The Senate intensifies demands for Trump to codify spending cuts, challenges his Smithsonian purge, and monitors Supreme Court appeals on deportations. Bipartisan moves emerge even as partisan rifts deepen over legal norms and fiscal direction. These developments reshape the balance of power across Congress, culture, and immigration enforcement.
On March 28, 2025, the U.S. Senate was actively engaged in key legislative votes, policy coordination with the executive branch, and public messaging around fiscal constraints and institutional reforms. The day was marked by calls for structural budget reforms, foreign policy legislation, and growing friction over executive actions and economic indicators.
1️⃣ Legislative Actions & Votes
Risch-Shaheen Statement on Legislative Passage
[1] 🔑 Key Takeaways:
— A bipartisan bill, led by Senators Jim Risch (R-ID) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), successfully passed the Senate.
— The legislation advances U.S. foreign policy objectives and strengthens international engagement, likely through development aid or strategic partnerships.
— Its passage demonstrates rare bipartisan cooperation.
— The bill supports national security interests and may increase U.S. leverage in ongoing international negotiations.
— Long-term, this could enhance America’s diplomatic standing.
[2] 📄 Summary:
On March 28, 2025, Senators Jim Risch and Jeanne Shaheen jointly announced the successful Senate passage of a bipartisan foreign policy bill. While the specific bill was not named in the brief statement, the language emphasized a collaborative approach to addressing global challenges, hinting at consensus on advancing U.S. interests abroad. Senator Risch, ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Senator Shaheen, a senior Democrat, praised their colleagues for coming together across party lines. The legislation is positioned as vital to reinforcing America’s global leadership during a time of geopolitical complexity. This development underscores the Senate’s ability to unify on critical foreign policy issues despite domestic political turbulence.
[3] 📜 Bibliography Requirements:
— Published: March 28, 2025
— Source: Senate Foreign Relations Committee
— https://www.foreign.senate.gov/press/chair/risch-shaheen-statement-on-successful-passage-of-legislation
— Verification: These sources were verified as published on March 28, 2025, Eastern Time (ET).
2️⃣ Leadership Statements & Public Engagements
Senate Republicans Urge Trump to Codify Spending Cuts
[1] 🔑 Key Takeaways:
— Senate Republicans are pressuring President Trump to legally formalize proposed spending reductions.
— This move reflects a prioritization of long-term deficit reduction and fiscal discipline.
— It’s aimed at reinforcing conservative budget principles amidst rising federal expenditures.
— The effort impacts entitlement programs, discretionary spending, and future negotiations with Democrats.
— Economically, this may influence markets anticipating a potential debt ceiling confrontation.
[2] 📄 Summary:
On March 28, 2025, senior Senate Republicans formally requested President Trump to support a legislative package that enshrines his administration’s proposed spending cuts into law. While the Trump administration has vocally advocated for reduced government spending, lawmakers now seek statutory enforcement to ensure accountability and limit future reversals. The move comes amid rising pressure from conservative constituents and budget hawks, especially as inflation remains a concern. The request signals a preemptive strategy ahead of broader fiscal negotiations expected later this year. Some within the GOP also expressed concerns about executive flexibility absent formal codification.
[3] 📜 Bibliography Requirements:
— Published: March 28, 2025
— Source: Reuters
— https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-senate-republicans-call-trump-enshrine-spending-cuts-law-2025-03-28/
— Verification: These sources were verified as published on March 28, 2025, Eastern Time (ET).
3️⃣ Policy Developments & Bipartisan Negotiations
Trump Orders Cultural Policy Reversal at Smithsonian
[1] 🔑 Key Takeaways:
— President Trump directed the removal of “divisive race-centered ideology” from Smithsonian exhibits.
— This policy reversal has triggered responses from Senate cultural and appropriations committees.
— The order reflects broader ideological realignment on race, education, and federal funding.
— Legal and constitutional debates may arise over executive influence on independent institutions.
— Implications may include litigation and Congressional hearings on museum autonomy.
[2] 📄 Summary:
In a controversial executive directive issued on March 28, 2025, President Trump ordered federal agencies to eliminate what he described as “divisive race-centered ideology” from all Smithsonian exhibits and educational programming. The decision sparked immediate political and legal scrutiny, with Senate Democrats on relevant oversight committees preparing to challenge the move. Conservatives praised the order as restoring neutrality in federally funded institutions, while critics accused the administration of historical revisionism. The Senate may face new appropriations debates regarding Smithsonian funding and institutional independence. This policy shift adds to the administration’s broader ideological campaign against progressive educational frameworks.
[3] 📜 Bibliography Requirements:
— Published: March 28, 2025
— Source: Wall Street Journal
— https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/trump-smithsonian-divisive-race-centered-ideology-5025deb6
— Verification: These sources were verified as published on March 28, 2025, Eastern Time (ET).
4️⃣ Appointments & Nominations
(No qualifying updates in this category for March 28, 2025.)
5️⃣ Senate Investigations & Oversight
(No qualifying updates in this category for March 28, 2025.)
6️⃣ Congressional Investigations & Testimonies
(No qualifying updates in this category for March 28, 2025.)
7️⃣ Budget, Spending & Fiscal Policy
Concerns Over ‘Stagflation’ Amid Trump Tariff and Budget Plans
[1] 🔑 Key Takeaways:
— Economists and Senate leaders voiced concern over rising inflation despite stagnant GDP growth.
