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GOP Senate could ‘force’ a talking filibuster to pass SAVE Act: Sarah Bedford
Transparency shouldn't be controversial.

Washington Examiner investigations editor Sarah Bedford said Wednesday that there is a way for Senate Republicans to pass the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act “without totally getting rid of the filibuster.”

The SAVE Act passed the House on Wednesday with one Democratic lawmaker joining Republicans in support. However, it is widely considered unlikely to pass the Senate, where Republicans hold a three-seat majority. Most Senate Republicans are resistant to the idea of eliminating the 60-vote filibuster.

Bedford said there are Republicans proposing a “talking filibuster” for this legislation, describing it as “the old-fashioned way.”

“Don’t do the ‘bring in the rule and having to get to closure to end debate,’ but force a really long debate that could take weeks even, force Democratic members to give those hours-long speeches on the Senate floor about why they don’t want a voter ID law that could drag on for a long time,” Bedford said on the Hugh Hewitt Show.

“They could offer amendments, there could be a lot of ways that gets bogged down, but some conservatives who really want to see this passed without totally getting rid of the filibuster have sort of looked at this and suggested maybe a talking filibuster could be one way to get this through the Senate,” she said.

Bedford also said the SAVE Act being “dead on arrival” in the Senate would be “a real failure” for Senate Republican leadership. She said the legislation addresses an “80-20 issue,” and that the Republican Party’s lack of urgency to pass it is why voters are frustrated with Republican lawmakers who “don’t fight for the things they say they support.”

SENATE ADVANCES BILL TO LET DC RESIDENTS BENEFIT FROM TRUMP TAX CUTS

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) has already vowed to oppose the SAVE Act, saying on X that imposing new federal requirements before Election Day this year “would negatively impact election integrity by forcing election officials to scramble to adhere to new policies.”

Tonight, the House passed the SAVE America Act.

Now, it’s the Senate’s turn, and we should pass it immediately.
— Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) February 12, 2026

Meanwhile, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) said in a video posted on X that his Republican colleagues should use “every procedural tool” to “nuke what’s called the zombie filibuster.” He explained that everyone is allowed “to talk as long as they want,” and Republicans should require Democrats to “talk as long as they can.”

Carrie Prejean Boller dismisses removal from Religious Liberties Commission, saying she’ll stay unless Trump orders otherwise
This feels like a quiet policy shift.

Religious Liberties Commission board member Carrie Prejean Boller on Wednesday dismissed her apparent removal, saying the chairman of the board, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R-TX), didn’t have the authority to remove her.

Patrick released a statement on Wednesday announcing that he had removed Prejean Boller over a controversial hearing that he alleged she hijacked for her “own personal and political agenda.” In response, Boller denied that Patrick had the ability to remove her, arguing that only the personal intervention of President Donald Trump himself could.

“As the name states, this is President Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission, not yours. You did not appoint me to the Commission, and you lack authority to remove me from it,” Prejean Boller said.

“This is a gross overstepping of your role and leads me to believe you are acting in alignment with a Zionist political framework that hijacked the hearing, rather than in defense of religious liberty. We serve as equals on this Commission. Just as I cannot remove you, you cannot remove me,” she added.

After telling Patrick to reread Trump’s executive order, Prejean Boller said it was “clear your actions reflect a Zionist political agenda, not the President’s, not the U.S. Constitution’s, and not the purpose of this Commission.”

“I refuse to bend the knee to Israel. I am no slave to a foreign nation, but to Christ our King,” she concluded.

The crisis on the commission erupted on Monday, when Prejean Boller began making heated inquiries regarding Zionism, antisemitism, and Israel. She openly defended influencer Candace Owens, who has increasingly targeted Israel and many Jewish people as the subject of conspiracy theories, including that many follow a “pedophile-centric religion that believes in demons … [and] child sacrifice.”

When asked, Prejean Boller said she listens to Owens daily and doesn’t believe anything she’s said is antisemitic.

Elsewhere in the hearing, Boller drew flak for pressing Jewish students over their claims of antisemitic experiences after the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, and questioned several Jewish people over whether they supported Israel. She received audible boos from the crowd gathered at the Museum of the Bible in Washington.

Calls immediately grew for Prejean Boller to resign, which she rejected.

WHITE HOUSE RELIGIOUS LIBERTY COMMISSION DROPS CARRIE PREJEAN BOLLER AFTER ACCUSING HER OF HIJACKING ANTISEMITISM HEARING

Her move now puts Trump in an awkward position, …

How Virginia's top court might decide Democrats' gerrymandering fate
Transparency shouldn't be controversial.

