US Senate Republicans

A US Senate committee has voted to hold Dr Anthony Fauci, the former top US infectious disease official, in contempt of Congress. The move escalates a long-running dispute between Republican lawmakers and Fauci, who led the federal response to Covid-19 and has faced repeated accusations and questioning from GOP-led inquiries into the pandemic response. The vote now sets up potential further legal and political action.

Recent polling in Texas shows Democrat James Talarico continuing to lead Republican Ken Paxton in their contest for the state's US Senate seat. The numbers come as campaign spending ramps up on both sides, with ads and fundraising intensifying ahead of the election. Commentators are watching whether Talarico's polling advantage can hold as Paxton and allied groups pour money into the race.

US Senate Republicans have blocked a Democratic-led bill that would have repealed Donald Trump's tariffs on Canadian goods, setting up a clash over presidential trade powers. The vote highlights growing tension within Congress over the tariffs' economic impact, with critics warning of higher costs for consumers and strain on US-Canada relations, while the administration defends the measures.

Ohio Republican Senator Jon Husted delivered remarks at T.J. Clark International, an appearance covered by The Columbus Dispatch. The visit drew attention as Husted, who assumed his Senate seat in 2025 after serving as Ohio's lieutenant governor, continues to raise his public profile across the state. Details of what he discussed at the facility have not been widely reported.

Iowa's gubernatorial race is drawing attention as Democrat Rob Sand debates Republican Zach Lahn, with latest polls showing the contest's standing. The same night, the first US Senate debate between Ashley Hinton and Josh Turek drew heavy fact-checking from news outlets, putting Iowa politics at the center of national coverage.

A US Senate committee has voted to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci, former chief medical adviser and longtime face of the federal pandemic response, in contempt of Congress. The move follows a dispute over testimony or documents sought by lawmakers. The vote escalates Republican-led scrutiny of Fauci's role in COVID-19-era decisions and could lead to further legal or congressional action.

Dutch clocks have returned to winter time, prompting discussion about the twice-yearly switch. Abroad, Donald Trump is stepping up calls to keep daylight saving time permanently, arguing that golfers do not want to rush home after 14 holes of golf. He has also pressured Republican senators who resist the change, reportedly sharing a senator's mobile number. The debate over abolishing the time change is attracting fresh attention in the Netherlands too.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is facing renewed attention over remarks made during his campaign for the US Senate, where he is challenging incumbent Senator John Cornyn. Observers are weighing in on his comments and what they signal about his strategy and the tone of the Republican primary race in Texas.

A Kansas opinion column argues the state may defy expectations and send a Democrat to the US Senate, contending that MAGA-aligned politics have reshaped the state's political landscape in ways that could open the door to an upset. The piece frames the potential Democratic pickup as a surprise nationally, given Kansas's long Republican dominance in Senate races.

Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma is drawing public attention in the United States. The discussion comes as a claim circulates that the head of US National Security blames so-called sanctuary cities for a shooting in the Bronx. Mullin, a Republican known for outspoken positions on security and immigration, is being searched widely as debate over the shooting and immigration policy intensifies.

Marco Rubio is being widely discussed, though the specific trigger for the attention is not stated. Rubio, a US Senator from Florida and a prominent Republican figure, frequently draws commentary on foreign policy and domestic politics. Without further detail, the exact news driving the current buzz cannot be confirmed.

US Vice President JD Vance has cast doubt on whether the planned livestream of the execution of Nidal Hasan, the Fort Hood shooter, will actually take place, saying he would not watch if it proceeds. More Republicans have joined criticism, with Utah senator John Curtis warning the broadcast risks feeding the public appetite for such events.

Idaho Senator Jim Risch has called for the war with Iran to end, making the conflict's rising costs a central issue in Idaho's Senate race. The statement ties foreign policy directly to domestic spending concerns as the campaign unfolds, with candidates and voters weighing the price of continued US military involvement in the region.

Abdul El-Sayed and Mike Rogers met for their first debate in Michigan's US Senate race, trading arguments over the economy and healthcare. The Democrat El-Sayed and Republican Rogers used the exchange to draw contrasts on costs, coverage and economic policy as the contest draws statewide attention.

Republican Mike Rogers and Democrat Abdul El-Sayed met in their first debate for Michigan's open US Senate seat, in what was described as a combative exchange with both trading attacks. The contest is a key race in next year's midterm elections, and the sharp tone signals the campaign is already escalating. Little detail about specific exchanges beyond the general confrontation has been reported so far.

Soaring home heating oil prices have become a central issue in Maine's US Senate race, with incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins facing pressure from her challenger over energy costs. Maine is heavily reliant on heating oil, making spiking prices a pocketbook concern for voters heading into the election.

