Recent articles
August 26, 2026
Joe Manchin Pushes for More Independents to Join Congress
The former Democratic-turned-independent senator and his daughter are backing independent bids for the House and the Senate to try to weaken the two-party grip on the Capitol.
www.nytimes.com
August 23, 2026
The Midterms Feel Like 2006 All Over Again
With an unpopular war and high prices agitating voters, members of both parties see parallels to an election cycle when Democrats romped. But a lot has changed.
www.nytimes.com
August 7, 2026
Schumer Forges Ahead in Fight for Senate, Despite Setbacks
In a phone call, the Democratic leader told the new Michigan contender who has opposed him to just win.
www.nytimes.com
August 7, 2026
Bill Cassidy Will Back Todd Blanche as Attorney General, Salvaging His Confirmation
The Louisiana senator said that, despite reservations, he would back President Trump’s pick for attorney general, giving Republicans enough votes for a majority.
www.nytimes.com
July 31, 2026
Why Mitch McConnell Isn’t Giving Up His Senate Seat
Democrats are demanding that the Kentucky Republican resign. Others who were sidelined for far longer faced no such calls, but times are changing.
www.nytimes.com
July 31, 2026
Amid Talk of a Party Switch, Fetterman Vows ‘Never’
Changing one’s affiliation is rare in the Senate, but it can have big consequences. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania says he is staying put as a Democrat.
www.nytimes.com
July 30, 2026
Trump Threatens to Withdraw Blanche as Attorney General, Dealing Blow to Nomination
President Trump’s threat followed a day of fruitless negotiations with two Republican holdouts, Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis.
www.nytimes.com
July 28, 2026
Trump Loved Graham, Not So Much His Beloved Senate
The South Carolinian relished serving as a “bridge” between the institution he revered and the president, but now that bridge is gone.
www.nytimes.com
July 27, 2026
McConnell Extends Senate Leave, Will Miss State Picnic
A new statement said the senator was not “medically cleared” to leave a rehabilitation facility and would miss a Kentucky political event.
www.nytimes.com
July 24, 2026
Opposing Defense Bill, Democrats Shift Their Tactics
Crossing what was once seen as a political red line, Democrats voted against the usually bipartisan measure, registering dissent about the war in Iran.
www.nytimes.com
July 17, 2026
Trump’s Election Claims and SAVE Act Push Find Muted Response From G.O.P. Lawmakers
Most G.O.P. lawmakers had little to say about the president’s claims of election vulnerabilities, and he did not appear to move the needle on the voting restriction bill he championed.
www.nytimes.com
July 14, 2026
Graham’s Death Complicates G.O.P. Agenda in Congress
Senators returned to the Capitol mourning their colleague, who played pivotal roles on multiple issues confronting lawmakers.
www.nytimes.com
July 13, 2026
Lindsey Graham’s Unexpected Death, and How Marco Rubio Is Running Venezuela
Plus, Sam Neill of “Jurassic Park” fame dies at 78.
www.nytimes.com
July 13, 2026
Mercurial and Magnetic, Lindsey Graham Was a Force in the Senate
The sharp-witted South Carolinian repaired relations with President Trump to advance his foreign policy goals, was willing to cut deals with Democrats and tried to insert himself into every legisla...
www.nytimes.com
July 8, 2026
As Progressives Rack Up Wins, Hakeem Jeffries Shrugs Off Possible Challenges
In a wide-ranging interview with The New York Times, Hakeem Jeffries, the House Democratic leader, said he didn’t consider the recent wave of anti-establishment victories “an overall critique of th...
www.nytimes.com
July 1, 2026
Promising Much to Many, Johnson Loses His Grip on the House
Republicans are growing frustrated with Mr. Johnson’s approach to governing with a razor-thin majority, saying that he promises more than he can achieve, frustrating the disparate groups in his cau...
www.nytimes.com
June 30, 2026
House G.O.P. Revolt Blocks Pentagon Bill
Ultraconservative lawmakers refused to back a critical procedural measure as they pressed for action on voting legislation championed by President Trump.
www.nytimes.com
June 25, 2026
Trump Keeps Undercutting Republicans’ Message, Squandering His Own Trifecta
Divisions between the president and his party on Capitol Hill have muddled Republicans’ midterm pitch to voters, and have crippled the G.O.P. at what should be the peak of its power.
www.nytimes.com
June 24, 2026
Trump to Meet With G.O.P. Senators Amid New Divisions
The president has been unhappy with pushback from Republican senators and a resistance to abandoning the filibuster to pass new voting restrictions.
www.nytimes.com
June 17, 2026
Trump Feuds With Thune and G.O.P., Stoking Election-Year Rift
The president upended the majority leader’s plans by yanking his intelligence nominee from a confirmation hearing and insisting on an end to the filibuster.
www.nytimes.com
June 11, 2026
After Senate Loss, Cornyn Predicts ‘Miserable’ Final Two Years for Trump
In his first extensive interview since his defeat by a Trump-backed challenger, the Texas Republican said the Senate was in for a “bumpy ride” as he and others flex new political freedom.
www.nytimes.com
June 5, 2026
Casting Her 10,000th Vote in a Row, Collins Sets a Senate Record
The Maine Republican, who is in the middle of a tumultuous re-election race, became the first senator in history to reach the threshold without missing a vote.
www.nytimes.com