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Olivia Alafriz was a summer 2023 reporting fellow based in Washington, D.C. Previously, Olivia interned with CNN’s KFile team, doing investigative reporting on political candidates and elected officials across the country. She grew up in Huntington Beach, California, and Vienna, Austria, before moving to Washington, D.C. to study journalism and political science at American University.
The Republican from Texas has combined attention to border issues with efforts to address deadly overdoses, including ideas that are opposed by some in his party, such as decriminalizing test strips. Full Story
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Offices also will open in Milwaukee and Boston “due to the increased threat environment,” the police chief says. Full Story
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Escalating their fight over Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas’ handling of immigration at the southern border, far-right representatives say they will oppose any appropriations for his agency. Full Story
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The string of buoys is a safety hazard that violates treaties and harms relations with Mexico, Justice Department lawyers tell a federal judge. Full Story
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With help from two other ultraconservatives, the Texas Republican’s seat on the Rules Committee has let him press for red-meat priorities, even in traditionally bipartisan legislation. Full Story
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There are no federal or state requirements that people who work outside receive paid water breaks. Casar, an Austin Democrat, wants to change that. Full Story
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Under U.S. Rep. Ronny Jackson’s change to the annual defense policy bill, service members could no longer be paid travel expenses if they are stationed in a state where abortion is not available. Full Story
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With support from several Republicans, U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia hopes migrants brought illegally to the country as children can get out of “limbo.” Full Story
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GOP lawmakers dismiss the charges over classified documents as a partisan attack, but Democrats say the matter proves nobody is above the law. Full Story
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