WEATHER ALERT
Virginia Democrats reap fundraising gains as they center campaigns around Elon Musk
Read full article: Virginia Democrats reap fundraising gains as they center campaigns around Elon MuskVirginia Democrats are vying to shield their statehouse majority while flipping the governorโs mansion in November, and new reports show they have a cash advantage in those races against Republicans.
Marjorie Taylor Greene laughs off protests to deliver pro-Trump message at Georgia town hall
Read full article: Marjorie Taylor Greene laughs off protests to deliver pro-Trump message at Georgia town hallU.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has appeared at a town hall in suburban Atlanta to deliver full-throated support of President Donald Trump.
Texas House Democrats could hold GOP priorities hostage to force statewide school vouchers vote
Read full article: Texas House Democrats could hold GOP priorities hostage to force statewide school vouchers voteFrom The Blast: More than 50 House Democrats have signed on to a plan to spike all constitutional amendments unless the House allows voters to decide whether school vouchers will be legalized.
Texas Senate approves bill that could reshape how history and race are taught in state universities
Read full article: Texas Senate approves bill that could reshape how history and race are taught in state universitiesAn overhauled version of Senate Bill 37 would also allow anyone to file complaints that could lead schools to lose funds.
Push for Texas to weaken vaccine mandates persists as measles surge
Read full article: Push for Texas to weaken vaccine mandates persists as measles surgeMuch of the outbreak is concentrated in the districts of Texas House leaders, including Speaker Dustin Burrows. The crisis appears to have done little to change support for โvaccine choice.โ
Bipartisan support for Texas bill clarifying when doctors can perform an abortion shows early cracks
Read full article: Bipartisan support for Texas bill clarifying when doctors can perform an abortion shows early cracksWhile Democrats and abortion access advocates pushed to ensure pregnant women arenโt criminalized, some conservatives questioned whether this bill is needed.
Georgia Democrats' frustration with anti-transgender bills boils over into a walkout
Read full article: Georgia Democrats' frustration with anti-transgender bills boils over into a walkoutBoxed into a vote on outlawing spending on gender affirming care for transgender prisoners, Georgia Democrats chose a third option Wednesday.
More Republicans want the US to focus on ceasefires in Ukraine and Gaza, a new AP-NORC poll finds
Read full article: More Republicans want the US to focus on ceasefires in Ukraine and Gaza, a new AP-NORC poll findsA new AP-NORC poll finds that while most Americans disapprove of President Donald Trumpโs handling of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the conflict is not weighing as heavily on his public perception as it did on President Joe Biden.
A Democratic senator is putting holds on VA nominees to protest Trump's plans to cut its workforce
Read full article: A Democratic senator is putting holds on VA nominees to protest Trump's plans to cut its workforceArizona Sen. Ruben Gallego says he will block the confirmation of top leaders at the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Private school voucher bill clears first test in Texas House
Read full article: Private school voucher bill clears first test in Texas HouseThe House Public Education Committee voted to advance a pair of priority bills to create education savings accounts and to raise how much state money public school districts receive.
After years of disappointment at the polls, Texas Democrats will select new party leader
Read full article: After years of disappointment at the polls, Texas Democrats will select new party leaderThe State Democratic Executive Committee will meet on Saturday to elect the successor to party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa.
Military veterans are becoming the face of Trump's government cuts and Democrats' resistance
Read full article: Military veterans are becoming the face of Trump's government cuts and Democrats' resistanceCongressional lawmakers are scrambling to formulate a response to President Donald Trumpโs slashing of the federal government as one group takes a front and center role: military veterans.
New Hampshire town elections offer a preview of citizenship voting rules being considered nationwide
Read full article: New Hampshire town elections offer a preview of citizenship voting rules being considered nationwideNew Hampshire has tested out its new law requiring people to show proof of citizenship before registering to vote.
Homeland Security makes cuts to offices overseeing civil rights protections
Read full article: Homeland Security makes cuts to offices overseeing civil rights protectionsThe Department of Homeland Security is making cuts to three key offices that oversee civil rights protections across its broad mission, suggesting that they were impeding immigration enforcement efforts.
