News · US
2026 could bring record congressional turnover
Elections and votingDecision Desk HQ says the 2026 cycle could produce a modern high in the number of new members entering Congress.
The Ballot National DeskSep 22, 2026
Politics and government news
What government is actually doing — laws and executive action, budgets and taxes, housing, schools, health, courts, public safety, transport, energy, voting and campaigns — across Washington, the states and city hall. Filter below or page through the full archive.
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500 stories · page 9 of 17
News · US
Congress Winds Down as November Elections Near
Elections and votingCongressional activity is tapering off as the November election calendar approaches, with no specific race or candidate directly involved.
The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskSep 22, 2026
News · US
CNN, MS NOW and Politico sue over White House access
Elections and votingThe three news organizations say denial of White House access violates the First Amendment.
The Ballot National (US) News DeskSep 22, 2026
News · US
House passes seven measures before leaving a day early
Elections and votingThe House completed action on seven measures before departing early, but the measures’ titles and provisions are not identified.
The Ballot National DeskSep 21, 2026
News · US
GOP candidates and voters split over Trump’s 2020 claims
Elections and votingSome Republican candidates continue to echo Trump’s baseless 2020 election claims even as some GOP voters say they want to move on.
The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskSep 21, 2026
News · US
Two political signals emerge from US primary season
Elections and votingLeftists drew attention during the primary season as Donald Trump displayed his influence within national politics.
The Ballot National DeskSep 21, 2026
News · US
Die Linke wins Berlin election; Eralp in mayoral contention
Elections and votingDie Linke’s Berlin election victory places Elif Eralp in contention for mayor, but the mayoral choice remains a separate step.
The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskSep 21, 2026
News · US
Federal page shows no 2026 Constitution proclamation
ImmigrationThe cited Federal Register address displays an access-control notice rather than a formal designation for the 2026 observance.
The Ballot National (US) News DeskSep 21, 2026
News · US
Trump order links water quality to federal oversight
Energy and environmentExecutive Order 14428 was signed Sept. 16, 2026, and published in the Federal Register five days later.
The Ballot National DeskSep 21, 2026
News · US
Trump says planned Washington arch would serve military role
Elections and votingTrump said the proposed 250-foot arch near Arlington Memorial Bridge would support drones, snipers and ammunition storage.
The Ballot National (US) News DeskSep 21, 2026
News · US
AI safety warnings deepen congressional debate over guardrails
Foreign policyTrump’s dismissal of AI danger warnings has sharpened a debate over whether federal safeguards could weaken the U.S. position against China.
The Ballot National DeskSep 21, 2026
News · US
Diesel price spike adds pressure on Republicans
Energy and environmentThe national diesel average rose 42 cents in one week as energy costs weighed on the economic mood before the midterms.
The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskSep 21, 2026
News · US
Dario Amodei’s plan for independent AI oversight
Elections and votingThe Anthropic co-founder wants outside evaluators to monitor advanced AI systems, with the testing laboratory METR offered as an example.
The Ballot National (US) News DeskSep 21, 2026
News · US
Democrats with union backgrounds seek congressional gains
Elections and votingDemocrats who come from organized labor are pursuing congressional seats as their party seeks to regain control of Congress.
The Ballot National DeskSep 21, 2026
News · US
Dark Money Is an Issue in Hawaiʻi Congressional Race
Elections and votingThe district, candidates, spending groups and amounts connected to the dark-money concern have not been identified.
The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskSep 21, 2026
News · US
Cape Cod’s Sept. 1 primary results: What is confirmed
Elections and votingThe election item identifies final Cape Cod primary results from Sept. 1 but does not name the contests, candidates or vote totals.
The Ballot National (US) News DeskSep 21, 2026
News · US
Democratic control could bring inquiries, but none are set
Elections and votingA Meet the Press Post Game conversation raised the possibility of congressional investigations without identifying a formal plan.
The Ballot National DeskSep 21, 2026
News · US
Trump says planned arch could host drones and snipers
Elections and votingTrump described his planned arch as a security installation, using the same term he has applied to the new White House ballroom.
The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskSep 21, 2026
News · US
Waltz defends Trump limits on three news organizations
Foreign policyThe U.N. ambassador said Trump may restrict White House access for reporters he believes are not acting in good faith.
The Ballot National (US) News DeskSep 21, 2026
News · US
Barrasso rejects concern over White House press ban
Elections and votingThe Wyoming senator said Trump did not violate the Constitution by excluding reporters from three news organizations.
The Ballot National DeskSep 21, 2026
News · US
Trump faces press-access dispute as midterms approach
Elections and votingRevoked White House access for several journalists has opened a First Amendment dispute after a difficult week of economic news for Trump.
The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskSep 21, 2026
News · US
Trump faces UN gathering, Xi visit and AI agenda
Foreign policyPresident Trump’s week combines diplomacy at the United Nations, a White House visit by China’s president and attention to artificial intelligence.
The Ballot National (US) News DeskSep 21, 2026
News · US
No Cascadia vote record yet for Sept. 14-18, 2026
Elections and votingThe dates in the proposed congressional vote review are still ahead, so no lawmaker-by-lawmaker record can be compiled yet.
The Ballot National DeskSep 21, 2026
News · US
Trump says CNN, Politico and MS NOW face White House ban
Elections and votingThe three outlets’ specific responses remain unclear as press advocates, elected Democrats and media and political critics object.
The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskSep 21, 2026
News · US
Federal page does not establish 2026 POW/MIA observance
Elections and votingThe linked Federal Register page is an access notice, not an official record setting details for the 2026 recognition day.
The Ballot National DeskSep 21, 2026
News · US
Trump announces Greenland deal, expands White House media ban
Elections and votingThe president paired a Greenland deal announcement with new media restrictions as Republicans consider a large midterm cash windfall.
The Ballot National (US) News DeskSep 21, 2026
News · US
Trump says he will bar three outlets from White House
Elections and votingTrump said CNN, MS NOW and Politico would lose White House access because of coverage he considers unfavorable.
The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskSep 20, 2026
News · US
Trump bans CNN, MS NOW and Politico from White House
Elections and votingTrump said he barred the three news organizations because he considered their coverage one-sided.
The Ballot National (US) News DeskSep 20, 2026
News · US
Trump says all 50 states will join Medicaid drug model
Health careThe administration says the GENEROUS model will cut Medicaid prescription drug costs, but the pricing agreements remain private.
The Ballot National DeskSep 20, 2026
News · US
Trump says CNN, MS NOW and Politico are banned
Economy and jobsMS NOW said its journalists were denied access to the White House grounds the morning after Trump announced the restrictions.
The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskSep 20, 2026