President Donald Trump is renewing his support for the Sunshine Protection Act, a bill that would make Daylight Saving Time permanent across the United States. In a Truth Social post on Wednesday, the president praised the House for passing the legislation last month and urged the Senate to approve it, calling the biannual clock changes “foolish, inconvenient, and costly.” He argued that year-round Daylight Saving Time would reduce crime, car accidents, and health risks like cardiac issues and seasonal depression, while also emphasizing its potential to unite Republicans, Democrats, and independents. The Sunshine Protection Act, which cleared the House in July, would eliminate the twice-yearly clock adjustments by making Daylight Saving Time permanent nationwide. However, it would also allow states to opt out of the change. Under the current system, most Americans switch to Daylight Saving Time in March and revert to Standard Time in November, shifting sunrise and sunset times by an hour during the warmer months. While some states have attempted to stay in Daylight Saving Time permanently, federal law prohibits this, though states can choose to remain in Standard Time year-round. Only Hawaii and most of Arizona have adopted this option. Supporters of the bill argue that permanent Daylight Saving Time would encourage outdoor activity and improve safety by extending evening daylight. However, critics, including sleep experts and medical associations, warn that the practice could disrupt circadian rhythms, leading to chronic sleep deprivation and increased risks of traffic accidents and health complications.#president_donald_trump #house_of_representatives #john_cornyn #sunshine_protection_act #senate_of_the_united_states
Senator Bill Cassidy Discusses Attorney General Confirmation and Anti-Semitism Concerns Senator Bill Cassidy, a Republican from Louisiana, participated in an interview with Margaret Brennan on "Face the Nation" on August 9, 2026, addressing his confirmation of Todd Blanche as Louisiana’s attorney general. Cassidy acknowledged his earlier skepticism about the appointment, which he finalized after a prolonged deliberation. He emphasized the complexity of the decision, noting that it involved navigating a “gradation of gray” rather than a clear-cut choice. While he expressed some reservations, Cassidy ultimately concluded that Blanche’s confirmation was necessary for the state’s legal and administrative needs. The discussion centered on Blanche’s handling of the anti-weaponization fund, a controversial initiative aimed at preventing the misuse of federal resources for political purposes. Cassidy acknowledged that the fund’s reinstatement was “dead” due to the political and judicial environment, despite some support from former Texas attorney general John Cornyn. He also addressed the narrowing of Trump-IRS protections, which Blanche had modified to apply only to Trump, his sons, and the Trump Organization. Cassidy criticized Democratic Senator Dick Durbin’s claim that these changes were “unenforceable,” arguing that the legal landscape made such actions impractical. Cassidy further clarified his stance on the Trump-IRS protections, rejecting the notion that they granted any individual immunity from the law. He stressed that no American should be “above the law,” though he admitted the issue weighed heavily on his decision.#john_cornyn #todd_blanche #senator_bill_cassidy #margaret_brennan #face_the_nation
Cornyn and Tillis in discussions with White House to get Blanche across the finish line Sens. Thom Tillis and John Cornyn — two Republican senators who have been sidelined by the Trump administration for their perceived lack of loyalty — are now engaging in direct talks with the White House to secure the confirmation of Attorney General nominee Todd Blanche. The two lawmakers, representing North Carolina and Texas, are critical swing votes in the Senate Judiciary Committee, where their support is essential to advancing Blanche’s nomination. Their reluctance to commit to voting for Blanche has created a pivotal moment in the confirmation process, with the White House actively seeking to resolve their concerns. The Trump administration is working closely with Tillis and Cornyn’s aides to address the senators’ objections, particularly regarding the controversial settlement agreement Blanche brokered as deputy attorney general during the Trump administration. The agreement, which included provisions shielding Trump and his family from IRS audits and establishing a $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization fund,” has drawn bipartisan criticism. Critics argue the fund could serve as a slush fund for Trump’s allies, and both Tillis and Cornyn have demanded its elimination before they can support Blanche’s nomination. Cornyn, who recently lost a primary election to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton—a victory backed by Trump—has been vocal about his demands. During an interview on Capitol Hill, he stated that the White House is still negotiating two key aspects of the settlement: the IRS audit shield and the anti-weaponization fund. “Those are the issues we’re continuing to discuss with the administration to see whether we can get a modification of the settlement agreement,” Cornyn said.#white_house #thom_tillis #john_cornyn #ken_paxton #todd_blanche
