Senate Just STUNNED Chuck Schumer with a Major 51-45 Vote — President Donald Trump Gets His Fed Pick
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Senate confirmed Kevin Warsh to the Federal Reserve’s Board of Governors on Tuesday by a vote of 51-45, advancing President Donald Trump’s effort to install Warsh as head of the central bank. The confirmation represents a key step following months of uncertainty surrounding the position, including a criminal probe involving outgoing chair Jerome Powell. Warsh was approved for a 14-year term as one of the Fed’s seven governors.
A separate vote to confirm Warsh as chair of the Board of Governors, succeeding Powell, is scheduled for later this week. Powell’s four-year term as chair expires on Friday. Warsh is filling the board position previously held by Stephen Miran, a Trump aide who was confirmed last September and served until his replacement was approved. Miran’s term officially expired in January, but he remained on the board during the transition.
Warsh previously served as a Fed governor from 2006 to 2011, a period that included the global financial crisis. He graduated from Stanford University and Harvard Law School and has worked as a Hoover Institution fellow and an adviser to billionaire investor Stanley Druckenmiller since leaving the Fed. Warsh is married to Jane Lauder, the billionaire granddaughter of cosmetics mogul Estée Lauder, and has a personal fortune exceeding $100 million.
During his earlier tenure at the Fed, Warsh was known as a critic of the central bank’s large balance sheet, its regulation of banks, and its communication practices with the public. In recent statements, he has indicated openness to interest rate cuts while maintaining a cautious approach to monetary policy. In confirmation hearings, Warsh pledged to safeguard the Fed’s independence in setting interest rates. He stated that President Trump had never asked him to predetermine any rate decision and that he would not do so if confirmed as chair.
The Federal Open Market Committee, the Fed’s rate-setting body, has kept interest rates unchanged at its three meetings this year. Miran dissented from every decision since joining the board last fall, advocating for larger rate reductions. The Fed faces the challenge of balancing economic growth with inflation risks. Lowering rates can stimulate the economy but may also contribute to inflationary pressures.
Warsh will serve alongside two governors nominated during Trump’s first term and three nominated by former President Joe Biden. Trump’s attempts to remove one of the Biden appointees have been blocked in court. Powell has not specified how long he will remain on the board after his chair term ends. His full term as governor expires in January 2028. He has indicated he will maintain a low profile in the coming period.
The confirmation process for Warsh as chair is expected to proceed quickly in the Senate. The vote reflects Republican support for aligning the Fed more closely with the administration’s economic priorities. Democrats opposed the nomination, citing concerns about independence and potential politicization of monetary policy. The outcome underscores the partisan nature of recent Fed appointments and the influence of the Senate in shaping the central bank’s direction.
The Federal Reserve plays a central role in U.S. economic policy, setting interest rates and overseeing financial stability. Its decisions affect borrowing costs, inflation, employment, and overall economic growth. The confirmation of Warsh marks another step in the administration’s efforts to reshape federal institutions. As the 2026 midterm elections approach, the composition of the Fed board and its policy direction will remain a point of focus for both parties and financial markets.
Hakeem Jeffries Panics - He Just Lost A WAVE of House Seats Intensifies
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries issued a sharp public rebuke against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis following the governor's announcement of a special legislative session to redraw Florida’s congressional district boundaries, a strategic move expected to yield four additional seats for Republicans in the United States House of Representatives.
Governor DeSantis defended the mid-decade redistricting initiative by asserting that Florida was shortchanged in the 2020 Census relative to its explosive population growth over recent years. DeSantis emphasized that registered Republicans now hold a 1.5 million voter advantage across the Sunshine State, arguing that the existing district boundaries rely on unconstitutional racial classifications rather than geographic and demographic reality.
"The new map will more fairly reflect Florida’s current population makeup and fulfill our commitment to mid-decade adjustments."
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis stated during his official announcement of the special session.
Representative Jeffries quickly pushed back against the plan, characterizing the proposed congressional map as a partisan overreach that could ultimately backfire on state Republicans during upcoming election cycles.
"It is a 'DeSantis Dummymander'. Florida Republicans pursuing this redistricting will end up in the exact same situation as Texas Republicans, whom I describe as being on the run. They are dummymandering their way into the minority before a single vote is cast."
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries declared in response to the governor's redistricting strategy.
