American Senator from Maine; long-serving Republican, chair of Senate Appropriations since 2025.
Troy Jackson has won the Maine Democratic nomination to replace Graham Platner and will challenge incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins in November. Jackson has consolidated delegate support at a special convention in Bangor and is positioning a working‑class, progressive agenda while critics and Jewish voters express concern over his recent stances on Israel.
The Maine Democratic Party has outlined a three-week schedule to replace withdrawn nominee Graham Platner, culminating in a July 25 state convention where 500 county delegates and 101 state committee delegates will vote in rounds until one candidate wins a majority. Candidates must meet signature and county-distribution requirements and have held multiple debates this month.
South Carolina Republicans are organizing for the special election to fill Lindsey Graham’s Senate seat. Filing closes July 28, Aug. 11 GOP primary, and a November general election will determine the six‑year term. Endorsements complicate the field as multiple candidates announce bids.
The House has adopted a war powers resolution directing President Trump to end military actions in Iran; the measure is largely symbolic and faces a challenging path in the Senate, where debate continues as lawmakers react to ongoing conflict and rising oil prices.
Progressive Abdul El‑Sayed has won the Democratic nomination for the open US Senate seat in Michigan, defeating establishment-backed Rep. Haley Stevens in a close contest. The result has handed a high-profile victory to the party’s left flank and will set up a November general election against Republican Mike Rogers for a seat critical to control of the Senate.
Congress has approved and blocked war powers resolutions aimed at forcing Trump to end hostilities with Iran, in a developing conflict that has driven oil above $100 a barrel. The House has passed a symbolic concurrent resolution, while the Senate has rejected the joint measure, reflecting bipartisan concern as midterm pressures mount.
The Senate and House are pressing ahead with scheduling amid talks on government funding, crypto regulation, and voting integrity. Republicans push for votes on the SAVE Act and the CLARITY Act, while Democrats warn that bipartisan support is required to avert a lapse in funding and to address other urgent policy items.
Maine Republicans push a populist frame against Susan Collins, highlighting their nominee’s insider status. Jackson defends his populist stance and targets Collins’s record, aiming to mobilize workers while challenging party establishment
Todd Blanche has posted written orders that rescind a May directive creating a $1.8bn "anti-weaponization" fund and that limit broad IRS audit protections in a settlement with Donald Trump. Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis have said they will support advancing his nomination to the full Senate, though Democrats and legal experts have said the written assurances leave room to revive the fund.
The Senate has passed a bipartisan short-term funding bill 90-6 to keep the federal government funded through Dec. 11. The measure blocks the administration from transferring funds to the Border Patrol, delays a national ban on intoxicating hemp products by one month, and pauses a proposed White House grants rule while negotiations on full-year spending continue.
The United States has revoked the visa of Brazil’s ambassador in Washington in retaliation for Brazil’s refusal to approve the U.S. nominee for ambassador in Brasilia. The move deepens a diplomatic rift ahead of Brazil’s October election. The ambassador’s status is not expelled, and her visa would be reinstated if Brazil grants agrément to the U.S. nominee.
The Senate faces a narrowed path for Todd Blanche as Collins’s opposition narrows the GOP margin and keeps two undecideds in play. With McConnell absent and others undecided, Blanche’s confirmation remains uncertain as negotiations over fund termination and audit protections evolve.
The Senate has confirmed Todd Blanche 50–49 as U.S. attorney general and he has been sworn in at the White House. Blanche has led the Justice Department in an acting capacity since April, previously served as the president’s private lawyer, and has rescinded a proposed $1.8bn compensation fund amid bipartisan concern about politicising the department.
Graham Platner has dropped out of the Maine Senate race after a sexual assault allegation emerged. He remains slated to speak at a Labor Day rally focused on union history, with Democrats nominating Troy Jackson to replace him. The event is not connected to the Maine Dems, and responses from parties are mixed as the race moves forward.
The NYT reports a recent meeting between Jared Kushner and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries in New York discusses housing, immigration and affordability as Democrats eye potential gains in November. Jeffries says the affordability crisis is not a hoax and Democrats will deliver transformational change, while Republicans push back and warn against overreaching. If Democrats win, they plan a robust oversight agenda.
The Trump administration has escalated a trade dispute with Canada, unveiling an executive order to rename Lake Ontario as “Lake America.” Polls show most Americans oppose the change and tariffs, while Canada vows retaliation. The move coincides with broader tariff fights and political pressure ahead of midterm elections.
