WashingTone

Republicans Criticize John Cornyn Over Refusal to Back Ken Paxton in Texas Senate Race

Prominent Republicans have attacked Senator John Cornyn for declining to support Attorney General Ken Paxton’s Senate campaign, exposing further divisions within the party in Texas.

JD Vance Calls Democratic Senate Candidate Abdul El-Sayed “Very Evil” at Michigan Rally

Senator JD Vance sharply attacked Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed during a campaign appearance in Michigan, reflecting increasingly personal rhetoric in competitive midterm contests.

House Panel Names Two More Jeffrey Epstein Associates for Investigation

A congressional oversight committee has identified two additional people connected to Jeffrey Epstein for investigation, while attorney general nominee Todd Blanche faces separate litigation concerning the release of case files.

Massachusetts Democratic Senate Primary Pits Ed Markey Against Seth Moulton

Massachusetts voters are choosing between incumbent Senator Ed Markey and challenger Seth Moulton in a closely watched Democratic primary testing the strength of the party’s progressive wing ahead of the midterms.

Justice Department Drops Lincoln Memorial Vandalism Case After Presidential Criticism

Federal prosecutors moved to dismiss felony charges against a former Olympian accused of damaging the Reflecting Pool, citing a flawed installation rather than vandalism days after President Donald Trump criticized the prosecution.

Bipartisan U.S. Lawmakers Seek Tougher TikTok Transparency and Safety Rules

Members of Congress from both parties are pressing TikTok for stronger data protections, transparency measures and safeguards comparable with age-verification and safety rules adopted by competing platforms.

Federal Authorities Move to Close Trucking Schools Over Regulatory and Safety Violations

The U.S. government has begun enforcement actions against commercial driving academies that saw large enrollment increases from migrants admitted under a previous parole program, citing regulatory and safety breaches.

California Blocks Shasta County From Hiring Convicted Election Consultant Tina Peters

Governor Gavin Newsom has barred Shasta County from employing Tina Peters, who was convicted of offenses involving voting-machine tampering, citing concerns over election integrity.

Justice Department Sues Kansas School District Over Student Gender-Transition Policies

Federal prosecutors have filed a civil-rights lawsuit challenging policies that allow students to socially transition their gender identity at school without formal parental notification.

Justice Department Sues Illinois Over Laws Limiting Immigration Enforcement Cooperation

Federal prosecutors have sued Illinois over state laws restricting cooperation with federal immigration authorities at courthouses and hospitals, arguing that the measures conflict with federal statutes.

White House Reaches Drug-Pricing Agreements With Nine Pharmaceutical Companies

The Trump administration has announced agreements with nine major drugmakers aimed at reducing treatment costs for conditions including Parkinson’s disease and glaucoma under its favored-nation pricing initiative.

IRS Audit Revenue Falls $3.5 Billion After Workforce Reductions

An independent government watchdog said Internal Revenue Service audit collections declined by $3.5 billion over the past fiscal year, attributing the drop to large reductions in the tax agency’s auditing workforce.

Senate Judiciary Committee Advances Todd Blanche Nomination for Attorney General

The Senate Judiciary Committee has advanced Todd Blanche’s nomination to lead the Justice Department after contentious hearings in which Democratic lawmakers questioned his independence from the White House.

Trump Administration Plans Federal Civilian Pay Freeze for 2027

The White House is preparing a pay freeze for federal civilian employees in 2027, drawing opposition from public-sector unions and Democratic lawmakers concerned about workforce retention.

U.S. Postal Service Whistleblower Warns Mail-Ballot Monitoring System Is Untested

A federal official told congressional Democrats that a new Postal Service portal for monitoring mail ballots was rushed and insufficiently tested ahead of the midterm elections.

FTC and 22 States Sue Amazon Over Alleged Manipulation of Advertising Prices

The Federal Trade Commission and a bipartisan group of state attorneys general have sued Amazon, alleging the company unlawfully manipulated its digital advertising market to inflate costs for sellers and consumers.

Army Secretary Dan Driscoll Resigns After Reported Friction With Pete Hegseth

Dan Driscoll is stepping down as the U.S. Army’s top civilian official after 18 months, creating another Pentagon leadership vacancy amid reported disputes with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

U.S. Supreme Court Allows $400 Million White House Ballroom and Bunker Project to Continue

The Supreme Court rejected a challenge seeking to halt construction of a $400 million White House event space and underground bunker, ruling 5-4 that historic preservation groups lacked standing to sue.

U.S. Treasury Proposes Restrictions on Banque Misr’s UAE Operations in Iran Sanctions Push

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced a proposed ban preventing U.S. banks from dealing with Banque Misr branches in the United Arab Emirates as Washington prepares additional secondary sanctions aimed at isolating Iran.

South Korean Intelligence Says New Trump-Kim Summit Could Be Imminent

South Korean security officials told lawmakers that preparations are advancing for another meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, with a summit potentially taking place at short notice.

U.S. House Passes Short-Term Funding Bill to Avert Government Shutdown

The House of Representatives approved a continuing resolution funding federal agencies through December, shifting the next major spending confrontation beyond the November elections as the measure moves to the Senate.

