American lawyer and Republican senator from Utah
Several Republicans have jumped into the South Carolina U.S. Senate special election, linking their bids to President Trump’s endorsement of Darline Graham Nordone. Sanford, Fry, Norman and Lynch are on the ballot or entering the race, while Gowdy remains a potential wildcard. The contest centers on loyalty to Trump and how endorsements shift the primary landscape.
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.
Lawmakers have advanced a stopgap funding package to keep the government running through Dec. 11, while negotiations over full-year funding and policy riders continue. The measure blocks funding transfers to border enforcement, delays a hemp ban by one month, and avoids a government shutdown ahead of midterm elections.
Darline Graham has defeated Rep. Ralph Norman in South Carolina’s Republican Senate runoff, securing 52.5% to Norman’s 47.6% with counting nearly complete. President Donald Trump has campaigned for and poured pro‑Graham resources into the race; Graham is now the heavy favorite to win the November special election.
Early voting has begun in multiple states as the federal government has pursued legal and investigative efforts to challenge mail voting and hunt for noncitizen voters. The Supreme Court has blocked new federal limits on mail ballots, states are sending millions of absentee ballots, and the DOJ and DHS have opened investigations and filed charges in several states.
The US Supreme Court has lifted a lower court ruling and allowed the deportations of immigrants to third countries to resume, while agreeing to hear the merits of the case in December. The decision follows ongoing debates over due process and safety for deportees, with critics urging Congress to tighten protections.
Senators have reached a bipartisan deal to streamline federal energy permitting, accelerating infrastructure projects while preserving environmental safeguards. The measure would require large data centers to cover transmission costs and would overhaul major environmental reviews. Supporters say the pact unlocks faster, cheaper energy expansion; opponents warn of concessions to fossil interests. The White House backs quick passage as midterms loom.