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House Conservatives End Blockade, Deliver Johnson Win on Voter ID Push
House conservatives ended their weeks-long floor blockade on July 14, 2026, handing Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) a procedural victory that advanced key legislation, including a State Department appropriations bill paired with the Trump-backed SAVE America Act. The procedural vote passed 215-211 after Johnson agreed to attach the election integrity measure, which requires proof of citizenship for voter registration and photo ID to vote in federal elections, prompting holdouts like Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) to support unlocking the chamber. Republicans had stalled business since late June to pressure the Senate on the SAVE America Act and border security priorities, but the slim GOP majority left little room for defections amid demands to clear a backlog ahead of midterms. One Republican, Rep. Randy Fine (R-FL), opposed the rule while all Democrats voted no.
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South Carolina Governor Appoints Lindsey Graham Sister to Senate Seat
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster (R) appointed Darline Graham Nordone, the sister of the late Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), to fill his vacant Senate seat on July 13, 2026. Nordone will serve the remainder of Grahamâs term through early January 2027 after the longtime lawmaker died suddenly from an aortic dissection on July 11. President Trump endorsed the choice earlier that day, calling it a fitting tribute to Graham, while Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) and Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) also voiced support. The move helps Republicans maintain their narrow Senate majority amid other health concerns among GOP senators. Nordone, who has no prior elected experience and currently serves as commissioner of the South Carolina Commission for the Blind, becomes the first woman to represent the state in the U.S. Senate. A special primary election is scheduled for August 11 to select the GOP nominee for the full six-year term.
Senate Democrats Block Must-Pass Defense Funding Bill
Senate Democrats blocked a procedural step on the annual National Defense Authorization Act. This legislation funds the Pentagon and supports military operations. Many Democrats expressed frustration over the proposed funding levels and the ongoing situation with Iran. Sen. Jim Banks (R-IN), a Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, criticized the move as playing games with troop support. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) argued that the bill should not serve as approval for what he called unauthorized actions in Iran. Democrats like Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) cited needs for better explanations of funding sources and additional guardrails on war authorities. Republicans countered that advancing the bill would enable amendments and stressed the importance of a strong military amid threats.
ICE Orders Halt to Most Vehicle Stops After Fatal Shootings
U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement agents received instructions to immediately cease most vehicle stops nationwide during immigration enforcement operations. Agents will now limit such stops to targets with serious or violent criminal histories. The policy change follows two fatal officer-involved shootings in the past week. One occurred in Houston, Texas, where a Mexican national was killed after authorities said he tried to ram an ICE vehicle. The other took place in Biddeford, Maine, where a man was shot after allegedly attempting to flee during a stop. Both incidents involved individuals who were not the primary targets of the operations. Senior ICE sources described the shift as temporary until new training on vehicle stops receives approval from Department of Homeland Security leadership. The agency has relied heavily on vehicle stops for arrests in recent enforcement efforts.
House Passes Bipartisan Measure to End Penny Production
The House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved the Common Cents Act on July 14. The legislation codifies President Trumpâs earlier directive to halt minting of new one-cent coins for circulation. Pennies already in existence remain legal tender. Each penny costs about $3.69 to produce. The bill aims to eliminate wasteful spending estimated at tens of millions of dollars annually for taxpayers. Lead sponsor Rep. Lisa McClain (R-MI) emphasized fiscal responsibility and modernization of the currency system to match current cash usage patterns. The measure includes provisions for cash transactions to round to the nearest nickel. It also permits continued production of pennies as collectibles. A Senate companion bill exists with bipartisan backing. Several countries have already phased out low-denomination coins using similar rounding systems.
Missouri Floods Prompt Hundreds of Swift Water Rescues
Severe storms dumped 6 to 12 inches of rain across south-central and southeastern Missouri from Thursday evening into Friday morning, triggering catastrophic flash flooding along the Black River in Reynolds and Iron counties. Crews conducted more than 350 water rescues involving residents, campers, and motorists as rapidly rising waters stranded people on rooftops, in trees, and in vehicles, with all roads in and out of Lesterville closed. National Guard Black Hawk helicopters airlifted over 200 children and counselors from Camp Taum Sauk to safety at a nearby school, while responders saved nearly 20 people from a collapsing building at Bearcat Getaway campground; two rescue boats also capsized, but all first responders were recovered safely. No serious injuries were reported in the initial response, though one person was missing in Crawford County, with rescue operations continuing amid ongoing threats and significant infrastructure damage, including a partial highway collapse.
