The Washington Times stories: Politics

Record wave of retirements hits Congress ahead of 2026 midterms

Feb 19, 2026Center Right

One in ten lawmakers will leave Congress at the end of the year, the most retirements in more than three decades.

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Melania gives Congress private deadline as she works around Trump's team: report

Raw Story

2 hours ago

Melania gives Congress private deadline as she works around Trump's team: report

First lady Melania Trump gave Congress a private deadline to pass her signature foster care bill, and she is pursuing it largely outside the usual White House channels, according to a new report in Politico. At a bipartisan roundtable with the House Ways and Means Committee in April, the first lady publicly called foster care legislation a "moral imperative." Then, behind closed doors, she set a target, Rep. Jason Smith (R-MO) told the outlet: "I want this on Donald's desk by the August recess." The Fostering the Future Act, which expands housing, education and workforce help for young people aging out of foster care, passed the House unanimously.The Senate has not moved it out of committee, and lawmakers are set to leave Washington around Aug. 10. At a White House picnic the day the House passed the bill, both Trumps urged the Senate to hurry. "Hopefully, it will quickly pass in the Senate," the president said. He has not publicly pressed senators since.The deadline reflects a first lady who increasingly operates on her own track. Her office, not the State Department, has led her effort to reunite children displaced by the Russia-Ukraine war, negotiating directly with Moscow and Kyiv, the White House said. She has also shown a willingness to diverge from the administration's message. She broke with the White House on Epstein, calling for survivors to testify as the president's team tried to move past the scandal, and last week put her own spin on a Supreme Court ruling her husband celebrated, voicing support for the LGBTQIA+ community.A recent book recounted how she resisted Trump's overhaul of the White House grounds and lost.

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Mamdani blasts ICE agents, Elon Musk and 'supremacy' in America 250 speech ahead of July 4 weekend

Latest Political News on Fox News

6 hours ago

Mamdani blasts ICE agents, Elon Musk and 'supremacy' in America 250 speech ahead of July 4 weekend

Zohran Mamdani blasted Elon Musk, ICE and oligarchs in a fiery America 250 speech flanked by naturalized citizens ahead of July 4 weekend.

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Americans hit the road in record numbers for 4th of July — in spite of high gas prices

New York Post

8 hours ago

Americans hit the road in record numbers for 4th of July — in spite of high gas prices

National average for regular gasoline has fallen from a June peak above $4.56 a gallon as crude oil prices eased following the end of Iran conflict.

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The American Spectator | USA News and Politics

9 hours ago

Congress Can Still Ban Birthright Citizenship. Here’s How.

The Supreme Court has committed a grievous moral and legal error in Trump v. Barbara, the landmark case on birthright...

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WATCH LIVE: Mamdani speaks on New York’s role in America’s founding ahead of Fourth of July

Washington Examiner

10 hours ago

WATCH LIVE: Mamdani speaks on New York’s role in America’s founding ahead of Fourth of July

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani is delivering a speech related to the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence just before the Fourth of July. Mamdani is expected to speak on New York’s role in the nation’s founding over two centuries ago. The Ugandan-born U.S. citizen who won the mayoral election last […]

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Heat Wave Forces Washington, DC to Alter July 4 Festivities

NBC News Politics

10 hours ago

Heat Wave Forces Washington, DC to Alter July 4 Festivities

Record-breaking heat is having an impact on one of the biggest celebrations for the United States’ 250th birthday, with organizers of the Freedom 250 Salute to America are delaying the event’s start time from 1pm to 5pm because of the expect triple-digit heat in Washington. It comes as President Donald Trump prepares to visit Mount Rushmore ahead of July 4 celebrations. NBC’s Gabe Gutierrez reports for TODAY.

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Republican unveils Declaration of Independence bill ahead of America's 250th birthday

Latest Political News on Fox News

11 hours ago

Republican unveils Declaration of Independence bill ahead of America's 250th birthday

Rep. Matt Van Epps said his bill reaffirming the Declaration of Independence directly responds to socialist candidates gaining ground in primaries.

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“America-laster”: Texas Senate Candidate James Talarico Slammed in New Ad Ahead of the 250th Anniversary of American Independence for Comments Calling American Flag a “Complicated Symbol” (Video)

The Gateway Pundit

11 hours ago

“America-laster”: Texas Senate Candidate James Talarico Slammed in New Ad Ahead of the 250th Anniversary of American Independence for Comments Calling American Flag a “Complicated Symbol” (Video)

Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico proves, time and time again, that he is a radical with no place representing Texans in the Senate. The post “America-laster”: Texas Senate Candidate James Talarico Slammed in New Ad Ahead of the 250th Anniversary of American Independence for Comments Calling American Flag a “Complicated Symbol” (Video) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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Record wave of retirements hits Congress ahead of 2026 midterms

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Record wave of retirements hits Congress ahead of 2026 midterms

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