U.S. President Donald Trump's tax and spending bill would make it harder for American critical minerals companies to compete with China because it eliminates a tax credit for boosting domestic production of nickel,

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans have blocked an effort by Democrats to temporarily block arms sales to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates in response to President Donald Trump’s dealings in the region.

The Senate voted 56-39 against considering legislation that would have blocked the $1.9 billion sale of armed drones and associated equipment to Qatar. The vote was largely along party lines, with Trump's fellow Republicans opposing the effort to stop the sale and most Democrats backing it.

For passage in the Senate, there needs to be at least 60 votes. On Tuesday, two House committees easily approved a bill that establishes a regulatory framework for digital assets, not just stablecoin, called the CLARITY Act.

G.O.P. senators are considering whether to further curb the president’s favorite tax cuts as they rewrite key portions of the sprawling domestic agenda bill passed by the House.

Republican senators came out firing during Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s hearing on Wednesday before the Senate Appropriations subcommittee on armed forces. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.)

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth returned to Capitol Hill on Wednesday for his first Senate appearance since his January confirmation amid renewed scrutiny following reports of disarray in the Pentagon earlier this year.

Senator Mike Lee of Utah introduced language that would sell off up to three million acres of federal lands in 12 Western states.

The former Republican congressman and auctioneer also had a brief career selling tax credits, including one that the I.R.S. said did not exist and another it said was rife with fraud.