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Democratic Socialists of America Co-Chair Pushes Abolition of US Senate as Platform Goal
Democratic Socialists of America co-chair Ashik Siddique stated in a C-SPAN interview that abolishing the US Senate forms part of the groupâs official platform. He described the Senate as an institution historically designed to serve very wealthy landowners and argued it remains unrepresentative today. Siddique proposed expanding the House of Representatives to handle more legislative functions in order to make government more reflective of the population. The DSA has endorsed broader changes including public ownership of major corporations and elimination of the Electoral College. Critics note that such restructuring would undermine constitutional protections for smaller states and rural interests against dominance by densely populated urban areas.
Anti-ICE Agitators Assault Journalist at Susan Collins Office After Maine Shooting
An ICE agent fatally shot a 26-year-old Colombian man during an immigration enforcement operation in Biddeford, Maine on July 13, 2026. Authorities stated the man, who had a prior deportation order, attempted to flee in a vehicle toward the officer. Protesters quickly gathered at Senator Susan Collinsâ (R-ME) district office, where they chanted âVote her outâ and banged on doors and windows. One agitator struck a journalist with a skateboard during the confrontation. Collins called for a full and impartial investigation by the FBI. Senator Angus King (D-ME) relayed details from Homeland Security indicating the man had weaponized his vehicle.
Big Tech Platforms Suppressed Damaging Stories on Maine Senate Candidate Graham Platner
Apple News and Google News published zero stories on controversies surrounding former Maine Democrat Senate candidate Graham Platner from November 2025 through May 2026. These included reports on his Nazi-linked Totenkopf tattoo, offensive Reddit posts mocking a teenâs suicide attempt and containing other troubling content, and other personal scandals. The Media Research Center study identified at least 112 stories from conservative outlets that the platforms failed to promote during this period while Platner appeared viable against incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME). Coverage shifted only after a May 30 New York Times report on his sexting activities and intensified further following a late June poll showing Collins ahead and new sexual misconduct allegations that led to his campaign suspension on July 8. Google disputed the studyâs methodology as flawed, citing personalization and daily updates, while Apple did not immediately comment.
Ilhan Omar Boosts Antisemitic Democratic Socialist El-Sayed in Michigan Senate Race
Rep. Ilhan Omar (DS-MN) endorsed Michigan Democrat Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed on July 13, 2026, describing him as the strongest option to flip the seat from Republicans. Omar pointed to El-Sayedâs resistance to corporate influence, emphasis on affordability, and push for universal healthcare. El-Sayed, a vocal critic of Israel who has faced accusations of antisemitic rhetoric, including heavy attacks on AIPAC and reluctance to affirm Israelâs right to exist as a Jewish state, thanked Omar and lauded her defiance on immigration matters. The move underscores the far-left shift in the Democrat primary, where El-Sayed aligns with Democratic Socialist policies and figures like Bernie Sanders (DS-VT) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (DS-NY) while competing against more moderate Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI) ahead of the August 4 vote.
Judge Frees Cuban Plane Hijacker from ICE Custody Pending Deportation
U.S. District Judge John E. Steele, appointed by President Bill Clinton, granted a habeas corpus petition and ordered the release of Miakel Guerra Morales, a Cuban national who hijacked a plane from Cuba to Florida in 2003 while assaulting crew members. Morales served more than 20 years in federal prison before an immigration judge ordered his removal but granted protection under the Convention Against Torture that prevented return to Cuba. ICE detained him again in December 2025 intending to deport him to Mexico, yet after more than six months the government failed to show a concrete removal plan or evidence that Mexico would accept him. The judge ruled that continued detention violated limits on holding individuals when deportation is not reasonably foreseeable, though ICE retains authority to re-detain him if removal becomes viable. DHS criticized the decision as undermining efforts to remove criminal aliens.
