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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129 stories · page 3 of 5

News · US

Pentagon investigates diversion of F-35 parts shipment

Foreign policy

The U.S. is trying to recover unserviceable F-35 components diverted while being shipped from Australia to the United States.

The Ballot National DeskSep 25, 2026

News · US

Sea bass leads menu for Trump-Xi state dinner

Foreign policy

The fish-centered dinner includes squash soup, sesame-crusted sea bass and a dessert made with White House honey.

The Ballot National DeskSep 25, 2026

News · US

GOP lawmakers seek answers on F-35 parts sent to China

Foreign policy

Republican lawmakers are pressing the Pentagon to explain how sensitive F-35 parts were diverted to Hong Kong and ended up in China.

The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskSep 25, 2026

News · US

Senate rejects measure directing Trump to end Iran war

Foreign policy

Four Republicans joined nearly all Senate Democrats, but the chamber defeated a House-passed resolution requiring U.S. troops to leave the Iran conflict.

The Ballot National (US) News DeskSep 25, 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 · US

Senators press Blanche for license plate reader guidance

Foreign policy

Raphael Warnock and Katie Britt asked the Justice Department to help state and local police prevent misuse of automated plate readers.

The Ballot National (US) News DeskSep 23, 2026

News · US

How the White House press pool works

Foreign policy

A dispute over access for three outlets has focused attention on the rotating group that reports on the president in restricted spaces.

The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskSep 23, 2026

News · US

Trump threatens Iran and defends foreign policy at U.N.

Foreign policy

The president said Iran could face destruction if diplomacy fails but predicted an agreement after the U.S. midterm elections.

The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskSep 23, 2026

News · US

Experts flag China’s low-cost AI strategy as a U.S. risk

Foreign policy

Analysts say model copying and free software could weaken U.S. technology leadership and create new security risks.

The Ballot National (US) News DeskSep 23, 2026

News · US

Trump’s UN speech puts peacekeeper label to the test

Foreign policy

A State Department spokesman discussed Trump’s United Nations address and what it means for America’s role in the world.

The Ballot National DeskSep 23, 2026

News · US

Hegseth to chair new Pentagon homeland defense board

Foreign policy

The advisory committee will focus on homeland security and defense under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s leadership.

The Ballot National DeskSep 22, 2026

News · US

AI safety warnings deepen congressional debate over guardrails

Foreign policy

Trump’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

Waltz defends Trump limits on three news organizations

Foreign policy

The 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

Trump faces UN gathering, Xi visit and AI agenda

Foreign policy

President 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 · 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

News · US

Trump says Greenland deal secures permanent US military rights

Foreign policy

The agreement keeps Greenland under its current sovereignty while expanding US access, basing and overflight rights without an end date.

The Ballot National (US) News DeskSep 19, 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 · US

Senators fault Pentagon briefing on Iran and defense plan

Foreign policy

Lawmakers in both parties said Elbridge Colby did not give clear answers about the Iran war or the administration’s defense strategy.

The Ballot National (US) News DeskSep 18, 2026