Obama will campaign with Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan
Former President Barack Obama will headline a campaign rally in Detroit later this month, bringing some Democratic star power to a key battleground. Michigan is playing host to an open Senate race seen as pivotal to Democratic hopes of flipping the Senate. Polls show Democrat Abdul El-Sayed in a tight contest against Republican former Rep. Mike […]
Trump expressing concern about GOP midterm chances
President Donald Trump, in a shift, has begun voicing some doubts about Republicans’ chances in the midterm elections as he heads to Nebraska Monday to rally for Sen. Pete Ricketts in yet another red state stop. Confidence is a hallmark of the 80-year-old chief executive’s presidential persona, so his willingness to acknowledge he and other […]
State climate suits face skeptical Supreme Court
A majority of the Supreme Court appeared skeptical Monday of an effort by Boulder, Colo., to hold major oil producers accountable in state courts for the harms caused by climate change. Across almost two hours of oral arguments, the justices raised concerns about upsetting the balance between states and the federal government and Congress’ power […]
Disgraced former Speaker Hastert dies
J. Dennis Hastert has died at the age of 84, his legacy as the longest-serving House Republican speaker eclipsed by later revelations that he had abused underage boys as a high school teacher and wrestling coach. Kendall County, Ill., Coroner Jacquie Purcell issued a statement Monday confirming that Hastert died at his home over the […]
Employee question could stall Senate college sports bill at midfield in House
A key player in crafting and pushing bipartisan legislation aimed at building guardrails around college sports through the Senate said last week outreach to House members had begun. But it is unclear whether President Donald Trump will help reconcile differences as he focuses on the midterms and other priorities. The Senate on Sept. 28 passed […]
Jeffries says Democrats are poised to win the House majority
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries expressed confidence Sunday that Democrats would gain the majority by winning key swing districts in places such as Iowa, Pennsylvania, Nebraska, New York and Arizona. But with just 30 days until the election, he also predicted the party would pad its margins by picking up seats in Republican terrain. “These […]
As Congress leans on ‘pro formas,’ bills become law without Trump signature
With members largely in their districts to campaign in the final stretch before midterms, the House and Senate have transitioned to “pro forma” mode. But the rhythm of chambers gaveling in briefly every few days can mask the political undercurrents in the constant push and pull of power between Congress and the executive branch. That […]
Court challenges mount over Trump’s funding clawback
The Trump administration is now facing a bevy of federal lawsuits over its effort to claw back about $810 million in federal funding without Congress’ approval. The administration announced the cancellation last week, through a maneuver known as a “pocket rescission,” days before the funding expired at the end of the fiscal year Wednesday. Now […]
A rural Texas district tests Democrats’ quest to expand House map
SAN ANTONIO — Inside a crowded Denny’s along a busy commercial strip, Democratic activists listened intently as Katy Padilla Stout mapped out her plan to flip a sprawling Texas district that has shaded bright red in recent elections. Padilla Stout, a teacher turned child welfare lawyer, is making her first run for elective office. She […]
How is ‘Mean Girls’ like gerrymandering? Ask these former Hill staffers
On the surface, it wouldn’t seem like an early-aughts teen comedy has much in common with the drawing of congressional maps. Don’t tell that to Rory Riley Topping and Josh Rultenberg, who spend a good chunk of their new book referencing “Mean Girls.” The authors of “Draw the Line in Ohio” are on a mission […]