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Photo: Alex Wong / Getty Images

Congressional Republicans have seen a bounce in generic polling against Democrats after passing tax cuts last month. A new CNN poll tightened the margin to 5 points — with Democrats at 49% and Republicans at 44%. The same poll showed Democrats leading by 18 points last month.

Why it matters: The GOP is banking its 2018 hopes on the tax law, and while it's far from universally popular it is making a difference. A 5-point deficit is still bad, though at least the sky isn't falling. One thing that should be worrying: that CNN poll has those excited about turning out for the midterms favoring Democrats by 15 points.

More on that trend:

For more great news and analysis in your inbox each day, be sure to sign up for Mike Allen's Axios AM and Axios' other newsletters.

Go deeper

3 hours ago - Health

Second largest teachers union now backs vaccination mandate

Photo: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

The head of the American Federation of Teachers told NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday that the union's leadership should consider implementing a vaccine mandate for teachers in schools.

Why it matters: The move would mark a policy reversal from last October, when the union allowed vaccinations on a voluntary basis. AFT President Randi Weingarten called the Delta variant of the virus "alarming" and voiced concern for children who cannot yet be vaccinated.

Cuomo's lawyer appears to dig him deeper in controversy

Gov. Andrew Cuomo walks his dog, Captain, at the Executive Mansion in Albany yesterday. Photo: Hans Pennink/AP

A lawyer for Cuomo appeared to dig him deeper yesterday as she previewed his sexual harassment defense, arguing that running his hands over a state trooper on the job wasn't necessarily criminal — or even unacceptable.

Why it matters: The defense looks unlikely to persuade New York legislators who are "on the brink" of impeaching Cuomo, as The New Yorker puts it.

3 hours ago - Science

Dixie Fire now 2nd largest wildfire in California history

A home is engulfed in flames as the Dixie fire rages on in Greenville, California, on Aug. 5. Photo: Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images

As wildfires rage across the West, California's Dixie Fire has grown to more than 463,000 acres as of Sunday, making it the second largest wildfire in the state's history, a representative from Cal Fire told Axios.

Why it matters: The Dixie Fire, which stretches across several counties in northern California, is currently the biggest wildfire burning in the country. As of Saturday evening, three people remain missing.