Democrats secured decisive wins in Tuesday’s off-year elections, giving the party a boost of confidence and forcing Republicans to reconsider their economic message. @efilter.bsky.social reports (unlocked): www.nationaljournal.com/s/730135/top...

Pelosi will leave as perhaps the most consequential speaker in the history of the House, not only because of her glass-shattering status as the only woman to hold the job or her political deftness. Check out the NJ Daily Outlook: www.nationaljournal.com/s/730136/out...

State lawmakers and prominent 'Make America Healthy Again' figures are criticizing efforts on Capitol Hill to preempt states from banning or regulating food additives, writes Nancy Vu (unlocked)

The president’s aggressive efforts to impose a broad menu of punitive tariffs on a wide array of countries faced a skeptical Supreme Court Wednesday, in a landmark case with potentially staggering effects on the economy. Check out the NJ Daily Outlook: www.nationaljournal.com/s/730122/out...

Tuesday night’s wins for Dems, coupled with Trump’s acknowledgement that the shutdown is hurting Republicans, should give the minority party further ammo to argue that the president should come to the table to negotiate a deal. Nancy Vu reports (unlocked): www.nationaljournal.com/s/730120/tue...

In the last week alone, President Trump’s statements on food stamps, soybeans, Argentine beef, and trade have mattered much more than any departmental policy. Read Jerry Hagstrom's Outside Influences for free here: www.nationaljournal.com/s/730116/ag-...

A year after he won a second term by giving voice to national concern over the economy and high prices, the president has stopped talking about what Americans are most concerned about. Read unlocked analysis from George Condon: www.nationaljournal.com/s/730121/a-d...

Views on the economy remain about as bad as they were a year ago, but now it’s the Republicans in charge who are shouldering the blame. Natalie Jackson with the latest Leading Indicators (unlocked): www.nationaljournal.com/s/730117/rep...

Heading into 2026, Hotline released its first round of power rankings of the Senate, House, and gubernatorial seats most likely to flip. Want to know more? Check out Hotline’s free 2026 Midterm Preview Special Edition: www.nationaljournal.com/md/730107/ho...

The cover for Hotline’s 2026 Midterm Preview. Check out the special edition here: www.nationaljournal.com/md/730107/ho...

"As a younger generation joins the political fray," writes Erika Filter, "they’re more likely to have digital skeletons in their closets—from regrettable posts under an anonymous username to long-forgotten texts buried in group messages."

Trump may never have to deal with a Democratic Senate. But GOP senators, however, are playing the long game. That's why they're butting heads over the filibuster. Ledyard King and Nancy Vu write www.nationaljournal.com/s/730113/out...

Tom DeFrank writes that Cheney thought Trump was dangerous, yet his cheerleading for a muscular expansion of presidential authority might be considered a blueprint for Trump’s playbook. (unlocked) www.nationaljournal.com/s/730111/he-...

In this episode, @kirk-bado.bsky.social and @efilter.bsky.social discuss President Trump's role, or lack thereof, on the campaign trail this year, and what it might mean for next year's midterms. Listen on Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/4nl6...

The government shutdown is about to tie the record at 35 days but there are signs of optimism that the impasse could end soon. What are they? Read tonight's NJ OUTLOOK to find out: buff.ly/mnPLeIJ

What are the signs to look for in Tuesday's elections that could provide clues about next year's midterms? Charlie Cook has 10 questions to see if the political winds are calm, or if they may blow Republicans out of office next year: www.nationaljournal.com/s/730083/an-...

Abigail Spanberger (VA) & Mikie Sherril (NJ) share much as Dem lawmakers vying for governor Tuesday. In reality, each faces a unique political environment, and vastly different opponents, shaping their odds more than their commonalities. Read this free story by Abby Turner: njour.nl/s/730076?unl...

The National Flood Insurance Program, which has been suspended due to the shutdown, faces a myriad of challenges: it's billions under water and powerful critics want to dismantle it. Read this unlocked story from Elias Vetters to learn more: buff.ly/ulzGacf

As Nixon learned—and Trump is about to—all the pomp, praise, and gifts from leaders abroad won't ease domestic troubles that await back home, writes George Condon (unlocked)

Unbound from potential runs for statewide office, MTG has sought to carve her own path. @caseywooten.bsky.social reports (unlocked)

After the administration briefed only GOP senators on its strikes against boats in the Caribbean, Sen. Warner raged: “It's not optional. It's our freaking duty." @savbehrmannDC.bsky.social reports

In a Wednesday hearing, senators from both sides of the aisle lectured big tech on the importance of free speech and a robust press. They then spent the remaining 2 hours disagreeing on who was really a threat to free speech. @philipathey.bsky.social reports

At Thursday's confirmation hearing, senators may challenge MAHA influencer Casey Means on a range of issues, including vaccines, raw milk, and her lack of a medical license.

Q+A with Naomi Goldberg The executive director of the Movement Advancement Project discusses possible consequences of state laws and recent LGBTQ-related cases before the Supreme Court. www.nationaljournal.com/s/730038/qa-...

Two tariff-blocking resolutions passed the Senate with a little GOP assistance. They still face a roadblock in the House. Sponsors say the goal is just getting the GOP on record. @savbehrmanndc.bsky.social writes (unlocked) www.nationaljournal.com/s/730041/cou...

Former President Biden’s use of the autopen to sign executive documents helped enable “a cover-up of the president’s cognitive decline,” GOP lawmakers on the House Oversight Committee charged in a report released Tuesday. Check out the NJ Daily Outlook: www.nationaljournal.com/s/730029/out...