Trump Escalates Canada Trade Dispute With 50% Tariffs and Lake Ontario Renaming Order

President Donald Trump imposed 50% tariffs on $20 billion of Canadian goods and signed an executive order directing federal maps to rename Lake Ontario as “Lake America,” intensifying tensions with Prime Minister Mark Carney.

U.S. Economic Growth Slows to 1.5% Annualized Rate in Second Quarter

The U.S. economy expanded at an annualized 1.5% pace in the second quarter as government spending declined, adding to concerns over the outlook facing the Federal Reserve.

Trump Administration Unveils Deal for U.S.-Backed Stake in Venezuelan Oil Development

The White House announced an agreement granting a private American company long-term development rights over 65 billion barrels of Venezuelan oil, with the U.S. government taking a 35% passive stake backed by Defense Department financing.

U.S. Military Leaders Warn Prolonged War With Iran Could Weaken Global Readiness

Senior U.S. commanders have told Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that extended large-scale operations against Iran could deplete military resources and reduce Washington’s ability to respond to threats in other regions.

U.S. and Iran Exchange Direct Strikes After Threats to Shipping in Strait of Hormuz

The U.S. military struck Iranian targets on Larak Island after detecting threats to commercial vessels, prompting Tehran to fire ballistic missiles at U.S. airbases in Jordan as President Donald Trump vowed a forceful response.

Orexo Reaches Agreement in Principle to Resolve US Justice Department Investigation

Swedish pharmaceutical company Orexo has reached an agreement in principle with the US Department of Justice to settle a long-running federal investigation involving pharmaceutical marketing and compliance practices.

White House Creates Commission to Develop United States Space Academy

President Donald Trump established a presidential commission to design a federal military academy for the US Space Force, laying groundwork for specialized training and recruitment in aerospace defense.

Trump Orders Federal Government to Rename Lake Ontario as Lake America

President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to use the name Lake America on government maps, documents and navigational charts.

Justice Department Expands AI-Driven Medicare and Telemedicine Fraud Enforcement

The Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division is increasing its use of data analytics and artificial intelligence to identify suspected kickbacks, unusual physician payments and telemedicine fraud.

House Panel Advances Broadband and AI Security Legislation

The House Energy and Commerce Committee has begun considering six national-security bills aimed at strengthening cybersecurity requirements for broadband networks and addressing risks linked to foreign artificial intelligence platforms.

US Agencies Launch Nationwide Crackdown on Commercial Driving Fraud and Smuggling Networks

The Justice, Homeland Security and Transportation departments have begun coordinated enforcement against more than 200 driving schools across 23 states over alleged commercial-license fraud linked to human smuggling and labor exploitation.

US Treasury Launches Quantum Readiness Task Force for Financial Sector

The Treasury Department has formed a public-private initiative with regulators and Wall Street institutions to prepare financial systems for post-quantum cryptography and future threats to existing encryption standards.

Congress Advances Kids Online Safety Act With New Platform Safeguards

The House moved forward with legislation requiring large technology and social media companies to strengthen age verification and algorithmic protections for minors amid bipartisan pressure for tighter online-safety rules.

Trump Administration Secures Drug-Price Concessions From Nine Pharmaceutical Companies

The White House reached agreements with nine major drugmakers to reduce prices on widely used medicines, making prescription affordability a central healthcare initiative ahead of the congressional midterm elections.

US Homeland Security Issues $84 Billion in Fines Over Undocumented Immigrants’ Removal Orders

The Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement imposed civil penalties on more than 103,000 undocumented immigrants who failed to leave the country voluntarily, with enforcement measures including potential w...

Federal Reserve Holds Interest Rates at 3.5%-3.75%

The Federal Open Market Committee kept the federal funds rate unchanged as officials assess labor-market conditions and persistent housing inflation, maintaining a cautious stance ahead of its autumn policy review.

Trump Administration Reaches Oil Agreement With Venezuela’s Transitional Government

President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth finalized an agreement granting the United States majority control over 65 billion barrels of Venezuelan proven oil reserves, with the administration seeking to lower fuel costs a...

Supreme Court Allows Trump Administration to Continue $400 Million White House Construction Project

A divided Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that the Trump administration may continue demolishing the East Wing and building a $400 million ballroom and underground military complex without congressional authorization.

Congress Returns Facing Government Shutdown Deadline and Spending Standoff

The House and Senate resumed work after the August recess with lawmakers under pressure to reach a bipartisan funding agreement before current appropriations expire, while disputes over defense and border spending remain unresolved.

US and Iranian Forces Exchange Direct Strikes Near Strait of Hormuz

US Central Command struck Iranian minelaying forces on Larak Island, prompting retaliatory Iranian missile attacks on American air bases in Jordan and pushing crude oil prices higher amid renewed fears over Persian Gulf energy supplies.

US Envoy Discusses Long-Term Defence Procurement With Ukraine and NATO Allies

Senior US officials have held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and NATO partners on advanced air-defence purchases and possible frameworks for renewed negotiations with Russia.

House Republicans Emphasize Deregulation, Energy and Tax Policy Ahead of Autumn Debates

Republican campaign strategists are centering their legislative message on deregulation, domestic energy production and preservation of tax reforms as Congress approaches major autumn spending battles.

US Appeals Court Upholds Industrial Air Quality Standards

A federal appeals court has upheld existing industrial air-quality regulations, preserving current Environmental Protection Agency standards as the administration prepares broader changes affecting heavy manufacturing.