Democrats' new digital strategy tops trending charts but also draws mockery from allies and foes
Read full article: Democrats' new digital strategy tops trending charts but also draws mockery from allies and foesDemocratic lawmakers are courting online content creators, podcasters and celebrities in a bid to find new ways to boost their message to voters.
Social Security in-person identity checks opposed by advocates and retirees alike
Read full article: Social Security in-person identity checks opposed by advocates and retirees alikeThe Social Security Administrationโs plan to require in-person identity checks for millions of new and existing recipients has drawn ire from lawmakers, advocacy groups and program recipients who are concerned that the government is placing barriers in front of people seeking to access their benefits.
Chuck Schumer postpones book tour amid liberal criticism over spending vote
Read full article: Chuck Schumer postpones book tour amid liberal criticism over spending voteSenate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer is postponing several scheduled events this week to promote his new book after some liberal groups had planned to stage protests.
Democrats confront limits of their minority power after bruising shutdown vote
Read full article: Democrats confront limits of their minority power after bruising shutdown voteSenate Democrats were grim Friday as they left Washington after a brutal 10-week stretch that consistently showed the limits of their new minority and culminated with a deeply personal rupture over how to best counter President Donald Trump.
Democratic Party fractures in government shutdown fight, with anger running high
Read full article: Democratic Party fractures in government shutdown fight, with anger running highThe Democratic Party appears fractured as a torrent of frustration and anger has been unleashed on Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer.
Orator, conscience, advocate: State lawmakers honor Sylvester Turner with bipartisan accolades in Capitol ceremony
Read full article: Orator, conscience, advocate: State lawmakers honor Sylvester Turner with bipartisan accolades in Capitol ceremonyTurner, who spent nearly three decades in the Texas House and died last week, was remembered as a passionate Democrat committed to working across the aisle.
Will lawmakers let Texasโ maternal mortality committee review abortion deaths?
Read full article: Will lawmakers let Texasโ maternal mortality committee review abortion deaths?The Legislature is considering bills that would lift long-standing restrictions on how Texasโ panel can investigate maternal deaths and near-misses.
House GOP campaign chairman says voters will 'reward us' for the Trump-Musk DOGE cuts
Read full article: House GOP campaign chairman says voters will 'reward us' for the Trump-Musk DOGE cutsThe chairman of the House Republican campaign committee is already predicting his party will pick up seats in the midterm election that are some 20 months away.
As many top Democrats stay silent on Cuomo mayoral run, an accuser feels betrayed
Read full article: As many top Democrats stay silent on Cuomo mayoral run, an accuser feels betrayedLindsey Boylan helped drive Andrew Cuomo from office in 2021 when the former aide came forward as the first woman to accuse the governor of sexual harassment.
Trump's address to Congress showed the country's stark partisan divide
Read full article: Trump's address to Congress showed the country's stark partisan divideA presidentโs address to Congress โ even without the formal gloss of a State of the Union address โ is typically a time for a call to national unity and predictable claims about the country being strong.
Texas Democrats criticize school leaders for being too โniceโ about their funding needs
Read full article: Texas Democrats criticize school leaders for being too โniceโ about their funding needsLawmakers this week listened to testimony on House Bill 2, which would raise schoolsโ base funding per student by $220 โ a figure that falls short of what many Texans say is needed.
Democrats seek to probe Musk conflicts and DOGE firings with resolutions of inquiry in the House
Read full article: Democrats seek to probe Musk conflicts and DOGE firings with resolutions of inquiry in the HouseDemocrats on the House Oversight Committee are introducing two resolutions demanding the Trump administration turn over information about billionaire adviser Elon Muskโs potential conflicts of interest and firing of federal workers.
Bill to ban trans athletes from girls' and women's sports teams fails to advance in Senate
Read full article: Bill to ban trans athletes from girls' and women's sports teams fails to advance in SenateThe Senate has rejected legislation aiming to bar transgender women and girls from participating in school athletic competitions designated for female athletes.
