July 2026
Defense funding to research troops’ brain injuries shrank since 2025
Funding for Defense Department medical research into traumatic brain injuries has dropped by more than three-quarters in the last three fiscal years, even as the problem continues to plague U.S. servicemembers. At issue is the Pentagon-funded program to research detection and treatment of TBIs and to understand psychological health issues, including those that can come […]
This week: Graham’s death, McConnell’s recovery add to drama
Independence Day recess ended Sunday with two explosive developments within the Senate GOP: the death of Budget Chairman Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who died Saturday night, and a much-awaited health update from former Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. The latter issued a statement Sunday evening confirming that, contrary to rumors online, he was very much […]
After weeks of questions, McConnell provides information on health
Former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Sunday ended weeks of speculation about his health with a statement saying he’s on the mend. The Kentucky Republican, who was hospitalized June 14, issued a letter to fellow Kentuckians telling them he has been recovering from a fall, followed by what he termed “a mild case of […]
Graham’s death upends primary season further
The sudden death of four-term Sen. Lindsey Graham this weekend has injected even more uncertainty into a turbulent campaign season. At the time of his death, the South Carolina Republican was running for his fifth six-year term. Last month, he handily defeated his primary challengers, a field that included conservative insurgent Mark Lynch. He was […]
Race for Platner alternative takes shape
Maine Democrats have begun laying out the process for replacing Graham Platner as the party’s Senate nominee, as candidates race to assemble campaigns for a weekslong sprint to set up a marquee Senate matchup. Platner posted a letter declaring his withdrawal of candidacy to social media on Friday afternoon, making official his announcement earlier this […]
Lindsey Graham, defense hawk and four-term senator, dead at 71
Senate Budget Committee chair Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., a long-standing foreign policy hawk who became a close ally of President Donald Trump during his final years, has died at 71 “from a brief and sudden illness,” according to his office. Graham, who was first elected to represent South Carolina in the Senate in 2002 and has […]
Trump: Definitely not signing bipartisan housing bill
President Donald Trump on Friday put to rest any lingering hopes he would sign into law major housing legislation Congress recently cleared with overwhelming bipartisan majorities. The legislation, which is designed to increase the supply and lower the costs of housing, would become law at midnight tonight, if Trump doesn’t veto the measure. The Constitution says […]
After Thursday night firings, election commission has no members
President Donald Trump on Thursday night removed the remaining members of a federal commission intended to assist with federal elections, amid his broader effort to control voting procedures and election administration. Trump fired Chair Thomas Hicks and Benjamin Hovland from the Election Assistance Commission, while Republican commissioner Christy McCormick resigned. A White House official confirmed […]
Government-seeded accounts could test Trump’s ‘communists’ claim
President Donald Trump’s recent attacks on democratic socialists who have won Democratic Party primaries could clash with his idea of creating investment accounts for American adults. The administration this week already formally launched its Trump Accounts initiative for children, which includes a one-time government contribution of $1,000 for each eligible child. The president, during a […]
CBO: House highway bill would widen trust fund deficit
The House version of this year’s mega surface transportation reauthorization bill could increase the deficit anticipated in the Highway Trust Fund over the next five years despite the inclusion of new fees on electric vehicles and hybrids, according to the Congressional Budget Office The CBO analysis, released Thursday, found that cumulative shortfalls expected by the […]