Axios

Maine Gov. Janet Mills is planning to launch her Senate campaign Tuesday, according to an internal team document obtained by Axios.

Why it matters: A campaign kickoff by Mills, a battle-tested two-term Democratic governor, would mark the latest recruiting coup for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.).

House Speaker Mike Johnson told us today that "of course" Congress will ensure furloughed federal workers get back pay once the government reopens.

Why it matters: The White House has said back pay isn't guaranteed, but Johnson signaled that furloughed workers shouldn't worry.

• Johnson wasn't familiar with the latest argument from the Trump administration that Congress would need to appropriate the funds.
• But Johnson emphasized that he would move to ensure workers get back pay if necessary.
• "My understanding is federal law has always been pretty settled on that, and it's always custom that furloughed federal employees get back pay," he told us.

Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) raised $3.2 million in the third quarter, giving her $12 million cash on hand across all of her accounts for a potential New York governor's bid.

Why it matters: Stefanik is raising — and spending — money like a candidate eager to challenge Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) in 2026.

• "I am humbled by the record early support from generous grassroots donors and supporters in New York and across the country," Stefanik said in a statement first shared with Axios.
• "I will continue to work tirelessly to serve the hardworking families of New York, ensure Republican victories up and down the ballot in New York, and then we will fire Kathy Hochul once and for all next year," she said.

Big news for Hill commuters: Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) is calling on the Interior Department to clean up Columbus Circle.

• Why it matters: The Columbus Fountain has been dry for nearly two decades, Cruz says. He wants it to flow again.

Zoom in: Cruz, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, is outraged by the overall appearance of Columbus Circle, which many congressional staffers (and reporters) walk across from Union Station to the Capitol.

• Along with Rep. Michael Rulli (R-Ohio), Cruz is introducing legislation to transfer control of the area from the Interior Department to the Transportation Department, which is in charge of Union Station.

Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) raised $3.2 million in the third quarter, giving her $12 million cash on hand across all of her accounts for a potential New York governor bid.

Why it matters: Stefanik is raising – and spending — money like a candidate eager to challenge Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) in 2026.

New York Attorney General Letitia James responded to her indictment Thursday by calling her charges of bank fraud and making false statements to a financial institution "baseless."

The big picture: In her statement, James alluded to the civil fraud lawsuit she successfully brought against President Trump and his company for alleged fraudulent business practices that led to a roughly $465 million fine that was tossed by an appeals court in August.

Israel's Cabinet has approved the agreement that stops the war in Gaza and frees the remaining hostages.

The big picture: The agreement calls for an initial Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and the release of nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. Twenty Israeli hostages are to be freed after two years in captivity, along with the remains of 28 deceased hostages.

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) is calling on the Interior Department to clean up Washington D.C.'s Columbus Circle and transfer control of the area south of Union Station to the Department of Transportation.

Why it matters: To mark the federal holiday that President Trump insists should be called "Columbus Day," Cruz is preparing to introduce the ''Make Christopher Columbus Circle Great Again Act."

Pope Leo XIV placed the poor at the center of the Catholic Church's mission in his first major document as pontiff, urging bishops worldwide to champion social justice and defend migrants and the vulnerable.

Why it matters: The pope's call to defend "the least of these" thrusts the church at the forefront of global debates on inequality and migration, even as the Trump administration steps up immigration raids.

Chinese officials unleashed new plans to restrict access to minerals critical for America's most economically important industries.

Why it matters: The expanded export controls are a fresh threat to an already fragile U.S.-China trade truce.

New York Attorney General Letitia James was criminally indicted on two counts by a grand jury on Thursday.

The big picture: "We will fight these baseless charges aggressively, and my office will continue to fiercely protect New Yorkers and their rights," James said on X after the bank fraud and making false statements charges were announced.

Read the indictment in full, via DocumentCloud:

Go deeper: These are the people Trump told the Justice Department to prosecute after Comey

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) told Axios on Thursday that "of course" Congress will ensure furloughed federal workers get back pay once the government reopens.

Why it matters: The White House has made clear that back pay isn't a guarantee, but Johnson signaled that furloughed workers shouldn't worry.

New York Attorney General Letitia James was indicted on charges of bank fraud and making false statements to a financial institution by a federal grand jury in Virginia on Thursday, according to the Justice Department.

Why it matters: It's the latest development in President Trump's long-running feud with James as he pursues retribution against political adversaries who pursued prosecutions against him during his first White House term and in the years after.

Publicly, Democrats aren't saying a whole lot about any shutdown demands outside of health care — privately, it's another story.

Why it matters: Federal workers are pressing Senate Democrats to hold the line in the shutdown, and negotiate protections for their agency's budgets and for workers themselves.

