All articles tagged with #us senate
In the first of four debates, Republican Susan Collins and Democrat Troy Jackson clashed over Trump alignment and local impact. Collins emphasized her seniority and $1.5 billion in federal funds for Maine, while Jackson criticized her 96% voting alignment with the president. Polls show the race remains tied, with voters split between local and national priorities.
Republican Senator Susan Collins and Democrat Troy Jackson held their first debate on October 6, 2026, marking a pivotal moment in a tied race for the U.S. Senate. The candidates traded sharp attacks over national issues, including tariffs on Canada, healthcare policy, and immigration enforcement. While Collins defended her record of bipartisan compromise and resistance to President Trump’s trade policies, Jackson criticized her as insufficiently opposed to the administration and highlighted his support for Medicare for All. The debate occurred as polls show the race remains a toss-up, with voters split between those prioritizing local results and those focused on national party control.
The US Senate has reached a bipartisan agreement on the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act, a 417-page bill aimed at accelerating the permitting process for both renewable and fossil fuel energy projects. The legislation, which caps environmental reviews and limits judicial challenges, is expected to be voted on after the November 2026 midterm elections. While proponents argue it will lower energy costs and expand clean infrastructure, critics warn it undermines environmental protections and could lock in fossil fuel projects.
The push to make daylight saving time permanent has stalled in the US Senate, with President Trump publicly clashing with Senator Tom Cotton over the issue. While the House passed the Sunshine Protection Act in July, Cotton is blocking fast-track procedures in the Senate, arguing that permanent daylight saving time creates unsafe, dark winter mornings for students in northern states. Trump criticized Cotton on social media, even sharing the senator's personal phone number to pressure him, but the bill faces a geographic deadlock between coastal and western lawmakers. With midterm elections approaching, Senate leaders acknowledge there is no clear path to pass the measure before the session ends.
Retiring Senator Thom Tillis warns that the erosion of checks and balances could lead to a 'dictator king' if Congress fails to assert its coequal power. In a new book and 60 Minutes interview, Tillis criticizes President Trump’s advisers as sycophants and details his decision to retire after a dispute over the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. He argues that many Republican senators remain silent due to fear of primary challenges, predicting an 'electoral bloodbath' for the party in upcoming midterms.
A new poll shows Democrats leading or tied in five traditionally Republican Senate races, suggesting a potential shift in the chamber. This momentum is driven by high presidential disapproval and strong local candidates, though Republicans retain significant financial advantages.
The Senate Leadership Fund has paused its advertising campaign in North Carolina, redirecting millions of dollars to other races. This move follows consistent polling showing Republican candidate Michael Whatley trailing Democrat Roy Cooper by a significant margin. The shift reflects a broader GOP strategy to prioritize competitive seats in states like Kansas and Texas to maintain Senate majority control.
The U.S. Senate adjourned on September 30, 2026, until November 9, following a final session marked by failed Republican legislative pushes and heightened partisan tension. Democrats blocked key bills on data centers and voting reform, while Republicans cited these failures as evidence of Democratic obstruction. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer expressed confidence in Democratic prospects, citing voter dissatisfaction with President Trump, while Majority Leader John Thune argued the GOP successfully highlighted Democratic inaction. The chamber’s departure leaves critical issues, including funding and defense authorization, unresolved until after the November 3 elections.
The US Senate failed to advance the Stop Insider Trading Act on Wednesday, with the measure falling 53-47, seven votes short of the 60 needed to overcome a filibuster. The bill, which passed the House in July, would have banned members of Congress, their spouses, and dependent children from buying individual stocks. Democrats opposed the measure, arguing it allowed lawmakers to retain existing holdings and reinvest dividends, and objected to a bundled voter ID requirement they described as a 'poison pill.' The vote occurred five weeks before the November midterms, with the Senate set to recess for the campaign season. Republicans accused Democrats of prioritizing political messaging over reform, while Democrats argued the bill was designed to fail and ignored a bipartisan alternative advanced in a committee last year.
The US Senate blocked a resolution requiring the State Department to report on the deaths of nine American citizens in the West Bank and the detention of Palestinian children. The measure failed 47-53, with all Republicans voting against it and only one Democrat opposing it. The resolution cited a lack of accountability from both Israeli and US authorities regarding these deaths and ongoing human rights abuses.
The US Senate rejected a Democratic-led resolution demanding a State Department report on violence in the West Bank, including the deaths of nine American citizens. The measure failed 47-51 along party lines, with all Republicans voting against it and only one Democrat, John Fetterman, joining them. The vote occurred amid rising settler violence and displacement of Palestinians, with human rights groups citing significant increases in settler attacks and displacement since 2023.
The US Senate passed the Protect College Sports Act 77-22 on Monday, creating a federal framework for college athletics. The bill caps athlete payments, limits transfers, and grants the NCAA antitrust immunity. President Trump celebrated the vote, but the legislation faces significant hurdles in the House, which is in recess until after the November elections.
Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman accidentally called himself a 'lifelong Republican' during a Texas interview, reigniting debate over his party loyalty. While he denied switching to the GOP, his recent votes against his party and public appearances with Republicans have raised concerns among Democrats about his future in the Senate.
Sen. John Fetterman accidentally called himself a 'lifelong Republican' during a Texas Tribune Festival interview, reigniting speculation about his party loyalty. He clarified the slip, reaffirmed his Democratic status, and deferred decisions on his 2028 reelection and potential role as the 51st vote until after the November midterms.
With 40 days left until the 2026 midterms, Democrats have a feasible path to flipping the Senate, needing a net gain of four seats to overcome a 53-47 deficit. Rising unpopularity of President Trump and economic frustration have shifted several red-state races toward Democrats, though Republicans retain significant financial advantages.