Poli Alert Politics & Civics

Thirty-three House Democrats joined Republicans this week in voting to restrict federal funding for colleges and universities that participate in certain boycotts of Israel, but the bill’s Democratic co-sponsor, Rep. Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey, did not cast a vote. The House passed the Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act, …

Sen. John Fetterman is facing renewed criticism from fellow Democrats after a Wall Street Journal report detailed instances of the Pennsylvania senator allegedly skipping constituent meetings, Senate hearings and other official responsibilities. Rep. Brendan Boyle, D-Pa., called Fetterman “a disgrace” on X, accusing him of failing to do his job. …

The U.S. economy added 162,000 jobs in August, far exceeding expectations and signaling that the labor market remains stronger than previously thought despite mounting pressure on hiring. The unemployment rate held at 4.1%, according to Labor Department data released Friday. Economists had expected just 65,000 new jobs. Job growth was …

Maryland voters will decide in November whether to change the state Constitution’s rules for congressional redistricting after the Maryland Supreme Court ruled Thursday that a revised ballot question can go before voters. The divided court overturned lower-court rulings that had blocked the measure, but agreed that the General Assembly’s original …

Missouri voters will decide in November whether to approve a Republican-backed congressional map after the state Supreme Court unanimously ruled Thursday that voters can challenge redistricting plans through referendum. The ruling suspends the 2025 map and orders Secretary of State Denny Hoskins to use the 2022 congressional districts for the …

The Trump administration is asking the Supreme Court to give the U.S. Postal Service broad power to withhold mail ballots from voters whose information does not meet new federal requirements, escalating a major election fight less than two months before the midterms. The emergency appeal seeks immediate permission to enforce …

House Republicans are canceling the chamber’s final two weeks of scheduled business before the midterm elections, allowing members to leave Washington by Sept. 17 and remain home until mid-November. The House will return for one additional week after next week’s Labor Day recess before ending its pre-election session. GOP leaders …

The Trump administration is proposing new rules that could allow the IRS to revoke tax-exempt status from schools that use race-based policies in admissions, scholarships or student programs. The Treasury Department said Thursday that the rules would apply to as many as 18,000 schools, including colleges, universities and secondary schools. …

House Republicans failed Wednesday to advance a constitutional amendment that would permanently set the Supreme Court at nine justices, as Democrats increasingly embrace the once-fringe idea of expanding the court. The House voted 212-206, falling well short of the two-thirds majority required for a constitutional amendment. Rep. Don Davis, D-N.C., …

A federal judge in Maryland on Wednesday blocked President Donald Trump’s latest attempt to restrict birthright citizenship, ruling that his 2026 executive order is almost certainly unconstitutional. U.S. District Judge Deborah Boardman issued a preliminary injunction barring the Trump administration from enforcing the order, which sought to deny U.S. citizenship …

House Republicans turned a campaign-season vote into a political statement Tuesday, passing a resolution condemning socialism and endorsing President Donald Trump’s SAVE America Act ahead of the November midterm elections. The resolution passed 220-192, with eight Democrats joining Republicans and two voting present. It denounces socialism “in all its forms” …

The Trump administration is dismantling much of the federal government’s specialized research on cyclospora as the foodborne parasite has sickened more than 17,000 Americans this summer, raising concerns about the government’s ability to investigate future outbreaks. Two of the three Agriculture Department projects that make up nearly all of USDA’s …

Hostilities between the United States and Iran escalated sharply overnight into Wednesday as Iran launched strikes against U.S. military positions across the Middle East following a deadly U.S. attack near the Strait of Hormuz that Iranian officials said struck a wedding gathering and killed at least five people. The escalation …

House lawmakers formally censured Republican Rep. Chuck Edwards of North Carolina over findings that he behaved inappropriately toward two women staffers, showering them with gifts and attention, including reciting poetry for one and giving each a personalized handgun. The resolution was backed by members of both parties with overwhelming support. …

Congress is moving to take a government shutdown off the table before the November midterm elections, with the House approving a short-term funding bill Tuesday that would keep federal agencies operating through Dec. 11. The 370-48 vote sends the measure to President Donald Trump, who has indicated he will sign …