The Department of Education has resumed a key student-loan forgiveness program, which it paused in July.

Why it matters: About 2 million borrowers are enrolled in the Income-Based Repayment (IBR) plan.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Thursday that the U.S. government has bought Argentine pesos as part of a program to help the struggling South American nation.

Why it matters: While an important boost to a political ally in Argentine President Javier Milei, the move could rekindle complaints that a bailout was done at the expense of American farmers.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem says her department plans to buy new buildings for law enforcement officers assisting with immigration operations.

Why it matters: As local leaders and federal judges push back on President Trump's efforts to expand National Guard deployments in Chicago and Portland, his administration is ramping up law enforcement activities in Democrat-run cities with the billions secured through the "one big, beautiful" act.

The Internal Revenue Service on Thursday announced the annual inflation adjustments for more than 60 tax provisions — including income tax brackets, standard deductions and credits — for the 2026 tax year.

Why it matters: The changes, which apply to 2026 tax returns filed in 2027, include several tweaks from the "big beautiful bill."

Dominion Voting Systems — the voting machine behemoth that President Trump and his allies baselessly attacked after the 2020 election — has been sold to a Missouri-based company run by a former Republican election official, Axios has learned.

Why it matters: Dominion is one of the biggest election equipment providers and was used by 27 states during the 2024 election.

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) on Thursday suggested Democratic Maine Gov. Janet Mills should reconsider her imminent plans to announce a Senate bid — to avoid "wasting millions on an unnecessary & divisive primary."

• Instead, Sanders urged Democrats to coalesce around progressive Graham Platner, a rising star on the party's left.

Why it matters: Democrats are barreling toward an explosive primary in Maine, which is shaping up to be a high-profile showdown between the party's leadership and its left flank.

Due to the government shutdown, all federal employees will be on furlough Monday for Columbus Day, a federal holiday — i.e., not working and not getting paid, White House officials tell Axios.

Why it matters: In plain terms, most of the approximately 1.5 million federal employees who have been working through the shutdown will get a day off — unpaid, for now.

A three-judge panel on the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals appeared skeptical of Oregon's claims that President Trump did not have the authority to deploy National Guard troops to Portland during oral arguments Thursday.

The big picture: The panel had tough questions for an attorney for the state, noting the law requires the court give deference to the president when he says troops are needed to protect federal law enforcement and buildings.

Turning Point USA on Thursday said it will host a competing show to Bad Bunny's 2026 Super Bowl halftime performance.

Why it matters: The announcement capitalizes on MAGA outrage over the NFL's selection of the Puerto Rican artist, who skipped shows in the continental U.S., partly because of concerns with ICE raids.

The Centers for Disease Control and Preventions' public image has plunged to a record low under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a new Gallup report found.

Why it matters: The decline marks a loss of trust after the Trump administration's politicization of one of the world's preeminent public health agencies.

Venture capital investors have been citing reduced red tape and the Golden Dome as major drivers of their leap into defense tech.

Yes, but: Obstacles remain when the U.S. government collides with Silicon Valley.

Behind the scenes: Most VCs lack the clearances necessary to access classified information — limiting visibility into their investment.

• In board rooms, it's not uncommon for a member to excuse themselves when details relating to a major contract emerge.
• "We hosted a defense tech dinner in D.C., and people asked, 'Do you have clearance? 'And I say no, and they say: 'Well, I can't tell you this, but I'll speak about it in the abstract," says Michael Brown, managing partner of Battery Ventures.

That has implications for the due diligence process.

• Investors still see the overall finances of a business, but might not see the technical specifications of a product tied to a classified project.
• In one case heard by Axios, a company could not reveal when a major payment hit, as it risks signaling a highly watched product has successfully been completed.

Between the lines: As record-high dollars flow into the sector, the big question is if investors without clearances have enough information to make investment decisions.

• Most investors I spoke to believe the information flow is adequate, noting that not all defense tech deals have highly classified information or are wholly dependent on the government for revenue.
• DCVC's Matt Ocko argues clearances will be an edge for investors as the industry dives deeper into critical, and likely sensitive, tech. "You're not getting ground truth," he says. "If there is a new nation-state actor or threat, you can't tell if your company is viable anymore or if you have the golden ball of 'unobtanium'."

Zoom out: "In the defense tech world, there's this overlapping weave of regulatory regimes," says Joshua Gruenspecht, a partner of Wilson Sonsini.

