John Thune

Republican leaders are addressing speculation about Mitch McConnell's health after he was hospitalized on June 14. John Thune confirmed speaking with McConnell, but his office has not disclosed the reason for the hospitalization, leading to backlash from MAGA supporters. McConnell, who led Senate Republicans for the longest period before stepping down last year, is 84 years old.

Republican leaders are addressing speculation about Mitch McConnell's health, with John Thune speaking to him as secrecy around the 84-year-old's hospitalization sparks MAGA backlash. The office has not disclosed details about his treatment.

President Trump’s push to pass a new law to restrict birthright citizenship is creating challenges for Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Speaker Mike Johnson as they navigate GOP divisions. Trump cited the Supreme Court’s decision against his previous executive efforts to limit birthright citizenship.

Senate Republican leaders John Thune and John Barrasso spoke with Sen. Mitch McConnell during his three-week hospitalization for an undisclosed medical issue. McConnell's team stated he is improving and working on Senate matters while in the hospital, with Congress returning to session on July 13. McConnell is retiring in January 2027.

Senate Republican leaders have spoken with Sen. Mitch McConnell, who has been hospitalized for three weeks for an undisclosed medical issue. They had separate phone calls with him, and his office states he is improving and working on Senate matters during his recovery.

Senate Republican leaders confirmed separate conversations with Sen. Mitch McConnell during his three-week hospitalization for an undisclosed medical issue. McConnell's team reported he is improving and working on Senate matters while the Senate remains in session until July 13. He is set to retire in January 2027.

Sen. Mitch McConnell has been hospitalized for three weeks with no official confirmation of his health condition. GOP leaders and former aides reported detailed conversations with him, while MAGA influencers spread unconfirmed health rumors. Kentucky law outlines procedures for potential Senate vacancies due to his condition.

Mitch McConnell remains hospitalized for undisclosed health issues over three weeks after admission, with Republican leaders John Thune and John Barrasso speaking to him by phone. McConnell's office provides limited updates, stating he is improving and working on Senate matters during the recess.

Mitch McConnell remains hospitalized with undisclosed health issues, prompting speculation about his condition and ability to return to the Senate. Senate leaders John Thune and John Barrasso have spoken to McConnell, who is retiring in January, discussing Senate matters and politics. His office has provided limited updates, stating he is recovering and working on legislative issues.

Mitch McConnell remains hospitalized for over three weeks with undisclosed health issues, prompting speculation about his ability to return to the Senate. Republican leaders John Thune and John Barrasso have spoken with McConnell, discussing Senate matters and upcoming elections. Aides have not disclosed his condition, and McConnell is retiring in January.

Senate GOP leaders John Thune and John Barrasso reported speaking with Sen. Mitch McConnell, who has been hospitalized since June 14. The calls, which covered topics like national security and Senate agenda, occurred amid public speculation about McConnell’s health due to limited updates from his office. A spokesperson for McConnell stated he is 'working closely with his staff' but did not provide details on his condition.

Sen. Mitch McConnell, 84, is hospitalized with an undisclosed medical issue and has been speaking by phone with Senate leaders John Thune and John Barrasso. Conversations covered Senate races, the Graham Platner scandal, and a Supreme Court ruling. A spokesperson confirmed McConnell is receiving 'excellent care' but did not specify his condition.

President Donald Trump delivered a speech at Mount Rushmore National Memorial, alleging a 'resurgence of the communist menace' in the U.S. and warning that communism poses a 'mortal threat' to American liberty. He referenced recent electoral successes of Democratic socialist candidates, including Zohran Mamdani and Darializa Avila Chevalier, and emphasized Republican strategies to pass the SAVE America Act and eliminate the filibuster to secure election victories.

President Donald Trump delivered a speech at Mount RushMore National Memorial, alleging a 'mortal threat' from communism and comparing it to historical events like 9/11. He criticized electoral successes by Democratic socialist candidates without directly linking them to communism and emphasized Republican chances in the 2026 midterms, advocating for the SAVE America Act and ending the filibuster.

