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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34 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 · 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 · 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 · 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 · 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 · 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 · 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

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 · 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 · 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 · 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 · 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

News · SC

House passes Russia sanctions bill named for Lindsey Graham

Foreign policy

The measure would target Russian energy and defense interests while giving President Trump authority to impose tariffs on countries buying Russian fuel.

The Ballot South Carolina DeskSep 17, 2026

News · CO

Bennet votes no on 2026 Farm Bill, calls it unfit

Foreign policy

Colorado Sen. Bennet opposed the 2026 Farm Bill and said the measure did not meet farmers’ needs.

The Ballot Colorado DeskSep 17, 2026