Kevin Freking, Author at The Rapid City Post

FILE - Josh Waldron, co-founder and CEO of SilencerCo, holds a 9mm handgun with a suppressor embedded into the barrel, Jan. 17, 2017, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Lisa Marie Pane, File)

Republicans hit major setback in their effort to ease regulations on gun silencers

June 27, 2025

Republican efforts to loosen regulations on gun silencers and short-barreled rifles and shotguns have been dealt a big setback. The Senate parliamentarian advised Friday that the proposal would need to clear a 60-vote threshold if included in President Donald Trump’s big tax and immigration bill. Lawmakers said the provision was deemed by the Senate parliamentarian to be in violation of the “Byrd Rule,” which stipulates that the budget changes sought in the legislation cannot be “merely incidental” to the policy changes. Gun-control groups celebrated the parliamentarian’s ruling, saying the items have been regulated for nearly 100 years because of the threat to first responders and communities.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., center left, speaks to reporters along with members of the Republican leadership, Tuesday, June 24, 2025, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Meet the Senate parliamentarian, the official tying Republicans in knots over their tax bill

June 26, 2025

A few Republicans are reacting with indignation after the Senate parliamentarian advised that some of the measures in their tax and immigration bill could not be included in the legislation. The ruling from Elizabeth MacDonough was a blow to the GOP’s efforts to wring hundreds of billions of dollars from Medicaid over the next decade. Senate Republicans could opt to try to override her recommendations, but they are unlikely to do so. It’s hardly the first time the parliamentarian’s normally low-key and lawyerly role has drawn a blast of public criticism, sometimes from Democrats.

Office of Management and Budget director Russell Vought testifies during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on the rescissions package on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)

Senators challenge Trump’s proposed cuts to foreign aid and public media in contentious hearing

June 25, 2025

Republicans and Democrats on a key Senate panel are challenging the merits of cancelling billions of dollars in spending for foreign aid and public media, as requested by President Donald Trump. The objections came as part of a contentious hearing Wednesday examining the White House’s request for the cuts. The House has already voted to claw back the $9.4 billion in spending. Now, the Senate is preparing to take up the package with a July 18 deadline for action. If the Senate declines to approve a measure by then, the Trump administration must obligate and spend the funds in question.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., is joined by Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., left, ranking member of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, and Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., the ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, as he talks to reporters about Senate Republicans' efforts to pass President Donald Trump's tax cut and spending agenda with deeper Medicaid cuts, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, June 18, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

The Republican attempt to discourage Trump lawsuits has hit a big obstacle

June 23, 2025

Republicans have hit a roadblock in an effort that could deter nonprofits, individuals and others from filing lawsuits to block President Donald Trump’s executive actions. Republicans sought in their big tax bill to bar federal courts from issuing temporary restraining orders or preliminary injunctions against the federal government unless the plaintiffs post what in many cases would be a massive financial bond. The proposal was found to be in violation of the Senate’s rules, which means it is likely to be abandoned. Critics warned the proposal would have a chilling effect on potential litigants at a time when Trump is facing lawsuits nationwide.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., speaks to reporters following closed-door party meetings at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

How Senate Republicans want to change the tax breaks in Trump’s big bill

June 20, 2025

House and Senate Republicans are taking different approaches when it comes to the tax cuts that lawmakers are looking to include in their massive tax bill. Republicans in the two chambers don’t agree on the size of a deduction for state and local taxes. They are also at odds on such things as allowing people to use their health savings accounts to help pay for their gym membership, or whether electric vehicle and hybrid owners should have to pay an annual fee. How they work out their differences in the coming weeks will help determine how successful they are at passing their marquee legislation.

Kevin Freking.

Republicans hit major setback in their effort to ease regulations on gun silencers

Meet the Senate parliamentarian, the official tying Republicans in knots over their tax bill

Senators challenge Trump’s proposed cuts to foreign aid and public media in contentious hearing

The Republican attempt to discourage Trump lawsuits has hit a big obstacle

How Senate Republicans want to change the tax breaks in Trump’s big bill

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