A Washington state senator has made history by becoming the first openly LGBTQ+ Latina elected to Congress, securing a U.S. House seat in a landmark victory.

Sarah McBride, a state senator from Delaware, defeated Republican John Whalen III to win the state's only open House seat.

"If he's the candidate I'll support him, but I think it's an opportunity to look in another direction", said Raul Grijalva of Arizona

Microsoft President Brad Smith spent more than three hours answering questions from members of the House Committee on Homeland Security in Washington, assuring them cybersecurity is being woven more deeply into the technology company's culture.

The visit comes amid mounting pressure for the US ally and Hamas militants to agree to a permanent ceasefire as Israel faces growing diplomatic isolation over the rising death toll in Gaza.

Research by The Hispanic Council reveals a record number of Spanish-speaking representatives and senators

The specific funding bills pertain to critical agencies, including agriculture, veterans affairs, and housing. Under the newly negotiated terms, these agencies will now be funded through March 8, while the remaining government funding will be extended until March 22.

Disproportional representation in Congress can be illustrative of the effects of the challenges this demographic faces in this area

The shutdown crisis was largely triggered by a small group of hardline Republicans who had defied their own party leadership to scupper various temporary funding proposals as they pressed for deep spending cuts

Gaetz has denied having had any sexual relationships with an underage girl or trafficking any woman, however, he claims that he is the victim of an extortion plot.