Virginia Democrats are moving forward with plans to gerrymander their way to four more congressional seats — but they need help from the state’s top court.

After a lower court blocked Democrats’ efforts to amend the state Constitution and redraw federal congressional lines ahead of this fall’s midterm elections, the Virginia Court of Appeals requested the Virginia Supreme Court weigh in.

That puts the fate of the map — and potentially congressional control after the 2026 midterms — in the hands of a group of justices that observers say can be hard to predict.

Political and legal experts in Virginia agree the state Supreme Court is not overtly ideological, with many describing it as “small-c conservative,” leaning heavily on tradition and precedent rather than handing down ideologically right-wing rulings. And many observers say the court is wary of wading too heavily into political fights. But this time, it’s unavoidable.

“It's kind of a state Supreme Court tradition to stay away from political matters whenever they can. They like to leave the legislating to the legislature. So this is going to be a really interesting test of that tradition,” said Carolyn Fiddler of the Democratic Attorneys General Association, who attended William & Mary Law School in Virginia and worked in state politics.

Virginia is one of only two states where the legislature elects Supreme Court justices. Because the state has had divided control for much of the past quarter century, the balance of the court’s justices were appointed by bipartisan compromise. The court’s current seven members include one justice who was elected when Democrats had sole control of the General Assembly, three when Republicans controlled both chambers and three when control of the legislature was split.

“I voted for all these people – every one of them — and I don’t think any of them are overly political. And they shouldn’t be,” said Virginia House of Delegates Minority Leader Del. Terry Kilgore (R), who said he thinks the court will rule in his side’s favor. “They just should follow the law. If they do, we win.”

The question before the Virginia Supreme Court is not if, but when, new maps are allowed to go into effect — and whether they’ll be in place for this year’s midterms.

Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) signed legislation scheduling a statewide referendum for April 21 last week, asking voters to grant state lawmakers the power to redraw federal Congressional lines immediately. It came a day after Democratic state lawmakers unveiled proposed maps that aim to tilt the congressional map 10-1, potentially handing Democrats four more House seats and leaving just one Republican in the federal delegation.

But a wrench was thrown in their plans when a circuit court judge in conservative Tazewell …

DHS shutdown looms as Johnson navigates GOP divide over stopgap solutions
Same show, different day.

A partial government shutdown affecting the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is all but guaranteed unless the Senate rams through a short-term extension of current funding levels sometime on Thursday.
But avoiding a DHS shutdown means the same measure must also pass the House of Representatives, where success will depend on delicate political maneuvering by Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., to persuade a House Republican Conference with varying ideas of what a path forward should look like.
"It would have to be for 60 or 90 days, I would think," said Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., a member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus. "I don't know what’s going to happen in 30 days, I don’t know what’s going to change."
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., is expected to unveil a stopgap funding measure for DHS called a continuing resolution (CR), which would extend the department's current budget for a yet-unknown amount of time.
ICE SHUTDOWN FIGHT MIGHT RESTRICT FEMA, COAST GUARD TO ‘LIFE-THREATENING’ EMERGENCIES
It comes after Democrats walked away en masse from a bipartisan deal to fund DHS through the end of fiscal year (FY) 2026 over what they saw as insufficient guardrails on agencies responsible for President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown in Minneapolis and elsewhere.
Congress has funded 97% of the federal government through FY2026 at this point. But DHS is a vast department with a broad jurisdiction that includes the U.S. Coast Guard, the Secret Service, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) — all of which will see varying levels of disruptions if a shutdown happens.
Republicans largely want to avoid such a situation but have made clear they believe that its effects would fall squarely on Democrats' shoulders.
DEMOCRATS SPLIT ON SHIELDING COAST GUARD, SECRET SERVICE AS DHS SHUTDOWN THREAT NEARS
Conservatives like Norman favor an extended CR, arguing that it would fund Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at a higher level than the initial bipartisan funding deal would have while removing Democrats' negotiating leverage for more guardrails on those agents.
House Freedom Caucus Chairman Andy Harris, R-Md., told Fox News Digital last week that he would support a full-year CR for DHS to "make sure that FEMA is funded and TSA is funded, and stop the drama."
Rep. Eli Crane, R-Ariz., similarly said on Wednesday, "I think we’d like to push it out as far as we can so we can avoid the constant uncertainty for the agency."
THUNE BLASTS JEFFRIES, SCHUMER AS 'AFRAID OF THEIR SHADOWS' …

House Votes to Revoke Trump’s Tariff Power
Are they actually going to vote on something real?

