Senate

A Republican senator has publicly called on President Trump to bring the war with Iran to an end. The appeal from within the president's own party highlights growing unease among some GOP lawmakers about the conflict's costs and direction, and adds to pressure on the White House to outline how it plans to wind down military involvement.

Senator Chris Coons reacted to the foiling of a terror attack in the United Kingdom, saying it serves as a reminder of why international alliances matter. His comments highlight the role of intelligence-sharing and cooperation between the US and UK security services in preventing attacks, and come amid ongoing debate in Washington about the value of American partnerships abroad.

Fresh polling in the Texas Senate race is circulating among political watchers, fueling debate about the contest's trajectory and what the numbers could mean for control of the chamber. Commenters are weighing which candidates the surveys favor and whether recent polling shifts might reshape campaign strategies in the months ahead.

Senator Roger Marshall's re-election campaign in Kansas has drawn attention to credit card policy, with reporting noting the race as the latest sign that the Trump era has scrambled the traditional alliance between Republicans and the banking industry. Commentators are watching how financial-sector issues could shape the contest and what it signals for broader GOP relations with banks.

Senator John Thune said the war with Iran has overtaken all other issues in the minds of American voters, saying it has 'trumped everything else.' His comments come as the conflict dominates political debate in Washington, crowding out discussion of the economy, domestic policy and other campaign priorities ahead of upcoming elections.

Former special counsel Jack Smith is testifying publicly before the Senate Judiciary Committee, in a hearing pushed by Republicans examining the investigations into Donald Trump, including the federal cases over classified documents and election interference. The testimony puts Smith's conduct and decision-making under scrutiny and is drawing close attention from both parties.

CNN's Harry Enten rounds up the key political storylines gripping American politics, including competitive Senate races, signs of potential Democratic 'blue wave' momentum, and ongoing corruption allegations surrounding Donald Trump. The roundup distills polling data and trends into a snapshot of where the battle for Congress and the political narrative currently stands heading into upcoming elections.

Attention is turning to the 2026 US midterm elections, with coverage asking which party is ahead in the battle for control of Congress. With all 435 House seats and about a third of the Senate up for grabs, early analysis focuses on polling, fundraising and which districts may swing. The midterms will be the first major nationwide test of voter sentiment since the 2024 election.

The Senate Finance Committee has voted to advance several of the administration's nominees overseeing health and tax policy, moving them a step closer to confirmation by the full Senate. The committee's approval sends the nominations forward for floor consideration, where senators will debate and vote on each appointee. Attention now turns to whether the nominees can secure enough support amid broader partisan tensions over health and tax policy.

A new Senate bill proposes a 5-to-1 match from the Department of Housing and Urban Development for first-time homebuyers who save up to $10,000, capped at $50,000 in assistance. The property must be priced at or below the area median, and only personal savings count toward the match. Personal finance commentators are highlighting the proposal as a potentially significant boost for affordability.

Senator Chris Van Hollen, a Democrat from Maryland, held a public forum focused on President Trump's immigration policy. The event gave the senator a platform to examine and criticize the administration's approach to immigration enforcement. It comes as immigration remains one of the most contentious policy fights in Washington, with Democrats sharply opposing Trump's border and deportation measures.

The US Senate is expected to take up the Protect College Sports Act, a bill concerning college athletics. The chamber's consideration of the measure is being carried live, drawing attention from viewers following the debate over the legislation's provisions.

The United States Senate has passed a major bill to overhaul college sports, according to CNN. The legislation would mark the most significant federal intervention in college athletics in years, an area traditionally governed by the NCAA and individual conferences. Details of the bill's provisions and its prospects in the House were not included in the initial report.

The Republican primary contest between Ken Paxton and John Cornyn-allied rival, featuring Talarico on the Democratic side of Texas's U.S. Senate race, is on track to become the most expensive Senate campaign in Texas history, with campaign spending projected to far exceed the previous state record. The high-profile matchup has drawn intense attention as both sides pour money into advertising and outreach ahead of the election.

News outlets are publishing early coverage of the 2026 United States midterm elections, with a focus on polls for Congress and key races. The coverage signals the start of sustained political attention ahead of the contests that will determine control of the House and Senate during the second half of President Trump's term.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is campaigning for a US Senate seat, making immigration a central theme of his campaign appearances. He also faced questions over a controversial plea deal tied to his long-running securities fraud case, drawing scrutiny as he courts Republican primary voters.

