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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131 stories · page 4 of 5

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

News · US

Senate Democrats seek full accounting of Iran war costs

Foreign policy

Forty-six senators want the Pentagon to detail war expenses as Congress considers a billion request for additional funding.

The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskSep 17, 2026

News · US

Seven House Republicans back call to end Iran war

Foreign policy

A symbolic House vote and Vice President Vance’s midterm appeal reveal disagreement among Republicans over the Iran war.

The Ballot National (US) News DeskSep 17, 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

News · MS

Mississippi rural health providers awarded $3.75 million

Foreign policy

Twenty Mississippi hospitals and health providers will share federal funding through a rural hospital assistance program.

The Ballot Mississippi DeskSep 17, 2026

News · US

Surgeon general nominee backs MMR vaccine at hearing

Foreign policy

Nicole Saphier told senators that the MMR vaccine combats measles and that childhood vaccines do not cause autism.

The Ballot National (US) News DeskSep 17, 2026

News · US

Trump administration sanctions South Africa

Foreign policy

The measures are tied to the administration’s allegation that white people face discrimination in South Africa.

The Ballot National DeskSep 17, 2026

News · US

Three House Republicans break with Trump on Iran war

Foreign policy

The House approved a measure Tuesday directing President Donald Trump to end the war with Iran.

The Ballot National (US) News DeskSep 16, 2026

News · PA

Haywood plans Pennsylvania AI safety legislation

Foreign policy

The state senator is developing proposals for AI risk disclosures, transparency reports and reports of serious incidents.

The Ballot Pennsylvania DeskSep 15, 2026

News · OH

Ohio senator seeks limits on international college athletes

Foreign policy

The proposal would restrict international student-athletes’ participation in college sports, but it would not change current rules unless enacted.

The Ballot Ohio DeskSep 15, 2026

News · WY

Wyoming senator warns CLARITY Act window is closing

Foreign policy

The senator said momentum behind the CLARITY Act will not return this decade if the current opportunity passes.

The Ballot Wyoming DeskSep 14, 2026

News · IN

Indiana justices side with senator in GOP recount case

Foreign policy

The Indiana Supreme Court ruled for a state senator in a Republican primary recount dispute involving a Trump-backed opponent.

The Ballot Indiana Policy DeskSep 13, 2026

News · US

Dan Driscoll praises Ukraine in first appearance since exit

Foreign policy

The former Army secretary returned to public view after a tenure focused in part on lessons from the war in Ukraine.

The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskSep 13, 2026

News · US

Trump attends GOP convention and Pentagon 9/11 memorial

Foreign policy

President Trump spoke on both nights of a Republican gathering in Dallas before attending a 9/11 memorial service at the Pentagon on Friday.

The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskSep 12, 2026

News · US

Trump and Hegseth connect Iran war with 9/11 at Pentagon

Foreign policy

Trump and Hegseth invoked 9/11 while discussing the Iran war in Pentagon speeches, placing the conflict in a national-security frame.

The Ballot National DeskSep 11, 2026

News · US

House Democrat: Pentagon sought NIH funds for defense

Foreign policy

The top House Appropriations Democrat said the Pentagon pursued NIH money for a defense purpose, but did not say the money was transferred.

The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskSep 4, 2026

News · US

Russia sanctions measure stalls again in the House

Foreign policy

House obstacles have stopped a Russia sanctions measure from advancing, leaving its route through Congress unresolved.

The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskSep 2, 2026

News · US

White House gives new details on Venezuela agreement

Foreign policy

The administration has expanded its public account of an agreement involving Venezuela, with implementation now the central question.

The Ballot National (US) News DeskSep 1, 2026

News · US

US strikes IRGC targets in Iran after attacks on US forces

Foreign policy

The United States carried out strikes against IRGC targets inside Iran, describing the military action as a response to attacks on American forces.

The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskSep 1, 2026

News · US

Vance courts Jewish voters amid Democratic Israel dispute

Foreign policy

Vance is reaching out to Jewish voters where Democratic disagreements over Israel have become a prominent political issue.

The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskSep 1, 2026

News · US

Jeffries raises concerns about Senate Russia sanctions bill

Foreign policy

Jeffries expressed “serious concerns” about a Russia sanctions measure after it passed the Senate and moved into the next stage of the legislative process.

The Ballot National DeskAug 31, 2026

News · US

Iran attacks Jordan and UAE after US strike

Foreign policy

Iran’s retaliation for a US strike has brought Jordan and the United Arab Emirates into the latest round of regional attacks.

The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskAug 31, 2026

News · US

House returns for shutdown bill amid US strikes in Iran

Foreign policy

The House returns to a shutdown-related bill while the US carries out strikes in Iran and a report details warnings made to Hegseth.

The Ballot National (US) News DeskAug 31, 2026

News · US

Pentagon dispute follows classified leak on Iran war dissent

Foreign policy

The disclosure raises separate questions about internal debate over Iran and the handling of classified information.

The Ballot National DeskAug 31, 2026

News · US

Congress should set guardrails for new nuclear doctrine

Foreign policy

The Pentagon’s new nuclear doctrine calls for clear limits, regular review and a public accounting from Congress.

The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskAug 29, 2026

News · US

Russia sanctions bill raises questions about its target

Foreign policy

The case against the proposal depends on whom it would penalize, what conduct it addresses and how closely those choices match its stated goal.

The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskAug 27, 2026

News · GA

Ossoff’s poll strength raises his profile among Democrats

Foreign policy

The Georgia senator’s steady polling lead has challenged expectations of vulnerability and fueled attention around a possible role in 2028.

The Ballot Georgia News DeskAug 27, 2026

News · PA

Poll: Pa. Republicans view Fetterman more favorably

Foreign policy

The poll places John Fetterman ahead of a Republican senator on favorability among Pennsylvania Republicans, The Hill reported.

The Ballot Pennsylvania Policy DeskAug 25, 2026