Author: Ellen Morrissey
-
Senate Republicans invoke nuclear option to change nomination rules
On September 11, 2025, Senate Republicans voted to change chamber rules governing the nomination process for certain types of presidential nominees. The vote was 53-45, along party lines. This procedure, where a majority party changes a Senate rule or precedent through a simple majority vote, is often referred to as the nuclear option or constitutional…
-
President Donald Trump (R) ends August with 44% approval, same as July
At the end of August, approval polling averages showed President Donald Trump (R) at 44% approval. Fifty-three percent of voters disapproved of his performance. This is the lowest approval rating he’s received during his presidency. He first received this approval rating in April. The highest approval rating Trump has received is 54%, last seen on…
-
President Donald Trump (R) issued 17 executive orders in August, two more than he issued last month
President Donald Trump (R) issued 17 executive orders in August, bringing his total to 198 in his second term. To view the titles and text of each order he issued in August, click here. Trump issued two more orders this month than he did in July, when he issued 15 executive orders. Trump issued 46…
-
Almost 200 candidates have already filed to run in the 2028 presidential election
As of Aug. 25, 2025, a total of 175 candidates had filed with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to run in the 2028 presidential election. Of these candidates, 39 were Democrats, 44 were Republicans, and the other 92 were independent or minor party candidates. Over the course of a presidential election cycle, hundreds of individuals…
-
Republican party committees maintain fundraising lead in July
As of July 31, 2025, the end of the most recent party committee campaign finance filing period, the three committees associated with the Democratic Party have raised a cumulative $197 million and spent $188 million in the 2026 election cycle, while the three committees associated with the Republican Party have raised $239 million and spent…
-
President Donald Trump (R) issued 15 executive orders in July, the highest monthly total since April
President Donald Trump (R) issued 15 executive orders in July, bringing his total to 181. To view the titles and text of each order he issued in July, click here. This is the highest monthly total since April. In June, Trump issued nine orders and in May, Trump issued 14 orders. Trump issued 46 executive…
-
President Donald Trump (R) ends June with 44% approval, down one point from last month
At the end of July, approval polling averages showed President Donald Trump (R) at 44% approval. Fifty-three percent of voters disapproved of his performance. This is the lowest approval rating he’s received during his presidency. He last received this approval rating in June. The highest approval rating Trump has received is 54%, last seen on…
-
Republican National Committee raised twice as much as Democratic National Committee in June
As of June 30, 2025, the end of the most recent party committee campaign finance filing period, the three committees associated with the Democratic Party have raised a cumulative $176 million and spent $165 million in the 2026 election cycle, while the three committees associated with the Republican Party have raised $214 million and spent…
-
Senate Foreign Relations Committee holds confirmation hearing for Michael Waltz for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a confirmation hearing for Michael Waltz for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations on July 15, 2025. At the time the hearing ended, the committee had not scheduled a meeting to vote on his nomination. Waltz must receive a majority approval vote in the committee before his nomination can…
-
President Donald Trump’s rate of issuing new executive orders decreases again in June
President Donald Trump (R) issued nine executive orders in June, bringing his total to 166. To view the titles and text of each order he issued in June, click here. Trump issued 46 executive orders in January 2025, more than any other month of his presidency. With only nine orders, June 2025 marks the month…