A liberal political party in the United States, founded in 1828
As of April 3, 2026, the US Department of Homeland Security remains partially unfunded since February 14, causing over 100,000 DHS employees, including TSA workers, to go unpaid. The shutdown has led to severe staffing shortages at airports, with TSA officers resigning and calling out sick, resulting in long security lines and missed flights. President Trump deployed paid ICE agents to assist TSA with crowd control, but congressional deadlock over DHS funding and immigration enforcement reforms continues, prolonging travel disruptions nationwide.
Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss won the Democratic primary for Illinois' 9th District, defeating candidates supported by AIPAC. Biss criticized the group's influence and emphasized progressive values. The race highlighted debates over U.S. support for Israel and party priorities, with Biss set to face a Republican in November.
A rising number of Americans are questioning the morality of paying federal taxes, citing objections to government policies like immigration detention and foreign wars. Some are exploring legal options to refuse payment, while political proposals aim to reshape tax burdens on middle and working classes.
Congress faces increasing debate over military action against Iran, with Democrats pushing for transparency and Republicans warning of electoral backlash. Recent votes highlight deep partisan divides and concerns about the administration's objectives and costs amid ongoing conflict.
Senator Mullin was confirmed as Homeland Security Secretary in a 54-45 vote, supported mainly by Republicans and two Democrats. His appointment comes during a period of scrutiny over DHS's immigration enforcement tactics and ongoing government shutdown. Mullin aims to rebuild trust and work with Democrats on funding and policy reforms.
Bruce Blakeman advocates for resuming fracking in New York to boost jobs and lower energy costs, opposing Governor Hochul's environmental restrictions. Meanwhile, the Biden administration faces political and industry pushback on clean energy policies amid broader debates on energy independence and climate strategies.
The annual conservative conference CPAC in Texas saw notable absences, including Donald Trump, amid shifting dynamics within the Republican Party. Discussions focus on future leadership, Iran, and the party’s direction post-Trump, with new figures like Liz Truss making appearances and debates about the party's ideological future.
President Trump has issued an executive order directing the Department of Homeland Security to compile lists of eligible voters and barring the U.S. Postal Service from sending absentee ballots to anyone not on these lists. The order aims to restrict mail-in voting ahead of the November midterms but faces multiple legal challenges citing constitutional overreach and risks of voter disenfranchisement. The American Postal Workers Union has launched a campaign defending mail voting, emphasizing its safety and efficiency.
Since early April 2026, the US has begun deporting migrants to third countries including Costa Rica, Congo, and Uganda under new agreements. These deals, funded by the US, allow deportations of migrants whose home countries refuse them. The arrangements face criticism over legality, human rights, and the involvement of repressive governments, with legal challenges underway in Uganda.
Democrat Analilia Mejía has won New Jersey's 11th District special election, maintaining Democratic control in a narrowly divided House. Meanwhile, the House has voted 214-213 against a war powers resolution aimed at limiting President Trump's military actions in Iran, reflecting deep partisan divides as the Iran conflict continues with no clear end.
The Department of Homeland Security, led by Secretary Markwayne Mullin, is exploring the possibility of removing customs processing services from sanctuary cities with international airports. This move aims to pressure jurisdictions that do not cooperate with federal immigration enforcement, potentially disrupting international travel and affecting major airports like SFO and LAX. The proposal has drawn criticism from California officials and immigration advocates.
U.S. lawmakers condemn President Trump's social media threat to attack Iran, warning it could be a war crime and undermine diplomacy. Meanwhile, Trump and Republican allies escalate rhetoric, with some officials cautioning against targeting civilian infrastructure. The Biden administration faces pressure amid rising tensions in the Middle East.
The House of Representatives did not take up a Senate-passed funding bill, prolonging the DHS partial shutdown that began on February 14. The deadlock centers on immigration enforcement funding, with Democrats demanding reforms and Republicans opposing them. The shutdown affects airport security and federal workers' pay, with no immediate resolution in sight.
The US has indicated that negotiations to end the Iran conflict could restart in Pakistan within the next two days, following the collapse of recent talks and the US-imposed blockade on Iranian ports. The situation remains tense as both sides prepare for potential escalation.
