don't just endanger their own citizens, they put the whole country at risk," Cotton said of his new legislation. "My bill ensures that these states don't receive another dime of federal transportation funding until they cooperate with federal immigration authorities."
Cotton's bill comes as Democrats on the state and federal levels are escalating their feuds with Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials. Should Cotton's bill become law, states like Minnesota could suffer millions of dollars of cuts in federal funds.
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[4] |
EXCLUSIVE: AHA vs. MAHA: How the hospital lobby advocated against President Trump's health care priorities
By: Matthew Foldi
One of Washington's most powerful health care lobbies has repeatedly positioned itself in opposition to President Donald Trump's ambitious health care agenda: the American Hospital Association (AHA).
"In effect, the AHA [has] functioned as an auxiliary of the Democratic National Committee," a GOP source told the Washington Reporter.
Long a dominant force in health policy debates, the AHA has emerged as a counterweight to several of the administration's reforms.
Recently, the AHA turned to the courts after the Trump administration moved to impose basic accountability on the fraud-ridden 340B drug-pricing program — a system that provides hospitals steep discounts on prescription drugs intended for low-income patients, but which has repeatedly been linked to misuse and lack of transparency.
| | | [5] | SCOOP: RSC members press Senate on SAVE Act movement
By: Matthew Foldi
The Republican Study Committee (RSC) is pressing the Senate to move on legislation that would require states to obtain an individual's documentary proof of citizenship before registering them to vote in federal elections.
The bipartisan SAVE Act passed the House over 300 days ago, and the RSC's Rep. Brandon Gill (R., Texas) previously wrote to Sen. Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.), the chair of the Senate Rules Committee, urging the upper chamber to take up the legislation.
Now, Gill's fellow members explained to the Washington Reporter why they think such a move is necessary.
"The SAVE Act ensures that only American citizens participate in our democratic process," Rep. William Timmons (R., S.C.) said. "The House has stood together to advance this bill. The Senate must now meet the moment and bring this legislation to the floor."
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| [6] | SCOOP: Tulsi Gabbard rejects "false" whistleblower claims as "politically motivated"
By: Matthew Foldi
The office of Director of National Intelligence (DNI) rejects a report about a whistleblower complaint that alleges DNI Tulsi Gabbard limited the distribution of a classified report for political reasons and that a legal office in the intelligence community (IC) did not refer a potential crime to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for political reasons.
One senator who viewed the complaint against Gabbard described it as "bunk." Gabbard's team, led by press secretary Olivia Coleman, described the whistleblower complaint as a "classic case of a politically motivated individual weaponizing their position in the Intelligence Community, submitting a baseless complaint and then burying it in highly classified information to create 1) false intrigue, 2) a manufactured narrative, and 3) conditions which make it substantially more difficult to produce ‘security guidance' for transmittal to Congress."
Gabbard's team points to a conclusion from the Biden-era Intelligence Community Inspector General (IC IG), which looked into the whistleblower's allegations against Gabbard, and determined that they "did not appear credible." This is "a fact that [the Wall Street Journal] conveniently buried 13 paragraphs down," Coleman said.
| | | | [7] | SCOOP: Trump alumni break down open banking rule
By: Matthew Foldi
Legal experts with close ties to the Trump administration and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) hosted a seminar to discuss "Open Banking" — the complex policy under the Dodd-Frank Act that determines how consumers can connect their banking data to budgeting apps, payment programs, and a wide range of financial tools.
Todd Zywicki, a law professor at George Mason University who worked closely with President Donald Trump's transition team, joined Paul Watkins, an alum of the first Trump administration's CFPB, in a panel moderated by executive director of Consumers' Research (CR) Will Hild. The event was hosted by the Federalist Society.
"Who controls your financial data and who decides how it can be used?" Hild opened the discussion by asking. "This has become one of the most consequential policy questions of the digital banking era. As Americans increasingly rely on fintech apps, digital wallets, and online banking tools, Section 1033 of the Dodd Frank Act has emerged as a flashpoint in the debate over whether consumers truly own their financial information or whether control remains concentrated in the hands of large banks."
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[8] |
SCOOP: Sen. Ted Cruz shines spotlight on "morally repugnant" Somali fraud
By: Matthew Foldi
The fraud that has taken place in Minnesota is "morally repugnant," Sen. Ted Cruz (R., Texas) said during his latest hearing, from his post as chair of the Senate's Judiciary Subcommittee on Federal Courts, Oversight, Agency Action, and Federal Rights.
During his latest hearing, entitled "Somali Scammers: Fighting Fraud in Minnesota and Beyond," Cruz featured David Hoch, the journalistic partner of Nick Shirley.
"There are few crimes more morally repugnant than stealing from vulnerable children," Cruz said during the hearing. "Every dollar stolen is a meal not eaten, a doctor's visit missed, and a future diminished. Child welfare fraud plunders our children's potential and erodes our nation's future. And disturbingly, at the start of this new year, America has learned that this kind of looting was not occurring in some distant or lawless place, but in the heart of America's Midwest."
| | | | [9] | SCOOP: Senate Republicans sound alarm on illicit Chinese vape threat, urge administration action
By: The Washington Reporter
A coalition of leading Senate Republicans is pressing the administration to treat the ongoing influx of illicit Chinese-made vaping products as both a national security and criminal threat, warning that the devices go far beyond public health concerns and now intersect with espionage, money laundering and cartels.
In a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer, GOP lawmakers, including Sens. Steve Daines (R., Mont.), Thom Tillis (R., N.C.), Tom Cotton (R., Ark.) and Lindsey Graham (R., S.C.), called out what they describe as a "flood of illicit Chinese e-cigarettes" entering U.S. markets with minimal oversight. They point out some devices can connect to users' cellphones, potentially collecting sensitive data and creating vulnerabilities that could be exploited by the Chinese Communist Party or criminal networks.
The lawmakers wrote that the devices "have the capacity to initiate data breaches or malware infections" and warned that "given the interconnected relationship between Chinese industry and state intelligence services…the targeting of U.S. military personnel with these devices raises profound national security concerns." They also stressed that "the magnitude and consequence requires a comprehensive strategy and response" from federal agencies to counter illicit entry and distribution.
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OPINIONATED
Op-Ed: Stefan Grow: How President Trump can use the One Big, Beautiful Bill to reward fiscal responsibility in states like Alabama
By: Stefan Grow
When a rural hospital closes, it rarely makes national headlines, but it quietly reshapes the future of an entire community. Emergency rooms go dark. Expectant mothers are forced to drive hours for care. Seniors delay treatment until manageable conditions become life-threatening. Jobs disappear. And once a hospital closes, it almost never reopens.
In a state like Alabama, where rural and small urban communities form the backbone of the economy, this is not an abstract policy debate. It is an urgent challenge.
The good news is that Alabama is better positioned than almost any state to meet this moment, thanks to President Donald J. Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB).
For years, Washington preached fiscal responsibility. Alabama listened. | |
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