California moves to dismantle GOP map — and Trump’s grip Caucuses were briefed. Polls are being shared. And the push to swing California bluer is taking shape.

more w/ @jeremybwhite.bsky.social and @melmason.bsky.social

www.politico.com/news/2025/08...

news - members of the California Dem delegation discussed their plan today for mounting a redistricting campaign in the deep-blue state, per five ppl familiar

Dems shown slide (viewed by POLITICO) envisioning a five seat pickup, so potentially a 48-4 delegation

Russ Vought: Appropriations process ‘has to be less bipartisan’ The OMB director said more rescissions packages could soon be headed to the Hill.

“The appropriations process has to be less bipartisan,” Vought told reporters at a Christian Science Monitor breakfast Thursday.

@ktullymcmanus.bsky.social

www.politico.com/live-updates...

We’re taking @politico.com to arbitration this week for its unethical use of AI and we’re asking for your support! bit.ly/PENGuild

An Elderly Lawmaker’s Staff Keeps Walking Back Things She Tells Reporters. Should They Keep Quoting Her? A media conundrum for the age of gerontocracy.

An Elderly Lawmaker’s Staff Keeps Walking Back Things She Tells Reporters. Should They Keep Quoting Her?

www.politico.com/news/magazin...

Jeffries calls out Republicans over Medicaid ahead of final megabill vote Jeffries is using his “magic minute” to read letters sent in by individuals in each state who rely on benefits.

Jeffries' 'magic minute' just passed the three hour mark www.politico.com/live-updates...

The Big Republican Spending Bill Debacle Disaster Adventure | Crooked Media

Joined @janecoaston.bsky.social on @crookedmoonsault.bsky.social What a Day to talk about the megabill: crooked.com/podcast/the-...

Republicans and Democrats to duke it out for North Carolina Senate seat Potential candidates could include Lara Trump and former Gov. Roy Cooper

new - Democrats just scored a massive new pickup opportunity in North Carolina. Republicans are determined not to let them have it.

NC Sen state of play w/ Lisa Kashinsky, Elena Schneider and Dasha Burns

www.politico.com/news/2025/06...

Muslim Democrats ask leaders to denounce Islamophobic attacks on Zohran Mamdani The front-runner for New York City mayor has faced Islamophobic shots since he won the Democratic primary this week.

new - Muslim Dem members (Omar/Tlaib/Simon/Carson) are denouncing Islamophobic attacks from 'both sides of the aisle' on Zohran Mamdani

www.politico.com/live-updates...

Mamdani's surprise win reawakens Democrats' internal factions Tuesday night’s results are already rippling through next year’s midterms and the 2028 Democratic presidential primary.

new - Mamdani’s surprise win reawakens Democrats’ internal factions

w/ Elena Schneider, Holly Otterbein & @benjacobs.bsky.social

www.politico.com/news/2025/06...

Dems struggle to respond as Trump’s Iran strikes sow chaos Democrats have once again presented a disjointed and, at times, contradictory message to a major Trump action.

Dems are scrambling to respond to Trump’s Iran strike

On the messaging struggles of the party locked out of power, cut out of the loop, and searching for clear leadership w/ Elena Schneider

www.politico.com/news/2025/06...

Behind the scenes - former Speaker Pelosi helped whip votes for Garcia and was making calls to other members for him, according to a person familiar with the situation

Robert Garcia elected to lead House Oversight Democrats The 47-year-old Californian won a first-ballot majority, handily beating more-senior Rep. Stephen Lynch.

New - Rep. Robert Garcia is the Oversight ranker

Garcia 150
Lynch 63

www.politico.com/live-updates...

Robert Garcia is a young Democrat with an old-style approach to moving up the House ladder Thanks to a careful campaign, the 47-year-old Californian has emerged as a favorite in the race to lead House Oversight Democrats.

new - Rep. Robert Garcia wants to usher in a new era for Democrats on the House Oversight Committee. But don’t ask the 47-year-old Californian if he’s seeking “generational change.”

w/ @Hailey_Fuchs

www.politico.com/news/2025/06...

‘The reality we live in:’ Lawmakers consider what they’d sacrifice for safety As threats to lawmakers and their families persist and intensify, members of Congress are grappling with what steps they’re willing to take to ensure their safety.

new - Congressional lawmakers are once again grappling with the reality of persistent and escalating political violence — and facing a dilemma about whether to pour more tax dollars into their own protection.

w/ @ktullymcmanus.bsky.social

www.politico.com/news/2025/06...

How ‘Les Mis’ Became a MAGA Anthem The president and his supporters see themselves in the scrappy heroes of ‘Les Miserables.’

How ‘Les Mis’ Became a MAGA Anthem

@meganmesserly.bsky.social

www.politico.com/news/magazin...