In a swift counter-response, Governor DeSantis dismissed the minority leader's warnings, inviting the New York Democrat to travel to Florida to campaign personally against the proposed boundary adjustments.
"I invite Leader Jeffries to campaign in Florida. I would be happy to host him at the governor’s mansion and take him fishing. Having Jeffries campaign across the state will only benefit Republicans because Florida voters will soundly reject the ideology being presented."
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis stated during a subsequent media press conference.
The redistricting battle in Florida unfolds amidst a broader national struggle for control of the House of Representatives, where state-level map adjustments across the country could determine the congressional majority. The Supreme Court of the United States recently lifted a lower court injunction that had temporarily blocked a new congressional map in Texas, a decision that could potentially add five Republican seats to the lower chamber.
Conversely, California’s pending redistricting plans are projected to yield five additional seats for Democrats, while Virginia’s congressional map remains subject to ongoing legal challenges before the state Supreme Court over constitutional boundary concerns. As both major political parties adjust their national strategies, mid-decade redistricting initiatives in key states continue to reshape the legislative landscape ahead of the upcoming congressional elections.
49–50 VOTE — Lone Democrat Saves Trump From Senate Defeat
The Senate narrowly rejected another attempt Thursday to restrict President Donald Trump’s authority to continue U.S. military operations against Iran without explicit congressional authorization, as a small group of Republicans joined Democrats in challenging the administration’s handling of the conflict.
The Senate voted 49-50 against the war powers resolution, falling just short of adopting a measure that had previously cleared the House.
The resolution would have directed Trump to remove U.S. armed forces from hostilities involving Iran unless Congress specifically authorized continued military action through a declaration of war or an authorization for use of military force.
Four Republicans — Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Rand Paul of Kentucky and Thom Tillis of North Carolina — joined Democrats in supporting the measure.
Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania was the only Democrat to oppose it, while Democratic Sen. Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland did not vote.
The 1973 War Powers Resolution was enacted after the Vietnam War in an effort to constrain presidents from maintaining prolonged military engagements without congressional authorization.
But multiple adminstrations since have claimed the act is an unconstitutional restraint on the president’s role as commander-in-chief.
Most Senate Republicans remained opposed to the measure, arguing that restricting the president while U.S. forces remain engaged against Iran could undermine American military operations and negotiating leverage.
The vote comes as the Iran war approaches its seventh month and as concerns about the conflict have increasingly spilled into the November midterm campaigns.
Rising gasoline and diesel prices have intensified the political debate, particularly in competitive congressional races.
Some Republican candidates who previously supported Trump’s handling of Iran have recently called for the conflict to end quickly.
Republican Senate candidates Mike Rogers in Michigan and Ashley Hinson in Iowa both called this week for a swift conclusion to the war, citing its effect on American energy prices and household costs. Hinson had previously voted multiple times against House efforts to restrict Trump’s war powers.
Thursday’s vote was the latest in a long series of congressional attempts to impose limits on the administration’s military campaign.
The Senate has considered 14 Iran-related war powers resolutions since the United States and Israel began military operations against Iran in February, according to reports.
Congressional critics of the war argue that the Constitution gives Congress, rather than the president, the authority to declare war and that months of sustained hostilities require explicit legislative approval.
The Pentagon has estimated the war has cost approximately $42 billion, according to Stars and Stripes. At least 19 American service members have been killed and more than 750 injured during the conflict, Sen. Andy Kim, D-N.J., said during Thursday’s debate.
Republicans supporting Trump have argued that the president possesses sufficient authority as commander in chief to conduct the military campaign and that congressional restrictions could interfere with efforts to force Iran into negotiations.
Trump has continued to publicly defend the war.
During his address to the United Nations General Assembly this week, the president argued that military action had prevented Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and called on other countries to increase economic pressure on Iran.
Trump also said he believes an agreement with Tehran remains possible, while warning that the United States could dramatically escalate military action if diplomacy fails.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Wednesday that Tehran remained open to a diplomatic resolution but would not negotiate under military threats.
Thursday’s Senate vote followed another significant congressional challenge to Trump’s Iran policy.
The House passed a similar war powers measure last week by a 220-204 vote, with seven Republicans joining Democrats. That vote represented the third time the House had voted to end U.S. participation in the Iran conflict.
