Mike DeBonis
@mikedebonis
Editing Congress stuff at @POLITICO. Previously @playbookdc, @washingtonpost, @wcp.
I wrote about what it was like growing up as a child in the Bosnian civil war, where food was extremely scarce. I didn't have much, but at least UNICEF was there to help keep me alive. Congress just defunded it, putting lives at risk around the world. huffpost.com/entry/trump-cu…
An effort to force a Jeffrey Epstein vote in the House could ripen next week. Lots of Republican members are eager to go home first. NEW from @meredithllee @Reporter_Mia politico.com/news/2025/07/1…
new - Gavin Newsom suddenly can’t stop talking about Texas gerrymandering — and a provocative idea to counter it in California. w/ @JeremyBWhite politico.com/news/2025/07/1…
attn @ChuckGrassley
*TRUMP: COCA-COLA AGREED TO USE REAL CANE SUGAR IN US SODA
"Please do your part to stop the stink"
The BO levels in the Congressional press corp are reaching crisis levels. Please do your part to stop the stink. (Deodorant & dry clean those suit jackets ASAP)
🚨INSIDE THE ROOM — an intense standoff between hardliners + crypto committee Rs They’re now exploring a deal to add CBDC text to NDAA or another must-pass bill People talking past each other + just trying to get hardliners to stand down on rule. Speaker Mike Johnson trying…
Crypto groundhog day @meredithllee @Jasper_Goodman politico.com/live-updates/2…
NEW: Several Republicans left a crypto meeting with Trump under the impression he’s about to move against Jerome Powell, @meredithllee reports in today’s Inside Congress. Powell has insisted he’ll stay in his post. politico.com/newsletters/in…
Masterful look at the @SenatorCollins conundrum from @jordainc @JAscholtes @ktullymcmanus: She spent her career climbing the ladder toward the Approps gavel. Now the process is falling apart, possibly permanently. Is she really up for 6 more years of this? politico.com/news/2025/07/1…
>@SenJoniErnst not beating the retirement watch rap politico.com/news/2025/07/1…
#IASen incumbent Republican Joni Ernst raised $723K in Q2, has $3.4 million on hand.
What about the scourge of children with tables growing out of their necks?
🧵1/ Climate alarmism hurts America’s poor & middle class Policies driven by fear—skyrocketing energy costs, restrictive regulations, and green subsidies that help only the rich—hit hardest those who can least afford it Families are paying more for gas, groceries, and utilities
House Dining Overhaul TIMELINE is here When Dunkin closes, when Starbucks opens, plus sandwich shop swap, smoothie switcheroo and more politico.com/live-updates/2…
NEW: Mike Lee’s online persona — spreading conspiracy theories, mocking assassination victims — is causing worry in Salt Lake City. On Lee, his church, and the difficulties of “peacemaking” in our current political era:
McConnell, Tillis, now @joniernst? Some Republicans have put the Iowa senator on retirement watch after a tough start to the Trump 2.0 era. NEW from @jordainc @rachaelmbade politico.com/news/2025/07/1…
Great new reporting from @rachaelmbade @jordainc @EliStokols on what's REALLY happening with Russia sanctions: Trump wants way more flexibility to turn them on and off, and there's no deal yet. politico.com/news/2025/07/0…
NEW: Joe Biden's former WH doctor pleaded the 5th today to decline questions from the House Oversight Committee. It's a strategy that Trump allies used 30+ times during the Jan. 6 probe and was effective in ending lines of questioning w/ @Hailey_Fuchs politico.com/live-updates/2…
If only this fella knew somebody in the fed gov’t and didn’t have to ask questions on the internet
Was Epstein a government asset?
Why Thomas Massie Can Thwart Trump With Impunity in @politicomag by @keendawg politico.com/news/magazine/…
How the bond vigilantes didn't bite: @ben_guggenheim delves into how the GOP blew right past Wall street's debt warnings, raising new questions about what it will take to bend the curve on deficits. politico.com/news/2025/07/0…