Joseph Zeballos-Roig

Domestic Policy and Politics Reporter

Joseph Zeballos-Roig covers domestic policy & politics in Congress at Semafor. He previously reported on economic policy for three years at Insider, focusing on the federal response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the legislative battles around President Biden’s domestic agenda. He’s based in Washington D.C.

Skeptical Congress raises stakes for Biden’s ‘Big Boy’ press conference

Biden will face the press on Thursday amid a still-tense standoff with his own party.

‘The morale of the caucus is at historic lows’: Congressional Democrats debate Biden’s fate

Members are so far standing by the president, but a morning gathering of House Democrats left many feeling depressed and divided.

Vice President Kamala Harris speaks with President Joe Biden on a White House balcony during an Independence Day celebration in Washington, D.C., on July 4, 2024.

Senate Democrats haven’t turned on President Biden — yet

A number of key Democrats said they wanted to have more discussions before taking a clear position on Biden’s nomination.

House Republican support grows for corporate tax increase, threatening key part of Trump’s economic legacy

Up to 10 Republican House lawmakers are open to increasing the corporate tax rate.

Democratic senator criticizes Biden campaign’s ‘dismissive attitude’ after debate

Vermont’s Peter Welch says he’s heard concerns from party donors about president’s debate performance.

‘I couldn’t hardly sleep’: Democrats in Congress have no idea what comes next for Biden

A “panic-stricken” party is looking for answers that only the president can give them.

Trump celebrates birthday, bashes Milwaukee, and talks up tariffs with Hill Republicans

The president’s first visit to Capitol Hill since Jan. 6 made waves.

‘We’ve taken a hit’: Immigration activists are starting to miss Bob Menendez

The legally troubled senator from New Jersey, long seen as a bare-knuckled advocate for their cause, has mostly been sidelined by his corruption trial.

Ahead of Trump meeting, business group promises to spend big on next year’s tax battle

The Business Roundtable says it’s prepared to drop “eight figures” to protect the GOP’s 2017 reforms.

Biden’s new immigration order earns some tepid support from Democrats

Even the party’s border hawks have their doubts about the bill.

“It’s really disappointing”: Congress’ progressives despair over Biden’s border order

Lawmakers are concerned the president’s crackdown could set the legal stage for even stricter moves by Donald Trump.

Trump and Biden are competing to quarterback the Super Bowl of tax policy

With trillions in tax cuts soon set to expire, the election’s winner will have a guaranteed chance to rewrite much of the IRS code

Some Republicans are open to hiking corporate rate, key lawmaker says

His remarks are notable, given that lawmakers are already gearing up for the looming battle over renewing the expiring pieces of Donald Trump’s Tax Cuts and Job Act in 2025.

Greene’s effort to remove Speaker Johnson quickly fizzles

Speaker Mike Johnson swiftly defeated a push to oust him from the job.

Democrats are stuck in a familiar place: Arguing over Israel

The campus protests and police sweeps are once again splitting the party.

What’s left for Congress with Ukraine aid done

President Biden signed the foreign aid package Wednesday, but there’s still a slate of must-pass bills left.

The ‘uniparty’ is passing Ukraine aid. Can it save Mike Johnson’s job?

As the speaker faces a growing effort to oust him, Democrats seem increasingly willing to bail him out.

Threats against US speaker play into Democrats’ hands, some Republicans worry

“Every time that they do this, it actually strengthens the Democrats’ hands,” one GOP member told Semafor.