Alex J. Rouhandeh
Congressional Correspondent
Alex J. Rouhandeh is the congressional correspondent for Newsweek whose previous writing has appeared in Vice News, The American Prospect, and a number of regional publications. Alex is credentialed with both the Capitol Periodical Press Gallery and the U.S. Department of Defense. He is also a member of the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. and the Investigative Reporters & Editors (IRE) organization.
Email him at a.rouhandeh@newsweek.com and follow him on Twitter at @AlexRouhandeh.
As House seeks cuts to USGS, Senate warns China could gain competitive edge
Senator Jeff Merkley told Newsweek that, amid international competition for resources, now is not the time to cut funding to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
World Evangelical body cuts ties with David Jang's embattled Olivet sect
"There are no other ties to his organization," the World Evangelical Alliance said in a statement to Newsweek.
House and Senate Republicans' latest infighting is over peacekeeping funds
"Unless you want perpetual, endless war, you better have some diplomatic tools," Senator Lindsey Graham told Newsweek.
Tuberville's blockade on military promotions helps China, lawmakers warn
"The Marines are in the midst of this very dramatic transformation that's very focused on China, the Indo-Pacific," Tim Kaine said. "This only makes it harder"
Crime trends will shape voters in 2024—which party will tell a better tale?
"Crime data is complicated," Hanna Love of Brookings said. "Political rhetoric tends to simplify in a way that can benefit the outcomes that candidates want."
Newsweek shareholders end legal dispute, co-owner Davis leaves Olivet sect
"On the advent of Newsweek's 90th anniversary, it's heartening to know that the litigation is now behind us," Newsweek CEO Dev Pragad said.
Year after Dobbs, Democrats and Republicans lay 2024 abortion battle plans
The heads of the rival Democratic and Republican National Senatorial Committees tell Newsweek abortion will be a winning issue for their respective parties.
Democrats have a Feinstein problem, but losing her could be worse
"In recent communications I've had with her, she's on top of her game," Democratic Congressman John Garamendi told Newsweek.
Senate passes debt limit deal, sending bill to President Joe Biden's desk
"I am pleased, so pleased, to announce that both sides have just locked in an agreement that enables the Senate to pass legislation," Chuck Schumer said.
House passes bill to raise the debt ceiling, but trouble looms in Senate
"I think, frankly, the bill could be substantially improved," Senator Mitt Romney told Newsweek. "[But] that's not going to happen."
DeSantis' Disney feud will backfire in 2024, key Florida Republican says
Republican Congressman Greg Steube of Florida tells Newsweek that Governor Ron DeSantis' "cat and mouse game" with Disney could hurt his chances come 2024.
McCarthy's 72-hour bill review promise faces scrutiny as debt default nears
"It looks to me like McCarthy is trying to get a default," Democratic Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren of California told Newsweek.
'Recalibration Time' for the Cartels and Congress as border crossings lull
"I think this is a recalibration time frame for the cartels," Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina told Newsweek.
Senators call on Biden to tax the rich in deal to avoid U.S. debt default
Bernie Sanders told Newsweek that it would be "absurd" for tax increases on the wealthy and largest corporations to not be a part of debt limit negotiations.
Biden's cabinet says debt ceiling crisis plays into hands of China
"China is not debating whether to pay its debts or wreck its economy," Democratic Senator Patty Murray of Washington said at a hearing on Capitol Hill today.
House GOP passes border bill as Senate argues Title 42 extension
While GOP Congressman Tony Gonzales celebrated the bill's passage, he emphasized the job is not done until a border bill "ends up on President Biden's desk."
Biden raising debt ceiling is "laughable" to Republicans, not to Democrats
President Joe Biden said he's "considering" raising the debt limit himself under the 14th Amendment. Senate Republicans see his claim as a "negotiating tactic."
American democracy faces a worsening threat—loneliness, Chris Murphy warns
Senator Christopher Murphy wants a national discussion about social isolation and says it is an issue Democrats and Republicans can agree on.
Calls grow for Joe Biden to invoke Constitution to raise debt ceiling
"I think if I were president, I would be tempted to do that," Republican Senator Josh Hawley told Newsweek.
Exclusive: Katie Porter says housing costs could spark next banking crisis
Rep. Katie Porter is making a bid for the Senate seat Dianne Feinstein will be leaving. To win, she'll have to stand out in a crowded progressive field.
Democrat Mark Kelly wants border security ramped up after Texas shooting
The Arizona Democrat called on Congress to add more Border Patrol agents and, in some cases, additional barriers in places "where they make sense."
Republicans turn on DeSantis over Disney feud
The feud has created a problem for some Republicans, who disagree with government crackdowns on the internal functioning of private businesses.
House Republicans pass debt limit bill, but Schumer says it's 'DOA'
"I urge Speaker McCarthy to stop wasting any more time on this DOA, dead on arrival, bill," Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer said.
Texas Republicans would 'nuke' border bill that doesn't include immigration
"We will secure the border by changing policy, literally nuke the joint, burn the place down if they don't do that," Congressman Chip Roy tells Newsweek.
Bud Light outrage spotlights America's values: GOP senators
"I'm hard-pressed to think of... [when] a company understood less about the consumers who actually purchase their product," Sen. Ted Cruz told Newsweek.
Josh Hawley pushes TikTok ban after Chinese secret police station arrests
Hawley told Newsweek that the latest arrests in New York further his argument that there needs to be a nationwide ban on the Chinese-owned app TikTok.
This Texas Republican won't let his party get in the way of a border bill
"What if I told you that there are people that don't want [border legislation] to ever pass, and what if they aren't just Democrats?" Tony Gonzales said.
Can Kyrsten Sinema's border crusade save her seat?
"I think that her moderate centrist kind of party-bucking ways may have actually played out fine in Arizona," a political science expert tells Newsweek.
Democrat Mark Kelly wants a border deal, even if it means backing GOP House
"I don't care about that," Senator Kelly told Newsweek when asked if he'd support a party-line House GOP border bill. "It depends on what's in it."
Marine commandant warns U.S. lacking in key capability for war with China
"We don't want to do anything to make China think 'maybe today is the day,'" General David Berger, Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps, told Newsweek.
