Senate

France's far-right National Rally has made a strong showing in Senate elections, according to reports. The result marks a notable advance for the party led by Marine Le Pen's movement in the upper house of the French parliament. Commentators are weighing what the gain means for the broader rise of the French far right ahead of future national votes.

Donald Trump delivered a speech at the United Nations General Assembly, and coverage is highlighting twelve standout moments from his address. The speech is drawing significant engagement, including reaction from figures such as Senator Adam Schiff, as viewers debate the notable exchanges and statements from Trump's appearance before the international body.

France's far-right National Rally has secured enough Senate seats to form its own group in the upper house of parliament for the first time. The milestone marks a symbolic breakthrough for the party of Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella, which has long struggled to convert its electoral strength into representation in the indirectly elected chamber, where local officials dominate.

CNN's Harry Enten rounds up the latest political polling, covering key Senate showdowns, signs of possible blue waves in upcoming elections, and controversies described as Trump corruption. The roundup brings together the numbers shaping the current US political landscape and highlights trends commentators are watching ahead of the next election cycle.

Polling in the Texas Senate race is drawing attention as observers weigh the state's competitiveness. Commenters are sharing and debating the latest survey numbers, speculating about what they mean for the parties' chances in the contest. The discussion reflects ongoing interest in whether Texas remains a reliably Republican Senate seat or could shift.

Maine Senator Susan Collins is running her first campaign since the Supreme Court overturned federal abortion rights, a decision her 2018 confirmation vote for Justice Brett Kavanaugh helped make possible. Abortion has become a central issue in her reelection race, with opponents arguing her vote enabled the rollback of Roe v. Wade, while Collins defends her record in a state that has backed abortion rights protections.

Fabien Roussel, leader of the French Communist Party, has promised not to attack Jean-Luc Mélenchon too harshly during the presidential campaign. His campaign director, senator Ian Brossat, told La Tribune that "we will not fall into aggressiveness," a statement drawing sceptical reactions, with commenters mocking the qualified nature of the pledge as the left's internal rivalry resurfaces ahead of the vote.

Several Republican senators facing competitive re-election contests are publicly breaking with former President Donald Trump on immigration enforcement, calling on ICE to coordinate more closely with local police departments. The comments mark a notable shift as vulnerable GOP incumbents seek to distance themselves from hardline positions, prompting debate within the party over immigration strategy ahead of the elections.

France's far right has increased its presence in the Senate following indirect elections by local officials, according to France 24. The result adds to recent electoral momentum for far-right parties in the country and is likely to fuel debate over their growing influence in French politics, including their ability to shape legislation and the upper house's leadership.

Discussion is growing over whether Democrats would pursue a third impeachment of Donald Trump if they win control of Congress in the upcoming midterm elections. Trump has already been impeached twice during his presidencies, both times acquitted by the Senate. The question is fueling debate about how Democrats would use their power if they regain a majority.

US intelligence assessments indicate Saudi Arabia is keeping open the option of acquiring nuclear weapons, even as Washington discusses a civil nuclear cooperation deal with Riyadh. A group of US senators is targeting the Trump administration's proposed agreement, citing proliferation concerns, with the intelligence findings likely to intensify congressional resistance to the deal.

France's far-right National Rally has made significant gains in indirect Senate elections, marking a breakthrough in a chamber where it previously held almost no seats. The result points to the party's growing entrenchment across French political institutions, extending its influence beyond the National Assembly. Observers see it as another sign of the far right's normalisation in French politics, with implications for President Macron's already weakened position.

President Trump is planning a trip to Ohio to campaign for Republican Senator Jon Husted, who is facing a competitive challenge in his race. The visit is widely reported by national outlets and is being watched as a test of Trump's influence in a key midterm battleground, where Republican hopes of holding the Senate seat may depend on his ability to rally the party's base.

France's far right has made gains in indirect Senate elections, expanding its presence in the upper house of parliament. The results add to the party's momentum in French politics and may complicate President Emmanuel Macron's ability to secure majorities in the chamber, where senators are elected by local officials rather than directly by voters.

The Protect College Sports Act is on the verge of passing the Senate, and conference leaders are quietly developing a 'Plan B' in case the legislation becomes law. The bill would reshape how college sports are governed, and athletic officials want contingencies ready to adapt quickly to whatever rules come next.

Congress is weighing legislation on college sports, including issues like athlete pay and regulation of the NCAA, and former college athletes now serving in the Senate are playing an outsized role in the discussions. Lawmakers with athletic backgrounds are helping shape proposals, drawing attention to how personal experience informs federal policy on collegiate athletics.

A new Senate bill proposes that first-time homebuyers who save up to $10,000 receive a 5-to-1 federal match from HUD, capped at $50,000, to put toward a home purchase. To qualify, the home must be priced at or below the area's median price, and only personal savings count toward the match. Supporters see it as a significant boost for Americans priced out of the housing market, though details of funding and passage remain uncertain.

US Senator John Kennedy has taken aim at politicians who focus on self-promotion rather than public service. His remarks, delivered in his characteristic blunt style, have drawn attention online, with supporters praising the message and critics questioning whether it applies to his own party as much as the opposition.

Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman is publicly defending his political identity while addressing talk about him potentially acting as a '51st senator,' a reference to criticism and speculation about his independence within the Democratic Party. Fetterman has increasingly broken with his party on issues such as Israel and immigration, prompting debate over where he stands politically and what his path forward looks like.

Roy Cooper, former North Carolina governor and Democratic Senate candidate, has intensified his criticism of Republican opponent Michael Whatley while campaigning on affordability promises, including lowering costs for households. With the election approaching, Cooper is framing the contest around economic pressures on voters, attacking Whatley's record as he seeks to consolidate support in a closely watched Senate race.

Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman sat down with CBS News correspondent Major Garrett for an interview covering the upcoming midterm elections and his own political future. The conversation touches on where Fetterman sees the Democratic Party heading and his role in it. As a high-profile swing-state senator, his comments on the midterms are drawing attention from both parties.

Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman, a Democrat, referred to himself as a 'lifelong Republican' in a verbal gaffe flagged by CNN. The slip is drawing attention and mockery, with critics treating it as a revealing mistake and others dismissing it as a simple misstatement by the senator, who has recently drawn scrutiny for breaking with his party on several issues.

Candidates running for a US Senate seat in Mississippi laid out their positions on a potential war with Iran, tariffs and the economy during a campaign discussion. Their remarks give voters a sense of how each would approach foreign policy and trade if elected, with the Iran question drawing particular attention amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

Jean-Luc Mélenchon publicly celebrated the election of his son-in-law Gabriel Amard to the French Senate, claiming that in every department La France Insoumise scores far higher than its number of grand electors would suggest. He called the result an "auspicious sign for 2027", while also noting that the RN has tripled its presence, fueling debate on the left's and far-right's momentum.

Results for the 2026 French senatorial elections, which renew part of the upper house of parliament, have been compiled and shared with an accompanying results box. The Senate is elected indirectly by grand electors, mayors and local councillors rather than by direct universal suffrage, so coverage focuses on the balance of power between political groups in the chamber.