In the spotlight as midterms reshape control; the House faces a tight race with Republicans and Democrats battling to set the agenda for 2027.
Volunteers and international rabbis have been detained by Israeli forces while harvesting olives near Nahalin, west of Bethlehem. Brad Lander, a Democratic congressional nominee from New York, has been released with a warning; dozens of other volunteers, including US, British and Canadian citizens, have remained in custody. Israeli authorities say the harvest lacked prior security coordination.
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission has settled with George Santos, banning him from trading for three years, and ordering him to forfeit more than $17,000 and pay a $17,500 penalty for trading on Kalshi bets about the State of the Union attendance. Santos’s lawyer says the resolution puts this matter behind him, with no admission of wrongdoing.
Rep. Max Miller has refused to withdraw from Ohio's 7th congressional race after his ex-wife accused him of domestic abuse and the House Ethics Committee opened an inquiry. Party leaders missed the deadline to replace him on the general-election ballot, and Democratic groups have moved to boost challenger Brian Poindexter with millions in ad spending.
Max Miller faces mounting calls to resign amid domestic abuse allegations from his ex-wife and other sources. The House Ethics Committee has opened a probe as Republicans weigh potential action while Miller pledges to stay in the race. Political fallout intensifies as several senators and Trump allies weigh in.
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 Ethics Committee has recommended the full House censure Rep. Edwards after finding a pattern of inappropriate conduct toward two young female staffers, including lavish gifts, comments on appearance, and invitations to intimate events. A full House vote will occur weeks from now. Edwards has denied intentional wrongdoing.
In Ceuta, approximately 140 people have died and tens of thousands have crossed into the Spanish enclave. Morocco denies involvement, while Spain and partner nations assess diplomatic fallout and security responses. The situation remains fluid as border controls tighten and international reactions intensify.
Actor Ben Jones, known for The Dukes of Hazzard as Cooter Davenport, has died at 84 in Washington, Virginia. His passing ends a career that spanned television, film and politics, including a stint in Congress. He died of a heart attack while awaiting the Braves game, his wife says.
Tens of thousands of people crossed from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta at the end of July. Spanish and local officials have said roughly 70,000 returned but Ceuta’s leader estimates 3,000–11,000 remain, including hundreds of unaccompanied minors living in overcrowded, unsanitary conditions. The influx has provoked EU diplomatic rows and temporary border checks.
The progressive New York Democrat has publicly discussed starting the egg-freezing process, sharing personal details in a recent Instagram live while reports of a breakup with partner Riley Roberts surface. She has indicated the journey is part of her plans for the future as questions about her relationship linger.
The Kennedy Center’s board has voted to inscribe President Donald J. Trump’s name on the building’s facade, or create a Trump-backed inscription, while a federal judge’s May ruling has kept Trump’s name off. Ohio Democrat Beatty is seeking a temporary block as legal arguments unfold; implications hinge on Congress’s actions and the center’s finances.
The Kennedy Center dispute has intensified over the past days as a federal judge has tightened constraints on the Trump-backed renaming plan. DOJ lawyers argue the center’s renovation and rebranding are essential to prevent ongoing deterioration, while the board presses to restore President Trump’s name amid a broader legal battle with Congress and critics watching closely.
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.
MAGA Inc. has opened a $10 million television and digital ad campaign to boost Ken Paxton’s U.S. Senate bid against Democrat James Talarico in a race that has become unexpectedly competitive in Texas. The buy is the first major general-election spend from Trump’s super PAC this cycle and will run positive spots for Paxton and attack ads against Talarico.
Sen. John Fetterman has recorded a one-minute video praising Republican Sen. Dave McCormick and saying he will work with President Trump to defend Pennsylvania’s steel industry. The clip has intensified Democratic doubts about Fetterman’s party loyalty, prompted fresh talk of a possible party switch and handed Republicans a high‑profile talking point ahead of the Nov. 3 midterms.
Federal and state judges have issued competing orders over Missouri’s congressional map for the November election. The Missouri Supreme Court has ruled the Republican-drawn 2025 map is not legally enacted and ordered the 2022 map used while a referendum proceeds; a federal judge has temporarily ordered officials to use the 2025 map while litigation continues and both sides are appealing to higher courts.
A federal judge has ruled that North Carolina can hear a case accusing Senator Kyrsten Sinema of alienating a spouse. Nine text messages sent by Sinema to a security officer in the state establish jurisdiction, prompting comment from the involved parties and detailing the timeline of the relationship and subsequent actions.