President Donald Trump delivered a speech at Mount Rushmore National Memorial on July 3, 2026, alleging that communism poses a 'mortal threat' to American liberty. He referenced recent electoral successes of Democratic socialist candidates and linked the issue to Republican strategies for the November midterms, including passing the SAVE America Act. U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune attended the event but emphasized the unlikelihood of eliminating the filibuster or gaining Democratic support for the legislation.

President Donald Trump delivered a speech at Mount Rushmore National Memorial, alleging a 'resurgence of the communist menace' and comparing it to major historical threats. He criticized Democratic socialist electoral successes and emphasized Republican strategies for the 2026 midterms, including passing the SAVE America Act. The speech occurred during 250th Independence Day celebrations.

Congress faces a stagnant summer with limited legislative progress before a five-week recess. House Republicans struggle to advance RECON 3.0, face uncertainty over emergency Iran funding, and encounter internal divisions over immigration measures. Key figures like Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune acknowledge challenges in meeting pre-midterm goals.

Sen. Mitch McConnell was found unconscious at his Washington, D.C. home on June 14 and hospitalized, with his condition and return to the Senate remaining undisclosed. His office has not provided details, and this incident follows previous hospitalizations and public medical episodes in recent years.

Sen. Mitch McConnell was found unconscious in his Washington, D.C. home on June 14 and hospitalized, with his condition and return to the Senate remaining undisclosed. His spokesperson stated he is working on Senate business during recovery, and Senate Majority Leader John Thune noted McConnell is following Senate activities. The emergency dispatch revealed an Advanced Life Support response, and the incident was reported by PunchBowl News following audio released by Desirée Townsend.

Speaker Mike Johnson faces challenges in advancing the SAVE America Act, a key election security bill backed by Donald Trump, as hard-liners in the House GOP demand procedural changes to force Senate action. The Supreme Court's decision allowing postmarked mail-in ballots to be counted after Election Day has intensified support for the bill, but Senate Majority Leader John Thune has indicated the combined defense and election bill would fail in his chamber.

Speaker Mike Johnson plans to combine the annual Pentagon policy bill with the GOP elections bill, the SAVE America Act, to advance both through the House. The Senate is expected to reject the combined package, potentially causing a legislative standoff and delaying the defense bill. House conservatives, including Anna Paulina Luna, support merging the bills but oppose a slimmed-down version of the SAVE Act through budget reconciliation.

The U.S. Senate Ethics Committee dismissed a complaint against Sen. Ruben Gallego, finding no evidence of violations. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna accused Gallego of campaign finance misconduct and inappropriate conduct, which he called right-wing conspiracies. The committee retains authority to revisit the matter if new facts emerge.

The Clarity Act, a major digital asset market structure bill, faces uncertainty as the Senate recesses until July 13. Passage depends on resolving disputes over ethics frameworks for crypto holdings, Section 604 of the Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act, and conflicts in the Agriculture Committee text, with a 60-vote threshold remaining a key hurdle.

Rick Scott, a Florida Republican, invited President Donald Trump to address the Senate without Majority Leader John Thune's approval and circulated a letter outlining Senate GOP strategies for the November midterms. Scott denies ambitions to challenge Thune for leadership, stating he is content in his role leading the conservative Steering Committee and predicts Thune will retain his position.

Galaxy Research has lowered the CLARITY Act's chances of becoming law in 2026 to 50-50 due to a tight Senate schedule and lack of progress on merging bill texts or scheduling a vote. The act, which aims to establish a regulatory framework for digital assets, passed the Senate Banking Committee but remains stalled on the legislative calendar.

President Trump trained elected Republicans to obey him despite disagreements, leading to a crisis as Washington nears the end of the GOP's two-year monopoly. Trump's actions include canceling a bipartisan housing bill, demanding the SAVE America Act, and disrupting FISA surveillance renewals, while Republican lawmakers face challenges balancing Trump's demands with Senate rules and political consequences.

President Donald Trump met with Senate Republicans to address party divisions but the closed-door lunch failed to resolve disagreements over policy goals like a voter identification law and a housing bill. Tensions escalated during discussions about the Iran war, with Senator Bill Cassidy recounting a confrontation with Trump over lack of classified briefings.

