Senate Republicans push through procedural hurdle for President Donald Trump's nominees for a third time after changing confirmation rules to overcome Democratic blockade.

The Senate will vote this week on a GOP bill to put money in health savings accounts, as well as a Democratic bill to extend the expiring ACA subsidies. Both are expected to fail.

Another Trump nominee, Alexander C. Van Hook, awaits a Senate vote for a separate federal judgeship in Louisiana. Louisiana Supreme Court Justice William Crain, who was nominated to the federal bench by President Donald Trump in October, has been confirmed by the Senate for a seat on the Eastern District Court in New Orleans.

Majority Leader John Thune announced that the Senate will vote on a Republican-led measure alongside a Democratic bill to extend expiring tax credits.

President Donald Trump called Rep. Jasmine Crockett's Senate bid "a gift to Republicans," also criticizing her as a "low IQ person" and "terrible representative."

The hearing Thursday before the Senate Armed Services Committee is expected to feature tough questioning for Pentagon leaders over the legality of the deployments, which in some places were done over the objections of mayors and governors.

Many lawmakers have reported receiving a deluge of calls from constituents about the Unemployment Insurance Agency's pursuit of overpaid jobless aid.

The hearing comes on the heels of the deadly shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., by alleged shooter Rahmanullah Lakanwa, an Afghan national.

Speaker Johnson said he was "absolutely delighted" about Democrat Jasmine Crockett's decision to run for Senate in Texas.