Axios

All 50 states are in line to get "most favored nation" prices for certain Medicaid drugs under an arrangement projected to save state governments $27.6 billion, President Trump announced on Friday.

Why it matters: It's the latest extension of Trump's drug pricing deals with major manufacturers, which the president is touting as one of his signature health care accomplishments ahead of the midterm elections.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee is taking full advantage of the Supreme Court's ruling striking down limits on coordinated party spending, pumping $46.5 million into eight states, Axios has learned.

Why it matters: Republican committees, which entered the campaign's final stretch with a financial edge over their Democratic counterparts, have aggressively embraced the new rules allowing parties to coordinate unlimited spending with their candidates.

The House Republican campaign arm raised $13.5 million in August, Axios has learned, widening its financial edge over Democrats heading into the final stretch of the midterms.

Why it matters: The National Republican Congressional Committee is entering the final weeks before Election Day with a $13 million cash advantage over its Democratic counterpart — the largest lead the committee has ever held at this point in the election cycle.

Left-wing streamer Hasan Piker thinks Abdul El-Sayed, the Michigan Democratic Senate nominee, is making a political "mistake" by distancing himself from Piker but also understands he has become a lightning rod in a tight election.

Why it matters: El-Sayed's past association with Piker has become a persistent and irritating issue for El-Sayed, who campaigned with the streamer during a contentious primary that he ultimately won.

House Republicans' top messenger has three pieces of advice for candidates trying to survive the midterms: Call Democrats "communists," don't gaslight voters on inflation — and trust your district if it tells you to deviate from President Trump.

Why it matters: Calling Democrats "socialists" isn't enough — at least according to House Republican Conference chair Lisa McClain.

Latino voters swung sharply toward Republicans in 2024. Now, much of that gain is fading as gender and generational divides widen.

Why it matters: The GOP breakthrough two years ago hasn't produced a uniformly more conservative Latino electorate, as Democrats have regained ground in polling this year.

• But an Axios analysis of recent polls shows Latino voters aren't simply swinging right, then left. The data show Latino politics fragmenting from within, as young Latino men and women increasingly split over immigration, President Trump and democracy.

Auto companies and dealers are beseeching President Trump to banish Chinese vehicles from the American market.

Why it matters: President Trump has signaled an openness to allowing Chinese automakers to sell cars here if they're built here.

House Speaker Mike Johnson has sent lawmakers home until after the midterms, but when they return, they'll quickly face a showdown over impeaching Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, a renewed Epstein files fight and a looming government funding deadline.

Why it matters: None of these issues will be easy to resolve and could create a headache for the Trump administration in a lame-duck session after Election Day.

Foreign actors last month breached two small Colorado water utilities and manipulated equipment used to control drinking water systems.

Why it matters: The attacks come amid heightened concern about foreign actors infiltrating U.S. water systems — including recent attacks linked to actors suspected of ties to Iran.

More than a third of Americans can't name all three branches of government, according to the 2026 Annenberg Constitution Day Civics Survey.

Why it matters: Knowing how the government works, and which rights are protected by the Constitution, gives Americans basic civic knowledge to understand their rights.