June 2026
At the Races: Big Apple dreams
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 Mary Ellen McIntire and Daniela Altimari New York leads […]
No more ‘Idiocracy’ references please; let’s talk about the ads
Jason Dick and Brandon Wetherbee discuss the big UFC bout at the White House, the relationship between President Donald Trump and combat sports and entertainment and the expansion of Brandon’s media empire, Recommend If You Like. Show Notes:
This week: Lawmakers feel the summer sweat
The solstice this weekend marked the start of astronomical summer — and in Washington, D.C., that means the legislative clock is ticking. Lawmakers are eager to head home and campaign on a housing bill that’s nearing passage, but progress on several other issues has stalled, and it’s unclear whether a visit from President Donald Trump […]
Matt Dunlap wins Democratic primary for battleground Maine seat
Maine State Auditor Matt Dunlap has won the Democratic primary for the battleground 2nd District, handing another blow to House Democrats’ campaign arm, which had backed a different candidate. Dunlap narrowly trailed state Sen. Joe Baldacci after initial ballots were counted last week, but with no candidate winning a majority of the vote, the state’s […]
A staffer’s guide to winning and losing the speakership
When John Leganski walked into Kevin McCarthy’s office as an intern in 2012, he’d barely heard of the man who would come to define his political career. But now, Leganski’s something of an expert — so much so that he could write a book about the former speaker. Which is exactly what he did. “Glory, […]
Wrapup: Senate hits spy powers snafu
Senators moved ahead with a bipartisan housing bill this week, paving the way for a final vote once they return from the Juneteenth long weekend. But on another topic, they seemed to go not forward, but back. President Donald Trump sent negotiations to renew a lapsed spy power authority back to square one Wednesday, souring […]
Sovereign wealth fund tax on AI companies unveiled by Sanders
Newly released text offers details on legislation from progressive Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., for the federal government to take a 50 percent share in leading artificial intelligence companies. The text of the as-yet unnumbered bill, released Thursday, would put a one-time tax on AI companies with more than $200 million in annual sales, to be paid in […]
At the Races: Artificial interference
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 Michigan Republican Mike Rogers, biceps bulging and waving to a parade crowd. Minnesota Democrat Peggy Flanagan, holding out […]
AI deepfakes bill advanced by Senate Judiciary Committee
Unauthorized deepfake images generated by artificial intelligence would need to be removed from online platforms if they weren’t licensed by the person portrayed, under a bill the Senate Judiciary Committee advanced on Thursday. The bill, which was approved by voice vote, would give individuals an intellectual property right to their voice and visual likeness, despite […]
Electricians and plumbers will power the AI race
While Bay Area coders and Ivy League grads dominate the headlines about artificial intelligence (AI), it is miners and construction workers who will create and maintain the data centers and the energy grid that unlock American innovation. Our country’s AI infrastructure requires electricians to wire the facilities, welders to assemble the systems, plumbers to install […]