Republican Congress Looks Like Democrat Majority on TV News

Bari Weiss-led CBS Evening News gives more airtime to angry Democrat soundbites than Republican perspectives in congressional hearings

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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A recent analysis by Tim Graham, executive editor of newsbusters.org, found that television news coverage of congressional hearings featuring the Republican-controlled Congress has been heavily skewed towards amplifying angry Democrat soundbites over measured Republican responses. Graham cites examples from CBS, ABC, NBC, and other networks that have devoted significantly more airtime to Democratic lawmakers criticizing Republican policies and witnesses, while relegating or omitting GOP perspectives.

Why it matters

This trend in television news coverage raises concerns about media bias and the ability of viewers to get a balanced understanding of the proceedings and debates in Congress. It also highlights the power of the media to shape political narratives by selectively choosing which voices and viewpoints to amplify.

The details

Graham's analysis found that in coverage of a House hearing with ICE Director Todd Lyons, CBS Evening News aired four angry Democrat soundbites compared to just one Republican. Similarly, in coverage of a House hearing with Attorney General Pam Bondi, CBS and ABC featured more Democrat soundbites than Republican. NBC Nightly News and Today also showed a lopsided tilt towards Democrats in their coverage of a House Ways & Means Committee hearing. Meanwhile, the networks extensively aired the January 6th hearings, which only included two Republican members appointed by Speaker Pelosi.

  • The analysis was published on February 13, 2026.

The players

Tim Graham

Executive editor of newsbusters.org, which published the analysis.

Bari Weiss

Leads the CBS Evening News.

LaMonica McIver

Radical Democratic Representative from New Jersey who wants to abolish ICE.

Todd Lyons

Acting ICE Director.

Daniel Goldman

Democratic Representative from New York.

August Pfluger

Republican Representative from Texas.

Pam Bondi

Attorney General.

Thomas Massie

Republican Representative from Kentucky who demonizes Trump on the Epstein matter.

Pramila Jayapal

Democratic Representative.

Becca Balint

Democratic Representative.

Deborah Ross

Democratic Representative.

Nancy Pelosi

Speaker of the House.

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What they’re saying

“Do you think you're going to Hell?”

— LaMonica McIver, Democratic Representative from New Jersey (CBS Evening News)

“If you don't want to be called a fascist regime or secret police, then stop acting like one.”

— Daniel Goldman, Democratic Representative from New York (CBS Evening News)

“It seems like one side of the aisle is in favor of open borders and wants to abolish ICE.”

— August Pfluger, Republican Representative from Texas (CBS Evening News)

The takeaway

This analysis highlights the media's power to shape political narratives by selectively amplifying certain voices and viewpoints over others, even when the actual balance of power in Congress may be different. It raises concerns about the ability of viewers to get a balanced understanding of congressional proceedings and debates.