Ashley Murray

Ashley Murray covers the nation’s capital as a senior reporter for States Newsroom. Her coverage areas include domestic policy and appropriations.

The U.S. House narrowly rejected a bipartisan measure Thursday that would have required congressional approval for President Donald Trump to continue military action against Iran.
By Ashley Murray
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., speaks to reporters at the U.S. Capitol on March 3, 2026. (Photo by Ashley Murray | States Newsroom)
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth vowed "death and destruction" for Iran.
By Ashley Murray
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., speaks with reporters during a press conference in the Ohio Clock Corridor of the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. At left is Virginia Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt | States Newsroom)
President Donald Trump said the war with Iran will continue “however long it takes” to eliminate its missile and nuclear programs, as U.S. officials confirmed six American service members have been killed. Congress is expected to vote this week on war powers resolutions amid the escalating conflict.
By Ashley Murray
General Dan Caine and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth listen as President Donald J. Trump oversees Operation Epic Fury at Mar-a-Lago, Palm Beach, FL, March 1, 2026. (White House photo by Daniel Torok)
Trump touted the one-time payments to troops Wednesday night as a new boost made possible in large part by tariff revenue.
By Ashley Murray
President Donald Trump signs the One Big Beautiful Bill Act on the South Lawn of the White House, Friday, July 4, 2025, during the 4th of July picnic. (Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok)
The off-and-on freeze of SNAP benefits has prompted a confusing mess of contradicting guidance and a flurry of court orders.
By Ashley Murray
Dozens of volunteers prepare food boxes from supplies that arrived on a Feeding American truck on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, at the Western Kentucky State Fairgrounds. (Hoptown Chronicle photo by Jennifer P. Brown)
The Trump administration’s planned cuts for the Department of Veterans Affairs includes slashing some 80,000 jobs.
By Ashley Murray
group of veterans and lawmakers holding signs
The U.S. Appeals Court for the 9th Circuit upheld the lower court’s ruling Friday.
By Ashley Murray
supreme court exterior
One judge on the panel voiced serious concerns about the lack of evidence the Defense Department cited when instituting the ban.
By Ashley Murray
E. Barrett Prettyman Federal Courthouse
Approximately 300 Fort Campbell soldiers are among those who have been deployed to the southern border so far this year.
By Ashley Murray
soldier at border
The new policy revokes a 2021 Biden administration order allowing transgender people to serve.
By Ashley Murray
Pentagon
The Pentagon will immediately deploy 1,500 troops to monitor the southwest border and crew additional helicopters that are also being sent.
By Ashley Murray
Pentagon