The Democratic National Committee has rejected resolutions targeting dark money and specific pro-Israel lobbying groups, including AIPAC, during its spring meeting. The decision reflects ongoing internal divisions over Israel policy and the influence of outside spending in Democratic primaries. The party has adopted a broad, non-specific stance on dark money, deferring contentious Middle East resolutions to a working group. This highlights the party's struggle to balance progressive criticism and traditional pro-Israel support.
Congress has approved a short-term extension of a FISA surveillance authority, sending the temporary patch to President Donald Trump after negotiations stalled over warrant protections and unrelated provisions. Lawmakers have been holding marathon overnight sessions and face a fraught path to a longer-term renewal that Republicans and the Senate are disputing.
On April 16, 2026, the US Senate has rejected two resolutions led by Senator Bernie Sanders to block $295 million in bulldozer sales and $152 million in bomb sales to Israel. Forty Democrats supported blocking bulldozer sales, and 36 backed blocking bomb sales, but Republicans opposed both measures, defeating them 40-59 and 36-63 respectively. The votes have reflected growing Democratic unease over US military aid amid Israeli actions in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran.
Recent articles highlight ongoing tensions within the Democratic Party over far-left figures like Hasan Piker. Critics argue that Piker's controversial views and associations threaten the party's image, while some Democrats defend his presence, reflecting a broader struggle over ideological boundaries and media influence.
The Republican Party's main committees and allied groups have built a $600 million cash advantage over Democrats, with $843.6 million compared to $243 million. This financial edge could give Republicans a significant advantage in midterm campaign spending, driven by the GOP's fundraising strength and the Trump super PAC's large war chest.
The Cuban War Powers debate continues as Republicans back the president’s approach while Democrats push Congress to restrict unilateral military action. A Senate vote dismissed the Cuba measure, while administration rhetoric signals a broader push across Latin America.
With mail-in voting opening for the June 2 primary, California's gubernatorial field remains unsettled. A crowded slate including Democrats and Republicans has limited consensus, raising questions about the path to a contest against a Democrat-led state government. Recent campaign twists and endorsements have not yielded a clear frontrunner.
A group of 30 Democratic lawmakers has called on Secretary of State Rubio to disclose what the United States knows about Israel’s nuclear weapons program, including warheads, launchers, enrichment, and nuclear doctrine, amid the Israel–Iran conflict. The letter argues that silence undermines regional nonproliferation policy and raises escalation risks.
A group of 12 Democratic senators has sent a letter to CENTCOM chief Brad Cooper accusing Israel’s mass evacuation warnings in Lebanon and Iran of likely contravening international humanitarian law. The letter seeks clarification on coordination with U.S. forces and the legality of targeting within evacuation zones, amid broader scrutiny of U.S. military support for Israel.
A wave of mid-decade redistricting follows a Supreme Court ruling on the Voting Rights Act. States including Florida, Alabama, Louisiana and others have enacted new maps to gain partisan advantage, while court challenges continue in several jurisdictions. The moves aim to shape the political battlefield ahead of 2028 and 2030 population data.
Senate and House debates intensify over a $70 billion three-year funding package for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol, with lawmakers grappling over a controversial $1.8 billion settlement fund for Trump allies. The measure has sparked intra-party divisions and a series of amendments as leadership seeks to finalize funding through the end of Trump’s term.
Kean has not voted in Congress for nearly three months due to an unspecified medical issue, placing added pressure on a high-stakes New Jersey primary. Four Democrats are vying to challenge the Republican in November in the Seventh District, a seat seen as crucial for control of the House. The district includes Trump’s Bedminster club and has flipped parties in recent cycles.
The Senate has passed a border-enforcement measure after a tense vote-a-rama, highlighting deep splits within the Republican Party over Trump-aligned priorities. The package now heads to the House, where support and objections are both likely to shape its fate in a politically charged election year.
A bipartisan push to codify permanent daylight saving time is gaining traction in Congress, with President Trump lobbying lawmakers and some Republicans signaling support. The effort seeks to end the twice-yearly clock change, arguing it would bring daylight to evenings and boost economic activity, but faces concerns from farmers, sleep experts, and some GOP skeptics.