House GOP pushes 'big' budget resolution to passage, a crucial step toward delivering Trump's agenda
Read full article: House GOP pushes 'big' budget resolution to passage, a crucial step toward delivering Trump's agendaHouse Republicans have muscled their budget blueprint to passage, with a push from President Donald Trump.
Young Democratic social media star, frustrated by campaigns, sees another path to turn Texas blue
Read full article: Young Democratic social media star, frustrated by campaigns, sees another path to turn Texas blueOlivia Julianna, 22, loves politics but hates the in-fighting she sees in too many Democratic campaigns in the state.
Democrats channel their outrage over DOGE, Ukraine and more in marathon Senate session
Read full article: Democrats channel their outrage over DOGE, Ukraine and more in marathon Senate sessionThe budget resolution from Republicans was on the agenda in the Senate, but the nearly all-night debate encompassed so much more.
Trump's former personal lawyer defends him at a Senate hearing and decries 'partisan lawfare'
Read full article: Trump's former personal lawyer defends him at a Senate hearing and decries 'partisan lawfare'President Donald Trumpโs former personal attorney, Todd Blanche, criticized the criminal cases against the Republican as โpartisan lawfareโ during his confirmation hearing to become the No. 2 Justice Department official.
Secrecy preceded the shutdown of the consumer protection agency's Washington headquarters
Read full article: Secrecy preceded the shutdown of the consumer protection agency's Washington headquartersPresident Donald Trumpโs budget chief has sent an email to consumer protection agency employees telling them to stop working.
Musk teamโs access to student loan systems raises alarm over borrowers' personal information
Read full article: Musk teamโs access to student loan systems raises alarm over borrowers' personal informationDemocrats are opposing Elon Muskโs Department of Government Efficiency as it turns its attention to the Education Department, with lawmakers raising questions about DOGEโs access to internal systems containing personal information on tens of millions of Americans.
Democratic senators protest after they say Trump gives Musk's staff access to classified info
Read full article: Democratic senators protest after they say Trump gives Musk's staff access to classified infoDemocrats on the Senate Intelligence Committee are demanding answers after they say President Donald Trump gave Elon Musk's staff access to sensitive and classified government information.
Texas bill that lets families use tax dollars for private schools swiftly sails through Senate
Read full article: Texas bill that lets families use tax dollars for private schools swiftly sails through SenateSenate Bill 2 now heads to the House, where top officials say they have the support to create education savings accounts.
State senator believes Houston ISDโs $2-million bond initiative was โelectioneeringโ
Read full article: State senator believes Houston ISDโs $2-million bond initiative was โelectioneeringโLess than 24 after KPRC 2 Investigates exposed whether the Houston Independent School District did everything by the book regarding last Novemberโs $4 billion bond, one Texas State Senator already is saying that he believes state law was broken.
Pennsylvania governor seeks more money for schools and transit, but relies heavily on surplus cash
Read full article: Pennsylvania governor seeks more money for schools and transit, but relies heavily on surplus cashPennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro will seek more money for public schools and public transit in his new budget proposal to lawmakers.
Texans split on immigration amid Trumpโs policy push, survey reveals
Read full article: Texans split on immigration amid Trumpโs policy push, survey revealsIn January 2025, a University of Houston survey of 1,200 Texans revealed mixed opinions on immigration policies under President Trump's intensified measures.
Justice Department drops criminal proceedings against Trump co-defendants in classified records case
Read full article: Justice Department drops criminal proceedings against Trump co-defendants in classified records caseThe Justice Department has abandoned all criminal proceedings against President Donald Trumpโs two co-defendants in the classified documents case against him in Florida, foreclosing the chance the case against them could ever be revived.
Conservatives clinch longtime goal of booting Democrats from leadership ranks in Texas House
Read full article: Conservatives clinch longtime goal of booting Democrats from leadership ranks in Texas HouseConservative activists in the GOP caucus called any power sharing with the minority party a betrayal of Republican voters.
