Grand Jury Rejects Trump DOJ Prosecution of Democratic Lawmakers

The House of Representatives passed the SAVE America Act on Wednesday by a vote of 218-213, requiring Americans to provide proof of citizenship when registering to vote in the upcoming midterm elections. The legislation, primarily backed by Republicans, would mandate that voters present documents such as a valid U.S. passport or birth certificate to prove citizenship status.

Only one Democrat, Representative Henry Cuellar of Texas, joined Republicans in supporting the measure. The bill also requires states to submit voter rolls to the Department of Homeland Security for citizenship verification. Senate passage appears unlikely, as the legislation needs 60 votes to advance and faces opposition from most Democrats and some Republicans, including Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska.

Critics argue the legislation could disenfranchise eligible voters who lack easy access to required documentation, while supporters contend it prevents fraudulent voting by non-citizens. The House passed similar legislation last year that stalled in the Senate. This version includes stricter requirements and creates a process for individuals whose names have changed to provide necessary paperwork.

Senate leaders remain far apart on a funding deal for the Department of Homeland Security as a Friday midnight deadline approaches, raising the possibility of a partial government shutdown. Current DHS funding expires February 13, and Democrats are demanding significant reforms to immigration enforcement operations before agreeing to new funding.

Democratic demands include ending "indiscriminate arrests," requiring judicial warrants before DHS officers enter private property, expanded training requirements, adoption of standardized use-of-force policies, keeping agents away from sensitive locations like schools and churches, and mandating body cameras while prohibiting masks. Republicans have resisted many of these proposals. Senate Majority Leader John Thune acknowledged that negotiations are "taking some time" and indicated another continuing resolution may be necessary.

According to multiple senators and aides from both parties, the two sides appear unlikely to reach agreement before the deadline. Democrats have stated they will not support another short-term funding extension without substantive policy changes, while Republicans argue Democrats are holding DHS funding hostage over immigration policy disagreements.

United States Energy Secretary Chris Wright arrived in Venezuela on Wednesday for a three-day visit to assess the country's oil industry, marking the first time a member of President Trump's cabinet has visited the South American nation. Wright met with Venezuela's acting President Delcy Rodríguez at the Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas.

The visit follows the Trump administration's decision to lift sanctions and allow foreign companies to operate in Venezuela to help rebuild the nation's energy sector. Wright told reporters he brought "a message from President Trump" stating the president is "passionately committed to absolutely transforming the relationship between the United States and Venezuela." Last month, Venezuela enacted legislation opening its oil sector to private investment, reversing decades of socialist policy that had nationalized the industry.

The meeting represents the highest-level U.S. visit focused on energy policy to the OPEC nation in nearly three decades. Wright is expected to meet with government officials, oil executives, and other stakeholders during his visit. The Trump administration views supporting Venezuela's oil industry as part of broader energy and diplomatic strategy in the region.