Political developments with market and economic implications.
Coverage of political events, elections, legislation, and regulatory changes that influence markets and economic policy. Focuses on political risk, fiscal decisions, and policy uncertainty relevant to investors.
712 total articles
The U.S. Supreme Court on May 15 declined to block a decision by the Virginia Supreme Court that invalidated a voter-approved congressional map favored by Democrats. The rejected map had been crafted to turn four Republican-held U.S. House seats into Democratic pickups ahead of the November midterm elections. The move follows a broader, partisan re…
President Donald Trump is advancing an expansive program of construction and renovation across Washington, D.C., including a proposed $400 million ballroom attached to the White House, a planned National Garden of American Heroes, a major overhaul of the Kennedy Center, restoration of the Reflecting Pool in blue, a proposed 250-foot Independence Ar…
Authorities are probing vandalism at Old Memphis Cemetery in Palmetto, Florida, where 17 gravesites were damaged and red spray paint referencing 'Trump' and 'DeSantis' was left on tombs. Detectives say the incident occurred within the past few weeks; no arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing. Family members and a White House spokes…
U.S. officials are weighing a request that Israel transfer a portion of Palestinian tax revenues it has withheld to support a U.S.-led post-conflict reconstruction and transitional governance plan for Gaza. Sources familiar with deliberations say the proposal would channel funds to a U.S.-backed transitional administration in Gaza and tie additiona…
Muslim American groups criticized Republican-led congressional hearings framed as opposing 'Sharia law' as an effort to stigmatize Muslim communities and stoke fear. Lawmakers who sponsored the sessions argue that political Islam is incompatible with the U.S. Constitution, while civil rights groups and Democratic lawmakers say the hearings single o…
The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday produced a 212-212 tie on a Democratic-led resolution that sought to bar military actions in Iran without congressional approval. Because the measure required a simple majority, the tie caused its defeat. The vote was the third in the House this year on an Iran war powers resolution and the first since …
The Republican-led Louisiana Senate approved a new congressional map that removes one of the state’s two Democratic-held, majority-Black U.S. House districts. The 27-10 vote followed the U.S. Supreme Court decision that reduced protections for minority-majority districts, and the map now moves to a Republican-dominated state House. Supporters frame…
On May 14, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 212-212 on a Democratic-led resolution that sought to halt U.S. hostilities with Iran until Congress authorized further military action. The tie caused the measure to fail for lack of a simple majority. This was the third House vote this year on an Iran war powers resolution and the first since a 6…
Local law enforcement is probing the defacement of 17 graves at Old Memphis Cemetery in Palmetto, Florida. Headstones and vaults were knocked over and red spray paint with the names of two U.S. political figures was found on tombs. Community members described anger and distress, and officials said no arrests have been made as the investigation cont…
A federal judge will hear arguments on May 14 over a Republican presidential executive order that tightens verification and delivery rules for mail-in ballots. Democratic Party leaders contend the March 31 order is unconstitutional and would disenfranchise eligible voters; the Justice Department says lawsuits are premature because agencies have not…
On May 14, the Republican-led Senate Banking Committee will hold a mark-up on the Clarity Act, legislation designed to set rules for cryptocurrencies by clarifying which regulators oversee tokens and related activity. The vote will show whether the bill can attract the minimum Democratic support needed to advance in the Senate, as Democrats raise c…
The NAACP has filed a federal lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee, asserting that a newly approved congressional map intentionally discriminates on the basis of race by fracturing a longstanding majority-Black district anchored in Memphis. The complaint names state officials as defendants and comes after Tennesse…
The U.S. Senate voted 50-49 not to advance a Democratic-led war powers resolution that would require President Trump to obtain congressional authorization for the conflict with Iran. The measure, sponsored by Senator Jeff Merkley, drew support from nearly all Democrats and three Republicans, but was blocked by Senate Republicans for the seventh tim…
A discharge petition in the U.S. House of Representatives reached the 218-signature mark on May 13, enabling a forced floor vote on a bill to provide security assistance to Ukraine and impose additional sanctions on Russia. The move came after Representative Kevin Kiley, who switched his affiliation to independent in March, added his signature. The…
The Department of Justice's Office of Legal Counsel has issued a May 12 opinion supporting the federal government's push to obtain unredacted state voter rolls. The guidance, which is not binding on states, says DOJ may compel production under a civil rights statute and could share the data with the Department of Homeland Security to check for nonc…
BCA Research's geopolitical team says the Iran-related oil shock is reshaping the midterm outlook. While a proprietary Senate model currently favors a narrow 51-49 Republican edge, the firm and its chief geopolitical strategist view that projection as fragile. Rising energy prices, worsening state economic data and weak presidential approval are er…
The Democratic primary to succeed departing Republican Representative Don Bacon in Nebraska's 2nd congressional district remained unresolved with roughly 89% of votes counted. Activist Denise Powell led state senator John Cavanaugh by a narrow margin, setting up a general election against Omaha city councilman Brinker Harding. The outcome in the Om…
Republican-led redistricting this cycle has produced a tangible structural advantage that could flip a number of Democratic-held U.S. House seats. Yet analysts warn that the advantage may be offset by national political dynamics - including low presidential approval and a Democratic lead on the generic ballot - leaving control of the House in play …
The Republican speaker of the Tennessee House has removed all committee and subcommittee assignments from House Democrats after they took part in loud protests during a special session that approved a congressional map dismantling a majority-Black district centered on Memphis. The action follows a contentious floor vote accompanied by activists in …
President Donald Trump told reporters that Americans' financial hardships do not factor into his calculus on negotiations to end the Iran war, saying preventing Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon is his sole priority. His remarks come amid rising energy-driven inflation and GOP concerns that war-related economic pain could hurt Republican prosp…
FBI Director Kash Patel faced sharp questioning from Democratic senators about a published report alleging episodes of conspicuous inebriation and unexplained absences that, according to critics, could have impaired his ability to lead. Patel denied the report, said it was false, and used his first congressional appearance since a widely noticed be…
A proposal to redraw South Carolina’s congressional districts and erase the state’s lone Democratic U.S. House seat failed in the state Senate after several Republicans broke with President Donald Trump and voted against extending the legislative session to enact new lines. The vote outcome means Representative Jim Clyburn is likely to keep his sea…
Sen. Ted Cruz said at a Washington event that he will support the Kids Online Safety Act and intends to shepherd it through the Senate Commerce Committee and the full Senate. The bill would require social media companies to "exercise reasonable care" in designing features that contribute to harms to minors, including eating disorders, depression an…
President Donald Trump announced nominations for two U.S. district judges to fill the final appellate vacancies available to him across the nation's 13 federal circuit courts. Daniel Traynor of North Dakota is nominated to the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and Daniel Domenico of Colorado to the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Both picks are…
Voters in Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District vote in a high-profile Democratic primary to replace outgoing Republican Rep. Don Bacon. The contest between moderate Denise Powell and progressive state Senator John Cavanaugh, with an uncontested Republican nominee in Brinker Harding, takes on added significance as control of the U.S. House remains …
