American politician, former Speaker of the U.S. House, Democratic leader
House Republicans have advanced a 47-page reconciliation budget resolution that would steer roughly $60 billion toward the Iran war, add funds for intelligence, agriculture and election changes, and package parts of the SAVE America Act. Democrats have opposed the plan and more than 100 House Democrats have recorded votes to withhold military aid to Israel, exposing deep party divisions ahead of the midterms.
California debates a 5% wealth tax; ultra‑rich residents have moved assets out of state, with Alphabet’s Larry Page and Sergey Brin among notable relocations. Tax plans are spurring residency audits and significant corporate and political pushback.
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.
President Trump’s Cabinet meeting at Camp David has become a focal point as he faces Republican pushback on a tax-audit immunity deal and the fate of acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. Comments on an Anti-Weaponization Fund are circulating, while lawmakers seek written assurances from the White House. The briefing follows related talks about immunity provisions tied to the Trump family.
The Catholic Church has appointed Archbishop Cordileone to the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura for a five-year term while he continues to lead the Archdiocese of San Francisco. The move aligns with the Church’s governance of justice and comes amid past tensions over Communion rights for pro-choice politicians.
The United States has revoked the visa of Brazil’s ambassador in Washington in retaliation for Brazil’s refusal to approve the U.S. nominee for ambassador in Brasilia. The move deepens a diplomatic rift ahead of Brazil’s October election. The ambassador’s status is not expelled, and her visa would be reinstated if Brazil grants agrément to the U.S. nominee.
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.
South Carolina has held a special Republican primary to replace the late Sen. Lindsey Graham and has produced a runoff. Darline Graham and Rep. Ralph Norman have advanced; Rep. Russell Fry finished a close third. The Aug. 25 runoff will almost certainly decide the GOP nominee who will face Democrat Annie Andrews in November.
Francesca Hong leads a four-candidate field in Wisconsin’s governor race, while David Crowley is backing a bid as the field tightens. In Minnesota, race dynamics center on electability ahead of the U.S. Senate contest as progressives threaten to reshape the party’s trajectory.
The administration has finalized a rule that ends federal Medicaid and CHIP funding for gender-affirming care for minors, including puberty blockers, hormones, and surgeries. Mental health services remain funded. Seventeen states currently cover some degree of gender-affirming care under Medicaid and CHIP, while many hospitals have paused treatments.
State Senator Aisha Wahab has won the special election to serve the remainder of Eric Swalwell’s term in California’s 14th district. She will take the seat through January and will face Melissa Hernandez again in November for a full term. Outside groups tied to AIPAC spent millions supporting Hernandez; Wahab called the spending an attempt to buy the seat.
Joshua Wong has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to collude with foreign forces in Hong Kong's High Court and faces additional years behind bars while already serving a four-year, eight-month sentence for a separate national security conviction. Rights groups and supporters say the new charge is designed to extend his detention and chill dissent across the city.
Kyle Kirkwood has won the Freedom 250 Grand Prix in downtown Washington, D.C., finishing 3.09 seconds ahead of Christian Lundgaard after leading 128 of 147 laps. President Donald Trump has waved the green flag and taken a ceremonial lap; the race routed 25 drivers past the National Mall as part of the nation’s 250th birthday celebrations.
The NYT reports a recent meeting between Jared Kushner and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries in New York discusses housing, immigration and affordability as Democrats eye potential gains in November. Jeffries says the affordability crisis is not a hoax and Democrats will deliver transformational change, while Republicans push back and warn against overreaching. If Democrats win, they plan a robust oversight agenda.
Ims policy poll data show a growing Democratic base questions US support for Israel and weapons to Israel, with voters in six early-primary states favouring sanctions and calls to curb arms sales. The findings suggest public opinion is pushing party leaders toward a more critical stance, potentially altering the 2028 nomination landscape.
Two Democratic centrists have joined Republicans to pass a procedural rule in the House, a rare bipartisan move that shifts debate parameters. The vote comes as leaders face backlash over the defection, with potential committee punishments discussed. The package includes a lobster-protection measure and a denunciation of socialism.
Cardinal Joseph Zen and four others have been convicted in Hong Kong over the 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund, marking a landmark case on the city’s freedom of association. The fund helped cover medical and legal costs for arrested protesters; convictions were for breaches of the Societies Ordinance. Wong’s case unfolds with another plea in a separate conspiracy charge. Readers are watching rapid political shifts in Hong Kong following the 2019 protests.
Dr. Amy Acton’s campaign event at the Canfield Fair was interrupted when an armed individual lunged toward her. Law enforcement stopped the threat; Acton was unharmed and no serious injuries are reported. The incident, which occurred as Acton campaigns in Ohio’s gubernatorial race, underscores the persistent risks surrounding political events as elections approach.
A wave of reporting shows ALPR technology in private retail networks and school buses drawing privacy concerns, with retailers facing pressure from campaigns to withdraw from Flock Safety and authorities tightening use rules.
A string of congressional actions signals renewed congressional scrutiny of Israel's conduct in Gaza and the West Bank. Democrats push for human rights reporting and accountability, while Republican support for Israel persists ahead of 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.
J Street has formed a Jewish Community Advisory Council to influence U.S. policy toward Israel, drawing on leaders from major Jewish organizations. The move comes amid shifts in American Jewry’s views on Israel and the Gaza war, with concerns about how to balance advocacy and accountability within the community.
The Trump administration has waivered sanctions on Russia and floated a diesel deal with Moscow, sparking bipartisan alarm as Kyiv faces winter and Russia presses energy infrastructure attacks. Reports trace possible U.S.-Russia summit talk and SpaceX Starlink/Starshield disruptions, while Zelenskyy warns of betrayal and seeks renewed sanctions support.