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.
A draft proposal from the Trump administration would exclude undocumented immigrants and non-permanent residents from the 2030 U.S. census, potentially shrinking official counts used to allocate seats and federal funds. Race and ethnicity questions may be dropped; the plan opens for public comment before final policy.
Trump has pledged a $5,000 dividend for every American if Republicans retain control of Congress; the plan faces legal, fiscal and political hurdles and is criticized by experts and opponents as economically risky.
President Donald Trump has promised a $5,000 payment to every adult U.S. citizen if Republicans retain control of both chambers in the November midterms. The White House has released only a short fact sheet; Republicans, legal experts and budget analysts have questioned the plan’s legality, its roughly $1.2–1.4 trillion cost and how the payments would be funded or authorised without Congress.
Leaders of the largest AI labs have endorsed slowing model development, while policymakers press for safeguards. Governments weigh emergency measures, with UK officials resisting a national kill switch and urging targeted interventions.
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.
Representative Thomas Massie has filed privileged articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, forcing the House to consider the measure within two legislative days. Speaker Mike Johnson has moved to end the pre-election session early, delaying any vote past the midterms and complicating Massies parallel effort to force release of Epstein-related files.
The House has found Leon Black in contempt of Congress for refusing to comply with subpoenas in its inquiry into Jeffrey Epstein. The full House approved the contempt resolution by unanimous consent after the Oversight Committee voted 41–0 to recommend the action. The matter has been referred to the Justice Department for possible criminal review.
Legislation to make AI data centers pay for grid upgrades has stalled after a Senate objection, while House supporters say the measure is a modest step to shield ratepayers from higher bills amid rising AI infrastructure costs.
The Guardian reports that President Trump is pressing for influence over election results as midterm contests approach. Democrats argue Congress has the final say on seating members, while concerns grow about the potential for political interference in close races. Analysts warn that a loyal clerk or manipulated rolls could threaten the integrity of the 2027 seating process.
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 government has spent millions on TV ads featuring President Trump and other officials, labeled as public service announcements. Democratic senators have demanded answers, arguing the funding may be illegal and constituted a misuse of taxpayer dollars as midterms approach. The ads have drawn broad criticism and questions about independence of agencies.
Democrats are moving to block funding for Trump's planned memorial projects in memorial circles, using the appropriations process and new legislation to protect presidential memorials from demolition. Merkley and Murkowski will push bills next week, signaling a procedural fight that could constrain funding this year.
Multiple articles report US envoy comments pressuring Tehran to meaningfully reduce enrichment as a condition to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz; Tehran questions US intentions amid ongoing talks.
Elon Musk has given roughly $366m this cycle to Republican groups, including $158m to the Senate Leadership Fund and about $76m to his own America PAC, filings show. Much of the money is financing heavy advertising and turnout operations in Texas and other battlegrounds, reviving vulnerable campaigns and freeing national GOP resources for other contests.
Federal authorities have expanded an ongoing criminal probe into Rep. Ilhan Omar’s immigration paperwork, seizing items from her Washington, D.C., home and issuing grand jury subpoenas to relatives. Omar’s lawyers call the operation politically motivated, while investigators say it complies with court orders. The case remains active ahead of the November elections.
Ukraine has reported that Starlink's military variant, Starshield, was slowed in mid‑October, degrading its drone and air‑defence operations. The Wall Street Journal has reported Donald Trump phoned Elon Musk and asked him to restore full service; Trump and SpaceX deny a formal White House order. Kyiv says speeds have only been partially restored and the disruption has cost defensive capability.
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.
Audi has announced a plant in Macon, Georgia, committing $4.2 billion to produce 200,000 cars annually and create about 4,500 jobs. The move is positioned as a long-term investment in the American market, with construction beginning in 2027 and production in the early 2030s. The development is tied to Republican campaign efforts ahead of the Nov. 3 midterms.
The US midterm elections are shaping the final years of Donald Trump’s term, with control of Congress and key states at stake. Democrats seek to seize the House and Senate, while Republicans defend majorities. Early voting and spending highlight intensity as voters prepare for November 3.
The Guardian, New York Post and CNBC report that Michael Bloomberg has spent about $80 million to back Democratic candidates since September, aiming to broaden the House majority beyond the 218 seats and bolster allies like Everytown for Gun Safety and House Majority PAC. Trump counters with plans to spend $400 million to aid Republicans, while Bloomberg’s adviser says resources matter and he “expects a result.”