UNCOVERED: 12 | History Defined

Roll Call on the Road: South Carolina

CQ Roll Call traveled last week to South Carolina, which is playing host to Tuesday’s special primary election to select a new Republican Senate nominee following Sen. Lindsey Graham’s sudden death. Photo editor Bill Clark captured some of the action as Senate hopefuls — and other South Carolina candidates —…

Roll Call · Aug 10

August recess was saved. The GOP’s voter ID bill, not so much

President Donald Trump and his closest allies on Capitol Hill said they’re willing to do whatever it takes to pass the so-called SAVE America Act before the midterms — except follow through on threats to cancel August recess. A group of ultraconservative House Republicans and even a few GOP senators…

Roll Call · Aug 10

NIL bill advocates see goal line in sight after recess

After 16 wild hours that ended with a bipartisan college sports bill being punted in the middle of the night, President Donald Trump’s involvement was not enough to trigger votes on legislation he would like to add to his midterms and legacy sales pitches. As senators and senior aides bickered…

Roll Call · Aug 10

What to know about the Minnesota Senate election

Senate Democrats don’t have to wait long for their next big primary test. Their race for the open seat in Minnesota has fallen along familiar lines, and Tuesday will determine whether centrist Rep. Angie Craig or the more progressive Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan comes out ahead.   Craig, who flipped a…

Roll Call · Aug 7

In Connecticut, John Larson brushes aside calls for generational change

BRISTOL, Conn. – John B. Larson has a booming voice, a thick head of white hair and almost 14 terms in Congress under his belt.  But at 78, the Democrat still sees himself as the scrappy kid raised in public housing in a working-class Hartford suburb. “I’m proud to stand…

Roll Call · Aug 7

At the Races: Pacific Commotion

Welcome to a special edition of At the Races! Throughout the 2026 primary season, watch for these updates from the CQ Roll Call campaign team on what you need to know for Election Day. Know someone who’d like to get this newsletter? They can subscribe here. By Daniela Altimari and Mary…

Roll Call · Aug 7

Long-stalled Russia sanctions bill passed by Senate

The Senate on Friday passed a bill aimed at punishing Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, a long-delayed effort that senators raced to finish in recent weeks as a tribute to the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. The bill, which would also levy penalties on Iran, was passed in a…

Roll Call · Aug 7

White House ballroom must be approved by Congress, court rules

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit on Friday upheld a ruling that the Trump administration must receive congressional approval before it continues construction on a ballroom on the former site of the White House’s East Wing. The 2-1 ruling affirmed the preliminary injunction granted in…

Roll Call · Aug 7

Cassidy will vote for Blanche as AG, all but ensuring confirmation

Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana said Friday he intended to vote to confirm Todd Blanche to be attorney general, ending a weekslong back-and-forth with the White House to win over GOP holdouts. All eyes were on Cassidy’s Friday morning floor speech after his fellow Republican Sens. Susan Collins of Maine…

Roll Call · Aug 7

Photos of the week | August 1-6, 2026

It’s expected to be the final week before full-on August recess (fingers crossed). As the Senate raced to wrap up, a committee voted to hold Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s nomination moved out of committee. And candidates for the GOP nomination to replace Sen.…

Roll Call · Aug 7