Congress

The article argues that 'second look' legislation is necessary because many current legal changes are not retroactive, causing individuals to serve unfairly extended sentences. It critiques harsh sentencing laws, citing examples like Steven Miller’s calls for mandatory minimums and pointing out limitations in existing provisions such as Compassionate Release and the First Step Act.

Residents of Georgia’s 13th Congressional District will select a representative after a special election runoff to replace David Scott. The finalists are Everton Blair and Marcye Scott, who were the top two vote-getters among five contenders in the July 28 special election. The winner will serve out the remaining few months of Scott's final term.

Feral hogs roam in 35 states, causing estimated annual property damage between US$2.5 billion and $3.4 billion through crops and environmental harm. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates populations are hard to control because hogs move across private land. Congress is considering increasing funding for anti-hog efforts via a Farm Bill debated in the Senate.

The Delaware election 2026 features three Republicans aiming to unseat Sarah McBride in Congress. The content also prompts readers for suggestions on topics journalists are missing about the state of Delaware, specifically asking what WHYY News should cover.

Sen. Jim Banks is pressing the Senate to pass a package of seven immigration bills that target issues such as birthright citizenship and visas. A key measure, the Dalilah Law, would require states to stop providing commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) to illegal immigrants and certain foreign nationals, and mandate English testing for license administration. Banks argued this action is necessary due to concerns about future Democratic administrations implementing open borders or mismanaging Temporary Protected Status authority.

The United States was set to impose 50% tariffs on $20 billion worth of Canadian products after trade negotiations failed. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer stated that Canada's new demands and walkbacks upended the balance reached earlier this week. The dispute, which involves goods ranging from hockey sticks to tongue depressors, is marked by deep historical tension despite both nations being allies.

The US Navy is reportedly working to rename the aircraft carrier USS Doris Miller, which was slated to honor sailor Dorie Miller, potentially considering naming it after Donald Trump. Sources noted that this would be an unprecedented move for a carrier name. Meanwhile, the Navy plans to recommend Miller for the Medal of Honor and suggest renaming another warship in his honor.

Aisha Wahab won a special election to represent California’s 14th Congressional District, filling out Eric Swalwell's term. She is noted as the first Afghan American elected to Congress and defeated Melissa Hernandez despite spending by outside groups opposing her. The article also confirms that federal agents seized electronic devices from Swalwell amid ongoing criminal investigations into sexual assault allegations he faces.

Programs at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention addressing issues like Alzheimer's, drowning, and rape prevention lack adequate staff to function. Although Congress funds these programs, Democrats contend that this situation constitutes an illegal act.

The article warns that Washington is causing a debt crisis, referencing a historical quote that suggests democracy collapses over loose fiscal policy into dictatorship. It reports that the federal debt is approaching $40 trillion, with the ratio relative to the economy currently standing at about 125% of GDP.

Republican lawmakers are engaged in a power struggle with the White House over control of federal cash and appropriations. The administration has faced criticism for creating new rules for federal grants and attempting to deny funding, even after Congress has allocated money. Lawmakers are also scrutinizing moves like 'pocket rescissions,' which involve unilaterally canceling funds.

The US Navy is evaluating changing the name of a constructing aircraft carrier originally designated as USS Doris Miller, which honors an African American sailor who was heroic during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Sources mentioned that while renaming in honor of Donald Trump is considered, the Navy also plans to recommend honoring Miller with the Medal of Honor instead. The process involves updating official naming guidelines and has put pressure on the service to determine a final name before the expected keel laying ceremony.

Trump has boasted about declassifying secrets but simultaneously withheld key election files from the public. Additionally, despite claims of focusing on transparency, the White House reportedly ignored a congressional requirement to disclose a report concerning foreign meddling in the 2024 election.

Michael Cohen previously used terms such as 'racist,' 'conman,' and 'cheat' when describing Donald J Trump during his testimony to Congress in 2019. The article suggests that on his New York radio show, Cohen would now introduce Trump using deferential terms like “boss” or “sir,” highlighting a shift toward sycophancy.

Manny Rutinel hopes price-tag politics can win voters in a Colorado House race. During his campaign, Donald Trump staged a photo op at a McDonald's franchise in Pennsylvania while making claims about Kamala Harris’s past job there. This posturing capitalized on an affordability crisis triggered by high inflation after the Covid pandemic.

A federal judge ruled that U.S. Health and Human Services cannot implement sweeping changes to grants under the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program while a lawsuit proceeds. The ruling came after HHS canceled 53 out of 67 existing grants, affecting grantees in more than two dozen states. The judge noted that HHS could not impose conditions on grant recipients that Congress did not intend or that are unreasonable.

Bitcoin and ether surged after Donald Trump urged Congress to pass a bill establishing a regulatory framework for cryptocurrency. The movement was spurred by this call to action regarding the crypto sector.

Congress created the Workforce Pell Grants to help pay for career training programs lasting less than four months, broadening the scope of Pell Grants beyond traditional degree programs. This expansion makes short-term job credentialing more affordable and accessible to low-income students. These grants provide an opportunity for individuals to enter the workforce faster with little or no debt.

ProPublica is examining U.S. military budgeting, spending, and contracting because issues like delays and cost overruns are often opaque to taxpayers. Experts are needed as Congress considers increasing the defense budget to a record $1.5 trillion next year. The investigation seeks to untangle how the Pentagon spends taxpayer money.

Republican U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan and Democratic former Rep. Mary Peltola launched their general election campaign in Alaska following a primary, criticizing each other's records for the high-stakes Senate race. The article notes that both candidates are considered leading figures due to fundraising and name recognition in the state. Additionally, voters on Tuesday approved a ballot measure to reimpose campaign contribution limits.