Senate passes immigrant detention bill that could be the first measure Trump signs into law
Read full article: Senate passes immigrant detention bill that could be the first measure Trump signs into lawThe Senate has passed a bill that would require federal authorities to detain migrants accused of theft and violent crimes.
Texas Democrats hope to benefit after boosting Dustin Burrows to House speaker
Read full article: Texas Democrats hope to benefit after boosting Dustin Burrows to House speakerThe Democratsโ short list of possible benefits: A leader who learned to keep promises, a chance at chairing committees, and what they see as more chances for a fairer playing field.
Rep. Mihaela Plesa survived a heated GOP challenge. Hereโs how she thinks Democrats can prevail.
Read full article: Rep. Mihaela Plesa survived a heated GOP challenge. Hereโs how she thinks Democrats can prevail.Plesa, a Dallas Democrat, said the party should embrace bipartisanship, and start talking about economic issues.
Trump has pressed for voting changes. GOP majorities in Congress will try to make that happen
Read full article: Trump has pressed for voting changes. GOP majorities in Congress will try to make that happenRepublicans in Congress plan to move quickly in their effort to overhaul the nationโs voting procedures, seeing an opportunity with control of the White House and both chambers of Congress.
Senate passes RFK Stadium land bill, giving the Washington Commanders a major off-the-field win
Read full article: Senate passes RFK Stadium land bill, giving the Washington Commanders a major off-the-field winThe Washington Commanders' path to returning to nation's capital is clear after an on-again, off-again saga in Congress ended with a late reprieve.
A power grab by Republicans in North Carolina becomes a referendum on democracy in the states
Read full article: A power grab by Republicans in North Carolina becomes a referendum on democracy in the statesDemocrats in North Carolina were celebrating big wins in the swing state after the November election, including victories for governor and other top statewide offices.
Trump's words of opposition stop a bipartisan budget deal in its tracks with Musk's help
Read full article: Trump's words of opposition stop a bipartisan budget deal in its tracks with Musk's helpPresident-elect Donald Trump has delivered a likely death blow to bipartisan congressional budget negotiations.
Trump sues Des Moines Register, pollster for 'election interference' after pre-election poll
Read full article: Trump sues Des Moines Register, pollster for 'election interference' after pre-election pollPresident-elect Donald Trump is accusing the Des Moines Register newspaper and its pollster of โbrazen election interferenceโ for publishing a poll the weekend before the election that showed Democrat Kamala Harris was leading by three percentage points in the midwestern state.
Americans end 2024 with grim economic outlook, but Republicans are optimistic for 2025: AP-NORC poll
Read full article: Americans end 2024 with grim economic outlook, but Republicans are optimistic for 2025: AP-NORC pollA new poll finds that Democrats are feeling more pessimistic about the U.S. economy after Donald Trump's victory.
A new Texas GOP rule could alter the House speakerโs race โ and ban some Republicans from appearing in primaries
Read full article: A new Texas GOP rule could alter the House speakerโs race โ and ban some Republicans from appearing in primariesRepublicans who vote against party leadersโ preferred candidate could be barred from running in primaries. Lawsuits could follow.
Manchin, Sinema prevent Democrats from locking in majority on labor board through 2026
Read full article: Manchin, Sinema prevent Democrats from locking in majority on labor board through 2026Senate Democrats failed in their bid to confirm a Democratic member of the National Labor Relations Board after the Senate rejected a razor-thin vote that hinged on the pivotal rejections of independent Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona.
Election Day has long passed. In some states, legislatures are working to undermine the results
Read full article: Election Day has long passed. In some states, legislatures are working to undermine the resultsVoters in some parts of the country are discovering that having their say at the ballot box is not necessarily the final word, even though this year's election was over a month ago.
Houston Rep. Gene Wu to lead Texas House Democrats through GOP-dominated legislative session
Read full article: Houston Rep. Gene Wu to lead Texas House Democrats through GOP-dominated legislative sessionWu defeated incumbent Trey Martinez Fischer on Thursday to become the next chair of the Texas House Democratic Caucus.
