Fox-news/politics/senate

• Children are at risk of forming romantic bonds with AI chatbots, experts warn - Congress hears alarming testimony about AI chatbots harming children's mental health, with experts warning of serious emotional risks and dangers.
• $174B spending package to avert shutdown clears key hurdle in Senate - The Senate passed a procedural vote on a three-bill spending package funding commerce, justice, energy and interior agencies as Congress works to prevent government shutdown.
• Congress has two dozen lawmakers 80 or older; more than half seeking re-election in 2026: report - More than a dozen members of Congress aged 80 or older have opted to run for another term in the 2026 election cycle, according to a review by NBC News.
• SEN RICHARD BLUMENTHAL: Crypto is a gamble our financial system doesn't need - Senate Banking Committee advances crypto legislation despite warnings from 2023 banking crisis. New report reveals crypto-linked taxpayer bailout.
• Key Republicans flip, kill effort to restrain Trump's policing power over Venezuela - Senate Republicans used a rarely deployed Senate procedure to kill a bipartisan Venezuela war powers resolution despite earlier success that enraged President Donald Trump.
• DHS funding fight drives Senate scramble to avoid government shutdown - The Senate is readying to pass a three-bill funding package, but time is fast running out to avoid another government shutdown, and there are tricky, political issues with the DHS funding bill.
• Deepfake porn crackdown passes in Senate to allow people to sue - The bill would allow victims to sue, tee up fines of up to $250,000, allow courts to order takedowns, deletions and injunctions against deepfakes and set up a 10 year statute of limitations.
• Thune warns DOJ's probe of Fed Chair Powell 'better be real' and 'serious' amid political backlash - Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., acknowledged that planned blocks against future Federal Reserve nominees would cause issues and remained adamant that the central bank stay independent.
• Senate advances $174B package as Minnesota ICE shooting fuels DHS funding fight - Government shutdown looms as Senate passes first funding hurdle but faces Jan. 30 deadline. Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., says continuing resolution likely needed.
• Reporter's Notebook: GOP rebels defy Trump as congressional grip continues to weaken across multiple votes - Five GOP senators broke ranks with Trump on Venezuela war powers, while 17 House Republicans backed Obamacare subsidies in recent votes.