Republican lawmakers

New York's Medical Aid in Dying Act allows terminally ill patients with less than six months to live to request life-ending medication. The law, effective Wednesday, faces opposition from Republican lawmakers, the Catholic Church, and disability advocates who have filed a lawsuit.

Anthony Fauci returned to Capitol Hill for a Senate hearing where he faced attacks from Republican lawmakers. The hearing was discussed on Washington Week With The Atlantic, with panelists including Stephen Hayes and other journalists analyzing the event.

Anthony Fauci returned to Capitol Hill for a Senate hearing and faced attacks from Republican lawmakers. The hearing included discussions about Sen. Rand Paul's motivation and Fauci's responses.

Missouri's proposed Amendment 4 would require citizen-led constitutional amendments to pass in all eight congressional districts instead of a simple statewide majority, making it the nation's toughest standard. The measure aims to limit direct democracy by raising the approval threshold, a move opposed by groups supporting progressive initiatives.

Dr. Anthony Fauci faced tense questioning from Sen. Rand Paul and other Republican lawmakers at a hearing, invoking the Fifth Amendment over 100 times. Political strategists Ofirah Yheskel and Jessica Anderson provided analysis on the hearing.

Dr. Anthony Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment during a Senate hearing on the COVID-19 pandemic, angering Republican lawmakers. GOP Sen. Rand Paul, who led the hearing, stated there is a 'very real chance' Fauci could be prosecuted.

Republican lawmakers accused the Smithsonian Institution of promoting a 'woke ideology' during a hearing on editorial control of its museums and historical content. Critics called for leadership changes and criticized upcoming museums, while historians and Democratic lawmakers defended the institution's independence. The Trump administration previously accused the Smithsonian of 'extreme political activism.'

Republican lawmakers accused the Smithsonian Institution of promoting a 'woke ideology' during a hearing over editorial control of historical presentations. A Heritage Foundation representative called for leadership changes, while the Trump administration criticized the Smithsonian for 'extreme political activism.' Historians and Democrats defended the institution's independence.

Republican lawmakers accused the Smithsonian Institution of promoting a 'woke ideology' during a hearing, with critics calling for leadership changes and condemning the institution's focus on American history. The Trump administration previously accused the Smithsonian of 'extreme political activism,' while historians and lawmakers defended its role as a public institution. The Smithsonian is governed by a Board of Regents.

Lawmakers have limited time before August recess to pass legislation, with President Donald Trump urging support for the SAVE America Act, which requires voter ID and proof of citizenship. The bill faces opposition in the Senate, particularly over restrictions on mail-in voting, and lacks Democratic support. House Republicans may pass it, but Senate approval appears unlikely before the midterms.

President Trump claims 'shocking vulnerabilities' in election infrastructure, including China accessing voter data and noncitizens on voter rolls. He did not reference widespread illegal votes in the 2020 election, despite past baseless claims. His remarks coincide with ongoing tensions in Iran and low approval ratings.

Hilton Grand Vacations fired an employee who allegedly sent a racial insult to WNBA player Chelsea Gray via Instagram. Gray shared a screenshot of the message, which included a racial slur, amid heightened tensions in the WNBA following incidents involving Caitlin Clark and Alyssa Thomas. Eleven Republican lawmakers also wrote to WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert about racially motivated hostility toward Clark.

Republicans return to Capitol Hill with a complicated agenda due to Trump's demands, Mitch McConnell's absence, and the death of Lindsey Graham, the budget committee chair. The death complicates efforts to pass a defense spending bill and other priorities outlined by the president.

Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy criticized Speaker Mike Johnson's decision to send the House home early, warning of negative consequences in November elections if Republicans fail to address internal divisions.

Tennessee will maintain its execution protocol despite a botched attempt in May where medical staff failed to find a vein during an inmate's execution. Gov. Bill Lee stated procedures were followed, granted a one-year reprieve to Tony Carruthers, and Republican lawmakers called for a pause on executions for an independent review.

North Carolina's Department of Public Instruction plans to issue guidance for schools on implementing a new law banning diversity, equity, and inclusion practices. The law, Senate Bill 227, prohibits DEI offices and instruction on certain concepts, though it preserves teaching about historical oppression. Educators and advocacy groups have expressed differing views on the law's impact.

China is using AI tools, including American ones like ChatGPT, to launch covert propaganda campaigns against U.S. AI infrastructure development. OpenAI identified a campaign where Chinese-linked users generated polarizing content about data centers, aiming to slow construction and tip the global AI race in China's favor. The article highlights China's broader use of AI for surveillance, repression, and targeted propaganda to advance its geopolitical interests.

California ranchers are experiencing conflicts with wolves preying on their livestock and are seeking permission to use pepper balls for defense. Republican lawmakers are opposing what they describe as overly restrictive state laws regarding protected species.

As a hemp ban takes effect, lawmakers are pushing for a pot tax to fund road repairs. Republican lawmakers stated the changes are necessary to better regulate the industry.

A Republican-led plan to call a special session in Arizona to negotiate with the Arizona Education Association (AEA) over school voucher reforms is unlikely to succeed. The plan aimed to block two citizen-led initiatives targeting the Empowerment Scholarship Account program, but failed after a negotiated compromise collapsed, leading Republicans to push a controversial bill that would effectively block ESA reforms.

A lawsuit challenging an Oregon logging project could disrupt federal management of public lands across the West, potentially invalidating permits and management plans for industries like mining, drilling, and logging. The case centers on Congress using the Congressional Review Act to revoke Biden-era policies, raising concerns about legal uncertainty for federal land management.

