Republican lawmakers

Republicans are publicly distancing themselves from Donald Trump as polling numbers weigh on the party. Candidates and lawmakers in competitive races have begun emphasizing their independence from the former president, while party strategists debate whether his continued dominance is an electoral asset or liability. Commentators see the move as a sign of anxiety within the GOP heading into upcoming elections.

A US Senate committee has voted to hold Dr Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress, escalating a long-running confrontation between the former chief medical adviser and Republican lawmakers over his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic response. The move could set up a full Senate vote or further legal action. Supporters of Fauci call it political retaliation, while critics say he has failed to cooperate with oversight.

The US Senate has voted down a Republican-led bill that would have restricted stock trading by sitting members of Congress. The proposal was part of a long-running debate over lawmakers trading individual stocks while having access to non-public policy information. Supporters of such bans argue the current rules create conflicts of interest, while opponents question the need for new restrictions.

Democrats in Congress blocked a bill that would have restricted stock trading by lawmakers, denying Republicans a legislative win ahead of the midterm elections. The measure had drawn bipartisan public support, with advocates arguing members of Congress should not trade individual stocks using information from their positions. The stalemate leaves the issue unresolved and likely to remain a campaign talking point.

US Representative Nancy Mace, a Republican congresswoman, has responded to online speculation claiming she has an OnlyFans account. Rather than issuing a flat denial, Mace leaned into the joke, reportedly telling people to 'subscribe right now,' fueling further viral chatter about the claim.

US Senator Jim Justice has issued a public statement voicing his support for President Trump's immigration agenda. The West Virginia lawmaker's endorsement aligns him with the administration's push for stricter immigration enforcement. The statement was reported by regional media, and it adds to the list of Republican senators publicly backing Trump's immigration policies.

US Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana publicly praised the Trump administration's decision to take military action against Iran. Kennedy voiced strong support for the operation, aligning himself with the administration's stance on Iran. The endorsement adds a Republican Senate voice to the debate over the strike, which is drawing reactions from lawmakers and the public as questions grow about the action's legal basis and potential consequences in the region.

Senator Marsha Blackburn has filed a lawsuit against former special counsel Jack Smith over the obtaining of her phone records. The case centres on records gathered as part of Smith's investigations into Donald Trump, which Republicans have criticised as improper surveillance of lawmakers. The lawsuit escalates GOP efforts to scrutinise Smith's methods while Smith faces his own congressional inquiries.

US Senator Rick Scott is speaking out on two hot-button issues: rising healthcare costs and a proposed ban on stock trading by members of Congress. The Florida Republican weighed in on both topics during a news appearance, arguing for action on affordability while addressing ethics concerns about lawmakers trading individual stocks while in office.