June 2026
Leadership test in House
A push for new voting restrictions has held up business in the House, including appropriations bills. CQ Roll Call’s Aidan Quigley and Aris Folley join host David Lerman in assessing the leadership test facing Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and what it means for spending bills and a third reconciliation package. Show Notes:
Housing bill sent to Trump, starting countdown to enactment
Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., on Monday formally transmitted to the White House the bipartisan housing package that President Donald Trump refused to sign last week. That triggers a 10-day clock, excluding Sundays, for Trump to either sign or veto the bill; if he does neither, it will become law without his signature by July 10. […]
Supreme Court to release final opinions of term Tuesday
The Supreme Court announced it will wrap up decisions for the term Tuesday, which is expected to include a ruling on a case over President Donald Trump’s push to unilaterally alter birthright citizenship. Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. on Monday announced the last day for opinions, which is likely to include rulings on party […]
Supreme Court stops Trump firing of Fed board member
The Supreme Court ruled against President Donald Trump’s effort to remove Federal Reserve Board member Lisa Cook on Monday, even as the justices expanded presidential power to remove members of the Federal Trade Commission and other independent agencies. The two decisions written by Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr — a 5-4 opinion in favor […]
Complaint against Ruben Gallego dismissed by Senate Ethics
The Senate Ethics Committee has dismissed a complaint against Sen. Ruben Gallego following an investigation of “alleged campaign finance violations and inappropriate conduct of a sexual nature,” according to a letter released by the Arizona Democrat. The probe came as Congress grappled with a wave of sexual harassment allegations and as Gallego faced scrutiny for […]
Supreme Court allows counts of late-arriving mail ballots
The Supreme Court upheld a Mississippi state law Monday that allows election officials to count mail ballots that are postmarked by Election Day but that arrive up to five days later, turning aside a challenge from Republicans and allowing similar laws in more than two dozen states. The 5-4 decision, written by Justice Amy Coney […]
Artificial intelligence becomes ripe target for taxes
Some progressives are floating various plans to spread the wealth of the AI boom in the run-up to the midterm elections this fall, with proposals ranging from taxes on AI tokens to an excise tax on the energy used by data centers. But other stakeholders are urging a more cautious approach, and artificial intelligence companies themselves are […]
Trump-backed Julia Letlow wins GOP Senate runoff in Louisiana
Louisiana Rep. Julia Letlow locked up the Republican nomination on Saturday, defeating state treasurer and former Rep. John Fleming in a primary runoff and putting herself on a path to becoming the first GOP woman to represent the state in the chamber. Letlow, who had President Donald Trump’s endorsement, was leading Fleming 57 percent to 43 percent […]
Kids online safety push clouded by House-Senate divide
Bills that would strengthen online safety for young users have attracted bipartisan coalitions, but lawmakers are still separated over the level of regulation they would impose on social media companies, adding uncertainty to the effort’s prospects. That divide has come to the fore as the House is expected to consider on Monday a bipartisan House package […]
At the Races: Runoff, Set, Geaux!
Welcome to a special edition of At the Races! Throughout the 2026 primary season, watch for these updates from the CQ Roll Call campaign team on what you need to know for Election Day. Know someone who’d like to get this newsletter? They can subscribe here. By Daniela Altimari Louisiana Republicans will select a Senate nominee […]