Poll: Paxton and Talarico are virtually tied in Senate race A new poll released by the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas at Austin has found Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton and Democratic state Rep. James Talarico are nearly tied in the race for the U.S. Senate, with Paxton leading 43% to 42% in a survey of 1,200 registered voters conducted between June 5 and 12. The 3.5-point margin of error underscores a highly competitive race, as the results align with earlier polls showing a tight contest since the general election nominees were finalized last month. This marks a significant shift from an earlier survey by the same pollster in April, where Paxton trailed Talarico by 8 percentage points. The latest poll, conducted three weeks after Paxton secured the Republican nomination by defeating U.S. Sen. John Cornyn in the GOP runoff, highlights a dramatic change in Republican voter sentiment. While 84% of Republicans now support Paxton—a 21-point increase from the April survey—his overall support has risen to 43%, up 9 points from April. Talarico’s support remains steady at 42%, with 5% of Republicans indicating they would back him. The poll also reveals that Talarico holds commanding leads among independents and moderates, though more than a third of independents have yet to form an opinion on the race. Talarico’s strategy has focused on appealing to Cornyn’s traditional Republican base, which remains skeptical of Paxton’s controversial history, as well as broader voter groups. Paxton, meanwhile, faces the challenge of minimizing potential GOP defections and ensuring strong turnout without President Donald Trump on the ballot. The race has also taken on a cultural dimension, with Paxton leading Talarico by 9 points among male voters.#university_of_texas_at_austin #john_cornyn #ken_paxton #james_talarico #governor_greg_abbott
Two Republican Lawmakers Shift Support to Ken Paxton in Texas Senate Race Two Republican members of the Texas House, Matt Shaheen of Prosper and Jeff Leach of Allen, have publicly endorsed Ken Paxton in his bid for the U.S. Senate, marking a significant shift from their earlier support for incumbent John Cornyn. The lawmakers, who had previously clashed with Paxton and backed Cornyn in the 2022 election, now assert that Republican voters have clearly favored Paxton in the primary race against Democratic State Representative James Talarico. Their statements reflect a broader realignment within the state’s Republican establishment as the November election approaches. Shaheen and Leach, both from Collin County—Paxton’s home district—highlighted their commitment to mobilizing the Republican base to secure Paxton’s victory. Shaheen emphasized that Paxton’s overwhelming primary win demonstrated his ability to energize voters, stating, “He won overwhelmingly in the primary. We need to motivate our base, make sure that the Republican base gets out.” Leach echoed this sentiment, noting that while primaries are a time for internal party debates, “once the slate is chosen, it’s incumbent upon us and for all Republicans to get out and support the ticket from the top to the bottom.” The lawmakers’ support for Paxton comes despite their role in the 2023 impeachment proceedings against the attorney general. Shaheen and Leach were among the 60 House Republicans who voted to impeach Paxton, with Leach serving as an impeachment manager during his Senate trial. Paxton was acquitted on all charges and denied any wrongdoing, leading to a contentious primary campaign where he targeted Shaheen and Leach.#john_cornyn #ken_paxton #james_talarico #matt_shaheen #jeff_leach
Delta suspends VIP congressional services amid government shutdown Travelers across the nation are facing long waits at TSA checkpoints due to the partial government shutdown. Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., discussed the legislative gridlock, blamed Schumer and proposed withholding senators' pay. Members of Congress are losing a perk of flying Delta Air Lines because of the Department of Homeland Security shutdown. FOX Business confirmed Tuesday morning that Atlanta-based Delta has suspended specialty services for members of Congress flying Delta. "Due to the impact on resources from the long-standing government shutdown, Delta will temporarily suspend specialty services to members of Congress flying Delta," a company spokesperson told FOX Business. "Next to safety, Delta's no. 1 priority is taking care of our people and customers, which has become increasingly difficult in the current environment." Delta has traditionally given priority VIP service to congressional members, allowing them to skip TSA lines and escorting them to their gates. Now members of Congress will be treated like other passengers based on their respective SkyMiles status. Additionally, Delta was suspending its "special congressional desk service" for lawmakers until the government shutdown ends, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The airport chaos, traveler frustrations and long wait times through the first weekend of the busy spring travel season have apparently hit too close to home for Delta, which has its headquarters in Atlanta. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, well-known to be the busiest in the world, has been hamstrung by TSA security lines up to nine hours long, according to some reports.#hartsfieldjackson_atlanta_international_airport #delta_airlines #tsa #john_cornyn #john_kennedy
Trump’s top priority is splitting Republicans — and could reshape the Senate The Senate GOP’s most consequential fight this week may not be with Democrats, but among Republicans themselves. As the United States continues its military standoff with Iran and the Department of Homeland Security remains shut down, the Senate is preparing to take up what President Donald Trump has called his “No. 1 priority”: an election overhaul bill known as the SAVE America Act. Trump has also threatened to refuse to sign any other legislation until the bill passes. But rather than building momentum, the president’s pressure campaign has exposed deep divisions among Republicans over whether to upend the Senate’s rules to force the bill through. The measure is all but destined to fail under current rules. Because the Senate filibuster requires 60 votes to advance most legislation, Republicans would need support from Democratic senators who have shown no interest in backing the bill. At the same time, many Republicans remain wary of eliminating the decades-old rule simply to satisfy Trump’s demands. Still, the long odds haven’t stopped hard-line conservatives from pushing for a rules change—or stopped Trump from urging Republicans to go all-in on an overhaul of election laws. In an effort to partially appease the party’s right wing, Senate leaders plan to allow an extended series of floor speeches and votes next week. But they are stopping short of touching the filibuster itself—at least for now. Leaders will “give everybody as much time as possible,” Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., told MS NOW on Thursday. “So I don’t know how long. It depends on who wants to talk, but I imagine it’s going to be a long week.#donald_trump #save_america_act #chuck_schumer #senate_filibuster #john_cornyn
