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It's crunch time for candidates across the country with Election Day just over a week away. On Monday, President Trump campaigned in ruby-red Mississippi, a state he won by almost 23 points two years ago. Over the weekend, the battleground state of Michigan saw a political heavyweight bout between Trump and former President Obama. Liz Landers reports.

House Republicans are sending dozens of congressional observers to monitor ballot counting in close midterm races and prepare for legal challenges.

It’s Oct. 26 — eight days from the midterms. Here’s the state of play.

On 3 November, US citizens will decide whether Republicans will retain control of Congress or whether Democrats will come to power to stymie Trump’s agenda Donald Trump will still be US president on the morning of 4 November. But he could be facing a very different political landscape, depending on the results of the US midterm elections held the previous day. As the name implies, midterm elections fall nearly halfway through a president’s term. They are often a telling referendum on the sitting president’s performance, something Trump is actively encouraging by telling voters “pretend I’m on the ballot”. In this case, voters will decide whether Trump’s Republican party can retain its grip on Congress. All 435 seats in the House of Representatives. Republicans are defending a narrow majority, with Democrats needing a net gain of four seats to take control. 35 seats in the Senate. Thirty-three seats are up in regular elections, along with two special elections in Florida and Ohio to fill the remainder of terms that were vacated early. Republicans currently hold 53 seats, against 47 held by Democrats and independents who caucus with them. Democrats need to gain four seats to secure a majority. 39 governorships. Voters will choose governors in 36 states and three US territories. Thousands of state legislative seats , as well as local offices, judicial contests and ballot measures on issues including taxes, abortion rights and voting rules. Continue reading...

President Trump and former President Barack Obama came out swinging, tossing insults and trading verbal jabs as the two party leaders joust for control of Congress in next week's midterm election.

Other voter concerns have prevailed but return of Congress likely to see renewed focus on late sex offender’s activities As US voters head to the polls for crucial and fraught midterm elections, some survivors’ advocates in the Jeffrey Epstein investigation have expressed concern that the scandal could recede into the background. Political experts believe, however, the Epstein issue is not going away permanently and that many voters can balance day-to-day concerns such as affordability and AI with the scandal involving the late financier and accused sex trafficker whose social circle was widespread among America’s elite. Continue reading...

Every other decade over the past hundred years has produced at least one midterm that made a big difference in Congress and in national politics more broadly.

With just 11 days until the US midterm elections, Democrats need a net gain of four seats to reclaim Congress With just 11 days until the US midterm elections, early voting data is rolling in nationwide. Democrats need a net gain of four seats to reclaim the majority in each chamber of Congress. Here is where the numbers stand as of Friday: Continue reading...

From healthcare and tariffs to investigations of President Trump, Democrats are preparing an aggressive agenda if they retake Congress. Democrat leaders are reportedly mapping out their first 100 hours and 100 days in power, even as Republicans predict they'll win on Nov. 3.

The Treasury Department on Thursday moved to implement tenets of a bipartisan housing law Congress passed over the summer, including a ban on institutional investors buying single-family homes. Under impending regulations from the department, a large institutional investor cannot buy a single-family home starting on Jan. 7, 2027, with certain exceptions. The department is codifying...

As the race for control of Congress enters its final days, 2WAY is teaming up with NewsNation and The Hill for another special edition of “The Morning Meeting” ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections on Sunday, October 25. These special midterm editions of The Morning Meeting are presented in partnership with NewsNation and The Hill....

Along with higher oil prices associated with the Iran war, Trump’s tariffs are highly unpopular with the electorate.

A remarkable $1.4 billion worth of political ads are scheduled to air over the final two weeks as the parties fight for control of Congress.

This story appeared in Today, Explained, a daily newsletter that helps you understand the most compelling news and stories of the day. Subscribe here. Israel felt inescapable in the midterm primaries, especially for Democrats, where centrists and progressives clashed — memorably! — over military aid, Gaza, and (of course) AIPAC. But with the Election Day almost upon us, […]

CBS News' Caitlin Huey-Burns shares the top races she's watching as Election Day nears.

