Author

Ariana Figueroa

Ariana Figueroa

Ariana covers the nation's capital for States Newsroom. Her areas of coverage include politics and policy, lobbying, elections and campaign finance.

Congress is haggling over border security: Where does it stand?

By: - December 1, 2023

WASHINGTON — As Congress negotiates the White House’s $106 billion supplemental aid request for Israel, Ukraine and U.S. border security, fights over immigration policy have tied up the request. The White House sent its proposal that includes nearly $14 billion in supplemental border security funding to Congress in late October, but it will likely look […]

Gun violence as a public health crisis explored by U.S. Senate Democrats

By: - November 29, 2023

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats on Tuesday discussed how to treat gun violence as a public health crisis, in hopes of building upon last year’s federal gun safety legislation. “Across the country, gun violence is a public health epidemic,” Illinois Democrat Dick Durbin, the chairman of the committee, said in his opening remarks. […]

Trump immigration policies set the tone for most of the GOP presidential field

By: - November 22, 2023

This is one of an occasional series comparing the Republican presidential candidates’ positions on issues. WASHINGTON — Most of the candidates in the 2024 Republican race for the presidential nomination mirror hardline immigration policies set by the front-runner, former President Donald Trump. What were once considered far-right policies are now common talking points among the […]

Attempt to kill Biden student debt relief plan tied to income fails in U.S. Senate

By: - November 17, 2023

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Republicans on Wednesday night failed to garner enough votes to block a new Biden administration rule on an income-driven repayment plan for federal student loans. The resolution did not pass, 49-50. Sen. Joe Manchin III of West Virginia was the sole Democrat who joined Republicans in backing the resolution. Sen. Tim […]