Foreign policy coverage

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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48 stories · page 1 of 2

News · IA

Iowa Republican senator faults Reynolds on steel plant deal

Foreign policy

An Iowa Republican senator says Gov. Reynolds negotiated a bad deal for a proposed billion steel plant.

The Ballot Iowa DeskOct 5, 2026

News · NV

Rosen seeks ethics rules for federal private-company stakes

Foreign policy

The Nevada senator’s resolution targets financial benefits for top federal officials and their families when the government trades private-company stakes.

The Ballot Nevada News DeskOct 5, 2026

News · CA

California math-testing bill SB 1067 signed into law

Foreign policy

SB 1067, a California math-testing measure associated with a San Diego state senator, has been signed into law.

The Ballot California Policy DeskOct 4, 2026

News · CA

Newsom signs Rubio measure targeting court abuse

Foreign policy

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed state Sen. Susan Rubio’s legislation aimed at stopping abusers from using courts against survivors.

The Ballot California DeskOct 4, 2026

News · TN

Tennessee senator sues over Jan. 6 phone records

Foreign policy

A Tennessee senator has taken a dispute over the seizure of phone records connected to Jan. 6 to court.

The Ballot Tennessee News DeskOct 3, 2026

News · MO

Missouri senator proposes new bill concerning Flock

Foreign policy

The measure would have to complete Missouri’s legislative process before it could change state law.

The Ballot Missouri Policy DeskOct 3, 2026

News · OK

Lizzy’s Law proposal targets supervised visitation safety

Foreign policy

An Oklahoma senator has proposed Lizzy’s Law, a measure intended to improve safety during supervised visitation.

The Ballot Oklahoma News DeskOct 2, 2026

News · UT

Utah senator proposes data center transparency bills

Foreign policy

The proposals would put data center transparency before Utah lawmakers, with their effect depending on the legislative process.

The Ballot Utah News DeskOct 2, 2026

News · LA

Kennedy raises concerns as college sports bill clears Senate

Foreign policy

The Protect College Sports Act passed the U.S. Senate 77-22 as Louisiana Sen. John Kennedy expressed concerns about the measure.

The Ballot Louisiana DeskSep 30, 2026

News · TX

Fetterman rejects claim he is a bad senator, Democrat

Foreign policy

John Fetterman rejected criticism of his work as a senator and his standing as a Democrat in a dispute involving foreign policy.

The Ballot Texas News DeskSep 29, 2026

News · CT

Connecticut student released as senator seeks ICE inquiry

Foreign policy

A Connecticut student is out of ICE detention, while a senator is calling for an investigation into the detention.

The Ballot Connecticut News DeskSep 29, 2026

News · PA

Pennsylvania senator proposes rules for hemp THC products

Foreign policy

The bill would set age limits and testing requirements for hemp products containing THC in Pennsylvania.

The Ballot Pennsylvania Policy DeskSep 29, 2026

News · LA

Kennedy opposes U.S. troops in Iran, urges public address

Foreign policy

The Louisiana senator called for continued pressure on Iran and a clearer explanation of U.S. goals while opposing the deployment of American troops.

The Ballot Louisiana DeskSep 28, 2026

News · CO

Colorado governor voter guide: what voters should verify

Foreign policy

Colorado voters comparing choices for governor should confirm the ballot lineup and rely on documented candidate statements.

The Ballot Colorado DeskSep 28, 2026

News · GA

Ossoff’s faith draws focus in early 2028 discussion

Foreign policy

Strategists see Sen. Jon Ossoff’s Jewish faith as a possible hurdle as Democrats debate Israel and the war in Gaza.

The Ballot Georgia DeskSep 28, 2026

News · OH

Ohio GOP leaders urge Ramaswamy to stop using private jet

Foreign policy

The advice comes as rural Appalachian counties draw attention in the governor’s contest between Vivek Ramaswamy and Amy Acton.

The Ballot Ohio Policy DeskSep 28, 2026

News · CA

Newsom Signs Military Force Authorization Bill

Foreign policy

SB 1354 sets authorization and accountability requirements for specific military forces coming to California from outside the state.

The Ballot California News DeskSep 28, 2026

News · WA

GOP senators question Trump welcome for Xi after Iran report

Foreign policy

Republican senators raised concerns about Trump hosting Xi after Iran used Chinese satellite imagery to target U.S. troops in Jordan.

The Ballot Washington DeskSep 27, 2026

News · PA

Fetterman defends party identity, avoids 51-seat scenario

Foreign policy

The Pennsylvania senator said he remains a Democrat but declined to discuss how he would handle ties under a possible 51-seat majority.

The Ballot Pennsylvania News DeskSep 27, 2026

News · WI

Baldwin bill would restrict federal agents near polls

Foreign policy

The Wisconsin senator’s bill would keep ICE, CBP and National Guard personnel away from polling places and routes used by voters.

The Ballot Wisconsin Policy DeskSep 27, 2026

News · CA

Padilla faults Trump administration’s election security plan

Foreign policy

California Sen. Alex Padilla said federal staffing and funding cuts have weakened election security and enabled false information to spread.

The Ballot California Policy DeskSep 27, 2026

News · MS

Warren County board president enters Mississippi Senate race

Foreign policy

The Warren County board president has announced a campaign to succeed an outgoing Mississippi senator.

The Ballot Mississippi DeskSep 26, 2026

News · IL

Halpin Announces More Aid for Food Security

Foreign policy

Illinois State Sen. Halpin announced additional food-security aid in a development not tied to an election or candidate.

The Ballot Illinois News DeskSep 26, 2026

News · NC

Ex-bodyguard charged over damage to former senator’s home

Foreign policy

The charge concerns damage to a former senator’s Arizona home and is separate from a North Carolina lawsuit involving the senator.

The Ballot North Carolina Policy DeskSep 24, 2026

News · AL

House approves Russia-Iran sanctions bill backed by Britt

Foreign policy

The House passed a foreign-policy bill addressing sanctions on Russia and Iran, with support from Britt.

The Ballot Alabama News DeskSep 21, 2026

News · WA

Trump returns early as Middle East security alerts issued

Foreign policy

President Trump returned from Camp David on Saturday evening as the State Department issued security alerts concerning the Middle East.

The Ballot Washington News DeskSep 20, 2026

News · ND

Dem-NPL names Burdick Dinner keynote speaker and honorees

Foreign policy

U.S. Sen. Jon Tester will headline the Oct. 10 event in Fargo, where four people will receive awards from the North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party.

The Ballot North Dakota News DeskSep 20, 2026

News · OR

Patty Murray opposes proposed Hanford cleanup cuts

Foreign policy

The Washington senator is pushing back on a proposal to reduce federal support for cleanup work at Hanford.

The Ballot Oregon News DeskSep 20, 2026

News · IL

Doris Turner announces Illinois Grocery Initiative funding

Foreign policy

Sen. Doris Turner announced new funding through the Illinois Grocery Initiative, but the amount, recipients and payment schedule were not identified.

The Ballot Illinois Policy DeskSep 20, 2026

News · SC

Tim Scott’s path from appointment to Senate elections

Foreign policy

The South Carolina Republican entered the Senate by appointment in 2013 and later won elections in 2014, 2016 and 2022.

The Ballot South Carolina DeskSep 20, 2026