2026Talks

51 years ago were the Stonewall Riots, and today, Black Lives Matter protests are ongoing. VP Mike Pence went to TX, but cancelled events in AZ and FL because of COVID-19 concerns. An FEC commissioner resigned, making the agency unable to enforce campaign finance laws.

Today the House votes on DC statehood for the first time in almost 30 years. A new poll of Black Americans show racism and policing as the two top issues in their choice of candidate this November.  

Two current DOJ whistleblowers testified before a House committee about politically-motivated actions by AG William Barr. Plus, the American Statistical Association called on the Census Bureau to justify two new political appointments.

Yesterday's primaries and runoffs were flush with absentee ballots. But there were some issues with in-person voting -- late-opening polling places in NYC, and just one location per county in parts of KY.

NY and KY have primaries today. One is the race to decide who will challenge Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. There are some concerns about the logistics during COVID, but election officials are hopeful.

Evangelical Christians are an important part of President Trump's base, though polls show support may be decreasing. Trump held a rally in Tulsa, OK, with many fewer people than predicted. Plus, NY and KY advocates worry about primaries tomorrow.  

It's Juneteenth, the 155th anniversary of enslaved African Americans in Galveston, TX, learning they were free. And U.S. Supreme Court rules in favor of DACA recipients, rejecting the Trump administration's attempt to repeal it.

Former VP Joe Biden acknowledged the fifth anniversary of the tragic mass shooting at historic Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina. Iowa Governor says she'll sign an executive order to restore the right to vote for Iowans with past felony convictions. Plus, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg makes announcements about political speech on the platform.

Even though the beginning of the new coronavirus tended to hit Democratic-leaning metro areas, over time, more GOP-heavy areas seeing increasing numbers of cases. One of those areas is Tulsa, Oklahoma, where President Trump has a rally on Saturday.

Lawmakers of both parties and an independent expressed concerns about election vulnerabilities after what happened in Georgia. The US Supreme Court ruled job discrimination against LGBTQ people unconstitutional. They also refused to take up qualified immunity.

The Trump administration rolled back protections in the Affordable Care Act for gender nonconforming and transgender folks. It also gives religious exemptions to health care providers who refuse to perform abortion services.  

Hundreds of thousands soon-to-be citizens are waiting to complete their oath ceremonies, then they can register to vote. President Trump went to Dallas, Texas for a roundtable discussion on race, and a high-dollar fundraiser.

Former Vice President Joe Biden joined the NAACP for a virtual town hall, as GOP lawmakers work on a Senate police reform bill.

Five states held primaries yesterday: Georgia, North Dakota, Nevada, South Carolina and West Virginia. Georgia voters faced long lines, malfunctioning voting machines, and last-minute changes to polling places. North Dakota voters had no in-person polling places -- only mail ballots and drop boxes.  

Five states have primaries today: Georgia, Nevada, South Carolina, North Dakota and West Virginia. In West Virginia, people with physical disabilites and overseas service members can vote online.  

A veto-proof majority on Minneapolis City Council announced their intent to disband the police and invest in community-led public safety. Former VP Joe Biden is visiting with George Floyd's family today, ahead of tomorrow's funeral service.  

Democrats and Republicans have had drastically different responses to President Trump's militarized response to protests in the nation's capital. And, new electoral maps will be drawn next year, some by legislatures and others by outside entities.

The Census has been delayed because of the new coronavirus, but they're ramping back up to provide an accurate count so states can redraw districts for 2021 and 2022. Plus, national figures across the country are coming out against President Trump's response to protests.  

Eight states plus Washington DC had primaries yesterday, in the midst of both the new coronavirus pandemic and clashes between law enforcement and protestors.

Eight states plus Washington DC have primaries today. Meanwhile cities are figuring out how to move forward in the wake of massive protests nationwide, and President Trump says he'll deploy active US troops to quell them.

Protests continued over the weekend over police killing of George Floyd, with law enforcement in some cities using force against demonstrators. Former VP Joe Biden urged against violence.

Republican Voters Against Trump just launched and plans to spend 10 dollars on the 2020 campaign. And President Trump signed an executive order making social media companies liable for content their users post.

Former VP Joe Biden condemned the recent police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, yet another deadly encounter between police and an unarmed Black man. He did so before a virtual talk with PA Gov. Tom Wolf, ahead of next Tuesday's eight primaries.  

Republican Governors in Georgia and Florida are offering their home states as alternatives for North Carolina, after President Trump expressed impatience about talks of a more limited Republican National Convention because of the pandemic.  

Yesterday was Memorial Day. More than 100,000 people in the five major U.S. territories are military veterans, but can't vote for commander-in-chief. Plus, Puerto Rico has a statehood referendum this November.