2026Talks

Uncertainty mounts on whether Congress can pass a budget by the end of the week, protests calling for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas grow and Louisiana is getting new election maps.

Speaker Johnson says Republicans are united in avoiding a government shutdown, some election offices receive mail containing fentanyl and President Biden faces increasing challenges from both Democratic and third party candidates.

Rep. Cori Bush says the 4-hour pauses in Gaza are not enough, West Virginia Democrat Joe Manchin won't run for reelection and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries supports a CR to avoid a government shutdown.

It's been one month since the Israel-Gaza conflict began, Minnesota's Supreme Court allows Trump on the state's primary ballot and dissatisfaction rises over proposed government spending cuts.

Ohio votes to put abortion rights into the state's constitution, incumbent governors prevail in Kentucky and Mississippi and Rhode Island sends a first Black representative to Congress. 

Donald Trump testifies in his civil trial, GOP presidential candidates discuss the party's "disconnect from reality," and states tackle a host of issues on Election Day.

Former President Obama says "nobody's hands are clean," in the Israel-Hamas war. Gay Secretary of Transportation Buttigieg struggles with House Speaker Mike Johnson's attitudes toward homosexuality and new poll finds Trump leads Biden in five key states.

A vote to expel NY Rep. George Santos fails, Secretary of State Blinken calls for Israel to 'pause' its attacks and Senators voice objection to Tommy Tuberville blocking military promotions.

Muslim-American leaders in the U.S. denounce a rise in antisemitism and Islamophobia, the House Republican aid package for Israel could add billions to the national deficit and Rep. Ken Buck of Colorado says GOP election denialism has prompted him to leave Congress.

President Biden issues an anticipated executive order on AI, Senate leaders say they're displeased with the House GOP standalone aid package for Israel, and a Georgia bill would let teachers carry guns in the classroom.

A hearing to remove former President Donald Trump from the Colorado ballot begins, a write-in campaign begins for Biden in New Hampshire and a resolution is brought forward to censure Marjorie Taylor Green.

The U.S. calls for a humanitarian pause in the Hamas-Israel war. Advocates in Maine push for tougher gun laws. Rep. Dean Phillips announces a run for president, and former Vice President Mike Pence suspends his.

The White House calls for an assault weapons ban after a man uses one to kill 18 in Maine. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene moves to censure Rep. Rashida Tlaib for "anti-semitic activity." Federal judge rules Georgia voting maps are discriminatory.

Rep. Mike Johnson is elected Speaker of the House, former President Trump is fined again in his New York civil case and many Americans feel political violence could save the nation.

House Republicans fail again to reach consensus on a Speaker,  a third Trump attorney pleads guilty in the Georgia election interference case, and dozens of states sue Meta for harming childrens' mental health.  

President Biden says no discussion of a cease-fire until Hamas hostages are released. House Republicans are back to the drawing board in their search for a speaker. And the UAW expands its strike to a huge Stellantis plant in Detroit.

The Defense Department prepares for more attacks on troops in the Middle East, House Republicans try again to elect a Speaker and a Colorado judge says a lawsuit to keep former President Donald Trump off the ballot can go ahead.

The House is still without a Speaker, New York Governor Kathy Hochul goes to Jerusalem and hate crimes have risen since the start of the Israel-Gaza conflict.

President Biden promises an "unprecedented" aid package for Israel, Rep. Jim Jordan loses ground in his bid for House Speaker, and Republican presidential hopefuls cite violence in the Middle East as reason to seal the U.S.- Mexico border.

Rep. Jordan fails to win the speaker's gavel but is expected to try again today. Jewish peace activists in Washington call for a ceasefire in Israel. Justice Amy Coney Barrett joins Kagan and Kavanaugh in supporting a Supreme Court code of ethics.

Muslim-Americans blame anti-Palestinian rhetoric for a child's fatal stabbing, Rep. Jordan claims progress ahead of a House Speaker vote and Tennessee Republicans could reject federal education funds.

Republicans struggle to choose a Speaker of the House, no-excuse absentee voting flourishes in Maine, and a Kentucky law takes aim at homeless encampments.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise drops out of Speaker's race. Aid to Israel may be in jeopardy due to the Speaker vacancy. New Jersey Senator Menendez faces a new charge – acting as a foreign agent for Egypt.

House Republicans nominate Rep. Steve Scalise as next House Speaker – if he can get the votes, a number of Americans missing in Israel may be hostages and North Carolina Democrats sue over restrictive new voting laws. 

U-S munitions reach Israel for its fight with Hamas, the battle for a new Speaker of the House heats up and Wisconsin fights over gerrymandering .