New Jersey Senator Cory Booker and his Republican challenger Justin Murphy faced off in a US Senate debate, splitting sharply on the war with Iran and on economic policy. Booker defended his record and positions, while Murphy attacked on inflation and foreign policy, framing the race as a choice between the incumbent and change heading into the election.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican who was impeached in 2023 on charges of abusing his office for personal gain, is the GOP's candidate for US Senate. His Democratic opponent is James Talarico, a former teacher who currently serves in the Texas House. The matchup pits a scandal-marked incumbent against a rising progressive figure in a high-stakes race.

Mike Rogers and Abdul El-Sayed faced off in their first debate in the Michigan US Senate race, with both candidates going on the attack. The exchange sharpened the contrasts between the Republican and Democratic contenders on policy and character, as each sought to define the other early in a contest that could help decide control of the Senate.

Donald Trump has called for Texas Democratic state Senator James Talarico and Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton to debate each other ahead of their looming US Senate race showdown. Talarico welcomed the prospect of a debate, saying he would be glad to share a stage with Paxton. The comments land as the two men emerge as the likely nominees in a high-stakes 2026 contest for Texas's Senate seat.

Senator Josh Hawley has publicly accused special counsel Jack Smith of lying under oath during congressional testimony, saying he has documents to back the claim. The accusation escalates Republican pressure on Smith over his investigations into Donald Trump, and the claim is drawing strong reaction along partisan lines as calls for accountability grow.

US Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito has hinted at the possibility of retiring from the bench. The 75-year-old conservative justice, appointed by President George W. Bush in 2006, has provided no details on timing. Commentators are speculating about who might replace him and what it would mean for the Court's conservative majority under a Republican president and Senate.

Senator Jon Ossoff and Representative Mike Collins faced off in a Georgia Senate debate, trading sharp exchanges over Donald Trump, the state of the economy, and US involvement in the war with Iran. The contest is expected to be one of the most competitive Senate races of the 2026 cycle, and the debate highlighted the contrast between the incumbent Democrat and his Republican challenger.

A new Shaw/Beacon poll of Texas dated September 28, 2026 shows Democrat James Talarico leading Republican Ken Paxton 51% to 49% in the Senate race, while Governor Greg Abbott leads Lupe Hinojosa 52% to 47% in the governor's contest. The pollster's current model puts the Senate race at 51% Democratic to 48% Republican and the governor's race at 51% GOP to 48% Democratic.

Attention is turning to the US midterm elections, with CNN reporting that Democrats are running a new breed of candidate and challenging in states they usually lose. The party is hoping these contenders can expand the map and compete in traditionally Republican territory, as voters and analysts watch which races become genuinely competitive.

The Economist has published its forecast for the 2026 US Senate elections, offering projections on which party is likely to win control of the chamber. The model gives readers an early statistical picture of the midterm races, and interest comes as Democrats and Republicans begin positioning for contests that could reshape Senate arithmetic in President Trump's second term.

Attention is on the US Senate map, with analysts ranking the 10 seats most likely to change party control. Polling shows Democrats narrowly edging out Republicans but running neck and neck in five key Senate races, keeping the balance of power uncertain heading into election season.

Elon Musk's America PAC is quietly pouring money into some of the most consequential US elections on the November ballot. Reporting notes the group's unusual spending pattern: for every dollar it has spent supporting Republican Senate candidates, it has spent nearly three dollars on attacks against Democrats. The imbalance is drawing attention to how the super PAC is shaping down-ballot races and the broader fight for Senate control.

Donald Trump was interrupted by protesters during a rally in Texas, where he is campaigning for state Attorney General Ken Paxton's US Senate run. The former president is working to rally Republican voters behind Paxton as the Senate race develops, but the event was repeatedly disrupted by demonstrators in the crowd.

Troy Jackson, the Maine Senate President, is campaigning to unseat Senator Susan Collins, but is running short on time to build support. The race is being watched as a key contest in the battle for control of the US Senate, with Collins a longtime Republican incumbent and Democrats viewing Maine as a potential pickup opportunity.

Senate Republicans are making what is being described as a last-chance effort, according to reporting from Capitol Hill. The exact subject of the attempt is not specified in available reporting, but the framing suggests a final push on a legislative or political matter before a deadline or decisive moment. The story is drawing attention among observers of US politics amid ongoing tensions in the Senate.

A new St. Pete Polls survey shows Florida's US Senate race narrowing, with Republican Ashley Moody at 47% and Democratic state Representative Angie Nixon at 45%, keeping the contest within the margin of error. The figures suggest a closer race than expected in a state that has recently leaned Republican, prompting attention on Nixon's viability and Moody's standing.

US Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito has said he does not intend to retire during the lame-duck session of Congress, closing off speculation that he might step down while Democrats still control the Senate and could confirm a successor. The announcement removes one point of uncertainty about the court's composition as the party prepares to hand over Senate control.

A new poll finds a Democratic challenger holding an edge over Senator Susan Collins in Maine's US Senate race, one of the most closely watched contests of the election cycle. Collins, a longtime Republican incumbent known for her centrist record, is viewed as vulnerable, and the race could help decide which party controls the Senate.