American politician and attorney, U.S. Senator for New Hampshire since 2017
Graham Platner has won the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate in Maine despite weeks of damaging reporting about sexually explicit messages, a chest tattoo linked to Nazi imagery and accounts from former partners describing volatile behavior. Platner has held to the campaign, high-profile Democrats have continued to back him, and he will face Republican Sen. Susan Collins in November.
Trust funds for Old-Age and Survivors Insurance and Medicare face earlier depletion than previously forecast. PWBM projects depletion by 2033 for OASI and 2034 for combined funds, while the official trustees warn longer-term pressures. Lawmakers face urgent choices on taxes, benefits, and program integrity as costs rise for aging Americans.
The Senate has held a confirmation hearing for Dr. Erica Schwartz, the nominee to lead the CDC, amid questions about how she would balance scientific independence with pressure from the administration on vaccine policy. Her background spans the Coast Guard and the surgeon general’s office, with the agency facing staffing turmoil and political scrutiny.
The Senate Homeland Security Committee has voted 8–5 to hold Dr Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress after he invoked the Fifth Amendment repeatedly during a hearing on pandemic decisions and the origins of COVID‑19. Chairman Rand Paul has authorised sending the committees report to the DC US attorney for possible prosecution and has threatened to certify the citation to the Senate president if the chamber is not in session.
The Fauci diaries have intensified scrutiny of his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. A Senate panel has voted to hold him in contempt for refusing to answer questions, while states push for records. Republicans argue for accountability; Democrats defend the former NIH director amid a renewed focus on origins, lockdowns, and media coverage.
The Senate Homeland Security Committee has voted to refer a contempt of Congress motion against Fauci to the Justice Department. Fauci has invoked the Fifth Amendment during questioning, citing long-standing constitutional protections, while Republicans argue the move highlights accountability for pandemic-era actions; Democrats caution it could impede future oversight.