Senate Republicans reversed their position on an Iran war vote after President Donald Trump criticized them, rejecting a war powers resolution in a late-night vote. The move aimed to appease Trump following a tense exchange where he berated senators, including Bill Cassidy, for opposing his Iran policy.

President Donald Trump met with Senate Republicans in an attempt to unify the party but left without resolving deep divisions over policy goals like a nationwide voter identification law. Tensions escalated during the closed-door lunch, with Senator Bill Cassidy recounting a confrontation with Trump over Iran war information and the War Powers Resolution, while Trump prioritized his controversial SAVE America Act over a bipartisan housing bill.

Congress faces a shrinking window to finalize a bipartisan cryptocurrency oversight deal before midterms, with unresolved issues including restrictions on Trump's digital asset profits and staffing for the SEC and CFTC. Lawmakers aim to address ethics provisions but face challenges in securing Trump's approval and House support.

President Trump's $87.6 billion Iran war funding request faces skepticism from both parties in Congress. Democrats like Rep. Rosa DeLauro and Sen. Jack Reed criticize the proposal, while some Democrats remain open to parts of it. Republicans also express concerns, including Rep. Chip Roy opposing ethanol provisions and Sen. Susan Collins planning a hearing due to discrepancies in the request.

Senate Republicans rejected a war powers resolution after President Donald Trump criticized them for opposing his war in Iran. The vote followed a closed-door meeting where Trump berated GOP senators, particularly targeting Sen. Bill Cassidy, who had previously voted with Democrats. The measure failed 47-50-1, and Senate leaders later confirmed Trump was pleased with the outcome.

Senate Republicans rejected a war powers resolution after President Donald Trump berated them during a Capitol meeting for opposing his Iran war. The vote, which failed 47-50-1, followed a similar measure passed the previous day and was largely symbolic. Senators Bill Cassidy and Rand Paul, who had previously supported anti-war efforts, voted against or abstained from the resolution to appease Trump.

Senate Republicans rejected a war powers resolution after President Trump berated them for opposing his Iran war. The vote followed a tense meeting where Trump criticized senators, particularly Louisiana's Bill Cassidy, who later voted against a similar resolution after a White House briefing with Vice President JD Vance and envoy Steve Witkoff. The measure failed 47-50-1, and Trump expressed satisfaction with the outcome.

President Donald Trump met with Senate Republicans to address party divisions but failed to resolve disagreements over policies like a nationwide voter identification law. The closed-door lunch left senators as divided as before, with tensions highlighted by a confrontation between Trump and Senator Bill Cassidy over Iran war briefings and legislative priorities.

President Trump is clashing with Senate Republicans who resist his demands, particularly over the SAVE Act. Senators like Bill Cassidy and Lisa Murkowski reject Trump's push to end the filibuster and prioritize his legislative agenda, opting instead to uphold Senate traditions. Trump's efforts to influence Senate processes have led to public disputes and stalled bipartisan initiatives.

President Trump canceled plans to sign a bipartisan housing bill hours before the event, demanding Congress pass his voter ID law first. The move heightened tensions with Senate Republicans, who face challenges in advancing shared legislative goals amid Trump's unpredictable actions.

President Donald Trump canceled a planned signing ceremony for a bipartisan housing bill, demanding Senate Republicans prioritize his voting legislation. GOP lawmakers criticized Trump's move, stating his voting bill lacks support and is holding the housing bill hostage.

President Trump canceled a housing bill signing to prioritize his voting bill, the SAVE AMERICA Act, which mandates stricter voter ID rules, straining relations with Senate Republicans who doubt its feasibility. His actions have heightened tensions with Senate leaders like John Thune and led to criticism from GOP senators.

President Donald Trump canceled a planned signing of a bipartisan affordable housing bill, demanding Congress first pass the SAVE AMERICA Act, which introduces new voter identification requirements. Democratic lawmakers oppose the voting bill, calling it a form of voter suppression, while Trump continues to pressure Senate leaders despite their frustrations over his agenda diversions.