Midterms
Democrats Win Senate and House in Midterm Sweep, Networks Project
NBC News projects a 54-44 Senate with two races uncalled and Democratic control of the House, ending Republican control of Washington for the last two years of Trump’s term.
Democrats
The newest stories in The Monochrome Chronicles that mention Democrats, newest first.
Midterms
Republican Redistricting Push Backfired in Several States, ABC and CBS Say
ABC News said the party is projected to lose more than two-thirds of 15 seats it redrew; CBS News found Democrats gained in California and Utah under their own redraws.
Midterms
Democrats Plan Oversight Probes as Trump Signals Veto Fights Ahead
Incoming committee leaders told PBS News they will examine Trump’s business dealings, immigration enforcement and the Epstein case; the White House called the plans ‘sham investigations.’
Midterms
Democrats Flip Five Governorships, Including Texas, Ohio and Georgia
Nevada and Iowa also changed hands, according to NBC News and CNBC; Kansas is too close to call and Democrats held most of the seats they were defending.
Midterms
Battleground Democrats Blame Biden’s Border Record as Midterms Near
Candidates in Texas, Pennsylvania, Iowa and elsewhere are criticizing the former president on border security, NBC News reported; critics question their sincerity.
Midterms
Early Voting Surges Past 20 Million, but Experts Caution Against Overreading It
Ballots are arriving at a faster pace than in 2022 in several battleground states, and registered Democrats lead among early voters. Analysts say that does not necessarily mean higher turnout overall.
Russia
Six Republicans Join Six Democrats in Urging Trump to Drop Russian Diesel Deal
A bipartisan letter calls the arrangement with Vladimir Putin a gift to Moscow and asks the president to revoke the Treasury license that lifted sanctions on Russian diesel. Trump says the fuel is meant to ease prices on world markets.
Supreme Court
Alito Says He Weighed Retiring as Senate Democrats Signal Resistance to Nominees
The 76-year-old justice said he stayed because he can still contribute, while Democrats seeking a Senate majority suggest a Trump pick might not get through.
Congress
Senate Democrats Block House-Passed Bill on Data Center Power Costs
The Ratepayer Protection Act fell three votes short of the 60 needed to advance. Democrats called it too weak to protect households, and Republicans said it was the only version that could become law before the election.
Food Safety
After a Summer of Outbreaks, Food Safety Becomes a Campaign Issue
A record cyclospora outbreak tied to lettuce and a salmonella outbreak tied to jalapenos have shaken shoppers. Democrats blame federal cuts; the administration says its record is strong.
War Powers
Senate Rejects Iran War Powers Resolution by One Vote Despite New GOP Support
Four Republicans joined Democrats, but the measure fell 49-50 on what may be the last chance to vote on the war before the midterms.
Midterms
Senate Math Still Favors Republicans, but Momentum Is With Democrats
Cook Political Report counts about a dozen races that will decide control; Republicans defend eight of them, and Democrats need a net gain of four seats.
Military
USS George Washington Reaches Middle East to Relieve USS Lincoln
The Lincoln set a Navy record of more than 250 days at sea, and reports of crew strain drew demands from Democrats for answers; Defense Secretary Hegseth said they were misrepresented.
Justice Department
Senate Confirms Todd Blanche as Attorney General by a 50-49 Vote
Sen. Bill Cassidy’s decisive Friday support for the acting attorney general carried a pre-dawn vote, with Republicans Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski joining all Democrats in opposition.
Developing
Senate Panel Votes 8-5 to Hold Fauci in Contempt, Bypassing Floor Vote
Chairman Rand Paul sent the referral straight to the Justice Department; Democrats call criminal contempt punitive, and Fauci’s lawyer calls the vote a political stunt.
Primaries
Mamdani-Backed Challengers Beat Two Incumbent House Democrats in New York
Brad Lander, Claire Valdez and Darializa Avila Chevalier won Democratic primaries after the mayor endorsed them. Voters were split mostly over Israel, affordability and frustration with party leaders.