In less than two weeks, voters will elect what is expected to be one of the largest freshman classes of the century. It could also be one of the youngest.

Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy discusses the upcoming US midterm elections and the races that will determine control of Congress. He speaks exclusively to Bloomberg on the sidelines of the Barclays Asia Forum in Singapore. (Source: Bloomberg)

Timothy L. O'Brien, senior executive editor for Bloomberg Opinion and Bloomberg Opinion Columnist Ronald Brownstein talk about what could happen if Democrats take back control of Congress. They speak during a Bloomberg Opinion event held exclusively for Bloomberg.com subscribers in New York. (Source: Bloomberg)

The liberal justice says the conservative majority’s rulings have weakened democracy. Here’s how those decisions affect the midterms—and what Congress could do in response.

A new poll shows record support for Democratic congressional candidates ahead of the midterms, as voters feel the party is better attuned to handling their top issues.

Trump's push to end the war that has raged since 2022 comes as midterm elections could give Democrats control of Congress, expanding their oversight powers.

The 2026 midterms are less than two weeks away, which means we’ll soon have a better idea of what the next two years of American politics could look like. If Democrats win at least one chamber of Congress — and they’re comfortable favorites to control the House — they’ll enter 2027 with oversight power for […]

Data: Columbia University Center on Global Energy Policy; Table: Ben Geman/Axios The push to pass a sweeping permitting bill is gaining powerful allies and encountering fresh resistance as Congress prepares for a post-midterms showdown. Why it matters: It's the most important energy bill in a long time. Cutting hurdles for projects is a top priority for fossil fuels and renewables sectors. But some environmentalists say it badly weakens crucial protections in the name of speeding reviews. Driving the news: A new, interactive analysis out on Wednesday projects potentially huge time savings if the bill becomes law. Transmission projects could see the biggest acceleration, per Jack Andreasen Cavanaugh, a researcher with Columbia's energy think tank. He based it on historical data about a large number of specific projects, then estimated how much quicker they would have proceeded under the bill. Columbia's Center on Global Energy Policy doesn't have an institutional position on the bill. But founding director Jason Bordoff, a prominent voice in energy policy circles, is urging environmentalists not to oppose it. State of play: A who's who of economic and national security officials spanning six presidents (including Trump) are linking arms behind the bill in a new letter to Capitol Hill leaders. What's next: The effort goes beyond signatures for some of the former officials, according to letter organizer Arnab Datta of the Institute for Progress, a nonpartisan think tank. "Some folks are engaging beyond the letter itself with stakeholders across the board, and some have made themselves available for members briefings or conversations," he tells me via email. Catch up quick: The letter from 19 officials includes Biden-era Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Trump 1.0 Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, among five people who held the job. The list also features Trump 1.0 Secretary of State and CIA boss Mike Pompeo, and Leon Panetta, who had top Obama-era defense and CIA gigs, to name just two others. Friction point: The last 24 hours has also brought new signs of simmering opposition to the bill, or at least parts of it, adding to existing concerns among tribal leaders and some green groups. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) posted on X that it would be "tone deaf if Congress makes it easier to build data centers." That drew pushback from backers who emphasized provisions to ensure data center companies cover grid costs. What we're watching: The Edison Electric Institute, a powerful group of for-profit utilities, still hasn't weighed in. But David Pomerantz, who's with the progressive Energy & Policy Institute obtained an Oklahoma Gas & Electric document criticizing the transmission provisions. The bottom line: The Senate is expected to hold a procedural vote on the bipartisan permitting bill immediately after lawmakers return from recess. Sign up here for Axios' Future of Energy newsletter.

A changing of the congressional guard in January could leave room for meddling, though most legal scholars doubt it would happen.

The promise comes two weeks before Election Day — and the payments could still face a fight ahead in Congress.