The House of Representatives voted to revoke President Donald Trump’s national emergency declaration over the flow of drugs from Canada, his legal method of imposing tariffs on Canadian imports.

The Wednesday vote, by a 219-211 margin, is the result of a rare revolt against Trump’s tariff policies.

Six Republicans voted to deprive Trump of his emergency tariff powers: Reps. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Don Bacon of Nebraska, Kevin Kiley of California, Dan Newhouse of Washington, Jeff Hurd of Colorado, and Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania.

On the Democrat side, Rep. Jared Golden, who represents a Maine swing district, was the only member to vote against the measure.

The resolution will require approval from the Senate and president to be enacted. Congress, absent a veto-proof majority, cannot unilaterally vote to rescind a national emergency declaration, so Trump can veto successful attempts to revoke his emergency power.

Trump took to social media just moments before the vote was gaveled in to declare his displeasure with Republicans who oppose his tariffs.

“Any Republican, in the House or the Senate, that votes against TARIFFS will seriously suffer the consequences come Election time, and that includes Primaries!” Trump wrote. “TARIFFS have given us Economic and National Security, and no Republican should be responsible for destroying this privilege.”

Massie is already facing a Trump-backed primary challenger, and neither Newhouse nor Bacon are seeking reelection in 2026. After pro-Democrat redistricting in California that changed the boundaries of his district, Kiley is deciding on which district to run in for 2026.

Trump has declared national emergencies under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act as a legal justification for imposing tariffs. The Supreme Court is currently ruling on the legality of this use of a 1977 law.

In February of 2025, Trump, citing the flow of drugs into the United States from Canada, imposed tariffs on the United States’ northern neighbor.

Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York, the top Democrat on the foreign affairs committee, authored the resolution to revoke Trump’s declaration of an emergency.

The resolution, which follows a process laid out by the National Emergencies Act, was “privileged,” so Republican leadership could not block it from coming to the floor.

House Republican leadership had hoped to block such anti-tariff resolutions until July, by attempting to pass a “rule” on Tuesday with language invalidating the resolutions.

However, Massie, Bacon, and Kiley joined with all Democrats this week to kill the rule by a 217-214 margin, enabling Meeks’ resolution to come to a vote on the floor on Wednesday.

A previous prohibition on anti-tariff resolutions expired at the end of January.

“What we are witnessing is one of the most astounding displays of cowardice in the modern history of Congress,” Meeks said on the House floor Tuesday of the pro-tariff language. “I’ve never seen a group of members so deeply afraid of just doing their job.”

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., explained the rationale of the attempt to shield Trump’s tariff authority to The Daily Signal on Tuesday.

“The …

Trump administration threatens 7-Eleven partnership after federal agents denied service at Minneapolis store
This affects the entire country.

FIRST ON FOX: The Trump administration demanded answers from 7-Eleven’s COO following an altercation where U.S. Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino and federal agents were denied service at a Minneapolis gas station in late January.
Michael Lynch, deputy administrator of the General Services Administration, sent a letter to Doug Rosencrans, 7-Eleven’s COO, on Feb. 5 requesting any information from a potential internal investigation into the altercation.
Lynch noted that a federal government partnership could be in jeopardy between the Trump administration and the world's largest international chain of convenience stores.
"As 7-Eleven, Inc./Speedway LLC locations accept the GSA SmartPay fleet card for fuel and other authorized purchases on behalf of Federal fleets —i ncluding those operated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security — these actions raise concerns about the ability of Federal vehicle operators to access necessary fuel and services at convenient locations," the letter reads.
DEPUTY AG DETAILS 'MASSIVE UNDERGROUND FRAUD NETWORK' ALLEGEDLY BEHIND MINNEAPOLIS ANTI-ICE PUSH
A viral video captured by conservative activist Cam Higby posted on Jan. 21 shows Bovino leaving a Speedway gas station, a chain which is owned by parent company 7-Eleven, followed by a manager who said, "I don’t support ICE, and nobody here does."
GSA said in the letter that "the reported refusal appears to have encompassed both in-store purchases and potential fuel transactions."
According to the GSA’s website, the Fleet Card is issued "to pay for fuel and maintenance for your GSA Fleet-leased vehicle," and says the card is accepted at 95% of U.S. fuel stations in all 50 states, U.S. territories and Canada.
CONSERVATIVE IMMIGRATION EXPERTS SPLIT ON WHETHER TRUMP IS 'BACKING DOWN' IN MN ICE FIGHT
It is a mandatory requirement for all non-tactical federal vehicles to be purchased through the GSA’s Fleet program.
GSA also requested information related to training or policies that 7-Eleven has regarding the acceptance of fleet cards. 
The denial is just one of many from venues whose owners and managers have tied their personal, political views to their businesses.
Earlier this year, the GSA removed a Hampton Inn Lakeville in Minneapolis from the list of approved lodging locations for federal employees after immigration agents were denied stay even after Hilton’s corporate leadership said the issue had been resolved. 
FROM OBAMA AWARD TO MINNESOTA OP: WHY TRUMP TAPPED TOM HOMAN FOR ON-THE-GROUND CRACKDOWN
A McDonald’s in downtown Minneapolis also brandished a sign on the …

