Mike Johnson has been Speaker of the U.S. House since 2023, a Louisiana Republican and lawyer shaping House priorities amid national debates.
The Justice Department has reached a settlement with former President Donald Trump over an IRS controversy. The deal bars audits of Trump, his family, and affiliates for existing tax matters and establishes an $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund for allies; the arrangement covers only existing audits, not future ones.
President Donald Trump has signed a $70 billion package to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection through the end of his term, ending a months-long impasse that began after two civilians were killed during January immigration operations. Republicans passed the measure through budget reconciliation after Democrats demanded enforcement safeguards and blocked funding earlier this year.
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.
Congress has passed a war powers resolution challenging President Trump’s authority to strike Iran without congressional approval. The House vote is 215-208, with four Republicans breaking ranks. The measure now heads to the Senate, where lawmakers face a pivotal decision amid a fragile ceasefire and ongoing hostilities.
The Section 702 surveillance law is set to lapse this week. President Trump has named Bill Pulte as acting DNI, triggering bipartisan concern and stalling renewal talks while lawmakers debate guardrails and timing. A Senate gridlock persists as Republicans and Democrats clash over the scope of surveillance and the president’s chosen interim leader.
Open primary results show Nithya Raman has overtaken Spencer Pratt for the L.A. mayoral runoff spot, with Karen Bass leading the field. Counting mail ballots continues, keeping the outcome unsettled as of today.
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 International Brotherhood of Teamsters has moved toward ending federal monitorship after decades of oversight. Barbara Jones oversees the process with a path to a permanent compliance role; the union has implemented internal controls and vowed tougher discipline. The development follows ongoing mergers of union leadership and the approval of related reforms.
The UK government has announced plans to block children under 16 from major social media platforms and to restrict livestreaming and stranger contact on gaming services, following Australia’s model. Legislation is expected before Christmas with protections due to take effect in spring 2027; Ofcom will design "highly effective" age checks.
Multiple outlets report that Rep. Tom Kean Jr. has told associates he will return to Washington on June 30 after months of absence due to a personal health issue. He has missed hundreds of votes but is planning a public return and a campaign push in New Jersey’s 7th District ahead of November’s election.
The White House has requested $87.6 billion in supplemental spending, primarily to replenish Pentagon munitions and operational costs tied to the Iran war, and to fund farm aid, Ebola response and domestic projects. OMB Director Russell Vought has urged Congress to act quickly; lawmakers in both parties are questioning whether to approve tens of billions more for the conflict.
The Senate has approved a war powers resolution directing the president to halt U.S. military action against Iran unless Congress authorizes such steps. The House already passed a similar measure. The vote is largely symbolic and faces legal questions, but it signals mounting congressional concern over the Iran conflict.
Trump has canceled a Capitol signing of a bipartisan housing bill to pressure Congress to pass the SAVE America Act, a sweeping election-law package. Republicans are divided over priorities, with some backing the housing measure and others pressuring for the voter-ID legislation. The House transmitted the housing bill to the White House; Trump is underscoring the priority of election rules while signaling the timing remains unsettled.
Recent reporting shows Donald Trump has publicly labeled Democrats and candidates allied with democratic socialism as “communists,” arguing this stance threatens religion and the American way of life. He cites New York primary victories by Mamdani-backed progressives as evidence of a leftward shift, while analysts warn the tactic risks conflating democratic socialism with communism.
Tom Kean Jr. has explained that his four-month absence from Congress was due to inpatient treatment for depression. He says he is healthier and ready to resume his duties, while Republicans argue for transparency and Democrats scrutinize the absence in a closely watched New Jersey district ahead of the November election.
A socialist-led slate backed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani has swept several New York Democratic primaries, defeating incumbents and signaling shifts within the party. The results prompt questions about titles like House speaker and the future of the caucus as 2026developments unfold.
The House has canceled votes and sent lawmakers home amid a standoff over the defense bill and the SAVE America Act, with Trump insisting on voting-rights provisions. The Senate has moved independently on Iran and war powers, while Republicans face internal divisions as they navigate leadership and policy pressure.
Senator Lindsey Graham has died after a brief, sudden illness. Tributes pour in from leaders worldwide as President Trump reflects on their friendship and Graham’s long career in the Senate and military service. The New York Times reports on successor plans and ongoing Senate race implications.
House Republicans have advanced a reconciliation budget resolution that would channel roughly $60 billion to the Iran war, boost Pentagon and farm aid and include parts of President Trump’s elections package. Democrats have opposed the plan’s high spending and social riders. Separately, more than 100 House Democrats voted to withhold military aid to Israel, exposing a deep intra-party split ahead of the midterms.
Trump is rallying defense leaders and investors in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, to spotlight a robust defense budget and U.S. industrial ties amid concerns over war funding, inflation, and a volatile security landscape. The event features top defense officials and corporate leaders as Republicans push for greater investment while critics warn of deficits.
South Carolina Republicans are lining up to fill Lindsey Graham’s Senate seat after his death. Darline Graham Nordone is seeking a full term with Trump’s backing, while Ralph Norman and Russell Fry are mounting primary challenges ahead of the Aug. 11 vote. Filing closes July 28 and the November general election will determine the six-year term.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has told the Senate Appropriations Committee the US-Israel war on Iran has cost $37.5bn so far and that the Pentagon needs an $87bn supplemental request, including about $67bn for the Iran campaign. Lawmakers have challenged the figures, criticised shifting rationales for the conflict and warned funding gaps will force cuts to training and readiness.
The Iran conflict has escalated with threats of strikes and shifting diplomacy as both sides test red lines. U.S. officials warn of hard actions while Iran asserts control over Hormuz. A ceasefire cycle and domestic political pressures frame new steps as global oil markets react.
The National Defense Authorization Act has cleared the House with a 216-212 vote, boosting military spending and strengthening US-Israel defense cooperation. The measure now faces Senate scrutiny, with Democrats criticizing the price tag and war-related provisions while Republicans defend funding for readiness and security. The package also includes provisions tied to the SAVE America Act and election-related funding.
Jin Mingri, a prominent Chinese pastor jailed since October, has been released and flown to the United States after President Trump raised his case with Xi Jinping in May. Authorities say the charges have been dropped, and Jin has described the events as a “miracle” while noting the lack of clarity on any bargain behind the release.
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.
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 Jones Act waiver has been narrowed and extended for 90 days, with case-by-case reviews for voyages. The extension aims to keep fuel moving amid Iran-related disruptions, as prices remain volatile and the Strait of Hormuz remains contested.
The Senate has passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 by 86–11, granting the president authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on top buyers of Russian oil and expanding sanctions on Russia and Iran. The bill now heads to the House, which will consider it after its August recess.
Natalie Harp, long-time Trump aide nicknamed “the human printer,” has drawn renewed attention over her proximity to the president and influence on information reaching him. Reports detail her presence at events, her access to Trump’s communications, and the White House’s defenses as opponents question her role and impact on policy signals.
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries has held discussions with Jared Kushner about affordability, housing, and immigration as Democrats seek to preserve a potential House majority. The talks, described as a catch-up, signal ongoing efforts to find common ground with the White House while Republicans warn against close ties.
The Freedom 250 Grand Prix has brought IndyCar racing to Washington, D.C., with President Trump waving the green flag to start the race as political pageantry surrounds the event. The spectacle continues amid ongoing debates about security, cost, and the symbolism of the presidency’s capital makeover.