Gas Prices
Trump Backs Suspending the Federal Gas Tax as Hawley Files a Bill
Republicans and Democrats are pushing a pause on the 18.4-cent tax as pump prices top $4.50. Analysts say the savings would be modest and the cost to highway funding real.
War Powers
Trump Tells Congress Iran Hostilities Have Ended as 60-Day Clock Runs Out
Letters to congressional leaders say no shots have been exchanged since April 7; Senate Democrats call the claim false, and the president calls the War Powers deadline unconstitutional.
Redistricting
Judge Blocks Virginia Redistricting Plan a Day After Voters Approve It
A Tazewell County judge called the referendum question “flagrantly misleading” and barred certification. Democrats say they will appeal immediately.
Congress
Senate Votes 51-48 to Open Debate on SAVE America Act Despite Filibuster Hurdle
Republicans move the voter-ID and proof-of-citizenship bill to the floor, but Democrats vow to block final passage, which needs 60 votes.
Congress
Republicans Back Iran Strikes While Democrats Demand a War Powers Vote
Massie and Khanna plan to force a vote when Congress returns; Democrats say Trump did not seek authorization for the attack.
Congress
Bill Clinton Gives Closed-Door Testimony to House Oversight in Epstein Inquiry
Chairman James Comer has said the Clintons are not accused of wrongdoing; Democrats want the committee to also subpoena Trump and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
State of the Union
Trump Delivers Record-Long State of the Union as Democrats Clash and Boycott
The roughly 1 hour 47 minute address defended the economy and warned Iran; fact-checkers found claims that lacked evidence or context.
Congress
Homeland Security Shutdown Looms After Senate Falls Short on Funding Vote
Democrats are holding out for limits on immigration agents; Republicans reject the demands as DHS funding runs out at midnight Saturday.
Tariffs
House Votes 219-211 to End Trump’s Emergency Tariffs on Canada
Six Republicans joined Democrats in a rare rebuke of the president; Speaker Mike Johnson says Trump would veto the measure.
Trade
Trump Threatens to Block Opening of Canadian-Built Detroit Bridge
The president said the bridge will not open until the U.S. is ‘fully compensated’ and demanded at least half ownership; Michigan Democrats and Canada’s prime minister pushed back.
Congress
House Passes $1.2 Trillion Funding Bill, Ending Partial Shutdown
The 217-214 vote funds most of the government through September but leaves Homeland Security on a two-week extension as Democrats press for limits on immigration enforcement.
Shutdown Deadline
Senate Deal Would Split DHS Funding From Spending Package Before Deadline
Senators agreed to pass five of six remaining spending bills and give the Homeland Security Department a two-week stopgap, after Democrats demanded immigration-enforcement changes following two fatal shootings in Minnesota.
Health Care
House Passes Three-Year ACA Subsidy Extension 230-196 Over Speaker’s Objection
Seventeen Republicans joined Democrats to approve the bill after a discharge petition forced the vote, but the Senate is not poised to take it up.
Venezuela
U.S. Forces Capture Venezuela’s Maduro and Fly Him to New York to Face Charges
President Trump said the United States will “run” Venezuela during a transition, as Democrats questioned the legal basis of an operation Congress was not told about in advance.
Washington
Kennedy Center Board Votes to Add Trump’s Name; Letters Go Up on Facade
Democrats and Kennedy family members say the center’s name is set in federal law; the board’s statement calls the vote unanimous, which one trustee disputes.
Epstein Files
House Democrats Release Epstein Emails Mentioning Trump; White House Objects
The Oversight Committee Democrats say the three email chains came from the late financier’s estate; NBC News has not independently verified them.
Shutdown
Senate Advances Deal to End Shutdown as Eight Democrats Break Ranks
The 60-40 procedural vote moves a package toward passage, but House Democrats and many in the party object that it does not extend health insurance tax credits.
Elections
Democrats Sweep Marquee Races in Virginia, New Jersey, New York and California
Voters in four states handed the party wins on the economy and opposition to President Trump; Republicans say the results reflect off-year dynamics.