• Companies with foreign investors not only file with CFIUS, but they may also face further scrutiny from the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) if they handle classified information. And while a foreign investment may not be an issue with the CFIUS, it could be a problem for DCSA.
• The constant transition from one administration to the next has led to more self-policing by companies, says Holland & Knight partner Robert A Friedman.
• "I've seen people turn down eight-figure amounts," Gruenspecht says, with companies aiming to avoid any conflict with the DCSA. "Scrutiny on FOCI (Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence) has increased meaningfully. "

Case in point: Allen Control Systems, an autonomous-turret maker, says it's purposely not taken foreign investments of any kind to avoid slowdowns in the contracting process.

The bottom line: Defense tech is not for the faint of heart.

Most Americans aren't sure what to make of President Trump's claim that taking Tylenol during pregnancy can increase the risk of autism in children, but few are accepting it as fact, a new KFF poll finds.

Why it matters: There are deep partisan divisions on the question, just as there are on vaccines, the pandemic response and other health issues.

Drug companies' increasing willingness to negotiate deals with the Trump administration and voluntarily cut some prices may be making a splash, but the real-world impact will probably be underwhelming.

Why it matters: The pharmaceutical industry's compromises so far can be best viewed as attempts to avoid tariffs or undesirable regulatory action by the Trump administration. And it's anyone's guess as to whether they'll be successful.

Chicago has become the ultimate proving ground for President Trump's domestic military experiment, pitting armed federal forces against a Democratic-led city determined to resist them.

Why it matters: The arrival of the National Guard — coupled with Trump's calls to arrest Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker — could open a volatile new chapter in American history.

The road to futuristic nuclear power is long and paved with… cancer drugs?

The big picture: Several nuclear startups are pursuing profits on offshoot products stemming from scientific innovations — such as ingredients in cancer-treating drugs — to fund long journeys toward profiting on their primary business.

The White House isn't just standing by its view that federal law doesn't guarantee back pay for furloughed workers: It has emails showing this belief dates back to the 2019 shutdown, according to correspondence reviewed by Axios.

Why it matters: This interpretation from the Trump White House's current Office of Management and Budget has roiled Congress, outraged labor unions and added a layer of tension to the federal shutdown that began Oct. 1.

Americans' approval ratings for six major federal agencies — FEMA, CIA, CDC, FDA, EPA and the IRS — have dropped sharply since 2024, according to a Gallup poll released Thursday.

The big picture: Many of these agencies sit at or near their lowest approval levels in Gallup's records, which date back to 2003, signaling an overall increase in dissatisfaction toward the U.S. government.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation Wednesday to phase out "the most concerning" ultra-processed foods phased from school meals over the next 10 years, per a statement from the governor's office.

Why it matters: California is the first U.S. state to pass such a law and also the first to require that a statutory definition of ultra-processed foods (UPF) be provided.

The Department of Defense plans to enforce new policies that "appear designed to stifle a free press," the Pentagon Press Association said Wednesday.

Why it matters: Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has faced weeks of backlash over a Sept. 15 memo restricting engagements alongside new requirements that journalists sign an "express agreement" not to gather any information the department hasn't officially authorized for release, or they risk losing access to Pentagon facilities.

A peace agreement has been reached between Israel and Hamas. In the first phase, Israel will partially withdraw its troops from Gaza and Hamas will release the remaining hostages, President Trump said.

The big picture: The breakthrough comes two years after Hamas' Oct. 7 attack, with Gaza almost entirely destroyed and more than 67,000 Palestinians killed, according to the Gaza health ministry.

A mostly Republican group of leaders past and present on Wednesday accused President Trump of using "the power of law enforcement" to go after Americans he has a "personal animus" against.

Why it matters: The statement, given exclusively to Axios, was signed by nearly 40 people who have had prominent roles in the fields of law, government and national security.

President Trump told Axios he is "likely going to Israel in the coming days" to address the country's parliament, the Knesset, in the wake of the Gaza peace deal.

• In a brief phone interview shortly after announcing the deal, Trump said: "It's a great day for Israel and for the world."

Holtec International is pulling the plug on plans to build a temporary storage site for commercial nuclear waste in southeastern New Mexico, citing state officials' fervent opposition.

Why it matters: Holtec had said in June that a Supreme Court ruling over storage of high-level spent fuel reaffirmed the company's license from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to continue pursuing the site.

New York City Council member Chi Ossé, a close ally of Zohran Mamdani, is privately discussing a run against House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), three people familiar with the discussions tell Axios.

Why it matters: Just talking about a potential campaign could drive a further wedge between Mamdani — the democratic socialist in line to be New York's next mayor — and Jeffries, who so far has declined to endorse Mamdani.

A measure to stop President Trump's strikes on alleged drug vessels in the Caribbean failed to advance the Senate on Wednesday, despite some Republican support.

Why it matters: Congress isn't standing in the way of Trump's growing military campaign against alleged drug traffickers off the coast of Venezuela.