Wisconsin Examiner

The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee held a hearing to discuss additional military funding for the war in Iran, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth estimating $37.5 billion in costs. Republicans emphasized urgent funding needs, while Democrats like Patty Murray criticized the war's impact and potential for more spending. Hegseth warned of critical shortfalls without congressional approval.

The U.S. House passed a stopgap spending bill to prevent a government shutdown before the Oct. 1 fiscal year start, with a 220-205 party-line vote. The bill, which extends funding to Dec. 4, faces Senate revisions and lacks Democratic support. Republicans argue it avoids partisan disruptions, while Democrats oppose it for allowing Border Patrol funding without reforms.

The Democratic Party of Wisconsin has requested the Wisconsin Elections Commission to retract guidance limiting voters from changing absentee ballots if their preferred candidate withdraws. The guidance, issued July 9, states that a candidate's withdrawal is not sufficient reason for a new ballot, contradicting prior state law and legal precedents. Over 80,000 absentee ballots have already been returned ahead of the Aug. 11 primary.

The Brennan Center for Justice warns that mass voter challenges are likely in the 2026 midterm elections, citing over 185,000 challenges filed in 2024. The report links these challenges to efforts by President Donald Trump and the Republican Party to promote 'election integrity,' raising concerns about voter suppression and undermining democratic processes.

Immigration arrests in the U.S. reached record levels in June and early July, with over 43,000 arrests in June and a potential 49,000 in July. The surge, which includes fatal incidents during traffic stops, prompted ICE to mandate body cameras. The Department of Homeland Security claims the crackdown targets criminals, but statistics show most detainees have no criminal convictions, and the Supreme Court may soon decide on the legality of mandatory detention policies.

Democrats in Congress oppose a Trump administration draft rule proposing changes to federal grant administration, arguing it would politicize funding decisions and undermine grant recipients' priorities. The rule, titled 'Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance,' would grant political appointees authority over grant distribution and prohibit using funds for diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

Democratic gubernatorial candidates discussed affordability challenges and inclusive governance during a forum hosted by Kaleidoscope Wisconsin. Participants emphasized systemic issues in housing, healthcare, and taxation while proposing policies like progressive taxation, Medicaid expansion, and reforms to public services.

Milwaukee's law banning masked law enforcement has led to a legal conflict with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which refuses to comply. The city attorney, Evan Goyke, supports the ordinance, citing public safety and accountability concerns, while ICE cites the Supremacy Clause to justify noncompliance. A specific case involving the arrest of Giovanni Sosa by masked ICE agents highlights the tensions.

President Donald Trump imposed 50% tariffs on Canadian products including hockey sticks, wine, and cement, citing retaliatory restrictions by Canada on U.S. goods. The tariffs, effective Aug. 19, were authorized under Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930, a provision previously unused since the 1940s. Trump’s administration denied linking the tariffs to recent wildfires in Ontario.

Former U.S. Education Department officials from both parties criticized efforts to transfer special education programs and civil rights enforcement to other agencies. The move, part of a broader plan to dismantle the Education Department, would shift responsibilities to HHS and the Justice Department, drawing concerns about accountability for students with disabilities.

The Trump administration is urging an appeals court to detain three immigrants previously released by Texas judges, arguing that thousands of court cases freeing immigrants from mandatory detention strain judicial resources. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will hold a full hearing in September on a policy requiring immigrants to be detained if they crossed the border illegally.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers will wear body cameras during traffic stops following two fatal shootings of immigrants. Tom Homan, the president’s border czar, supports the policy, attributing recent tensions to Democratic criticisms of ICE. Congressional funding disputes have delayed body camera implementation.

Tick season is expanding in the U.S., with increased emergency room visits for tick bites and the spread of disease-carrying species like the lone star tick. States are struggling to monitor tick populations and associated risks as surveillance efforts and public health responses vary widely.

Democrats have flipped two Iowa state Senate seats and are seeking to expand gains in November, with national momentum and voter dissatisfaction creating opportunities to challenge GOP supermajorities in multiple states. The National Conference of State Legislatures identifies 10 Republican-held chambers as potential targets for partisan control shifts.

Diane Hendricks, a Wisconsin billionaire, donated $25 million to MAGA Inc., a super PAC supporting Donald Trump, marking her largest recorded political donation. She previously gave $10 million to the PAC's predecessor in 2024. The PAC, which has $382 million in funds, received major contributions from other donors including Miriam Adelson.

A U.S. Supreme Court decision removed limits on political party spending coordinated with candidates, potentially enhancing parties' influence in midterm elections. Experts note this shift may not increase total campaign funds but could reshape how parties allocate existing resources in key races like Maine's Senate contest.

David Crowley, Milwaukee County Executive, reentered the Democratic primary for Wisconsin governor after recently suspending his campaign and endorsing Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, who withdrew due to a campaign finance scandal. The Democratic field now includes Crowley, Rep. Francesca Hong, Rep. Kelda Roys, Mandela Barnes, and Joel Brennan.

The U.S. Department of Justice has filed 27 lawsuits against 20+ cities, counties, and states since January 2025 to block sanctuary policies that restrict cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. These policies limit ICE activities in public spaces, mask-wearing by agents, and local law enforcement collaboration. The DOJ argues the policies violate federal law, while advocates claim they protect community trust.

Milwaukee City Attorney Evan Goyke rejected a U.S. Department of Justice demand not to enforce an ordinance prohibiting law enforcement from concealing their identities. Goyke argued the ordinance is a public safety measure and criticized federal immigration officers for using aggressive tactics and unmarked vehicles in Milwaukee.

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin warned election officials in non-compliant states could face prosecution for not securing elections or sharing voter data through the SAVE program. The Trump administration announced mandatory security measures for voting machines and threatened to withhold grants from states that refuse, citing vulnerabilities to foreign adversaries. Four states—Nevada, California, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania—were targeted for having non-citizens on voter rolls, with Mullin citing over 250,000 such cases nationwide.