Mona Burns
@monaburns.bsky.social
Political writer. Covering Congress. Vincit Omnia Veritas. Diversity is our strength. Unity is our power. 🩵 "Freedom is not just an absence of evil, but a presence of good." -Timothy Snyder
Abdul El-Sayed last night: "So Mike [Rogers], I know you’re listening-we’re coming for you .. He's both the worst of the NeoCon era and the worst of the MAGA era. You should know who you are. But I promise you, Mike, by the time we are done with you, all of Michigan is going to know who you are."
.@armanddomalewski.bsky.social: "Between Mallory McMorrow getting more votes than the margin between AES and Stevens and Thomas Smith cruising to victory against a Trump endorsed candidate in a GOP primary, big night for "candidates who dropped out but are technically still on the ballot"
Susan Collins said Tues she'll oppose Todd Blanche's AG confirmation With McConnell still out that's 2 definite 'no' votes Murkowski & Cassidy are "grappling" with it Blanche will need at least one of them to get thru I'd be surprised if they both don't vote yes Vote likely Friday or Saturday
Thune Tues: Senate will be in session “for the next week or however long we’re here” They have a lot to get thru & still don't have 50 on the budget res -in part bc SAVE is attached GOP want a UC agmnt from Dems Dems are reticent GOP right flank forcing a roll call vote on recess is still a threat
Senate Homeland Security Committee is scheduled to vote at 8:30 tomorrow morning on their resolution to hold Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress Here's the contempt res filed by Rand Paul:
Mona Burns@monaburns.bsky.social · yesterdayRand Paul's contempt resolution for "the refusal of Dr. Anthony S. Fauci to answer questions pertinent to the subject under inquiry" Paul is arguing that because Fauci holds immunity via the pardon, the 5th Amendment no longer applies Markup expected on Thursday www.hsgac.senate.gov/wp-content/u...
NBC News has projected that progressive candidate Abdul El-Sayed has won Michigan's Democratic primary for the US Senate And yet Haley Stevens is feeling "fired up" about winning Is she going to be a problem? www.nbcnews.com/politics/202...
Michigan Senate Primary Election 2026 Live Results: Stevens, El-Sayed, Rogers and More
See live results from the 2026 Michigan Senate primary election as Republican and Democrat votes are counted by candidate and county.
nbcnews.com
Today is the Ohio deadline for them to replace House GOP Rep Max Miller as the candidate on the OH-07 ballot But they can't do it if Miller doesn't drop out Miller has made no move to drop his bid for reelection Or to resign his seat Mike Johnson will get what he deserves when Miller loses in Nov
Remember this the next time Johnson starts quoting Bible verses from his podium His spiritual arrogance is ridiculous
Eric Michael Garcia@ericmgarcia.bsky.social · 24h agoBernie Moreno's hands are sort of tied when it comes to Max Miller, given it's his daughter (and his granddaughter's) security. But Mike Johnson could put a stop to all of this about Max Miller today. He just does not want to.
Rand Paul's contempt resolution for "the refusal of Dr. Anthony S. Fauci to answer questions pertinent to the subject under inquiry" Paul is arguing that because Fauci holds immunity via the pardon, the 5th Amendment no longer applies Markup expected on Thursday www.hsgac.senate.gov/wp-content/u...
hsgac.senate.gov
Very good read from Nick Bryant today: "The shonky renovation of the Reflecting Pool has become perhaps the most emblematic news story of Trump 2.0, because it brings so many narrative strands together in a true Trump weave" historyneverended.substack.com/p/the-parabl...
The parable of the Reflecting Pool
In a symbolic setting, the most emblematic of sagas
historyneverended.substack.com
Guys Look at this 👇 Call your Senators, especially if they're Republican And tell them NOT to vote to confirm this man His full Senate confirmation vote could happen as soon as this Saturday Don't. Let. Up.
Headquarters@headquartersnews.bsky.social · yesterdayTrump's Acting AG Todd Blanche has reportedly met with conservative faith leaders and promised that the anti-abortion laws will be "permanent in every state" if confirmed. Senators will vote on his confirmation today.
If folks are interested we have previews of the Democratic Primaries in Michigan with all the candidates in contested races ranked by their left to right political position within the party based on voting record, funding, endorsements, policy postions, and background on our substack.
Ron Johnson has replaced Lindsey Graham as Chair of Senate Budget Cmte And guess what? He's going after Medicaid With a vengeance His first hearing starts at 10am today: www.budget.senate.gov/hearings/med...