The United States has maintained its tariffs on hundreds of Canadian products, with Canada responding with matching levies. Talks have collapsed, and officials warn the dispute will ripple across economies as both sides prepare further actions.
Republicans face historic losses as polling indicates a difficult path to defending Senate seats in several battleground states. Even as private polls suggest some optimism, analysts warn the overall map remains unfavorable two months before the election.
Lawmakers have approved a short-term bill to fund the government through December 11, avoiding a shutdown as elections approach. The measure now goes to President Trump for signature. The package preserves current funding levels and includes a delay on a new grant-cutting rule until December.
Republicans have planned a first‑ever midterm convention in Dallas for September 9–10 to rally support and raise money, but dozens of House candidates have told Politico they will skip it. Organisers have set high ticket and donor prices, including roundtables priced up to $250,000 and a photo with the president for $88,600, prompting criticism inside the party and from donors.
Voters head to the polls as midterms approach with forecasts showing Democrats defending the Senate and House amid inflation, Iran tensions, and Trump-era dynamics shaping campaigns and fundraising. Campaigns stress costs and stability while major donors mobilize to influence outcomes.
Democrats face a challenging stretch as the 2026 midterms approach. The GOP is staging a two-day event in Dallas with Trump appearing again; Vance headlines, and a plan to send every adult $5,000 sparks debate. Polls show mixed views on AI and economic concerns. The events are shaping the political landscape.
The Republican midterm convention is underway in Dallas with Trump set to speak on both nights, as organizers chase turnout amid flagging support and a crowded field. Donors are offered tickets and VIP experiences, while several high-profile Republicans skip the event, citing cost and strategic concerns. The schedule features Trump, Vance, and key GOP leaders as the party aims to energize voters ahead of November.
The midterm contests are intensifying as key Senate races move toward toss-ups amid headwinds from Trump-era unpopularity and internal party divisions. Republicans hold a fragile Senate edge while Democrats seek gains in Michigan, Maine, Texas, Iowa, Alaska and Ohio; fundraising and redistricting battles shape outcomes.
A procedural vote on the Clarity Act has failed to reach the 60-vote threshold in the Senate, leaving the crypto-regulation bill in limbo as lawmakers head into the midterms. The measure, which would establish a federal framework for digital assets, faces divided support and ongoing opposition over ethics provisions and broader regulatory concerns.
The Senate has rejected a War Powers Resolution that would require President Trump to withdraw U.S. troops from Iran absent congressional approval. The vote follows prior House action and reflects ongoing debate over constitutional authority and war powers as the administration faces mounting public concern over the conflict.
The Senate war powers debate has progressed with Republicans leaning toward endorsing a resolution to end the Iran war as fuel prices remain high and voters demand relief. Lawmakers have increasingly tied costs of living to military actions while Democrats press for accountability ahead of the midterms.
The White House has used a pocket rescission to cancel funding across 11 programs and agencies, arguing some spending is no longer necessary. The Government Accountability Office says the tactic is illegal if Congress has not approved the action, raising constitutional questions and prompting Democratic and Republican lawmakers to weigh next steps.
The president has traveled to Ohio to bolster Republican candidates ahead of the midterms, highlighting data-center policy and energy costs while facing questions about the economy and Iran-related tensions. The trip underscores concerns about inflation and turnout in key battleground districts.
The president’s move to allow Russian diesel into global markets has drawn swift criticism from lawmakers who say Congress was not consulted. Officials warn the policy could fund Moscow’s war while doing little to relieve U.S. fuel prices amid ongoing energy volatility.
Ossoff has repeatedly said he has zero interest in a 2028 White House run while campaigning in Georgia, where he leads Mike Collins in polls. Debates have highlighted his disciplined, combative stance and focus on national issues from a Georgia base.
Suspicious mailings containing white powder have targeted election and congressional offices across multiple states ahead of the 2026 midterms. Federal authorities are investigating, with the FBI, USPIS and Capitol Police coordinating a nationwide response. Several high-profile offices have been affected, prompting evacuations and heightened security.
Democrats have intensified ads tying Republican candidates to the president as affordability and Iran policy dominate voters’ concerns. Republicans are defending deep red districts, while Democrats see opportunities in rural areas previously considered safe for the GOP.
The president has issued an executive order waiving the Lindsey Graham sanctions act, drawing swift criticism from both parties amid renewed debate over how the U.S. should pressure Russia over Ukraine. Lawmakers argue the move circumvents Congress and undercuts a law designed to punish Moscow.