Mary Peltola won a special election to replace Don Young in Congress in 2022 and was elected to a full term later that year.

Wyoming Republicans selected Rep. Harriet Hageman as their nominee for U.S. Senate, replacing retiring Republican Sen. Cynthia Lummis. Hageman emerged from a five-way primary contest in Wyoming, which the Cook Political Report ranks as solidly Republican with an R+23 advantage. The general election will see her facing the Democratic nominee.

Polls have opened across South Florida for a primary election, allowing voters to cast ballots on critical decisions and contentious races. Key contests include congressional seats in District 20 and District 24, the U.S. Senate seat (Ashley Moody vs Alexander Vindman), and determining a replacement for Gov. Ron DeSantis. Furthermore, Miami voters will vote on whether or not the city should enter into an agreement to restore the historic Miami Marine Stadium.

Contests in Florida and Alaska are noted as contributing to the midterms scheduled for this fall to determine control of Congress. Donald Trump weighed into the Alaska primary, posting on Truth Social to urge voters to support “the real Dan Sullivan.” He posted that opponents have put up an imposter and directed voters to back the “INCUMBENT SENATOR.”

Primaries on Tuesday will draw attention to Florida, Wyoming, California, and Alaska, highlighting Republican-led redistricting efforts that have scrambled congressional maps. The article details specific races, noting Byron Donalds running to succeed Gov. Ron DeSantis in Florida, while Debbie Wasserman Schultz competes against other candidates in a South Florida district. These contests are expected to help shape the fiercely contested midterms this fall.

Primaries in Florida, Wyoming, California, and Alaska on Tuesday will highlight efforts that have scrambled congressional maps and present new battles between the Democratic establishment and progressive left. Notable races include Byron Donalds running to succeed Gov. Ron DeSantis in Florida, while Keisha Lance Bottoms runs for governor of Georgia. The article also details contentious matchups arising from redistricting in Florida House races.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention manages several funded units, described as 'zombie programs,' that are financially appropriated by Congress but are functionally inactive due to staff cuts. Layoffs affecting experts occurred following an effort by a previous administration to reorganize federal health agencies. The new CDC director, Dr. Erica Schwartz, now faces congressional pressure during her confirmation hearing to restart these dormant activities and comply with the law.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is being pressured regarding its 'zombie programs.' Additionally, the CDC operates several programs that are funded by Congress but currently lack staff to operate them.

A political farewell involving Hiltzik highlights someone who was a friend to Social Security in Congress. Rep. John Larson previously fought hard in Congress to protect Social Security, raising questions about whether his much younger successor will fulfill this same role.

Florida is holding primaries for governor and Congress, an event testing Trump’s grip on the state. Voters cast ballots Tuesday for nominees running for positions including governor, U.S. Senate, and several congressional races.

Florida is holding primaries for governor and Congress, featuring a crowded field of candidates across both major parties. David Jolly leads Democrats in the race for governor, while U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds seeks the Republican nomination. These primary battles are seen as tests of Trump’s political influence and an effort by Democrats to regain Florida's status as a national political battleground.

Primaries scheduled for Tuesday in states including Florida, Wyoming, California, and Alaska will highlight Republican-led redistricting efforts and battles between the Democratic establishment and progressive left. Notable races include Byron Donalds running to succeed term-limited Gov. Ron DeSantis in Florida, while David Crowley won a primary against a democratic socialist in Wisconsin.

The article asserts that a weak Congress is in its dying days. It advises readers not to mourn the passing of this institution.

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz is running for reelection to Congress in a new district after Republicans scrambled Florida’s congressional map. She faces opposition from candidates who argue her move constitutes an 'erasure of our history' and threatens Black representation. Wasserman Schultz, the best-funded Democratic candidate among five, argues she can advocate broadly because she has represented diverse communities across three decades.

A U.S. Supreme Court ruling has effectively allowed the Trump administration to revoke Temporary Protected Status (TPS) from any nationality. This development places over 100,000 TPS recipients in Texas at risk of expulsion. These recipients are hoping that a potential change of power within Congress may provide them with relief from deportation.

Nancy Pelosi may be leaving Congress, but about 50 of her longtime staffers remain on Capitol Hill in leadership positions. These aides are said to possess a strategic ethos that could allow Pelosi's influence to continue within the House Democratic Caucus. Their presence suggests that institutional knowledge remains powerful, even as elected officials change.

Luke Bronin is advocating for generational change within the Democratic party while preparing for a general election in Connecticut against Amy Chai. He argued that the party would be stronger with more renewal and pointed to examples where younger members successfully replaced long-term leaders on powerful House committees, such as Robert Garcia’s ascension.

California Democrats sliced Rep. Kevin Kiley’s district, which a conservative resident stated made it impossible for her to vote for him; this was characterized as payback for Republican redistricting in Texas and elsewhere. The effort began with Republicans after a U.S. Supreme Court decision cleared the way for redrawing seats across the South. In retaliation, California Democrats successfully rewrote the state’s congressional map, forming new Democratic-leaning seats.

Congress passed a law designed to help federal agencies investigate outbreaks of foodborne illness, a regulation experts stated could have prevented the US’s largest cyclosporiasis outbreak sooner. However, this rule has been severely delayed for 15 years. The delay continues amid lobbying efforts in 2025.

Two Democrats are competing in a runoff to replace Eric Swalwell, who resigned from Congress in April. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee is actively spending money against a progressive candidate.