Medicaid: The Reality | U.S. Senate Committee On The Budget
The Official U.S. Senate Committee On The Budget
budget.senate.gov
Some GOP Senators have now called on Max Miller to resign: "He should quit" (also still lots of "haven't seen it") Nothing from House GOP Tomorrow is the Ohio deadline to replace Miller as their GOP nominee in OH-07 So .. it's just rhetoric to support Moreno www.politico.com/news/2026/08...
‘He should quit’: Republican senators sound alarms about Max Miller accusations
The calls came after Miller’s former father-in-law, Sen. Bernie Moreno, said he should not serve in the House.
politico.com
The GOP's gov't funding CR passed the Senate last night 89-4 But this vs contains changes from the House passed CR Like text preventing Trump admin from making state grant approval political And no new ICE $ It will return to the House And there will be ISSUES: www.politico.com/live-updates...
Senate easily advances stopgap funding deal past first hurdle
The 89-4 vote indicates strong bipartisan interest in avoiding another Oct. 1 shutdown.
politico.com
GOP Senator Lisa Murkowski on Todd Blanche yesterday: “I think certainly the fact that he has signed this order, basically disbanding [the fund] — that’s a pretty good step. I would like to find out a little bit more about the negotiations” Per Inside Congress: "Susan Collins said the same"
This is courtesy of Burgess Everett who was in the press scrum Moreno's first response was to the question, "Why did it take you so long to put out your statement" saying Max Miller shouldn't be in the House
Mona Burns@monaburns.bsky.social · yesterdayBernie Moreno to Hill press yesterday: “I hope you never have to go through this situation, because you wouldn’t ask that kind of fucking question” When asked why Miller isn't taking his advice "you’ll have to ask him” "Look, guys, this is about my personal family situation” “It’s pretty grotesque”
Bernie Moreno to Hill press yesterday: “I hope you never have to go through this situation, because you wouldn’t ask that kind of fucking question” When asked why Miller isn't taking his advice "you’ll have to ask him” "Look, guys, this is about my personal family situation” “It’s pretty grotesque”
Per CNN's Patrick Svitek: "New TX Senate poll from Texas Southern U: James Talarico (D) 47 Ken Paxton (R) 45 Ted Brown (L) 2 Unsure 6 (Barbara Jordan Public Policy Research and Survey Center; July 27-30; 1,200 LVs; +/-2.83%)"
GOP Senators "seem to be backing off a piece of the Trump admin’s reconciliation plans that alarmed senators. Budget Cmte Chair Ron Johnson said he doesn’t expect the resolution to address using Social Security records for voter eligibility, or to involve the Senate Finance Cmte"
Mona Burns@monaburns.bsky.social · yesterdayThune needs to decide whether to put the budget res for Recon 3.0 & the crypto bill on the floor before recess He hasn't got the votes to pass them Big problems with SAVE & Pentagon $$$ attached to the budget And still some GOP skeptics who could derail Blanche More: punchbowl.news/article/sena...
Thune needs to decide whether to put the budget res for Recon 3.0 & the crypto bill on the floor before recess He hasn't got the votes to pass them Big problems with SAVE & Pentagon $$$ attached to the budget And still some GOP skeptics who could derail Blanche More: punchbowl.news/article/sena...
Thune’s roadmap to recess
The Senate’s ability to clear its pile-up of legislation and nominations before a five-week summer recess may come down to two GOP decisions.
punchbowl.news
Thune: “..there's a good possibility that it'll take us more than Thursday or Friday to get through the things we have to get through,” Scuttle is the Senate may delay the start of August recess thru early next wk Senate GOP leaders still haven't whipped enough votes to pass the budget res w/SAVE
"Progressives are poised for a serious show of strength in Tuesday’s primaries, especially in Michigan Wins in some or all of these primaries will pressure the Dem establishment to better align with its base." Good rundown on today's races in Michigan & Washington: punchbowl.news/article/camp...
The left’s moment in Michigan and Missouri
Progressives are poised for a serious show of strength in Tuesday’s primaries, especially in Michigan.
punchbowl.news
Senate Judiciary Committee vote to advance the nomination of Todd Blanche as AG is this morning at 9am If you can stomach it, you can watch it here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdlm... On the status of Blanche's confirmation: apnews.com/article/todd...
Senate panel expected to advance Blanche's attorney general nomination after deal with GOP holdouts
A Senate committee is expected to vote to advance acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s nomination to lead the Justice Department.
apnews.com
Today is primary day in Kansas Michigan Missouri Virginia Washington State If you haven't already, show up and #vote today Help others get it done Please don't sit this out Turnout is crucial at every stage of these midterms Get out there and raise your beautiful voice!
Trump on the domestic abuse accusations against Republican Max Miller: "It's a very sad thing. I know Max. He's a good person." … "It's accusations and I'm going to let them figure that out."
