By CHARLOTTE KRAMON, ALEX VEIGA and MARY CLARE JALONICK Associated Press
In a rare bipartisan effort for a deeply divided Congress, the Senate has passed a broad bill to make U.S. housing more accessible and affordable. The bill passed on Thursday would reduce regulations, regulate corporate investors and expand how housing dollars can be used to build affordable homes and rentals. It now heads back to the House, which passed a separate version earlier this year. It is unclear whether President Donald Trump would sign it after declaring last weekend that he won't sign any new measures unless Congress passes legislation that would require voters to show proof of citizenship.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom says there's no imminent threat to the state from Iran. ABC News says the FBI warned California that Iran had aspired to send drones to the West Coast in retaliation for war. The FBI later released text of the alert, which noted that the information was based on "unverified information." The White House now says, "No such threat from Iran to our homeland exists." Newsom says California and various agencies plan for worst-case scenarios. Police in Los Angeles and San Francisco say they are monitoring world events for any risks.
Americans are divided along party lines on U.S. military action against Iran, according to polls conducted since the war began, with most polls showing opposition is higher than support. Polls suggest that many Americans are worried the military action is making the U.S. "less safe," even as they see Iran as a threat to U.S. security. President Donald Trump gave conflicting messages on Monday about the war's timeline, suggesting it could be near its end while also threatening additional force against Iran if the country disrupted the global flow of oil. Fluctuating oil prices may already be alarming voters. A poll found about 7 in 10 registered voters are "very" or "somewhat" concerned that the war will cause oil and gasoline prices to rise.
The White House says it fired an NTSB board member for serious misconduct, and he says the claims are false. President Donald Trump's administration on Monday accused Todd Inman of drinking on the job, harassing staff, misusing government resources, and skipping many meetings. Inman says he denies the allegations and plans to defend his reputation in court. Inman is a Republican appointed during former President Joe Biden's administration. The NTSB has declined to comment on Inman's dismissal. The agency now lists only three members, though the U.S. Senate has confirmed an American Airlines executive to join. The NTSB is investigating over 1,000 cases and will issue safety recommendations when it releases its final reports.
A bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security is stalling out again in Congress. Republicans invoked the war in Iran and the prospect of retaliatory terrorist attacks as they tried Thursday to pass a bill funding the department. But Democrats blocked the legislation as they insist on changes to immigration enforcement operations. While the House will also take up the bill later Thursday, the vote will be more about putting lawmakers on the record again about where they stand. In the end, a bipartisan compromise will have to be reached to end a DHS shutdown that began Feb. 14.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has defended her agency in testimony and under questioning at a Senate hearing. She appeared before the Judiciary Committee on Tuesday as a backlash grows over deadly immigration enforcement actions tied to President Donald Trump's deportation push. It was her first congressional hearing since two protesters were killed in Minneapolis by Homeland Security officers in January. Noem's department sent hundreds of officers to Minnesota. Protesters marched and tracked enforcement activity. An ICE officer shot Renee Good. Border Protection officers shot Alex Pretti. The deaths led to demands for accountability. At the hearing, Noem blamed "violent protesters" for contributing to the chaos officers encountered.
Democratic lawmakers say former President Bill Clinton has tried to answer every question during a deposition over his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. The Democrats said during a break after two hours of questioning Clinton had not invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. Clinton tells members of Congress he "did nothing wrong" and saw no signs of Epstein's sexual abuse. Clinton says by the time the abuse came to light with a 2008 guilty plea, he had long stopped associating with Epstein. Friday's closed-door deposition in Chappaqua, New York, marks the first time a former president has been compelled to testify to Congress. Republicans relish the opportunity to scrutinize Clinton under oath.
