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.

1,738 stories · page 35 of 58

News · DE

Delaware governor signs HB 381 on data breach rules

Elections and voting

HB 381 tightens Delaware’s data breach rules and limits safe harbors associated with HIPAA and GLBA.

The Ballot Delaware DeskSep 18, 2026

News · OK

Congress clears Miami Tribe to pursue homeland claim

Elections and voting

The measure allows the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma to litigate its long-running claim involving 2.6 million acres of its homelands.

The Ballot Oklahoma News DeskSep 18, 2026

News · VA

House passes Kiggans bill honoring WWII veteran Shames

Elections and voting

The measure would name a Virginia Beach post office for Col. Edward D. Shames, a World War II veteran.

The Ballot Virginia Policy DeskSep 18, 2026

News · AK

House passes Begich bill on Alaska Native handicrafts

Elections and voting

The measure, the 14th Begich-sponsored bill to pass the House, would clarify protections for traditional Alaska Native handicrafts.

The Ballot Alaska News DeskSep 18, 2026

News · AR

Arkansas farm groups press Congress as farm bill advances

Economy and jobs

Arkansas agriculture organizations sought more economic assistance during Capitol Hill meetings as a farm bill cleared committee.

The Ballot Arkansas News DeskSep 18, 2026

News · AL

House backs Alabama lawmaker’s Tuskegee Airmen honor

Elections and voting

The House approved an Alabama congressman’s effort to honor the Tuskegee Airmen, marking formal support from the chamber.

The Ballot Alabama Policy DeskSep 18, 2026

News · TN

Tennessee adopts map splitting sole majority-Black district

Elections and voting

The new congressional boundaries divide Tennessee’s only majority-Black district among multiple districts.

The Ballot Tennessee Policy DeskSep 18, 2026

News · OK

Trump withdraws Lance Schroyer nomination to lead ICE

Immigration

The former Oklahoma state trooper will no longer proceed through the Senate confirmation process to lead ICE.

The Ballot Oklahoma DeskSep 18, 2026

News · OK

House sends Miami Tribe land-claim bill to president

Foreign policy

S. 550 would allow the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma to take a historic Illinois land claim to court and resolve claims affecting current landowners.

The Ballot Oklahoma Policy DeskSep 18, 2026

News · FL

Moody files bill tied to Florida Space Academy bid

Foreign policy

Senator Moody has filed legislation connected to an effort to establish a Florida Space Academy.

The Ballot Florida DeskSep 18, 2026

News · MO

Missouri governor orders safeguards on plate readers

Elections and voting

An executive order establishes state safeguards connected to license plate readers, with its written terms governing the policy’s reach.

The Ballot Missouri News DeskSep 18, 2026

News · MI

More than 620 Michigan Jewish voters back El-Sayed

Elections and voting

A Michigan Jews for Democracy letter supports Abdul El-Sayed while acknowledging disagreement within the state’s Jewish community.

The Ballot Michigan Policy DeskSep 18, 2026

News · VA

Virginia’s 2026 midterm ballot: Dates and key votes

Elections and voting

Virginians will elect members of Congress and decide three proposed constitutional amendments on Nov. 3, 2026.

The Ballot Virginia News DeskSep 18, 2026

News · OK

U.S. House passes bill on data center utility costs

Energy and environment

The measure would have states consider safeguards intended to keep major electricity-grid upgrade costs from other utility customers.

The Ballot Oklahoma News DeskSep 18, 2026

News · MN

Congress passes Tina Smith tick-borne disease bill

Foreign policy

The Minnesota senator’s measure focuses on research and treatment for tick-borne diseases.

The Ballot Minnesota News DeskSep 18, 2026

News · VA

Warner to vote in Alexandria, questions DHS file access

Elections and voting

The senator will vote Friday as early voting opens and says federal agents improperly obtained Virginians’ personal voter information.

The Ballot Virginia DeskSep 18, 2026

News · AK

Cold-weather diesel bill clears Senate EPW committee

Foreign policy

The measure seeks to prevent diesel engines from shutting down in extreme cold but still needs further congressional action.

The Ballot Alaska DeskSep 18, 2026

News · MN

Congress passes Tina Smith tick-borne disease bill

Foreign policy

The Minnesota senator’s measure focuses on federal research and treatment efforts involving tick-borne diseases.

The Ballot Minnesota DeskSep 18, 2026

News · MO

Kehoe orders safeguards for license plate reader data

Public safety

Missouri’s governor directed the Department of Public Safety to set statewide protections for police use of automated license plate readers.

The Ballot Missouri DeskSep 18, 2026

News · OH

DeWine signs House Bill 105 on lawsuit funding

Elections and voting

The law requires registration and disclosures for third-party lawsuit funders and bars foreign participation in such funding.

The Ballot Ohio Policy DeskSep 18, 2026

News · AL

House passes Tuskegee Airmen post office naming bill

Elections and voting

The measure would rename a U.S. post office in honor of the Tuskegee Airmen and must clear the remaining federal lawmaking steps.

The Ballot Alabama News DeskSep 18, 2026

News · AK

Begich honored for 14 House-passed bills

Elections and voting

Colleagues recognized Begich for a freshman record after the U.S. House passed 14 of his bills.

The Ballot Alaska Policy DeskSep 18, 2026

News · AK

Begich office says 14 bills set freshman House record

Energy and environment

Six of Rep. Nick Begich’s 14 House-passed bills became law, with measures covering Native lands, veterans and federal benefits.

The Ballot Alaska News DeskSep 18, 2026

News · KS

House sends Russia sanctions bill to Trump

Foreign policy

The House approved a Russia sanctions measure advocated by Graham, moving the legislation to President Trump for action.

The Ballot Kansas Policy DeskSep 18, 2026

News · OK

Trump draws GOP pushback, withdraws nominee to lead ICE

Immigration

Trump withdrew former Oklahoma state trooper Lance Schroyer’s nomination as a Republican lawmaker criticized his immigration approach.

The Ballot Oklahoma DeskSep 18, 2026

News · HI

House passes Russia sanctions bill championed by Graham

Foreign policy

The House approved a Russia sanctions measure promoted by the late Senator Graham, marking a new congressional action on foreign policy.

The Ballot Hawaii Policy DeskSep 18, 2026

News · VT

Welch votes against farm bill in Senate committee

Foreign policy

The Vermont senator said the measure falls short for small farms, nutrition assistance and rural communities.

The Ballot Vermont News DeskSep 18, 2026

Candidate profile · FL

Candidate profile: Daniel John Franzese in Florida’s 22nd

Elections and voting

Republican Daniel John Franzese is among 11 candidates in Florida’s contested 22nd Congressional District race.

The Ballot Florida Policy DeskSep 17, 2026

Race preview · DE

Ron Gray is unopposed in Delaware House District 38

Elections and voting

Republican incumbent Ron Gray is the only candidate in the District 38 race for Delaware’s Nov. 3, 2026, general election.

The Ballot Delaware Policy DeskSep 17, 2026

Explainer · DC

District of Columbia 2026 general election voter guide

Elections and voting

A plain-language checklist for confirming election dates, registration, ballot choices and voting instructions in the District.

The Ballot District of Columbia DeskSep 17, 2026