NPR News: 07-23-2026 9AM EDT

Kristen Wright· Host0:00

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Kristen Wright. The US has passed a trillion-dollar defense policy bill to fund the military. Now the bill goes to the Senate. House Republicans also advanced a ninety-five billion dollar budget blueprint, mostly to address the rising cost of the war with Iran. That also needs Senate approval. But it's unclear the chamber will take up that proposal as is. NPR's Eric McDaniel reports Senate Majority Leader John Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson are weighing different priorities.

Eric McDaniel0:33

They might be in the same building, but they're also kind of in totally different worlds. Speaker Mike Johnson has, percentage-wise, a considerably smaller margin for error, maybe just a two-vote majority at any given time. He's got a large hard-right flank to deal with and a closer relationship than John Thune with President Trump. Senate Leader John Thune has to keep more Democrats on board for legislation and deal with generally more free agent, free-spirited set of legislators, the kind that become US senators. So they're juggling a pretty different set of circumstances as they try and keep the plates spinning.

Kristen Wright· Host1:05

That's NPR's Eric McDaniel reporting. The New York Times is trying to convince a federal judge to quash a Justice Department subpoenas, compelling several reporters to testify before a grand jury. NPR's David Folkenflik reports The Times says the administration is seeking its sources from a story on security concerns over the new Air Force One given to President Trump by Qatar.

David Folkenflik1:29

This clash