August 2026
In Connecticut, John Larson brushes aside calls for generational change
BRISTOL, Conn. – John B. Larson has a booming voice, a thick head of white hair and almost 14 terms in Congress under his belt. But at 78, the Democrat still sees himself as the scrappy kid raised in public housing in a working-class Hartford suburb. “I’m proud to stand with labor because I know […]
White House ballroom must be approved by Congress, court rules
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit on Friday upheld a ruling that the Trump administration must receive congressional approval before it continues construction on a ballroom on the former site of the White House’s East Wing. The 2-1 ruling affirmed the preliminary injunction granted in March by Judge Richard J. […]
Embattled Rep. Andy Ogles loses Republican primary in Tennessee
Tennessee Rep. Andy Ogles lost his primary Thursday, becoming the third House Republican to lose a renomination bid this year. Ogles was trailing former state Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher, 53 percent to 47 percent, when The Associated Press called the race for the 5th District at 10:10 p.m. Thursday. The result represents a rare defeat […]
Photos of the week | August 1-6, 2026
It’s expected to be the final week before full-on August recess (fingers crossed). As the Senate raced to wrap up, a committee voted to hold Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s nomination moved out of committee. And candidates for the GOP nomination to replace Sen. Lindsey Graham on the ballot […]
Cassidy’s hepatitis C bill delayed over CBO score
A bipartisan bill aimed at combating hepatitis C is stalled in the Senate due to a high score from the Congressional Budget Office, the bill’s lead sponsor Bill Cassidy, R-La., said on Thursday. The bill, co-sponsored by Sen Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., proposes a national strategy to reduce hepatitis C infections by providing free medications […]
Farm bill rejected in partisan split over food stamp cost-sharing
The Senate Agriculture Committee rejected a five-year farm bill Thursday at a contentious markup plagued by Republican absences and a Democratic rebellion over plans for imposing food stamp costs on state governments. The 10-11 vote defeating the 983-page bill marked a rare break from the bipartisan support that typically accompanies a farm bill, a sprawling […]
FCC opens door to larger local broadcast ownership groups
Local television ownership groups could grow after the Federal Communications Commission took a controversial vote to remove the national ownership cap. The FCC voted, 2-1, at its August open meeting Thursday to lift the cap, which limited individual broadcasters’ ownership to stations that in aggregate reached no more than 39 percent of households, replacing it with […]
McConnell says he’s left rehab center to ‘continue my recovery at home’
Sen. Mitch McConnell’s office said Thursday he was released from a rehabilitation center and is continuing his recovery at home. “On the advice of my doctors, I’ll maintain an intensive regimen of physical therapy from home during the state work period, and I’ll continue to engage with my staff and colleagues on important Senate business,” […]
At the Races: Crossing lines
Welcome to At the Races! Each week we bring you news and analysis from the CQ Roll Call campaign team. Know someone who’d like to get this newsletter? They can subscribe here. By Daniela Altimari and Mary Ellen McIntire Poll after poll suggests Americans are deeply split along partisan lines on most key issues. Signs of that […]
Don’t underestimate ultraliberal Dems, some GOP senators warn Trump
Several GOP senators warned that Donald Trump should focus his midterm messaging more on how Republicans plan to help voters and less on casting ultraliberal Democratic candidates as communist monsters. The president again on Wednesday, during a stop just off the Las Vegas Strip, described a number of democratic socialist candidates who have won Democratic […]