Republicans search for a backup plan in crucial Georgia Senate race Gov. Brian Kemp's decision not to run has some Republicans concerned that Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene might decide to jump in and, in their view, jeopardize the GOP's chances.

NEW: Georgia Senate race now poised for “bloody” & crowded GOP primary

Rs concerned about MTG ability to win statewide: “Kari Lake 2.0”

Kemp & Trump could help winnow field — but can they agree?

lots of news & names here w/ @bridgetbhc @ryanobles www.nbcnews.com/politics/202...

Tensions arise over Speaker Mike Johnson's efforts to bring Rep. Elise Stefanik back into the fold After Trump pulled Stefanik’s nomination to be U.S. ambassador to the U.N., Johnson faces a conundrum of how to place her on a key House committee.

NEWS: Speaker Johnson is still scrambling to find a way to re-add Stefanik to House Intel.

He either has to boot an existing member or change the rules — neither good options

Lots of behind-the-scenes drama & tension

w/ @scottwongDC @ryanobles

www.nbcnews.com/politics/con...

Trump holds firm on tariffs as the White House looks for ways to calm nervous allies Officials are increasingly playing up negotiations, meeting with business groups and calling for tax cuts to offset the economic hit.

New: Trump sees a chance to “change the fabric” of the U.S. with his sprawling plan to institute new global tariffs

But his admin is looking for ways to ease the concerns of wary supporters

w/ Peter Nicholas, Matt Dixon, @mzanona.bsky.social & @yamiche.bsky.social

www.nbcnews.com/politics/don...

Melanie Zanona on X: "NEW: Dems fear Gov. Abbott is slow-walking a special election in a deep blue part of Texas to help pad the House GOP's slim margins Jeffries told NBC News he's "very likely" to pursue litigation all the details w/ @bkamisar @scottwongDC @ryanobles https://t.co/T9cESEEpWn" / X NEW: Dems fear Gov. Abbott is slow-walking a special election in a deep blue part of Texas to help pad the House GOP's slim margins Jeffries told NBC News he's "very likely" to pursue litigation all the details w/ @bkamisar @scottwongDC @ryanobles https://t.co/T9cESEEpWn

NEW: Dems fear Gov. Abbott is slow-walking a special election in a deep blue part of Texas to help pad the House GOP's slim margins

Jeffries told NBC News he's "very likely" to pursue litigation

Looks like November is the earliest a special election would be set
x.com/mzanona/stat...

Dem Rep. Brittany Pettersen on the House floor with her newborn baby, advocating for remote voting for new parents.

Says it’s “anti-woman” and “anti-family” not to have such a system in place.

GOP leaders raise alarm bells over a Florida special election in a deep-red district Republican are concerned about the lackluster fundraising by state Sen. Randy Fine, their candidate in next week's special election in Florida's 6th District.

New: GOP leaders alarmed by their candidate Randy Fine being outraised in special election for a mega Trump seat.

Leaders calling donors. Fine making personal pleas.

Hudson confident but says Fine “needs to do better” on $$

www.nbcnews.com/politics/ele...

Democrats are desperately searching for new leaders. AOC is stepping into the void. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is hitting the road with Bernie Sanders this week as even once-skeptical Democrats seek to elevate the progressive star in their fight against Trump.

New: As AOC hits the road with Bernie today, speculation mounting about her political future.

And with Dems desperate to find an authentic voice to take on Trump, even once skeptical Dems are looking to AOC in the fight.

w/ @ryanobles & @jonallendc www.nbcnews.com/politics/con...

In rural Louisiana, Speaker Mike Johnson’s constituents fear potential Medicaid cuts A recently passed House GOP budget resolution could lead to cuts to anti-poverty programs that a sizable proportion of residents in Johnson’s district rely on.

New: In rural Louisiana, Speaker Mike Johnson’s constituents fear potential cuts to Medicaid & food stamps.

My dispatch from on the ground in the Bayou State >>
www.nbcnews.com/politics/con...

New: HFC Rep. Eric Burlison tells me he’s closer to a yes on the CR after convos & assurances from Trump’s team/Russ Vought over weekend.

“By passing the CR, we are kind of unlocking some things the Trump administration can use to reduce spending whether it’s through impoundment or rescissions.”

Fake Melanie Zanona account

Heads up: a fake @mzanona.bsky.social account is out there following a lot of people.

Added to blocklist, but please report.

oh wow thank you!

Republicans advised to avoid in-person town halls after confrontations over cuts go viral The chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee advised Republicans in a closed-door meeting that there were other ways to reach constituents.

Republicans advised to avoid in-person town halls after confrontations over cuts go viral

via @mzanona.bsky.social and @megan-lebowitz.bsky.social

www.nbcnews.com/politics/con...

House Democrats join legal fight against Trump's efforts to dismantle consumer protection agency First to NBC News: A group of congressional Democrats filed an amicus brief in support of a lawsuit against the administration’s targeting of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

First to NBC News: House Dem leaders are getting directly involved in one of the legal battles against the Trump admin, filing an amicus brief in support of a lawsuit seeking to block the dismantling of the CFPB.

A product of Jeffries’ litigation task force. www.nbcnews.com/politics/con...

GOP Rep. Kevin Hern, who faced tough q's about federal budget cuts in his district last week, said his constituents mostly just have an issue with Elon Musk.

“I’ve not heard anyone say they don’t want to cut anything. It’s just that they don’t like Elon. That it’s,” he told me.

House Republicans representing large shares of Medicaid, SNAP beneficiaries face tough budget test Some Republicans have raised concerns about potential cuts to anti-poverty programs that their constituents rely on as they search for ways to pay for Trump’s legislative agenda.

NEW: The GOP’s reconciliation push could test House Republicans who have the largest shares of Medicaid & SNAP recipients. And it’s not just mods in purple districts in that group — Speaker Johnson among the top 10.

A deep dive for NBC News: www.nbcnews.com/politics/con...

USDA accidentally fired officials working on bird flu and is now trying to rehire them An Agriculture Department spokesperson told NBC News that officials are "working to swiftly rectify the situation."

NEWS: USDA is trying to rehire officials who had been working on the bird flu and were mistakenly fired by DOGE.

The reversal comes after a behind-the-scenes pressure campaign, including from some GOP members who raised alarm.

www.nbcnews.com/politics/dog...