Now that the second Trump administration is well underway, he’s back to playing hardball with China. But not all the media conservatives who have cheered much of his America First agenda are on board. Katie Beth Cannon reports (unlocked): www.nationaljournal.com/s/730028/dom...

"Like the dozens of other reporters whose news organizations declined to sign, my building pass was revoked, 57 years to the month since I was handed my first credential." Read from Tom DeFrank's decades at the Pentagon (unlocked): www.nationaljournal.com/s/730026/rem...

The polling industry has some major flaws in reaching people and getting them to answer surveys. Betting markets however aren’t it. Natalie Jackson with the latest Leading Indicators (unlocked): www.nationaljournal.com/s/730025/why...

If Democrats have any chance to win back the Senate in 2026 or in 2028, they have to win Maine next year. In his latest OFF TO THE RACES COLUMN, Charlie Cook writes it won't be that easy to knock off Susan Collins.

President Trump has pressured America's universities to get them to bend to his will. But higher education institutions are undertaking their own mission to encourage the open dialogue conservatives say is absent from campuses. Read tonight's NJ OUTLOOK: www.nationaljournal.com/s/730012/out...

It's Day 27 of the shutdown and it looks like Day 28, 29 and 30 are not going to be any different. The Senate didn't even take a vote to reopen the government. With Trump in Asia, is there any hope this gets resolved son? Read this free piece from Savannah Behrmann and Casey Wooten: buff.ly/g2rdgBc

On this episode, @kirk-bado.bsky.social talks to @abby-turner.bsky.social about the upcoming elections in New Jersey and Virginia. Listen on Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/1ZCV...

President Trump arrived in Asia after what Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called “very good” talks only days with Beijing before an additional 100 % tariff on Chinese goods was set to go into effect on Saturday. Read George Condon's free story: njour.nl/s/729993?unl...

Senate Republicans will question tech execs again about how the Biden administration pressured them to take down misinformation. But, writes @philipathey.bsky.social, Rs have been silent as AG Bondi pressures Big Tech to take down ICE-tracking apps (unlocked)

Trump aides say Trump's ballroom project is part of a continuum of improvements over the decades. But they leave out some key context, writes George Condon (unlocked) www.nationaljournal.com/s/729980/no-...

With foreign workers hard to find, farmers are experimenting with automation in what could be a different look for the family farm. Read the latest OUTSIDE INFLUENCES column from Jerry Hagstrom (it's unlocked):

Have we reached a tipping point when it comes to climate? A recent study says yes but it's not too late to mitigate the problem. Read this free story from @ledyardking.bsky.social and @savbehrmanndc.bsky.social to find out what happens next:

So who gets the blame for the federal shutdown? Well...both parties do new polls suggest. Public perception is key since it might pressure one side to cave in if they feel voter heat. Read about it in the latest NJ OUTLOOK: buff.ly/B0nLnCn

Republicans have eclipsed Democrats in voter registration numbers over the last decade. In reality, neither party may be entirely responsible for the shift, and it may be less consequential than it seems. @efilter.bsky.social reports (unlocked): www.nationaljournal.com/s/729939/red...

In a move designed to put Democrats on the record, Senate Majority Leader Thune is putting on the floor a GOP bill that would fully compensate essential federal workers, including military personnel, who have worked during the shutdown without pay.

Sen. Bill Cassidy was one of 7 GOP senators who voted in 2021 to convict Trump in his impeachment trial over his role in inciting the insurrectionists who attacked the Capitol on Jan. 6. Lately, the Louisiana senator's been trying to make amends. Read tonight's NJ OUTLOOK:

Backers of a plan to fold NASA into the Transportation Department say the Cabinet-level seat at the table would boost advocacy for the agency’s needs. Others warn it would reduce NASA’s prominence. Read the free story from @philipathey.bsky.social: njour.nl/s/729949?unl... njour.nl/s/729949?unl...

The value of a liberal-arts education just isn’t as enticing when costs are high and the courses aren’t necessarily providing relevant job skills. Natalie Jackson with the latest Leading Indicators (unlocked): www.nationaljournal.com/s/729948/its...

A war has rumbled within the GOP between Reaganite Republicans and the growing populist movement. @philipathey.bsky.social writes that a new front in the ongoing conflict may soon form over how best to regulate artificial intelligence.

Colin Allred performed well in South Texas in 2024. He needs an even bigger performance in 2026, writes James Downs from the Lone Star State. (unlocked)

While Democrats wring their hands over their own electoral fortunes, Republicans seem to be whistling past the graveyard, writes Charlie Cook in the latest "Off to the Races" www.nationaljournal.com/s/729938/rep...

In this bonus episode, Hotline Editor Kirk A. Bado and Cook Political Report with Amy Walter founder Charlie Cook discuss the battles on the Senate map, the gubernatorial elections in New Jersey and Virginia, and the changing political dynamics this midterm cycle: buff.ly/5GEsmlF

The defense appropriations bill failed to advanced on Thursday—a sign of how contentious negotiations between the two parties are as lawmakers enter the third week of the government shutdown. Nancy Vu reports www.nationaljournal.com/s/729910/out...

Democrats face an uphill climb to win back the Senate but they got some good news: Q3 reports (July 1-Sept. 30) show they dominated fundraising in six of Hotline’s 10 Senate seats most likely to flip. Read @nenonicolosio.bsky.social's free piece to learn more: www.nationaljournal.com/s/729897/iho...