Democrats Reject GOP Stopgap, Escalating Midterm Funding Standoff

House Democrats signal a firm “no” on a Republican stopgap funding bill that would extend spending through December, arguing it circumvents bipartisan appropriations and postpones a critical funding fight until after the midterms; with Democratic leadership reportedly opposed to the measure, Republicans may struggle to avert a funding lapse. The update also covers Lindsey Graham’s sister being tapped for his Senate committee assignments, Speaker Johnson’s push for a broader ban on lawmakers’ relationships with staff, Rep. Raskin’s request for Epstein records, and ongoing GOP efforts to advance a reconciliation package for Iran-war funding and other priorities ahead of the midterms.