New Maryland House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk announced a major leadership shake-up and expanded committee structure for the 2026 session, including new committees and leadership roles, aimed at addressing federal cuts and state challenges, with a focus on diverse and regional representation.
Republicans narrowly held a Tennessee seat, signaling a tough 2026 election cycle, amid internal party conflicts and legislative challenges for House Speaker Mike Johnson, including debates over defense, healthcare, and internal party leadership disputes.
Senator Thom Tillis advocates for the release of Jeffrey Epstein files, arguing transparency could influence upcoming midterm elections, despite resistance from House leadership and President Trump, amid ongoing Capitol Hill drama.
The House is leaving Washington early for its August recess due to tensions over the Jeffrey Epstein files, which has halted much legislative activity. Despite initial plans to continue work, leadership decided to cut the week short amid internal GOP pressure and Democratic efforts to force the release of Epstein documents. The situation highlights growing frustration within GOP ranks over transparency and the handling of the Epstein case.
The House GOP is considering an early recess due to a dispute over the Epstein documents, with bipartisan tensions and ongoing efforts to release sealed files, while other political developments include leadership changes and upcoming funding battles.
Hakeem Jeffries is leading a more aggressive, visible opposition strategy against Trump, urging Democrats to flood media and districts with messaging to oppose Trump's actions, aiming to unify the party and prepare for potential control of the House in future elections.
Six Republican House members from New York are seeking to expel Representative George Santos, who is facing federal charges of defrauding donors and lying about campaign finances. The group of freshmen lawmakers aims to introduce an expulsion resolution to remove Santos, hoping to rid themselves and their party of a political liability ahead of next year's elections. Expulsion requires a two-thirds supermajority, making it uncertain if the move is merely a messaging exercise or a serious attempt to remove Santos.
The upcoming election for House Speaker will likely push the GOP further to the right, with candidates Steve Scalise and Jim Jordan representing more conservative alternatives to ousted speaker Kevin McCarthy. This aligns with the movement towards a Trump restoration in the Republican presidential race, which embraces a vitriolic and divisive agenda. The GOP's strategy for 2024 is expected to focus on the priorities and grievances of its base voters, potentially generating high turnout but testing the party's ability to maintain support from independent and swing voters. The party's shift to the right may hinder its chances of winning back swing voters and capturing competitive suburban districts, potentially benefiting Democrats in the upcoming elections.
In a commencement speech at Colorado College, former congresswoman Liz Cheney accused her Republican colleagues of urging her to lie about the 2020 election and the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021. Cheney, who voted to impeach former President Donald Trump, reflected on her role as chair of the House Republican Conference and her prayer for a love and reverence for freedom. She lost a primary election to Trump-backed Harriet Hageman in 2022 and has been a vocal critic of the former president.
In a commencement speech at Colorado College, former congresswoman Liz Cheney accused her Republican colleagues of urging her to lie about the 2020 election and the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021. Cheney, who voted to impeach former President Donald Trump, reflected on her role as chair of the House Republican Conference and her prayer for a love and reverence for freedom. She lost a primary election to Trump-backed Harriet Hageman in 2022.