Category: Federal

  • Most U.S. representatives in the 119th Congress are part of Generation X, while most U.S. senators are Baby Boomers

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    For the first time since the 113th Congress, which spanned from 2013 to 2015, a plurality of members of the U.S. House of Representatives is part of Generation X. Meanwhile, a plurality of members of the U.S. Senate are Baby Boomers. At the start of the 119th Congress, the median age of U.S. senators was…

  • Rep. Barry Loudermilk becomes the 50th U.S. House member who is not seeking re-election in 2026

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    Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-Ga.) announced on Feb. 4, 2026, that he will not seek re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2026. In a statement announcing his retirement, Loudermilk said, “I first ran for election to Congress in 2014 and, as I stated then, representing the people in Congress is a service, not a…

  • Trump ended January with a 42% approval rating, the third consecutive month with this rating

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    President Donald Trump’s (R) approval ratings in his second term did not change from January, while the 119th Congress’s approval rating improved. At the end of January 2026, polling averages showed Trump’s approval rating was 42%, the same as it was in November and December 2025. Fifty-five percent of voters disapproved of his performance. The…

  • Rep. Christian Menefee takes office — ending the vacancy in Texas’ 18th Congressional District

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    On Feb. 2, 2026, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-La.) swore Rep. Christian Menefee (D-Texas) into the U.S. House of Representatives, filling the vacancy in Texas' 18th Congressional District. The vacancy began on March 5, 2025, after the death of Rep. Sylvester Turner (D-Texas). In a runoff election on Jan. 31, 2026, Menefee defeated…

  • Tracker: Article III federal judicial nominations by president by days in office since 2001

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    There were 41 vacancies out of 890 authorized federal judicial posts as of Jan. 30, 2026. Forty of those were for Article III judgeships. This report is limited to Article III courts, where appointees are confirmed to lifetime judgeships. In the past month: By January 30—378 days in office—President Donald Trump (R) had nominated 39…

  • January saw President Donald Trump’s (R) fourth-lowest monthly executive order total thus far in his second term

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    Image of the south facade of the White House.

    January saw President Donald Trump’s (R) fourth-lowest monthly executive order total thus far in his second term President Donald Trump (R) issued nine executive orders in January, bringing his total to 234 in his second term. This was the third-lowest monthly total of his second term thus far. Trump issued orders on foreign policy, the…

  • Rep. Vern Buchanan becomes the 49th U.S. House member who is not seeking re-election in 2026

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    Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.) announced on Jan. 27, 2026, that he will not seek re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2026. In a statement announcing his retirement, Buchanan wrote, “I came to Congress to solve problems, to fight for working families and to help ensure this country remains a place where opportunity is…