Russia Sanctions Bill Gains Filibuster-Proof Senate Support
More than 60 senators support a bill targeting Russian officials, banks, energy projects, sanctions evasion, and major buyers of Russian oil and gas.
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Appeals Court Strikes Down New Jersey Assault-Weapons and Magazine Bans
A divided federal appeals court ruled that New Jersey’s bans on semiautomatic rifles and magazines holding more than 10 rounds violate the Second Amendment.
DOJ Says Federal-Device TikTok Ban No Longer Covers TikTok USDS
The Justice Department says federal agencies may permit TikTok USDS on official devices after changes to its ownership and security structure.
Canada Wildfire Smoke Sparks US Blame and Tariff Threat
Smoke from Canadian wildfires has reached parts of the United States, while President Trump has blamed Canada and raised the possibility of higher tariffs.
How US Elections Actually Work: Counting Votes and the Fights Over the Rules
Reading Nobody Runs the American Election When Americans vote for president, they are not taking part in one national election. They are taking part in thousands of local ones held on the same day. The United States has no national election authority, and no federal agency counts a single ballot. Election administration is decentralized, meaning … Read more
Trump’s Election Integrity Speech: What the Numbers Actually Show
On the evening of Thursday, July 16, 2026, President Donald Trump delivered a roughly 25-minute primetime address from the White House East Room on the subject of election integrity. He announced what he called the immediate declassification of intelligence revealing “shocking vulnerabilities” in US election infrastructure, and hundreds of pages of supporting documents were posted … Read more
Pentagon Orders Testosterone Screening for Troops 30 and Older
The Pentagon will add annual testosterone-deficiency screening for service members 30 and older. Treatment would be voluntary, while the clinical rules and costs remain unclear.
Trump Administration Revives Public-Charge Rule for Green-Card Applicants
The Trump administration’s new public-charge rule is scheduled to take effect September 18. Here is what it changes, what is still unclear, and why the policy remains contested.
House Democrats Split Nearly Evenly on Israel Aid, as a Rules Fight Shapes Which Votes Happened at All
On Wednesday, July 15, 2026, the House defeated an amendment that would have cut off $3.3 billion in security assistance to Israel. The final tally was 104 to 314, with 10 members voting present. The margin was lopsided, but the party breakdown was not. Among Republicans, the vote was 1 to 215. The single yes … Read more
Judge Blocks Visa Penalties Targeting Social-Media Researchers
A federal judge temporarily blocked a policy that could impose immigration consequences on noncitizen researchers and advocates working on online misinformation, content moderation and trust and safety.
ICE Pauses Most Vehicle Stops After Fatal Shootings in Maine and Texas
ICE paused most vehicle stops after two fatal shootings in Texas and Maine. DHS accounts, the available evidence and the push for body cameras remain central questions.
House Passes Bill to Make Daylight Saving Time Permanent, Heads to Senate
The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation on July 14, 2026, that would end the twice yearly changing of clocks and make daylight saving time permanent nationwide. The bill, H.R. 139, the Sunshine Protection Act of 2025, cleared the House Rules Committee by a 6 to 4 vote on July 13, then passed a procedural … Read more