Democrats stick with Schumer as leader. Their strategy for countering Trump is far less certain
Read full article: Democrats stick with Schumer as leader. Their strategy for countering Trump is far less certainSenate Democrats reelected Chuck Schumer as party leader on Tuesday as the party moves into a deeply uncertain time, with no real consensus on a strategy as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office.
Wisconsin Democratic leader Ben Wikler enters the race to lead the national party
Read full article: Wisconsin Democratic leader Ben Wikler enters the race to lead the national partyBen Wikler, chair of the Democratic Party in Wisconsin, says he's joined the race to lead the national party after an election that swept Donald Trump and Republicans to power in Washington.
Democrat Derek Tran defeats GOP Rep. Michelle Steel in Southern California swing House district
Read full article: Democrat Derek Tran defeats GOP Rep. Michelle Steel in Southern California swing House districtDemocrat Derek Tran has defeated two-term Republican U.S. Rep. Michelle Steel in a Southern California House district that was specifically drawn to give Asian Americans a stronger voice on Capitol Hill.
"Somebody needs to get fired": Vicente Gonzalez blasts Dem strategy on abortion, trans issues
Read full article: "Somebody needs to get fired": Vicente Gonzalez blasts Dem strategy on abortion, trans issuesAfter Democrats underperformed nationally and in Texas, the McAllen Democrat had some sharp commentary for his party and said he won't be taking their advice.
Democrats plan to elect new party leader just days after Trump's inauguration
Read full article: Democrats plan to elect new party leader just days after Trump's inaugurationThe chair of the Democratic National Committee has informed party leaders that the organization will elect his successor just days after Donald Trump is inaugurated.
Why Democratsโ abortion messaging failed to resonate in Texas, despite unpopular bans
Read full article: Why Democratsโ abortion messaging failed to resonate in Texas, despite unpopular bansTexasโ strict abortion bans made it โground zeroโ for Democrats hoping to rile up their base, but voters prioritized economic issues.
Virginia Democrats advance efforts to protect abortion, voting rights, marriage equality
Read full article: Virginia Democrats advance efforts to protect abortion, voting rights, marriage equalityDemocratic lawmakers who wield control of the Virginia Legislature are hoping to make good on promises made on the campaign trail, including becoming the first Southern state to expand constitutional protections for abortion access.
Lawmakers prepare for final lame-duck sprint before making way for next Congress
Read full article: Lawmakers prepare for final lame-duck sprint before making way for next CongressCongress has a short but important to-do list as lawmakers return to Washington this coming week for what is known as a lame-duck session.
Young Black and Latino men say they chose Trump because of the economy and jobs. Here's how and why
Read full article: Young Black and Latino men say they chose Trump because of the economy and jobs. Here's how and whyBlack and Latino voters moved toward Republican Donald Trump in this year's presidential election, and some of the biggest shifts were among men under age 45, and that helped expand his margin over Democrat Kamala Harris.
Texas Democratic Party chair steps down after dismal election performance
Read full article: Texas Democratic Party chair steps down after dismal election performanceGilberto Hinojosaโs resignation ends a 12-year run leading the state party, dating back to his election at the 2012 Texas Democratic Convention.
Texas Democrats underperformed yet again. Now what?
Read full article: Texas Democrats underperformed yet again. Now what?Tuesday was another electoral blowout in which Democrats underperformed expectations, weakening their case that Texas is a battleground state worthy of investment and attention from the national party.
Texas voter turnout falls in 2024 election despite record registration numbers
Read full article: Texas voter turnout falls in 2024 election despite record registration numbersA historic 18.6 million Texans were registered to vote in the 2024 election, and 61% cast ballots, a nearly 6% drop from the 2020 presidential race.
Why AP called the Wisconsin Senate race for Tammy Baldwin
Read full article: Why AP called the Wisconsin Senate race for Tammy BaldwinThe Associated Press declared that Democratic incumbent Tammy Baldwin won reelection to the U.S. Senate from Wisconsin after it determined that Republican Eric Hovde wouldnโt be able to take the lead once the remaining untabulated ballots were counted.
