Sen. Cory Booker says he’s ‘definitely not ruling out’ a possible presidential run
By Alexandra Marquez Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., said Sunday that he is not ruling out the prospect of running for president in 2028, but that he is focused on running for re-election to the Senate this year. “I hope New Jersey will support me for another six years,” Booker told NBC News’ “Meet the Press.” Booker has served in the Senate since 2013 and has already run for president once, in the 2020 election cycle. That year, he dropped out of the Democratic primary in early January, citing a lack of funds to continue his campaign. Then-former Vice President Joe Biden went on
U.S. Senators Katie Britt, Raphael Warnock Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Streamline Federal Grants for HBCUs
U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) joined Senator Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) in introducing the bipartisan HBCU Research Capacity Act, legislation that would streamline federal funding opportunities for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). To announce the bill, the Senators hosted over 30 HBCU presidents from across the country for a roundtable discussion. Alabama A&M University President Dr. Daniel K. Wims, Alabama State University President Dr. Quinton T. Ross Jr., Drake State Community & Technical College President Dr. Patricia G. Sims, Shelton State Community College President Dr. Jonathan Koh, Lawson State Community College President Dr. Cynthia T. Anthony, Trenholm State Community College President Dr. Kemba K. Chambers, and Bishop State Community College President Olivier
Democrat flips Republican-held Florida state House district that includes Trump’s Mar-a-Lago
By Alexandra Marquez Democrat Emily Gregory won a special election Tuesday for the Florida state House district that includes President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort, flipping the seat from Republican control, The Associated Press projects. Gregory beat Republican Jon Maples, whom Trump endorsed, in the race for a seat that has been vacant since August, when Mike Caruso resigned from the Legislature and was appointed Palm Beach County clerk. Gregory had 51% of the vote to 49% for Maples with all precincts reporting. Democrats have performed well in special elections during Trump’s second term, with the party pointing to those results as a sign
Senate confirms Markwayne Mullin to be DHS secretary, replacing Kristi Noem
By Sahil Kapur and Scott Wong WASHINGTON — The Senate voted Monday to confirm Markwayne Mullin to lead the Department of Homeland Security as the shutdown of the sprawling agency dragged into its sixth week with no end in sight. The vote to confirm Mullin, a Republican senator from Oklahoma, as the head of DHS was 54-45, with Sens. John Fetterman, D-Pa., and Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., supporting his confirmation. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., the chairman of the panel overseeing DHS, voted against Mullin on Monday after he clashed with him at his hearing last week and questioned whether a man with “anger issues” could be trusted to
Supreme Court conservatives appear skeptical of mail-in ballots that arrive after Election Day
By Lawrence Hurley WASHINGTON — Conservative Supreme Court justices questioned Monday whether states should be allowed to count ballots that are mailed on time but arrive after Election Day. The nine justices heard more than two hours of arguments as President Donald Trump has ramped up his opposition to mail-in voting and urged Congress to ban it in most cases. The court is considering a Mississippi law similar to measures in 13 other states that allow mail-in ballots to be counted as long as they are postmarked by Election Day. The case could have implications for the midterm elections in November, when voters will decide which
Supreme Court tackles dispute over mail-in ballots ahead of November elections
By Lawrence Hurley WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Monday delves into the issue of mail-in voting, weighing whether states can count ballots that are mailed on time but arrive after Election Day. The justices will hear arguments as President Donald Trump has ramped up his opposition to mail-in voting and urged Congress to ban it in most cases. The court is considering a Mississippi law, similar to measures in 13 other states, that allow for mail-in ballots to be counted as long as they are postmarked by Election Day. The case could have implications for the midterm elections this November, when voters will decide which
Illinois results solidify JB Pritzker’s ‘powerhouse’ role — and set up a White House run
By Natasha Korecki Carol Moseley Braun — the former U.S. senator from Illinois and first Black woman to hold the office — had just ended a call with newly minted Democratic Senate nominee Juliana Stratton on Wednesday when she reflected on why the victory was “obviously” good for Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker. “He’ll have a senator on his side,” Moseley Braun said in an interview with NBC News. “Running for the presidency — different offices, different dynamics involved — but the more senators on your side, the better.” Moseley Braun said the quiet part out loud. Officially, Pritzker is seeking a
Conservative voter fraud hunters pitch new computer programs to state officials
By Jane C. Timm The creators of a controversial program designed to hunt for voter fraud that was promoted by conservative activists are pitching two new programs to state election officials ahead of the midterms. The first election software from Dr. John W. “Rick” Richards Jr. and his son, John W. Richards III, called EagleAI, promised to help officials and activists root out inaccurate voter registrations in the run-up to the 2024 election. The program was embraced by members of the Election Integrity Network, the group founded by Cleta Mitchell, a former election lawyer for President Donald Trump. But it was also criticized
Republicans resist calls for Iran war hearings, creating a new standoff with Democrats
By Stephen Groves The United States’ war with Iran is entering its third week, but Congress has yet to publicly test the Trump administration’s case for the conflict. Republicans in Congress have so far side-stepped public debate over the war, even as Senate Democrats reach for every tool at their disposal to demand hearings with Trump administration officials. Increasingly frustrated, Democrats are threatening this week to force a series of votes on the war, hoping that the effort to gum up the Senate’s voting schedule will prod Republicans to action. “We’ve had no oversight whatsoever over what the executive is doing as
Senate begins debating Trump-backed SAVE America Act, but it’s unlikely to pass
By Sahil Kapur, Frank Thorp V and Ryan Nobles The vote was 51-48, with Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, joining unified Democrats in opposition. Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., didn’t vote. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., has promised “an extended debate” on the legislation, which President Donald Trump has labeled his “No. 1 priority.” But it doesn’t have a viable path to pass in the Senate. The legislation would require Americans to show proof of citizenship — passports or birth certificates — in person to register to vote. It would require voters to show photo identification to cast ballots, including by mail. And it would
