Majority Leader John Thune is asserting Congress' prerogative to act on AI — but he's urging a "light touch" even in the face of "consequential risks."
Why it matters: On his first day back after a five-week break, Thune (R-S.D.) outlined his vision for congressional action on an issue President Trump has dismissed as a "hoax."
Senate Republicans are doubtful — and, in some cases, dismissive — of President Trump's proposal to give Americans $5,000 checks if Republicans keep control of Congress.
Why it matters: Trump's proposal isn't dead on arrival. But Republicans aren't exactly lining up behind it either.
Sen. Mitch McConnell voted at the U.S. Capitol on Monday for the first time in three months after being hospitalized in June.
Why it matters: The Kentucky Republican's return could finally unjam the farm bill — and put some MAGA world rumors to rest about his ability to do the job.
Equity investors largely yawned Monday at warnings about AI wiping out humanity, suggesting traders aren't pricing in an existential threat.
Why it matters: AI leaders are increasingly sounding the alarm about the pace of AI development and risks of uncontrolled superintelligence, saying that the U.S. government and China should agree to a slowdown.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang took a surprise call from President Trump onstage at the All-In Summit Monday in Los Angeles, where the two dismissed fears of an AI takeover.
Why it matters: Trump and Huang are staking out an increasingly clear rejection of AI doomerism right as some of the world's most powerful CEOs and AI experts call for slower AI development over safety concerns.
A second federal judge blocked the U.S. Postal Service's new mail-ballot rules for the Nov. 3 midterms as the Supreme Court weighs whether to allow the restrictions in another case.
Why it matters: Sunday's order adds another hurdle to the Trump administration's bid to upend mail voting. The blocked rules would allow the USPS to refuse ballots that don't clear new standards, with mail voting already underway in some states.
The first ministers of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales united Monday behind calls to leave the United Kingdom in an unprecedented alignment of nationalist leaders.
Why it matters: For the first time, all three first ministers favor leaving the U.K. — and Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill says President Trump's support for a united Ireland has taken the debate global.
A bipartisan caucus is launching in the House on Monday to focus on AI small businesses.
Why it matters: The new group is forming as Congressional leadership grapples with the political and existential emergency created by AI's rapidly evolving capabilities.
Republicans have condemned, sidestepped or continued to support two Texas GOP nominees after one's racist post this weekend about students of color and another's years of vulgar comments about women sparked backlash.
The big picture: In a fiercely heated midterm election, some candidates' racist, sexist and crude material online hasn't always been enough to cost them their party's support.
Warning: This story includes crude, sexually explicit language that may disturb some readers.
Alligator Alcatraz, the former immigration detention center in the Everglades, improperly confined detainees in small metal holding cells staff described as "calming areas," a new federal report found.
A Russian oligarch close to Vladimir Putin provided hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of funding for Donald Trump Jr.'s May wedding in the Bahamas, according to a ProPublica investigation.
Why it matters: Umar Kremlev's deep ties to Vladimir Putin allegedly created a personal financial link between President Trump's oldest child and prominent Russians while the U.S. attempts to broker peace with Ukraine.
President Trump lashed out at calls for new AI guardrails and protections on Monday, arguing AI only needs a "STRONG AND SMART (High IQ!) PRESIDENT" and that AI critics should "BEWARE!"
Why it matters: Trump continues to plant himself against calls for AI safety regulations as a growing chorus of AI leaders and CEOs, spearheaded by Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei over the weekend, call for a slowdown in AI's development and better regulations to help keep humanity safe.
Macklemore has been dropped from Ed Sheeran's world tour following his pro-Palestine comments on stage while opening for Sheeran.
Why it matters: Macklemore has advocated for Palestinians for years, but his remarks on a tour headlined by a different star sparked an outcry that led to the rapper getting pulled off the marquee.
President Trump agreed to a concession that could pave the way for Congress to pass the Clarity Act, a sweeping cryptocurrency bill that has been under debate for much of Trump's second term, per reports Monday.
Why it matters: Senate Democrats have held up the House-passed legislation, arguing that it needs stronger safeguards to prevent Trump and his family from benefiting financially.
The Environmental Protection Agency is readying its next moves to thwart carbon emissions rules for power plants — and block a successor from creating new ones.
Why it matters: Generating electricity is the second-largest source of U.S. carbon emissions.
President Trump is as all-in on AI as a politician could be: all gas, no brakes, and zero interest in hand-wringing about dystopian risks or public disdain.
Democrats are as conflicted on AI as a party could be: skeptical of the labs, spooked by their warnings, but split on whether to shut it all down.
Why it matters: This staggering divide makes consensus on federal AI regulation almost unimaginable this year — and probably through early 2029, regardless of who wins control of Congress.
The biggest surprise of last week's Republican midterm convention began with an audacious request from the organizers to GOP Sen. Dave McCormick: Could he get Democratic Sen. John Fetterman, a fellow Pennsylvanian, to make an appearance?
"I'll ask him," McCormick said. Within days, Fetterman — who's been increasingly at odds with the Democratic Party's liberal wing — was on board.
Why it matters: Fetterman's 64-second video — calling himself a "common-sense Democrat," praising McCormick and vowing to work with President Trump to defend Pennsylvania's steel industry — represented Fetterman's biggest break yet with his party.
