Recent articles
August 7, 2026
Sen. Cassidy throws Blanche a lifeline for attorney general nomination
Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) announced Friday that he will vote for Todd Blanche's nomination for attorney general, boosting his prospects for confirmation before the Senate leaves for its August rece...
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August 6, 2026
Inside the GOP's mad dash to recess finish line
Senate Republicans are racing toward the August recess with a legislative to-do list worthy of a Joe Rogan podcast: crypto, college sports and hemp.Why it matters: They likely won't get to all of i...
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August 6, 2026
Schumer's path to the majority runs through his Democratic critics
On a good day, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer can see a Democratic majority in 2027.Why it matters: On a bad one, he can see the caucus that comes with it.Abdul El-Sayed's 48.5% to 47.5% vict...
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August 4, 2026
Susan Collins opposes Todd Blanche for attorney general
Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) said Tuesday she will vote against Todd Blanche's nomination for attorney general. Why it matters: Collins' vote won't sink Blanche's nomination on its own. But it make...
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August 4, 2026
Poll: Talarico has slim lead over Paxton in Texas Senate race
Three consecutive polls have now shown Democrat James Talarico narrowly ahead of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in that state's crucial race for the U.S. Senate. The latest, released Tuesday mor...
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July 30, 2026
Inside Trump's Senate playbook
President Trump has three go-to moves for GOP senators who frustrate him: persuade them when he can, ignore them when he must and bully them at will.Why it matters: The approach doesn't always prod...
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July 29, 2026
Thune-Trump tensions escalate as clock ticks on megabill 3.0
Senate Majority Leader John Thune repeated to White House officials in private what he's been saying in public for weeks: We don't have the votes.Why it matters: President Trump isn't buying it — a...
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July 29, 2026
Senate goes on record to oppose any possible pardon for Ghislaine Maxwell
The Senate unanimously passed a resolution Wednesday declaring that Ghislaine Maxwell, the convicted sex trafficker who aided Jeffrey Epstein's abuse of underage girls, should never receive a presi...
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July 29, 2026
Thune and Johnson both plan to attend Trump's Dallas convention
House and Senate Republican leaders are heading to Dallas to embrace the president who has done the most to shape — and complicate — their political fortunes.Why it matters: Majority Leader John Th...
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July 26, 2026
100 days out from Election Day, our insider shares his intel
Data: The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter. Map: Erin Davis/Axios VisualsThe midterm elections are 100 days out. Political reporter Hans Nichols, lead author of the Hill Leaders newsletter, sh...
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July 23, 2026
Senate preparing to vote on Russia sanctions next week
Democrats are indicating to their Republican counterparts that they are prepared to vote as early as next week on a Russia sanctions package that includes an 11th-hour demand from President Trump t...
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July 23, 2026
Scoop: Democrat Senate Super PAC targets 4 Republican seats
The Democrats' main Senate super PAC is booking another $54 million in TV ads for the midterm campaign's final stretch, targeting four Republican-held seats.Why it matters: The new reservations off...
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July 22, 2026
Senate feeling good about avoiding pre-election shutdown
Senators on both sides of the aisle are quietly hopeful about avoiding a third government shutdown this year. Why it matters: Time is short, patience is wearing thin and neither party wants to head...
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July 22, 2026
Scoop: Progressives scorch Gillibrand over crypto
Progressive groups are opening a vicious new front in the fight over crypto legislation, targeting Sen Kirsten Gillibrand as she tries to broker a compromise on the CLARITY Act, which has unresolve...
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July 21, 2026
Senate watches the House on reconciliation 3.0
Senate Republicans are warming to the idea of using a third reconciliation package to replenish the Pentagon's depleted weapons stocks.Why it matters: They still view reconciliation 3.0 as Plan B.F...
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July 13, 2026
Senate looks to honor Graham with Russia sanctions
Senators from both parties are rallying around a revised Russia sanctions package to honor the legacy of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).Why it matters: Bipartisanship is in short supply in t...
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July 12, 2026
Remembering tenacious, ubiquitous Lindsey Graham
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who died at 71 last evening from what his office called a "brief and sudden illness," found a way to remain relevant through nearly every phase of modern Washington.Th...
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July 7, 2026
Scoop: Republicans prepare $8 million ad blitz against Platner replacement
Republicans are preparing to welcome a potential Graham Platner replacement in Maine's Senate race with $8 million in negative ads, aiming to introduce a new Democratic nominee to voters on their o...
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July 6, 2026
Schumer joins calls for Platner's withdrawal as Dem support collapses
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called on Graham Platner to "immediately" end his campaign, throwing the Maine Senate race into chaos just four months before Election Day.Why it matters: Maine...
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July 6, 2026
Platner says he's taking time to consider future of Maine Senate bid
Graham Platner, the Democratic nominee in Maine's Senate race, said he is "taking the time" to consider his next steps after a woman accused him of sexually assaulting her in 2021.Why it matters: P...
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June 8, 2026
Scoop: Dems place $30 million bet on reshaping 2028 House maps
Democrats are taking the fight over future House maps down ballot, with the super PAC Forward Majority planning to spend $30 million on two dozen state legislative races this year. Why it matters: ...
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June 2, 2026
Dems hit by last-minute Platner anxiety before Maine Senate primary
Democrats have been caught in the bind Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) sought to avoid when he backed Gov. Janet Mills over Graham Platner in the Maine Senate race.Why it matters: Dem...
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June 1, 2026
Scoop: Platner heads to D.C. for senator meetings and fundraisers
Maine Democratic Senate primary frontrunner Graham Platner is scheduled to meet with Democratic senators in Washington on Tuesday afternoon, according to two people familiar with the plans.Why it m...
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May 27, 2026
John Thune breaks the ice with Ken Paxton
Senate Majority Leader John Thune had a productive phone call with Ken Paxton on Wednesday after the Texas attorney general's decisive primary victory over Sen. John Cornyn, according to a person f...
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May 21, 2026
Trump's priorities are in deep trouble after his revenge tour
Congressional Republicans are countering President Trump's meddling in their primaries with a revenge tour of their own.Why it matters: Politically, Trump had a successful week, picking winners and...
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May 20, 2026
Trump's revenge spree stuns Senate Republicans
Senate Majority Leader John Thune — and most of the GOP conference — was reeling Tuesday from President Trump's snap endorsement of Ken Paxton in the Texas GOP Senate runoff. Why it matters: Thune ...
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May 18, 2026
Scoop: Tillis pops up against GOP's new reconciliation bill
Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) has told his colleagues in unequivocal terms that he will not vote for the budget reconciliation bill if the Senate considers it this week, according to two people familia...
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