Gov. Tim Walz not running for U.S. Senate, spokesperson says
A spokesperson for Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said Wednesday he will not run for the U.S. Senate and will instead explore a third term in his current office.
United States Senate
Can Mike Johnson deliver Trump's budget plan?
House Speaker Mike Johnson is working to build support for the Trump-endorsed budget proposal ahead of an expected floor vote this week. Senate Republicans passed their own budget plan Friday. Mario Parker, managing editor of U.S. economy and government for Bloomberg News, and Daniella Diaz, congressional reporter for NOTUS, join "America Decides" to assess Johnson's chances of delivering the president's "one big beautiful bill."
Race for McConnell's Senate seat taking shape
With Sen. Mitch McConnell bowing out of politics, potential successors are beginning to line up for Kentucky's Senate race. CBS News political reporter Hunter Woodall joins "America Decides" to take a closer look at the contenders.
Why Republicans are at odds about budget plans
The Republican-controlled Senate adopted a $340 billion budget blueprint. Next week, the GOP-led House will advance its own proposal. There are some differences in strategy, and President Trump prefers the House approach. Caitlin Huey-Burns explains.
Senate adopts GOP budget plan after marathon "vote-a-rama" into wee hours
The move came even though the president has endorsed the House GOP's one-bill approach while Senate Republicans want to separate his priorities into two bills.
Mitch McConnell will not seek reelection
Former Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell will not seek reelection in 2026. CBS News congressional reporter Taurean Small reports.
Why concerns persist about Patel as FBI chief
The Senate confirmed Kash Patel to lead the FBI in a 51-49 vote on Thursday. Some lawmakers have expressed concern that the Trump ally could use the bureau's power to go after perceived political enemies of the president. CBS News Department of Justice correspondent Scott MacFarlane explains.
Who could replace McConnell in the Senate?
Even before Sen. Mitch McConnell announced his decision not to seek reelection Thursday, a field of potential replacements started to take shape. The likely Republican candidates have been trading barbs for weeks. Kadia Goba, political reporter for Semafor, joins "America Decides" to discuss.
Mitch McConnell not seeking reelection
Former Senate leader Mitch McConnell announced he will not be seeking reelection. This comes as both chambers of Congress navigate proposals for a budget plan. CBS News' Taurean Small reports.
Mitch McConnell says he won't run for reelection next year
Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, long a powerful Republican leader in the Senate, won't be running for reelection in 2026.
What if Canada became the 51st state?
President Trump has floated the idea of Canada becoming the next state to join the Union. But how it would change the U.S. politically if that happened? CBS News chief Washington correspondent Major Garrett walks through a thought experiment.
Trump's pro-union pick for labor secretary faces confirmation hearing
Former GOP Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, President Trump's nominee for labor secretary, faces opposition from at least one member of her own party.
Trump on conflicts of interest for Musk, DOGE
At a news conference on Tuesday, President Trump responded to a question about potential conflicts of interest for Elon Musk and his oversight of the Department of Government Efficiency. "Anything to do with possibly even space, we won't let Elon partake in that," Mr. Trump said. Political strategists Maura Gillespie and Meghan Hays join "America Decides" to discuss.
Rep. Stacey Plaskett on "The Takeout"
Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett, top Democrat on the House Judiciary's "weaponization of government" select subcommittee and the delegate from the U.S. Virgin Islands, sits down with Major Garrett for this week's episode of "The Takeout" to discuss her role on the Republican-led committee and why she says House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan are attempting to intimidate Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg in his investigation of former President Trump.
The headlines from Trump's first weeks in office
It has been 25 days since President Trump returned to the Oval Office, and he has kept his campaign promises, which have included mass firings, sweeping layoffs, and the upending of international policy, and all of that in just the last few days. Major Garrett discusses some of the biggest actions from the Trump administration, and what they could mean moving forward.
Minnesota open Senate seat shakes up midterms
Democratic Sen. Tina Smith of Minnesota announced Thursday she will not run for reelection in 2026. CBS News political reporter Hunter Woodall joins "America Decides" to discuss what Smith's retirement means for the Senate map in the midterms.
Sen. Tina Smith won't run for reelection in Minnesota next year
Democratic U.S. Sen. Tina Smith of Minnesota announced on Thursday that she will not run for reelection next year.
Why McConnell is against some Trump nominees
Former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell was the lone Republican no vote against Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence Wednesday and Thursday for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for secretary of Health and Human Services. Despite this, the Republican Party has largely remained united in confirming President Trump's Cabinet nominations. Political strategists Liza Acevedo and Kevin Sheridan join "America Decides" with analysis.
RFK Jr. got confirmed after controversy
The Senate confirmed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services on Thursday. He faced questions over his past remarks on the efficacy of vaccines during his confirmation hearings, but it did not stop him from becoming one of the top public health officials. CBS News congressional correspondent Nikole Killion reports.
McConnell votes against RFK Jr.'s confirmation
President Trump's Cabinet grew on Thursday, with the Senate confirming Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Health and Human Services secretary in a 52 to 48 vote. Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky was the only member of his party to vote against Kennedy. CBS News congressional correspondent Nikole Killion has more.
RFK Jr. confirmed and sworn in as HHS secretary
The Senate voted Thursday to confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.
How Tulsi Gabbard won over Republicans
Tulsi Gabbard was sworn in Wednesday as the next director of national intelligence. During the confirmation process, she faced scrutiny from Democrats and some Republicans on the Senate Intelligence Committee for a 2017 visit with former Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, and for refusing to call National Security Agency whistleblower Edward Snowden a traitor. CBS News congressional correspondent Nikole Killion reports.
Tulsi Gabbard confirmed, sworn in as director of national intelligence
One Republican — Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky — joined Democrats in voting against Tulsi Gabbard's nomination as director of national intelligence.
Trump rules out Vance as his successor
Will Vice President JD Vance be the one to take over the MAGA mantle in the future? President Trump didn't exactly give that idea a ringing endorsement. Deepa Shivaram, White House correspondent for NPR, and Leigh Ann Caldwell, chief Washington correspondent at Puck News, join "America Decides" to discuss.
Where the 2026 House map stands for Democrats
The Cook Political Report is already spotlighting toss-up races to watch in 2026. Erin Covey, U.S. House editor for the Cook Political Report, joins "America Decides" with analysis of the contests that could determine the balance of power in Washington, D.C.
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Trump says Iran war at "status quo," warns U.S. "locked and loaded"
First on CBS
U.S. Marshals official sidelined over alleged racist incident, sources say
FDA warns of rare vision-loss side effect from GLP-1 drugs
Top lawyer in DOJ's Civil Division is latest in string of resignations
Trump admin. proposes stricter unemployment work search rules
Fraternity suspended after video shows men on fire
Russell Brand sentenced to over 10 years for rape and sex assault
NASA is recruiting new astronauts. Here are the qualifications.