Eleanor Norton, D.C.’s Delegate in Congress, Clings to Seat Amid Signs of Decline Colleagues and friends say the District of Columbia’s 87-year-old nonvoting delegate, a civil-rights leader and veteran of fights over home rule, is struggling to do her job.

Notable from Rep. Jamie Raskin: “Eleanor is an icon who brought the spirit of the civil rights movement from the 20th century into the 21st, but it’s going to take a new generation of leadership to win statehood and the battles of the day"
@anniekarni.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/11/u...

Kweisi Mfume is pitching an old-school approach to one of House Democrats’ highest-profile jobs At 76, the onetime Baltimore up-and-comer is seeking to reap the benefits of seniority as seeks top Oversight post.

new - Frustrated by Democrats’ seniority system, Kweisi Mfume fled the House three decades ago, saying he could do more to advance civil rights from the outside. Now he’s back and trying to reap the benefits of seniority

w/ Hailey Fuchs + @benjacobs.bsky.social

www.politico.com/news/2025/06...

Eleanor Holmes Norton says she's seeking reelection amid age questions She's facing fresh scrutiny over her ability to serve as D.C.'s advocate in Congress.

update to this: Norton spox Sharon Eliza Nichols walks back what the delegate said earlier: "She wants to run again but she’s in conversations with her family, friends, and closest advisors to decide what’s best."
www.politico.com/live-updates...

And asked whether she thought it was important to bring D.C. funding fix legislation up for a vote she initially responded "no"
Norton spox Sharon Eliza Nichols said she misheard the Q and was referring to D.C.-related bills on the floor this week

Eleanor Holmes Norton says she's seeking reelection amid age questions She's facing fresh scrutiny over her ability to serve as D.C.'s advocate in Congress.

new - D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton tells me and @sahilkapur.bsky.social she's running for re-elect despite Qs about her ability to serve in Congress

"Yeah, sure," she said when asked about running

“I’m going to run. I don’t know why anybody would even ask me.”
www.politico.com/live-updates...

Trump officials delayed farm trade report over deficit forecast Administration officials blocked publication of written analysis that normally accompanies the report because they disliked what it said about the deficit.

'Trump administration officials delayed and redacted a government forecast because it predicts an increase in the nation’s trade deficit in farm goods later this year, according to two people familiar with the matter.' @marciabrown.bsky.social

www.politico.com/news/2025/06...

A retiring chief strains to keep the Capitol Police above the partisan fray “I don't think it's wise or necessary or useful to try and convince members of Congress what to think” about the Jan. 6 riot, Thomas Manger says.

New - Thomas Manger inherited a force in crisis when he became chief of the U.S. Capitol Police four years ago. He’s now leaving a force under a microscope.

Our exit interview with the USCP chief w/ @ktullymcmanus.bsky.social www.politico.com/news/2025/05...

AOC won't seek top Oversight Committee post She cited the caucus' preference for seniority.

NEWS: @aoc.bsky.social won’t seek top Oversight Committee post, @nicholaswu12.bsky.social reports.

”It’s actually clear to me that the underlying dynamics in the caucus have not shifted with respect to seniority as much as I think would be necessary.” www.politico.com/news/2025/05...

‘Won’t have anywhere to hide’: Democrats are eager to pick apart the GOP megabill Republicans will face a plethora of votes putting them on the record regarding some of the most controversial pieces of their agenda.

icymi - Republicans are gearing up to put pen to paper on President Donald Trump’s big domestic policy bill. It could give Democrats a big, beautiful target for their midterm messaging.

www.politico.com/news/2025/04...

Jan Schakowsky planning May 5 retirement announcement The veteran House Democrat is facing a longshot primary challenge.

NEWS - Rep. Jan Schakowsky is planning to announce next month she won’t seek reelection after 14 terms in the House and has started informing allies of her retirement decision, per two ppl

w/ @shiakapos.bsky.social

www.politico.com/news/2025/04...

Buttigieg gives the clearest signal yet that he's eyeing a presidential run in 2028 The former Transportation secretary is eyeing something bigger than the Senate.

News from @adamwren.bsky.social⁦‪‬⁩: “Pete Buttigieg is expected to announce Thursday he will not run for Michigan’s open Senate seat, according to a person briefed on his decision, clearing a path for a potential presidential campaign instead”

www.politico.com/news/2025/03...

“A lot of time spent talking about the [address] is time that is off message,” said Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.). “Let’s talk about protests, but for God’s sake, let’s talk about the economy and kitchen table issues.”

oops @miacmccarthy.bsky.social

House Democrats try to get their act together following joint session fiasco Leaders are looking for a reset as they try to close gaping divides over the party’s messaging and strategy.

New - House Dems are looking for a reset after the joint address as they head to Leesburg this week. Their challenge: how to channel base energy while also finding a winning strategy?

More w/ @Reporter_Mia

www.politico.com/news/2025/03...