Today
Hopes for AUKUS as US Congress elects new Speaker
After weeks of political chaos, the election of Mike Johnson reduces the risks of a government shutdown and of key legislation around the military pact being left hanging.
- Updated
- Matthew Cranston
Yesterday
‘Hopelessly divided’ Republicans keep US Congress paralysed
Republicans selected Mike Johnson as the next candidate in their struggle to break the gridlock and select a speaker, after Donald Trump torpedoed the last one.
- Updated
- David Morgan, Richard Cowan and Makini Brice
This Month
Biden warns of ‘conflict and chaos’ spreading
In a major speech, the US president appealed for billions of dollars in funding, saying America cannot let Russia’s Vladimir Putin and militant group Hamas win.
- Matthew Cranston
Congress squabbling hangs over Albanese’s US visit
Wrangling over the US speakership is delaying plans to finalise Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s program for his trip to America, which includes lobbying for AUKUS.
- Andrew Tillett
- Opinion
- Bonds
Powell says three factors are behind the bond yield spike
US Federal Reserve chief Jerome Powell explains why longer-term bond yields are rising, including views of a resilient economy and fiscal deficit concerns.
- Matthew Cranston
Trump-backed Republican loses US Speaker vote
Jim Jordan, who is backed by Donald Trump, must overcome deep Republican divisions in a second scheduled ballot, as the US House remains leaderless.
- David Morgan, Makini Brice and Moira Warburton
Scalise quits US Speaker race after Trump jibes
The Republican legislator failed to get enough votes to secure an overall majority in the chamber, leaving Congress in chaos again.
- Luke Broadwater
Rudd slams ‘crazy’ US red tape slowing AUKUS
The ambassador to the US, Kevin Rudd, has criticised America stalling on easing export rules crucial for progress of delivering Australia nuclear submarines.
- Matthew Cranston
Israel vows to wipe Hamas ‘off the face of the earth’
The Israeli military discusses targets; terrible new reports of children’s deaths; antisemitic charges heard in Sydney court. Here’s how the day unfolded.
- Updated
- Emma Connors
Republicans back Scalise for Speaker as clock ticks down
The Louisiana congressman now faces a vote by the full chamber to fill the leadership vacuum following the ousting of Kevin McCarthy last week.
- Updated
- Matthew Cranston
- Analysis
- Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Biden’s oil reserve bet looks shaky as Israel pounds Gaza
The decision to sell from the US strategic reserve could come unstuck, amid fears the Middle East conflict could push prices higher and accelerate inflation.
- Matthew Cranston
Israel-Hamas war adds pressure on US Congress to get back to work
While the US has agreed to provide Israel $60 billion in military aid over 10 years, Republicans are under pressure to ensure Congress releases the funding.
- Matthew Cranston
US Congressional chaos could drive Treasury yields even higher
Bond markets are not pricing in the true cost of government debt amid put-of-control government spending and chaos in Congress, say experts.
- Matthew Cranston
- Opinion
- The AFR View
How Canberra can ride out the Congress car crash
Australia has to invest in long-term relationships, many of which rely on institutions that remind us of the glory days of American democracy.
- The AFR View
- Opinion
- Opinion
Why Trump steers clear of the Washington sausage machine
This week’s political assassination of Speaker Kevin McCarthy has weakened the Republicans – and Trump knows it.
- Joe Hockey
- Opinion
- Government debt
This is why Matt Gaetz just blew up Congress
The hardliner likes to portray himself as one of the last Republicans standing who cares about out-of-control government spending and the resulting build-up of sovereign debt.
- Updated
- Matthew Cranston
- Opinion
- Donald Trump
Could Trump really replace McCarthy as Speaker?
If removing the House Speaker for the first time in history wasn’t interesting enough, imagine appointing a former president facing 91 criminal charges.
- Updated
- Matthew Cranston
- Opinion
- The AFR View
Stopgap fails to discipline US deficit and debt
The Trumpian isolationist tone to seemingly the only loser in the funding deal, aid for Ukraine, sums up the interest in getting on top of the budget problem.
- The AFR View
- Analysis
- Kevin McCarthy
‘Trumpiest congressman’ Matt Gaetz is taking aim at House speaker
The far-right firebrand said he would file a motion to oust Kevin McCarthy this week after the Republican leader relied on Democrats to avert a government shutdown.
- Updated
- Alicia Diaz
Biden pleads with Congress not to end US support for Ukraine
America has provided more than $175.7 billion to the war-torn country in the face of Russia’s invasion.
- David Millward