Supreme Court conservatives faced accusations of advancing a 'white-supremacist agenda' after rulings enabled Trump administration officials to remove migrant protections and reshape the asylum system. Lawmakers and advocacy groups criticized the decisions as 'disastrous' and 'cruel,' while the Trump administration and anti-immigrant groups supported them.

Gov. Mike DeWine vetoed House Bill 472 in Ohio, which would have required photo ID for mail voting. He cited challenges for voters and unnecessary restrictions, as bipartisan elections officials and the Ohio chapter of the American Association of Retired Persons opposed the bill. The veto can be overridden by the legislature.

The USDA released 2025 SNAP payment error rates, showing Wisconsin and eight other states with rates below 6% will avoid federal penalties requiring states to match 5-15% of benefits costs. Wisconsin’s 5.72% error rate will save up to $205 million in the 2027-28 fiscal year, while 18 states with higher error rates face penalties or must invest in error reduction.

President Donald Trump canceled a signing ceremony for a new housing package and called it 'of minor importance,' despite expectations to highlight a provision banning big investors from owning single-family homes.

North Carolina Democratic lawmakers introduced House Bill 1130 to provide larger raises for veteran teachers, aiming to address retention issues. The bill includes restoring pay for teachers with master’s degrees and granting local school boards more control over academic calendars. Republican lawmakers previously proposed an average 8% pay raise over two years, but critics argue it disproportionately benefits newer educators.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the U.S.-Iran memorandum prohibits Iran from having a nuclear weapon and announced plans to release the memo formally. He also expressed support for sending the Iran deal to Congress for review as requested by some Republican lawmakers.

Republican lawmakers express distrust of Iran and uncertainty about the agreement's details, while Democrats question the changes from the Obama-era pact regarding Trump's Iran deal.

Georgia lawmakers are addressing a law that bans the use of QR codes for vote counting after July 1, 2026, as no replacement system has been implemented. Conflicting guidance from election officials and unresolved issues could lead to confusion or legal challenges in upcoming elections. The system, used since 2020, faced criticism after unfounded claims of vote tampering in the 2020 presidential election.

Missouri courts have repeatedly rejected or rewritten ballot language summaries drafted by Secretary of State Denny Hoskins and Republican lawmakers, focusing on issues like abortion, redistricting, and tax reforms. These disputes have intensified as part of a broader national conflict over direct democracy, with experts noting increased efforts to manipulate voter understanding through ballot language.

The NAACP Tennessee chapter filed a federal court injunction to block Tennessee's new congressional map, alleging racial discrimination against Black Memphis voters. The map splits Memphis across three districts, reducing its majority-minority status following a Supreme Court ruling. The NAACP's lawsuit is combined with the League of Women Voters' challenge against the map.

The NAACP Tennessee chapter filed a federal court injunction to block Tennessee's new congressional map, alleging it violates the 14th and 15th amendments through racial discrimination. The map splits Memphis, a Democratic and majority-Black stronghold, across three districts, potentially weakening its electoral influence. The lawsuit follows the Supreme Court's Louisiana v. Callais ruling, which reduced protections for majority-minority districts.

President Donald Trump signed a $70 billion bill to fund immigration enforcement and detention activities over three years, with significant allocations to ICE, CBP, and Homeland Security. The bill passed with near-unanimous Republican support, despite Democratic calls for stricter law enforcement standards.

The North Carolina State Board of Education expressed concerns that a proposed teacher pay plan disproportionately benefits early-career teachers over veterans, with raises front-loaded for newcomers and minimal increases for those with 15–24 years of experience. The plan, costing $528 million, aims for an average 8% raise over two years, raising starting pay to $48,000 but maintaining existing pay structures for veterans.

Actor Richard Gere expressed being 'deeply ashamed' of the rhetoric toward migrants from the Trump administration and Republican lawmakers. He delivered a speech at the launch of a joint migration initiative by the Hertie School Centre for Fundamental Rights and The Gere Foundation in Berlin.

Tennessee Republicans designated June as 'Nuclear Family Month' through a resolution signed by Gov. Bill Lee, defining the nuclear family as 'one husband, one wife and any biological, adopted or fostered children.' The resolution, criticized as symbolic endorsement of a specific family structure, contrasts with LGBTQ+ Pride Month celebrations. Opponents, including Tennessee Equality Project and Rep. Gabby Salinas, argue it marginalizes diverse family types.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman met with Republican and Democratic lawmakers to oppose proposals requiring government approval for new artificial intelligence models. Jordan Rae Kelly, a former National Security Council cyber incident response director, provided analysis.

Former Trump adviser David Urban criticized the Department of Justice’s $1.776 billion anti-weaponization fund as a 'loser of an idea.' The fund, intended to compensate individuals wrongfully investigated or prosecuted by the federal government, was scrapped by the administration following opposition from Republican lawmakers.

Gov. Tony Evers raised the Progress Pride flag over the Wisconsin State Capitol for his eighth and final time, emphasizing the state's commitment to recognizing and celebrating LGBTQ Wisconsinites. He highlighted the importance of Pride Month amid national political tensions, referencing efforts to erase LGBTQ history and the recent court ruling against the military ban on trans service members.

The US president withdraws a $1.8 billion 'anti-weaponisation' fund amid legal challenges and opposition from Republican lawmakers. The decision marks a reversal due to political and legal pressures.