Immigration once fueled Trump’s 2024 win — now sagging approval tests GOP grip on Congress
This isn't complicated—it's willpower.

It was a top issue at the ballot box in 2024 that boosted President Donald Trump and Republicans to sweeping victories.
But in the wake of new political backlash over Trump's unprecedented illegal immigration crackdown, the latest polling on the issue raises warning signs for Republicans and suggests immigration may come back to take a bite out of the GOP in this year's midterm elections, as the party defends its slim House and Senate majorities.
National Republican Congressional Committee Chair Rep. Richard Hudson of North Carolina told Fox News Digital that when it comes to the issue of immigration, "I think it's going to be very helpful for us going into the election."
But new polling — conducted before Thursday's announcement that the Trump administration was winding down the massive deployment earlier this year of masked federal immigration agents in Minnesota, but after last month's fatal shootings by those agents of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti — suggests otherwise.
SIGNIFICANT DRAWDOWN: BORDER CZAR MAKES MAJOR IMMIGRATION ANNOUNCEMENT
The president's approval on immigration stands at 38% in an AP-NORC poll conducted Feb. 5-8. That's a drop from 49% last March, just over a month into the president's second term in the White House. 
A similar 38% gave the president a thumbs up on immigration in the most recent Quinnipiac University poll, which was in the field Jan. 29-Feb. 2. That's down from 44% in mid-December.
WHAT THE LATEST FOX NEWS NATIONAL POLLING SHOWS 
And Trump stood at 40% approval in the latest NBC News Decision Desk poll, a drop from 49% last April. The survey questioned respondents from Jan. 27-Feb. 6.
And the most recent Fox News national poll, conducted Jan. 23–26, indicated the president's approval on handling border security at 52%-47%, but his approval on immigration underwater at 45%-55%.
A common theme in all these polls: while Republicans continue to strongly support the president and their party on immigration, independents are joining Democrats in strongly disapproving.
The Trump administration announced on Thursday that it was unwinding its immigration operation in Minnesota, amid ongoing protests and continued opposition from top Democrats in the blue-leaning state.
"A significant drawdown has already been underway this week, and will continue to the next week," border czar Tom Homan said.
But he added that "as a result of our efforts here, Minnesota is now less of a sanctuary state for criminals."
MORE THAN HALF SAY HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY KRISTI NOEM NEEDS TO GO: POLL
Pointing to Trump's swift actions a year …

US tariff revenue up 300% under Trump as Supreme Court battle looms
Trust is earned, not demanded.