Republicans win Tarrant County, moving local government further to the right
Read full article: Republicans win Tarrant County, moving local government further to the rightFormer state Rep. Matt Krauseโs win may push the commissioners court even further away from the bipartisanship on which it once prided itself.
Should Harris County have federal monitors on Election Day?
Read full article: Should Harris County have federal monitors on Election Day?Some state officials are pushing back on what theyโre calling โthe Department of Justiceโs attempt to interfere with Texas Elections," while others argue it will ensure "fair and accurate" results.
AP-NORC poll finds skepticism of nationwide election tallies, especially among Republicans
Read full article: AP-NORC poll finds skepticism of nationwide election tallies, especially among RepublicansThe nationโs deep partisan divisions extend to trust in the vote tallies for this yearโs election.
North Carolina's historically Black colleges are mobilizing for Nov. 5, tapping an activist history
Read full article: North Carolina's historically Black colleges are mobilizing for Nov. 5, tapping an activist historyNorth Carolina's 10 historically Black colleges are going all out to get their nearly 40,000 students to vote.
In complaint, Ted Cruz says Democrats broke campaign finance laws to help Colin Allred
Read full article: In complaint, Ted Cruz says Democrats broke campaign finance laws to help Colin AllredCruz alleged that national Democrats illegally exceeded contribution limits when it spent more than $10 million for television ads in Texas benefiting Allred campaign.
Beyoncรฉ endorses Kamala Harris while Donald Trump vows border crackdown in dueling Texas stops
Read full article: Beyoncรฉ endorses Kamala Harris while Donald Trump vows border crackdown in dueling Texas stopsHarris talked about reproductive rights to a stadium full of supporters in Houston. In Austin, Trump stumped to supporters and reporters at a private jet terminal and appeared on Joe Roganโs podcast.
Democrats invest $5 million to try to defeat Republican Ted Cruz in Texas Senate race
Read full article: Democrats invest $5 million to try to defeat Republican Ted Cruz in Texas Senate raceDemocrats backing Rep. Colin Allredโs bid to defeat Texas Sen. Ted Cruz are investing $5 million in an ad campaign focused on abortion.
Democrats invest $5 million to try to defeat Republican Ted Cruz in Texas Senate race
Read full article: Democrats invest $5 million to try to defeat Republican Ted Cruz in Texas Senate raceDemocrats backing Rep. Colin Allredโs bid to defeat Texas Sen. Ted Cruz are investing $5 million in an ad campaign focused on abortion.
In New York, a constitutional amendment provides election fodder for the left and the right
Read full article: In New York, a constitutional amendment provides election fodder for the left and the rightDemocrats pushed to get a constitutional amendment on New Yorkโs ballot this November because they believed it could energize liberals eager to protect abortion rights.
Five races for the Republican-dominated State Board of Education to watch this year
Read full article: Five races for the Republican-dominated State Board of Education to watch this yearRevising the social studies curriculum could be among the divisive issues the Texas State Board of Education tackles next year.
Here are the Texas House races that Democrats and Republicans think they can flip
Read full article: Here are the Texas House races that Democrats and Republicans think they can flipDemocrats โ riding a wave of enthusiasm sparked by Kamala Harrisโ nomination โ think they can flip just enough House seats to stop Republicans from passing school vouchers.
Republicans raise $1 million targeting South Texas House races as Democrats invest elsewhere
Read full article: Republicans raise $1 million targeting South Texas House races as Democrats invest elsewhereDemocrats have long held an edge in South Texas, but Republicans see an opening there to expand their House majority.
Republicans are more likely than Democrats to see Israel as a US ally: AP-NORC poll
Read full article: Republicans are more likely than Democrats to see Israel as a US ally: AP-NORC pollA new Pearson Institute/AP-NORC survey finds Republicans are more likely to see Israel as an ally that shares the U.S.'s interests and values, while Democrats are more likely to see Israel as a partner that doesnโt share U.S. interests and values.