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.

373 stories · page 10 of 13

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

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 · 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 · 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 · CA

Newsom signs phased smog exemption for classic cars

Health care

SB 1392 will phase in smog-check exemptions for qualifying collector vehicles from model years 1976 through 1985.

The Ballot California Policy DeskSep 17, 2026

News · ME

House passes Pingree bill targeting diesel pollution

Energy and environment

The House approved Chellie Pingree’s measure aimed at reducing diesel pollution and protecting Maine families.

The Ballot Maine 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 · DE

Delaware enacts Farm to Community Program

Elections and voting

The Farm to Community Program has been signed into Delaware law, moving the policy from a proposal to an enacted state program.

The Ballot Delaware News DeskSep 17, 2026

News · GA

Atlanta mayor seeks limits on license plate reader cameras

Elections and voting

The proposal would add new guardrails for Atlanta’s use of cameras that read vehicle license plates.

The Ballot Georgia Policy DeskSep 17, 2026

News · FL

Uthmeier announces abuse charges, details AI investigations

Public safety

Florida’s attorney general announced five charges against a 34-year-old man and described the state’s use of AI in child predator investigations.

The Ballot Florida News 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 · MO

Protesters seek data center pause, privacy rules in Missouri

Economy and jobs

At the Missouri Capitol, protesters called for a temporary pause involving data centers and for state privacy rules.

The Ballot Missouri Policy DeskSep 17, 2026