In 2013, Virginia Republicans attempted a mid-decade redistricting to favor their party, but the plan was halted by House Speaker Bill Howell, highlighting the intense partisan tactics involved in district boundary redrawings and foreshadowing similar strategies in 2026.
Military leaders testified before the House Armed Services Committee to defend President Joe Biden's decision to keep U.S. Space Command in Colorado instead of moving it to Alabama. Army Gen. James Dickinson, the commander of Space Command, argued that the move would risk losing critical civilian workers. Lawmakers from Alabama accused Biden of playing politics and seeking election votes in Colorado. Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall endorsed the move to Alabama but was overruled by Biden. The decision is facing scrutiny, with calls for investigations into the process and concerns about the potential politicization of future headquarters decisions.