Senate leaders announce funding agreement as lawmakers seek to avoid another shutdown
Senate leaders announced a bipartisan funding agreement on Aug. 2, but the measure still faced a Senate vote, House consideration and possible presidential action.
U.S. Senate
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Cameron Hamilton’s FEMA Nomination Reaches Senate Cloture Stage
A Senate cloture motion has moved Cameron Hamilton’s FEMA nomination closer to a confirmation vote, but he remains unconfirmed and FEMA rules have not changed.
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Michigan Voters Decide Senate and Governor Nominees in Aug. 4 Primary
Michigan voters are choosing party nominees Tuesday in a high-profile U.S. Senate primary and open gubernatorial contests. Polls close at 8 p.m.; unofficial results will be followed by canvassing before the Nov. 3 general election.
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Alexandria voters head to polls Tuesday in delayed congressional primaries
Alexandria voters can cast ballots from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4, in two statewide-scheduled primaries, with assigned polling places and Election Day ballot drop boxes available.
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Why August 3 matters in Kentucky’s debate over a possible McConnell Senate vacancy
Mitch McConnell remains in rehabilitation and says he intends to return. No vacancy has been documented, but Kentucky law would require a special election if one were formally created.
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Maine Democrats replace Graham Platner with Troy Jackson in Senate race against Susan Collins
Troy Jackson was selected by Maine Democratic delegates to replace Graham Platner as the party’s U.S. Senate nominee. The November 3 contest could use ranked-choice voting if additional candidates qualify.
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Kentucky’s McConnell succession dispute reaches an August 3 deadline as Beshear weighs authority
Gov. Andy Beshear has asked Sen. Mitch McConnell for a public update while Kentucky confronts contested questions about a potential Senate vacancy, a special election and the governor’s authority under a 2021 state-law change.
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South Carolina Republicans enter special primary process to replace late Sen. Lindsey Graham
A one-week Republican filing period closed July 28 as South Carolina begins the process of filling the U.S. Senate vacancy created by Sen. Lindsey Graham’s death.
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Senate leaders unveil short-term funding deal aimed at keeping federal agencies open through early December
Senate leaders announced a short-term spending proposal Aug. 2 that would extend federal agency funding into early December, but the measure still needs Senate action and agreement with the House and White House.
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South Carolina Senate succession enters final week before special Republican primary
South Carolina’s special Republican primary is scheduled for Aug. 11 after Gov. Henry McMaster appointed Darline Graham to temporarily fill the Senate vacancy caused by Lindsey Graham’s death.
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Trump urges Senate to cancel August recess until it passes proof-of-citizenship voting bill
President Donald Trump called on Senate Majority Leader John Thune to keep the Senate in session until lawmakers pass the SAVE America Act, a proposed proof-of-citizenship requirement for federal voter registration.
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Republicans begin South Carolina special primary campaign to replace Lindsey Graham
South Carolina’s one-week Republican filing period for a special primary to replace the late U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham closed July 28, 2026, with multiple Republicans competing or positioning themselves for the statewide contest.
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Troy Jackson emerges as Maine Democrats’ likely U.S. Senate nominee after Graham Platner exits
Graham Platner has ended his Democratic U.S. Senate campaign and endorsed former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson, making Jackson the party’s likely pick in the 2026 statewide race.
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Senate Hearing Examines AI’s Impact on U.S. Communications Networks
A Senate Commerce subcommittee hearing will examine AI, network capacity, cybersecurity, reliability and whether federal policy should support infrastructure investment.
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South Carolina Senate Special Primary: Who Can Vote and What Comes Next
South Carolina voters face an August 11 special Republican Senate primary, with absentee, early-voting and runoff deadlines arriving quickly.
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Trump Urges Senate to Cancel August Recess Over Stalled SAVE America Act
Trump is pressing Senate Majority Leader John Thune to keep senators in Washington over the SAVE America Act, but no Senate calendar change or new voting rule is in effect.