Poli Alert Politics & Civics

Rep. David Scott, a longtime Democrat from Georgia who made history as the first Black chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, has died, his office said Wednesday. He was 80. Scott, who represented a district near Atlanta since 2002, had continued serving in Congress and voted on the House floor …

Texas can enforce a state law requiring public schools to display posters of the Ten Commandments in classrooms, a federal appeals court ruled Tuesday. A majority of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in Texas officials’ favor, concluding that the law does not establish an official state religion. …

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Tuesday that the U.S. military will no longer require all service members to receive the annual flu vaccine, marking a significant shift in long-standing military health policy. In a video posted on social media, Hegseth said the blanket requirement was “overly broad and not rational,” …

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps fired on multiple commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, escalating tensions less than a day after President Donald Trump extended a fragile ceasefire and urged Tehran to return to negotiations. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said an IRGC gunboat opened fire …

Virginia voters on Tuesday approved a constitutional amendment allowing mid-decade congressional redistricting, a move expected to dramatically reshape the state’s political map and potentially shift its congressional delegation from a closely divided 6-5 split to a heavily Democratic-leaning 10-1 advantage. By 8:50 p.m., the measure passed by a vote of …

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is leading a multi-agency effort to examine whether there are any connections among a series of cases involving missing or deceased scientists and staff linked to sensitive U.S. nuclear and space research facilities, officials said Tuesday. In a statement, the FBI said it is “spearheading …

Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, a Florida Democrat, resigned from Congress on Tuesday just minutes before a House Ethics Committee hearing that was expected to consider recommending her expulsion over corruption allegations. Her sudden departure immediately halted the proceedings, as the committee no longer has jurisdiction over former members. In a statement, …

Rep. Nancy Mace on Monday introduced a resolution to expel Rep. Cory Mills from Congress, escalating a growing controversy over allegations of sexual misconduct and campaign finance violations. Mills is currently under investigation by the House Ethics Committee over claims involving “sexual misconduct and/or dating violence,” as well as potential …

Virginia voters are headed to the polls Tuesday to decide whether to approve an unusual mid-decade redrawing of congressional districts, a move that could boost Democrats’ chances of flipping control of the U.S. House and intensify a growing national redistricting battle. The proposed constitutional amendment, backed by Democratic leaders, would …

Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer will step down from her post, the Trump administration announced Monday, following multiple reports alleging work misconduct including misuse of funds and more. Chavez-DeRemer, a Republican from Oregon who lost her U.S. House reelection bid in 2024, will take a role in the private sector, White …

FBI Director Kash Patel filed a $250 million defamation lawsuit Monday against The Atlantic, accusing the publication of publishing a “malicious” and false report about his conduct and leadership at the bureau. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, stems from a story published …

Virginians will head to the polls Tuesday to approve or reject a closely watched constitutional amendment that could reshape the state’s congressional map ahead of the 2026 elections. The standalone spring referendum will cap months of legal battles, political messaging and unusually high early voting interest. The vote follows a …

Last week we broke down Edward Blum, the guy who killed affirmative action, gutted the Voting Rights Act, shut down the Fearless Fund, and is now suing the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation over scholarships for Black students. A one man wrecking ball aimed at every program this community built to …

President Donald Trump said Sunday that U.S. forces seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship accused of attempting to breach an American naval blockade, marking a sharp escalation in tensions just days before a fragile ceasefire with Iran is set to expire. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the nearly …

Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Sunday that gasoline prices in the United States have likely peaked but could remain elevated for months, signaling a shift from earlier Trump administration predictions that prices would fall quickly. Appearing on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Wright said it remains unclear when Americans might …