Author

Jennifer Shutt

Jennifer Shutt

Jennifer covers the nation’s capital as a senior reporter for States Newsroom. Her coverage areas include congressional policy, politics and legal challenges with a focus on health care, unemployment, housing and aid to families.

Biden administration to crack down on ‘junk’ health insurance plans, surprise billing

By: - July 7, 2023

The administration is providing guidance to hospitals that patients are either in-network, with the costs for their health care falling under billing limitations in the Affordable Care Act, or it is out-of-network care and billing costs are covered by a federal law known as the No Surprises Act. 

Members of the crowd bow their heads in prayer at the start of the Faith & Freedom Road to Majority conference at the Washington Hilton on June 23, 2023. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Where the GOP presidential candidates stand on national abortion bans, restrictions

By: - June 27, 2023

Here's a look at the 2024 field -- as it currently stands.

Democrats predict abortion access, reproductive rights will be key issues in 2024

By: - June 21, 2023

Top Democratic campaign leaders said during a press call they expect the issues will be key to regaining control of the U.S. House and keeping control of the U.S. Senate, especially in swing states and purple districts. 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — People protest in response to the Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health Organization ruling in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on June 24, 2022, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

A year after Dobbs: Congress takes a back seat on federal abortion policy

By: - June 20, 2023

Congress has not enacted federal legislation to either preserve reproductive rights or to restrict abortion.

The U.S. Capitol Building on June 1, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

D.C. spending standoff ahead as U.S. House Republicans demand $130B in cuts

By: - June 15, 2023

The fight over spending could set the stage for a partial government shutdown later this year.

U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass.(left), U.S. Sen. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash.(center), and U.S. Rep. Kathy Manning, D-N.C., speak at a press conference on contraception access outside the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, June 14, 2023. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt for the Pennsylvania Capital-Star).

Congressional Dems renew push to protect access to birth control

By: - June 14, 2023

'Millions of people use contraception and they have for decades, U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., said Wednesday.

Thousands of Pa. kids sought mental health treatment last year, according to a new report.

Social media, trauma, hate speech add to youth mental health crisis, U.S. Senate panel told

By: - June 8, 2023

Lawmakers agreed that the nation's youth are in crisis. They disagreed on the role Congress has to play in fixing it.

An aerial view from a drone shows John Duffy planting corn on a farm he farms with his father on April 23, 2020 near Dwight, Illinois. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

U.S. Senate panel explores climate change’s effects on farming, federal spending

By: - June 7, 2023

'I think progress is always made better with carrots instead of sticks,' Iowa Farm Bureau President Brent Johnson said.

(Photo courtesy of the office of U.S. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa.)

Pa.’s Fetterman votes against debt ceiling bill because of SNAP restrictions

By: - June 2, 2023

U.S. Senate sends Biden debt limit legislation ahead of Monday default deadline.

Cherry blossoms outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C. (Capital-Star photo by Jennifer Shutt).

U.S. House approves debt limit package, sending it to Senate days before default deadline

By: and - May 31, 2023

Pennsylvania U.S. Reps. Scott Perry, a Republican, and Summer Lee, a Democrat, cast ‘no’ votes on the debt deal.

As Congress preps for debt limit vote, Pa.’s Perry slams the deal

By: and - May 30, 2023

'I am focused on defeating this bill,' House Freedom Caucus Chairman Scott Perry, R-10th District, said.

Biden, McCarthy say they have brokered a debt limit deal to avert U.S. default

By: and - May 27, 2023

McCarthy was expected to speak with members of the House Republican conference on a call later Saturday night.