Texas Senator Angela Paxton has spoken publicly about the state's Senate race, though her remarks were described as limited and partial. USA Today covered her comments, noting she broke her silence on the contest without offering a full endorsement or detailed position. The comments come as attention on Texas elections and political family dynamics grows.

The phrase 'Lower 48' has become a recurring refrain in Alaska's closely watched US Senate race, with candidates using the term to draw contrasts between Alaskan interests and outside influence. Commentators note the wording resonates in a state where identity and distance from Washington shape politics, turning a common regional shorthand into a rhetorical weapon.

US Senate lawmakers are moving forward with legislation aimed at regulating name, image and likeness deals in college sports. The bill would create federal rules for the payments college athletes can receive from endorsements and sponsorships, an issue currently governed by a patchwork of state laws and NCAA policies. The move signals growing congressional interest in bringing order to the fast-growing college sports economy.

Michigan's US senators are introducing a resolution in support of returning Ukrainian children who were taken to Russia during the war. The measure aligns with international calls, including from Ukraine and allied governments, for the children's repatriation and adds a US state-level voice to the issue.

The US Senate is approaching a vote on legislation that would impose new limits on how college athletes are paid and how freely they can transfer between schools. The bill would mark a significant federal intervention in college sports, reversing some of the freedoms athletes gained through name, image and likeness deals and relaxed transfer rules in recent years.

The US Senate is set to vote on a sweeping bill affecting college sports. The legislation would establish federal standards for how college athletes are treated, touching on issues such as name, image and likeness payments and athlete protections that have so far been handled in a patchwork of state laws. Coverage has focused on what the bill would actually change for schools, athletes and the NCAA if it passes.

A bill aimed at reforming college sports is expected to clear the US Senate, but its prospects in the House of Representatives remain uncertain. The legislation would address issues such as athlete compensation and governance in collegiate athletics. Lawmakers and college sports officials are watching closely to see whether the measure can win approval in both chambers and become law.

US Senator Markwayne Mullin took part in the opening ceremony of a new US Citizenship and Immigration Services office in Edmond, Oklahoma, according to KOCO. The new facility brings federal immigration services closer to residents of the Oklahoma City metropolitan area, offering locals a nearby location for immigration paperwork and support rather than traveling elsewhere. Local coverage focused on the ceremony and what the office will provide for the community.

Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, Senator Cory Booker and fellow Democrats have reintroduced the Abortion is Health Care Everywhere Act, which would repeal the Helms Amendment, the decades-old US policy barring federal foreign aid funds from being used for abortion services overseas. Supporters argue the restriction harms women in low-income countries, while opponents continue to defend the longstanding prohibition.

The Protect College Sports Act, described as a landmark bill for college athletics, has advanced to a final vote in the US Senate. The legislation is seen as a potentially pivotal moment for the governance of college sports, and coverage is walking readers through what the bill would do and what its passage could mean as it reaches this crucial phase.

The doors of Senator Susan Collins' office in Biddeford, Maine, were vandalized with spray paint, according to a local news report. The incident drew joking and critical reactions online, with some commenters using disparaging hashtags about the Republican senator alongside the news.

The United States Senate has defeated a proposal that would have limited how much colleges can raise ticket prices for college sports events. The vote blocks any cap on price increases, leaving schools free to set ticket costs as they see fit. Reaction so far focuses on what the defeat means for fans facing rising attendance costs.

US Senators Jeff Merkley and Sherrod Brown, along with Congresswoman Lucy McBath, have introduced legislation aimed at improving educational outcomes and experiences for students. The announcement was made through an official statement from Merkley's office, which framed the bill as a push to strengthen support for schools and learners. No details of the bill's specific provisions were given in the announcement.

Donald Trump addressed former senator David Perdue's reported comment that Trump offered Xi Jinping arms sales, saying Perdue 'was probably talking about Taiwan.' The remark touched on the sensitive question of US arms policy toward Taiwan and dealings with China, drawing attention as voters and commentators weighed the implications of the statement for future US-China relations.

Former Arizona senator Kyrsten Sinema's ex-bodyguard, who was also her romantic partner, has been arrested for allegedly breaking into her home and throwing 22 paintings into her swimming pool. The unusual details of the alleged break-in have drawn wide attention, with many reacting to the bizarre nature of the destruction and the close personal connection between the suspect and the former senator.