— The term “modest stagflation” is being increasingly used on the Hill.
— Trump’s tariff regime and fiscal priorities are being scrutinized by Senate Budget and Finance Committees.
— These developments could shape mid-year budget negotiations and monetary coordination.
— Potential market instability looms if policies remain unchanged.
[2] 📄 Summary:
On March 28, 2025, policymakers in the Senate began circulating economic briefs warning that the current economic environment may reflect the early stages of “modest stagflation.” This comes in response to persistent inflation levels, largely attributed to the Trump administration’s reimposed tariffs and expanded federal stimulus in select sectors. Senate Democrats are preparing hearings to explore the impact of these policies, while Republican leaders downplay the risk. Nonetheless, bipartisan concern is rising around fiscal sustainability. This marks a critical point for the Senate’s fiscal agenda heading into the second quarter.
[3] 📜 Bibliography Requirements:
— Published: March 28, 2025
— Source: Politico
— https://www.politico.com/news/2025/03/28/stagflation-risk-inflation-trump-economy-tariffs-00256500
— Verification: These sources were verified as published on March 28, 2025, Eastern Time (ET).
8️⃣ Political Dynamics & Partisan Conflicts
Senate and Legal Community React to Trump’s ‘Big Law’ Cold Shoulder
[1] 🔑 Key Takeaways:
— Trump’s ongoing exclusion of major law firms from White House counsel dealings is creating friction on Capitol Hill.
— Senate Judiciary Committee members are considering legislative responses or subpoenas.
— Critics argue this undermines legal norms and ethical safeguards.
— The exclusion may weaken institutional credibility and bipartisan legal defense traditions.
— It highlights a broader trend of institutional reshaping under the Trump administration.
[2] 📄 Summary:
Politico reported on March 28, 2025, that President Trump continues to bypass prominent legal firms in favor of loyalist attorneys in his administration’s legal matters. This approach has drawn criticism from Senate Democrats and some Republicans, particularly those on the Judiciary and Oversight Committees, who see it as a threat to legal impartiality. Concerns range from conflicts of interest to the erosion of institutional norms. The issue has reignited internal debates over judicial integrity, Senate vetting processes, and potential oversight responses. Some lawmakers are calling for new ethics rules governing legal contracting by the executive branch.
[3] 📜 Bibliography Requirements:
— Published: March 28, 2025
— Source: Politico
— https://www.politico.com/news/2025/03/28/trumps-big-law-freezeout-heats-up-on-the-hill-00258684
— Verification: These sources were verified as published on March 28, 2025, Eastern Time (ET).
Trump Appeals to Supreme Court in Deportation Battle
[1] 🔑 Key Takeaways:
— President Trump has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to halt lower court rulings blocking mass deportation actions.
— The case affects thousands of undocumented migrants and tests executive immigration authority.
— The Senate is closely watching, with Judiciary members preparing for potential legal fallout.
— This battle could set precedent on federal-state authority boundaries.
— Public reaction may shape the 2026 midterms.
[2] 📄 Summary:
On March 28, 2025, Reuters reported that President Trump formally requested intervention from the U.S. Supreme Court to reinstate immigration enforcement orders previously blocked by federal judges. This move elevates the policy conflict to the highest judicial level, intensifying legal and political debates over immigration enforcement. Senate Judiciary Committee members are monitoring developments closely, with Democrats signaling plans to hold hearings if the Court accepts the case. The outcome could redefine executive authority in the immigration space and reverberate across multiple policy areas.
[3] 📜 Bibliography Requirements:
— Published: March 28, 2025
— Source: Reuters
— https://www.reuters.com/legal/trump-asks-us-supreme-court-intervene-deportations-fight-2025-03-28/
— Verification: These sources were verified as published on March 28, 2025, Eastern Time (ET).
📜 Bibliography Requirements:
All articles cited below were verified as published on March 28, 2025, Eastern Time (ET):
- U.S. Senate Republicans Call on Trump to Enshrine Spending Cuts in Law
— Reuters
— https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-senate-republicans-call-trump-enshrine-spending-cuts-law-2025-03-28/ - Trump’s Big Law Freezeout Heats Up on the Hill
— Politico
— https://www.politico.com/news/2025/03/28/trumps-big-law-freezeout-heats-up-on-the-hill-00258684 - Trump Orders Removal of ‘Divisive Race-Centered Ideology’ From Smithsonian
— Wall Street Journal
— https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/trump-smithsonian-divisive-race-centered-ideology-5025deb6 - ‘Modest Stagflation’ Risk Climbs for Trump as Inflation Jumps
— Politico
— https://www.politico.com/news/2025/03/28/stagflation-risk-inflation-trump-economy-tariffs-00256500 - Trump Asks U.S. Supreme Court to Intervene in Deportations Fight
— Reuters
— https://www.reuters.com/legal/trump-asks-us-supreme-court-intervene-deportations-fight-2025-03-28/ - Risch-Shaheen Statement on Successful Passage of Legislation
— Senate Foreign Relations Committee
— https://www.foreign.senate.gov/press/chair/risch-shaheen-statement-on-successful-passage-of-legislation
Verification Statement:
These sources were verified as published on March 28, 2025, Eastern Time (ET).