Tariff revenue has climbed 300% since President Donald Trump's return to office, delivering a windfall to federal coffers even as the trade levies face a looming Supreme Court battle.
In January alone, duties totaled $30.4 billion, up 275% from a year earlier. When looking at the entire fiscal year, revenue has reached $124 billion, a roughly 304% increase from the same period last year.
The haul has become a cornerstone of Trump’s economic agenda, as the administration argues tariffs can generate revenue to fund domestic priorities, lower the nation's eye-watering $38 trillion debt and deliver a $2,000 dividend check for Americans.
TRUMP SAYS US WOULD BE 'DESTROYED' WITHOUT TARIFF REVENUE
Tariffs function as a tax on imports, and in many cases U.S. importers absorb the upfront cost and then pass it along through higher prices for wholesalers, retailers and, ultimately, consumers. That means households and businesses may face increased costs for goods ranging from electronics to raw materials.
Whether tariffs ultimately help or hurt the economy depends on how much of that burden consumers absorb, how domestic producers respond and whether the intended economic or geopolitical advantages are worth the added costs to consumers.
With affordability a central concern for voters heading into the midterm elections, any policy that raises consumer prices is likely to face heightened political scrutiny.
TRUMP SAYS TARIFF-FUNDED DIVIDEND PAYMENTS FOR AMERICANS WILL BEGIN NEXT YEAR
Meanwhile, the nation's highest court has yet to rule on whether Trump’s tariffs fall within his presidential authority. A ruling against the government could jeopardize a key source of federal revenue and reshape Trump's trade policy.
The cases before the Supreme Court stem from lawsuits filed by an educational toy manufacturer and a family-owned wine and spirits importer.
TRUMP CALLS TARIFF WINDFALL 'SO BEAUTIFUL TO SEE' AS CASH SAILS IN
The suits followed Trump's so-called "Liberation Day" tariffs in April, a sweeping package of import duties he said would address trade imbalances and curb reliance on foreign goods.
Revenue spiked in the months that followed, rising from $9.6 billion in March to $23.9 billion in May. For fiscal 2025, which ended Sept. 30, total duty collections reached $215.2 billion, Treasury figures show.
The upward trend has extended into fiscal 2026, with receipts already outpacing last year.

James Boasberg orders Trump to return over 100 Venezuelan men deported under Alien Enemies Act
Is this competence or optics?

A federal judge ruled Thursday that President Donald Trump must return more than 100 Venezuelans deported to El Salvador under the Alien Enemies Act last spring.

“The Court will now order the Government to facilitate the return from third countries of those Plaintiffs who so desire,” Chief Judge James Boasberg of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia wrote in court filings. “It will also permit other Plaintiffs to file their habeas supplements from
abroad.”

If the men deported do not want to return to the United States, they can file petitions to conduct the proceedings remotely.

The development marks a critical blow to the Trump administration’s efforts to deport 137 Venezuelan men who were flown last year to El Salvador’s Terrorism Confinement Center without advance notice or court hearings.

The Trump administration is expected to appeal.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated.

NATO launches Arctic security push as Trump eyes Greenland takeover
Is this competence or optics?

In the face of President Donald Trump's concerns about Arctic security and his calls for the U.S. to acquire Greenland, NATO has launched a security effort called "Arctic Sentry."
"Still, in the face of Russia's increased military activity and China's growing interest in the High North, it was crucial that we do more, which is why we have just two hours ago launched Arctic Sentry," NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said during remarks on Wednesday.
"Initially, it will bring together exercises like Denmark's Arctic Endurance and Norway's Cold Response," he noted. 
VANCE: US SHOULD GET ‘SOME BENEFIT’ FROM GREENLAND IF IT'S GOING TO BE ‘ON THE HOOK’ FOR PROTECTING TERRITORY
Last month, U.S. President Donald Trump said in a Truth Social post that he had a "very productive meeting" with NATO's Rutte.
"We have formed the framework of a future deal with respect to Greenland and, in fact, the entire Arctic Region. This solution, if consummated, will be a great one for the United States of America, and all NATO Nations," Trump wrote at the time.
RUSSIA, CHINA SQUEEZE US ARCTIC DEFENSE ZONE AS TRUMP EYES GREENLAND
In a statement provided to Fox News Digital on Thursday, a White House official said, "The Arctic is a critical region for U.S. national security and the economy. As an Arctic nation, the United States will pursue its security and economic interests and ensure safety, stability, and prosperity in the face of growing competition from China and Russia."
A Wednesday press release from Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe noted, "Allied Command Operations (ACO), which is responsible for the planning and execution of all NATO exercises, activities and operations, began Arctic Sentry today."
"The preparations for Arctic Sentry provided NATO planners with full visibility of Allied nations’ activities in the Arctic and High North. Moving forward, ACO will use Arctic Sentry to cohere these actions into one overarching operational approach to Allies’ increasing activities, which will enhance NATO’s presence there," the press release notes. 
BATTERED IN UKRAINE, RUSSIA RACES TO REARM — BUT QUESTIONS LINGER OVER ITS MILITARY STRENGTH
"These activities include, among others, Denmark’s Arctic Endurance, a series of multi-domain exercises designed to enhance Allied ability to operate in the region, and Norway’s upcoming exercise Cold Response, where troops from across the Alliance have already begun to arrive," the release states.