Republicans

Survey puts Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco ahead with Democratic vote split between large field of candidatesRepublicans continue to lead the California governor’s race amid a crowded field of Democrats, a new poll commissioned by the state’s Democratic party found, fueling concerns of a conservative win in the famously liberal state.The party on Tuesday published the results of a large-scale poll of 2,000 likely voters conducted by Evitarus Research that revealed that 16% of participants would back the conservative political commentator Steve Hilton in the upcoming primary, while 14% would support Chad Bianco, the Riverside county sheriff. Continue reading...

• Republicans in Congress are escalating investigations into multiple aspects of the Trump administration, including communications between the administration and private companies, financial contributions to Trump's White House ballroom, and settlement funds for the Trump Presidential Library. • Congressional Republicans are scrutinizing federal contracts awarded to companies with ties to the administration, potentially improper use of government information by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), and business investments related to Trump family interests in defense, drone, crypto, real estate, and media industries. • Investigations are also focusing on presidential pardons, with Democrats seeking transcribed interviews of individuals pardoned by Trump and related parties where allegations exist of donations or inappropriate influence linked to the pardons.

The homeland security shutdown has snarled airport lines and halted pay for some, even as lawmakers negotiate a dealUS politics live – latest updatesSign up for the Breaking News US newsletter emailRepublican senators are considering a bipartisan deal to restore funding to most of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that would initially exclude money for arrests and deportations of undocumented immigrants, according to media reports.Under the potential agreement, Republicans would accede to Democratic demands to restore funding to all parts of the department except for those involved in immigration enforcement operations, according to Politico and the Associated Press. The GOP would then move to pay for those enforcement operations using the budget reconciliation process, in which they can address spending and revenue issues without relying on votes from Democrats. Continue reading...

• Republican legislators in Florida are advancing proof-of-citizenship voting laws as President Trump continues pushing the Senate to pass his SAVE America Act at the federal level. • The state-level legislation mirrors key provisions of Trump's federal SAVE Act, including requirements to prove citizenship before voting, reflecting alignment between state and federal Republican priorities on election security. • Florida's legislative action demonstrates coordinated effort across states to implement stricter voter identification and citizenship verification measures despite the federal SAVE Act facing significant opposition in the Senate.

• House Republicans are advancing a resolution this week to affirm support for over 100,000 DHS employees, including 50,000 TSA frontline workers, unpaid for 37 days due to Democrats' refusal to fund the department. • The shutdown has led to $1 billion in monthly unpaid wages, coinciding with elevated terror threats including recent attacks in Texas, New York, Michigan, and Virginia, and FBI warnings of lone wolf attackers and sleeper cells. • Republicans highlight over 10 million illegal immigrants entering under Biden from 160 countries, including 400 on the Terrorist Watch List caught at borders, arguing the shutdown endangers national security.

The University of Florida campus group says the suspension over an off-campus post violated free speechSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxA dispute among student Republican groups in Florida over alleged antisemitic behavior is heading for a courtroom after a chapter at the state’s flagship university was suspended for an online post featuring two people giving Nazi salutes.On Saturday, University of Florida (UF) blocked campus operations of the school’s College Republicans after the group’s state leadership said it had disbanded the chapter for engaging in “a pattern of conduct that violated its rules and values, including a recent antisemitic gesture”. Continue reading...

• Senate Majority Leader John Thune initiated a prolonged floor debate on the SAVE America Act, a bill imposing strict voter registration rules, potentially lasting days or weeks amid unified Democratic opposition. • Republicans hold 53 seats but need 60 votes to advance the legislation, which passed the House earlier; President Trump warned he would never endorse any Republican voting against it. • The talkathon aims to force Democrats on record while Trump pushes to scrap the filibuster, though Thune lacks the votes; Sen. Mike Lee noted efforts will be determined in real time.