Democratic Senate Primaries Test Party Leadership in 2026
By Sahil Kapur and Bridget Bowman When Michigan state Sen. Mallory McMorrow decided in February that she wanted to run for an open U.S. Senate seat, she conveyed her intentions to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. But the committee asked her to hold off, according to three sources familiar with the conversations. In that call and subsequent ones, some of which took place at the staff level, DSCC officials didn’t explicitly ask her not to run, but “they were slow-walking,” said one source who discussed the private conversations on condition of anonymity. “It was, ‘Can you wait a little longer, can you wait?’”
White House Prepares RIF Plans Ahead of Possible Shutdown
By Monica Alba and Zoë Richards The White House is raising the stakes of a potential government shutdown by drafting a request for federal agencies to prepare “reduction in force” plans in case Congress doesn’t pass a spending bill before Oct. 1. In a memo from the Office of Management and Budget, obtained by NBC News, the Trump administration indicated it’s prepared to go beyond the traditional furloughing of some government employees during shutdowns and fire federal employees. “With respect to those Federal programs whose funding would lapse and which are otherwise unfunded, such programs are no longer statutorily required to be carried out,” the memo
Harris Memoir Fuels 2028 Race Talk, Sparks Democrat Reactions
By Ben Kamisar Former Vice President Kamala Harris’ return to the public eye has kicked off a new phase of the nascent 2028 presidential race. In excerpts published ahead of the release of her new book, Harris outlined her internal thinking (and a few mea culpas) around key decisions and developments that vexed her 2024 presidential campaign. She also offered some blunt thoughts about a handful of other prominent Democrats, including up-and-comers who she considered to be her running mate, like former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro. Now, Harris’ book has opened up the first big moment of confrontation
ACA Subsidy Expiration Could Spike Premiums by 75% in 2026
By Sahil Kapur A pot of funding for insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act expires at the end of this year, and Republicans in Congress are rejecting Democrats’ demands to extend it this month in a government funding bill. Expiration of the funds would lead to sharp premium hikes for people all over the country. While they officially expire after the last day of 2025, there is some urgency to act soon: Insurers are filing their rates over the next few weeks, and open enrollment begins Nov. 1. Failure to act by then could cause many people to drop their coverage for 2026.
Kamala Harris Memoir “107 Days” Reveals Biden Rift
By Natasha Korecki and Jonathan Allen Former Vice President Kamala Harris’ memoir of her failed 2024 campaign for the Oval Office skewers some of the nation’s most prominent Democrats — including former President Joe Biden — offers her perspective on crucial moments in the election and outlines her own regrets about her decisions and performance. Published by Simon & Schuster on Tuesday, “107 Days” zooms in on the narrow window during which Biden abruptly handed her the reins of the Democratic nomination and she lost to Donald Trump. The book is notable among election memoirs in its often candid assessments of figures who
Trump to Meet Schumer, Jeffries as Government Shutdown Looms
By Melanie Zanona, Julie Tsirkin and Dareh Gregorian President Donald Trump is expected to meet with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer this week to discuss funding the government as the specter of a shutdown looms, two sources familiar with the matter told NBC News. A time and a date have not yet been set. The meeting is expected to take place in Washington. Jeffries and Schumer, both of New York, had requested that the meeting take place ahead of the Sept. 30 funding deadline. Trump said over the weekend, “I’d love to meet with them, but I don’t
Trump Pressures DOJ, Praises Bondi, Names New Prosecutor
By Dennis Romero President Donald Trump exerted public pressure Saturday night on Attorney General Pam Bondi, saying it was time for the Justice Department to take action against a number of his political foes. Alongside the extraordinary demand to prosecute his adversaries, the president also named his former defense attorney, now a senior White House aide, to replace the head of a key prosecutor’s office he forced out a day earlier. “We can’t delay any longer, it’s killing our reputation and credibility. They impeached me twice, and indicted me (5 times!), OVER NOTHING. JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED, NOW!!!” Trump said on Truth Social. He
Sherrill, Ciattarelli Clash on Trump Policies in NJ Debate
By Bridget Bowman Voters in New Jersey may not be see the president on the ballot when they select their next governor in November, but Donald Trump still looms over the race, with the candidates clashing over his administration’s policies in their first debate. Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill worked to tie Republican Jack Ciattarelli to Trump, while Ciattarelli stressed his independence from the White House while defending some of Trump’s signature moves Sunday night. The New Jersey Globe, Rider University and On New Jersey hosted the debate, which comes as the fall campaign heats up in New Jersey and a handful of
Senate Proclaims Oct 14, 2025 as Charlie Kirk Remembrance Day
Written By Lexx Thornton The U.S. Senate on Thursday unanimously approved a resolution to designate October 14, 2025, as the National Day of Remembrance for Charlie Kirk. The date marks what would have been the political activist’s 32nd birthday. Charlie was a good man — a devout husband, father, and friend. His life was shaped by his faith and the idea that in America, debate and discussion are crucial to the betterment of our country, said Sen. Rick Scott, a Republican who represents Florida, in a news release. Scott also said he is “proud to join together with my colleagues”
Record 37 Lawmakers to Leave Congress Ahead of 2026 Elections
By Stephen Fowler NPR is tracking the record number of congressional lawmakers who have announced they do not plan to run for reelection to their current seats in 2026. That number currently stands at 10 senators and 27 House members. Fifteen are retiring from public office with the rest running for a different office — 11 looking to become governor of their state, 10 looking to make the jump from House to Senate and one, Texas Republican Rep. Chip Roy, is looking to become his state’s attorney general. There are more Republicans signaling their desire to exit Washington (27) than Democrats (10).
