Political developments with market and economic implications.
Coverage of political events, elections, legislation, and regulatory changes that influence markets and economic policy. Focuses on political risk, fiscal decisions, and policy uncertainty relevant to investors.
801 total articles
Texas has shifted from a safe Republican hold to a competitive battleground after Attorney General Ken Paxton upset four-term Senator John Cornyn in a runoff following a late endorsement from former President Donald Trump. Paxton faces Democratic state Representative James Talarico, who has significantly outpaced him in fundraising. Republican stra…
A central provision of the U.S. foreign surveillance framework, Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, is due to lapse at midnight on Friday after a standoff in Congress tied to the White House's interim intelligence appointment. The statute enables targeted collection of communications from non-U.S. persons overseas and permits …
President Donald Trump will stage a seven-fight Ultimate Fighting Championship event on the White House South Lawn on June 14 as part of 250th independence celebrations and his 80th birthday. The event brings longtime UFC allies and corporate sponsors to the executive grounds, with production financed by the promotion's parent company and broadcast…
The Republican-led Senate Armed Services Committee approved a version of the annual National Defense Authorization Act that extends security assistance for Ukraine and raises authorized funding for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative to $750 million. The measure also includes a controversial renaming of the Department of Defense and provisio…
Ten states will use newly drawn congressional maps in November’s midterm elections after an aggressive mid-decade redistricting scramble. Republican-drawn maps have increased the party’s advantage across a number of districts - producing a net gain potential of 16 seats for Republicans versus six districts that now favor Democrats - but Democrats s…
Federal authorities responded to an apparent large tracing of "8647" mowed or otherwise marked into the lawn near the World War II Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. A photographer on top of the Washington Monument reported seeing the figures shortly before officials arrived. The marking clearly displays the digits 8, 6 and 7 while t…
The U.S. House voted down a short-term extension of foreign surveillance powers requested by President Trump, leaving the authority scheduled to expire at midnight Friday. The measure failed 218-198 after 19 Republicans joined the majority of Democrats in opposing the proposal that would have extended the powers until July 2.
Florida's highest court opted not to block a Republican-drawn congressional map on June 10, ruling 6-1 that it does not have jurisdiction to intervene while the case is pending in a lower appeals court. The decision means the new map will almost certainly govern the 2024 congressional races in Florida, with filing deadlines and primary dates still …
A group of state attorneys general and Washington, D.C. have sued federal agencies in Baltimore federal court, asserting that more than two dozen agencies improperly inserted contract language ending certain diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) practices for contractors. The suit claims agencies implemented President Trump's March executive order …
A Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted over six days and closing on Monday found that only a small fraction of Americans believe the Trump administration aided in securing justice for cases tied to Jeffrey Epstein. The survey reveals widespread doubt about whether powerful people connected to Epstein have been held accountable, and a large share of respond…
Marty O'Donnell, who received former President Donald Trump's endorsement and significant personal funding, secured the Republican nomination in Nevada's 3rd Congressional District primary. The seat, currently held by Democrat Susie Lee, is viewed as a competitive battleground that could play a role in determining which party controls the U.S. Hous…
Democratic voters in Nevada’s 3rd Congressional District selected incumbent Representative Susie Lee as their nominee on Tuesday. The Las Vegas-area seat is a closely watched battleground that could play a role in determining which party controls the U.S. House in November. Lee, who was reelected by nearly 3 percentage points in 2024 despite the di…
Former Maine Governor Paul LePage secured the Republican nomination for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District, setting up a November general election in a district viewed as a key battleground that could help determine which party controls the U.S. House. The seat is open after centrist Democrat Jared Golden declined to run for re-election, and the fi…
Steve Hilton, a Republican television commentator, was projected to advance to the November 3 general election from California's June 2 open primary, setting up a contest with Democratic former cabinet secretary Xavier Becerra. Early returns placed Becerra first and Hilton second, while Democrat-turned-candidate Tom Steyer trailed in third. Califor…
Managers at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence have informed staff to prepare for substantial reductions in the coming months after President Donald Trump named Bill Pulte as interim director to succeed Tulsi Gabbard. Sources familiar with the situation say the announcement has accelerated departures of employees already designated…
Republican-led Congress has taken the uncommon step of advancing measures that could constrain President Donald Trump’s ability to continue hostilities with Iran. The House approved a war powers resolution on June 4 and the Senate cleared a related measure in a May 19 procedural vote. Both moves reflect growing concern across party lines about the …
A Government Accountability Office report released June 9 found pervasive planning, oversight and medical care failures at Camp East Montana, an immigration detention center on Fort Bliss built under an expedited contracting process. The GAO said the facility lacked use-of-force documentation, failed to provide treatment plans for detainees with ch…
House Speaker Mike Johnson met with President Donald Trump to address the political fallout from Trump’s appointment of Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence. Lawmakers fear Pulte may misuse access to intelligence, a concern that has stalled Congressional renewal of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which ex…
Primary voters in Maine, South Carolina, Nevada and North Dakota head to the polls amid a mix of personal controversies, high-profile presidential endorsements and competitive open-seat contests. In Maine, Democratic Senate hopeful Graham Platner faces scrutiny over sexually explicit messages he sent last year; in South Carolina, Republican Represe…
A Reuters/Ipsos national poll finds a large share of voters aligned with the two major parties are willing to support controversial nominees to prevent the opposing party from gaining power. The findings highlight the strength of partisan loyalty ahead of key Senate contests in Maine and Texas where candidates from both parties face serious persona…
Graham Platner, a 41-year-old Maine oyster farmer and Marine veteran, faces Democratic voters amid renewed scrutiny of past conduct ahead of a pivotal Senate primary. Allegations involving explicit messages, a tattoo linked to Nazi imagery and unsettling behavior reported by former partners have drawn attention as Platner campaigns to challenge inc…
Alaska’s lieutenant governor has launched an inquiry into a U.S. Senate challenger who uses the same name as the Republican incumbent, following allegations the filing was intended to confuse voters. The investigation seeks to establish whether Daniel James Sullivan Jr. coordinated with others or intentionally mimicked campaign materials, and wheth…
President Donald Trump renewed accusations that California's election system is rigged after returns in the Los Angeles mayoral primary showed the Republican he endorsed slipping behind two Democrats. California officials say slow tabulation reflects a mail-in voting process and strict safeguards. The dispute underscores a broader narrative from Tr…
Six Democratic senators have requested that the Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General examine a family road trip by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy that was filmed for a web series and funded through a nonprofit receiving donations from companies regulated by the department. The request cites questions about use of funds and …
In recent days a range of Republican senators and representatives have moved to oppose several of President Trump's initiatives, from foreign policy stances to funding proposals and nominations. The defections - while not unified into a formal rebellion - signal a readiness among some GOP members to prioritize electoral pressures and constituent pr…