Election 2026: Contested Primary Races in Texas and Panhandle The Texas primary election took place on Tuesday, featuring key races for U.S. Senate, governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, comptroller, and State House District 86. Among the most anticipated contests was the Republican Senate primary, where longtime Senator John Cornyn and MAGA-backed candidate Ken Paxton advanced to a May runoff. On the Democratic side, State Representative James Talarico maintained a narrow lead over U.S. Representative Jasmine Crockett in the same race. Republican Governor Greg Abbott and Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick secured their nominations without opposition, winning their respective primaries decisively. A notable upset occurred in the Agricultural Commissioner race, where incumbent Sid Miller lost to challenger Nate Sheets, a businessman known for founding the Nature Nate’s honey brand. Sheets will face goat farmer Clayton Tucker in the November general election. In the State House District 86 race, Holly Jeffreys defeated Jamie Haynes to claim the Republican nomination. The seat was previously held by John Smithee, who is retiring after nearly four decades in office. Jeffreys will now face Democrat Cullin Knutson, an Amarillo native, in the general election. The primary also saw significant changes on the Potter County Commission, with three of the five seats going to new candidates. Two commissioners running for re-election lost their bids, and longtime Judge Nancy Tanner chose not to seek a fourth term. Other local news included discussions about the Amarillo Parks and Recreation Board’s potential removal of thousands of prairie dogs from John Stiff Memorial Park due to concerns over the animals’ impact.#texas #john_cornyn #ken_paxton #james_talarico #jasmine_crockett
Key takeaways from first primaries of 2026 U.S. midterm elections Voters are poised to challenge multiple House incumbents in the 2026 midterms, but the race for Texas Senate seat remains a key focus. Four-term Senator John Cornyn(R-Texas) received a boost from primary voters, avoiding a potential defeat by Attorney General Ken Paxton in a May 26 runoff. While Paxton narrowly edged Cornyn in early voting, the outcome avoided a GOP nightmare scenario where Paxton could have secured an outright win. The Democratic Senate primary in Texas faced its own controversies. Representative Jasmine Crockett accused voters in Dallas County of being "disenfranchised" over polling place confusion and announced plans to sue. Despite her claims, she trailed state representative James Talarico by over 100,000 votes as of early Wednesday. Talarico, a Presbyterian seminarian, positioned himself as a candidate who could appeal to Trump voters by focusing on issues like opposing billionaires and challenging Big Pharma. National Republicans expressed concerns about Paxton’s potential impact in the general election, fearing he could force the party to invest heavily in a traditionally red state. The primary race between Cornyn and Paxton has already cost the GOP nearly $100 million, with both candidates vying for President Trump’s endorsement. Rep. Wesley Hunt(R-Texas) finished far behind in the race. The primary also highlighted challenges for older Democratic incumbents. Redistricting in Texas contributed to GOP Rep. Dan Crenshaw’s loss to state Rep. Steve Toth. In North Carolina, 69-year-old Democratic Rep. Valerie Foushee narrowly leads 32-year-old county commissioner Nida Allam in a race too close to call. A runoff is also likely for Texas Democratic Rep. Julie Johnson, who trails former Rep. Colin Allred by double digits.#john_cornyn #ken_paxton #james_talarico #valerie_foushee #colin_allred
Key Takeaways from First Primaries of 2026 U.S. Midterm Elections Voters are poised to challenge multiple House incumbents in the 2026 midterms, but the Republican Party found some relief as four-term Senator John Cornyn of Texas avoided a decisive defeat in his primary race against Attorney General Ken Paxton. The first round of primary elections highlighted both opportunities and challenges for both parties, with significant implications for the broader political landscape. In Texas, Cornyn’s performance in the Republican primary signaled a potential long battle for the May 26 runoff against Paxton, a conservative figure known for his fiery rhetoric. Cornyn’s strong showing, despite initial expectations of a closer contest, has set the stage for an expensive and contentious primary race. The race for Trump’s endorsement has already drawn heavy spending, with the GOP’s primary campaign costing nearly $100 million. Paxton, meanwhile, faces concerns from national Republicans about his viability in a general election matchup, as his primary victory could force the party to allocate resources to a traditionally red state. The Democratic primary in Texas’ Senate race also revealed tensions, as Rep. Jasmine Crockett accused voters of being “disenfranchised” due to confusion at polling places in Dallas County. Crockett, who trailed state Rep. James Talarico by over 100,000 votes, vowed to sue over the alleged irregularities. Talarico, a Presbyterian seminarian, positioned himself as a counter to Trump’s policies, emphasizing promises to challenge billionaires and Big Pharma. Despite significant outspending by Talarico’s campaign—$25 million to $5 million in ads—Crockett’s support from former Vice President Kamala Harris, who recorded a robocall praising her as a “fighter,” failed to secure her victory.#kamala_harris #john_cornyn #ken_paxton #james_talarico #julie_johnson
