Year: 2026
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Markwayne Mullin confirmed as secretary of homeland security
The U.S. Senate voted to confirm Markwayne Mullin as secretary of homeland security on March 23, 2026. The Senate voted 54-45 in favor of his nomination, with 52 Republicans and two Democrats, Sens. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), voting in favor. Forty-two Democrats voted against the nomination, along with two independents who caucus…
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U.S. House committees announce initial “Red to Blue” and “MAGA Majority” candidates
On March 17, 2026, the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) released an initial list of nine candidates participating in its MAGA Majority program in 2026. According to NRCC, the program, formerly known as Young Guns, "highlights a slate of strong candidates running in key battleground districts across the country who embody the Trump agenda: securing…
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One-fourth of indirect initiatives were approved by state legislatures between 2018 and 2025; 12 currently pending before state legislatures
There are nine states that authorize indirect initiatives, either statutes or constitutional amendments, where citizen-proposed ballot measures are first presented to state legislatures. Between 2018 and 2025, 40 indirect initiatives were certified to state legislatures. Ten were approved by state legislatures, while 17 were approved and 13 were rejected by voters. For the 2026 ballot,…
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Senate takes up SAVE America Act to require voter ID, proof of citizenship for federal elections
On March 17, the U.S. Senate began debate on the SAVE America Act, which would require individuals to provide documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote and voter ID to cast a ballot in federal elections. As of March 24, debate continued in the Senate, and a final vote had not been scheduled. On…
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Four candidates running in Democratic primary for Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District
Bob Brooks, Ryan Crosswell, Lamont McClure, and Carol Obando-Derstine are running in the Democratic primary for Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District on May 19, 2026. The winner will face incumbent Ryan Mackenzie (R) in the November 3, 2026, general election. NBC News' Dylan Ebs and Melanie Jackson wrote that the primary "has turned into a crowded…