đ International
Iranian Forces Target Tankers in Strait of Hormuz Killing Crew Members Amid Escalating Tensions
Iranian forces launched cruise missile strikes on two UAE-linked tankers transiting the southern shipping lane of the Strait of Hormuz in Omani territorial waters on July 13. The attacks disabled the vessels Mombasa B and Al Bahiyah, sparked fires that crews later contained, killed one Indian seafarer aboard the Mombasa, and wounded eight others, including six Indians and two Ukrainians, with four injuries serious. Iranâs Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed responsibility, stating the tankers ignored warnings, switched off navigation systems, and entered a restricted area. The incidents occurred as the United States conducted additional strikes on Iranian targets and President Trump adjusted plans for a Hormuz transit fee in favor of broader trade and investment arrangements with Gulf states while maintaining pressure on Iranian ports. Shipping traffic through the critical waterway dropped sharply, with reports noting the lowest daily transits in weeks as mariners navigated heightened risks.
Trump Drops Shipping Transit Fee Proposal for Hormuz Strait
President Trump announced he is dropping a proposed 20 percent shipping transit fee for the Strait of Hormuz after productive talks with Middle East leaders. Oil flows freely through the vital waterway thanks to U.S. military efforts, with the passage now open to international shipping except for Iranian vessels. The U.S. maintains a blockade on Iranian ports following recent strikes. Trump highlighted strong U.S. military performance under leaders including Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine, and CENTCOMâs Admiral Brad Cooper. In place of the fee, the administration pursues massive trade and investment deals with Arab Gulf states. Trump emphasized that Iran will never obtain a nuclear weapon and that the days of the regimeâs widespread violence are over.
Hungaryâs Parliament Ousts President in Shift From Orban Era
Hungaryâs parliament passed a constitutional amendment on July 13 to remove President Tamas Sulyok from office. Prime Minister Peter Magyarâs Tisza Party pushed the measure as part of efforts to dismantle the power structures built during Viktor Orbanâs 16-year rule. The amendment passed with 139 votes in favor and six against after Fidesz lawmakers boycotted the session. It cites a serious loss of confidence in Sulyok, whom Magyar has called an Orban puppet. Sulyok has five days to sign the amendment or face impeachment. The change also includes term limits for lawmakers, an age limit for constitutional court judges, and other reforms targeting Orban-era appointees. Magyarâs party secured a two-thirds majority in April elections, giving it the power to alter the constitution. Sulyok has criticized the move as a violation of democratic principles and the rule of law.
Communist Chinese Party Expels Politburo Member in Latest Purge
The Chinese Communist Party expelled former Politburo member Ma Xingrui from the party and removed him from public office on July 14 for serious violations of political discipline and rules. Ma, the former Xinjiang party chief and an aerospace engineer who once led a major state defense conglomerate, faced accusations of condoning misconduct by his staff, assisting family members in obtaining properties below market value, securing sexual favors through his position, and enabling rampant family corruption for financial gain. The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection announced the decision following a Politburo review on June 30, and Ma will now face prosecution. His removal marks the third vacancy in the Politburo amid Xi Jinpingâs ongoing anti-corruption campaign, which has already ousted senior military figures including two other top officials from the body.
Andy Burnham Backs Labour Immigration Tightening Ahead of Premiership
Andy Burnham signaled support for a Home Office plan to tighten UK immigration rules as he prepares to become prime minister. The incoming Labour leader indicated he will back the Immigration and Asylum Bill despite resistance from dozens of his own MPs. The reforms aim to limit appeals by foreign criminals and failed asylum seekers using human rights claims. They also establish faster deportation tracks and require migrants to cover some accommodation costs. The changes double the wait for indefinite leave to remain from five years to ten years with retroactive application in some cases. Burnhamâs team described the measures as steps toward a system that is compassionate yet credible while restoring public confidence by addressing illegal crossings and bolstering safe legal routes for genuine refugees.
