Axios

A new pro-AI political operation is jumping into this year's midterms with a plan to spend more than $100 million, the latest push by a big-money group to promote a deregulation agenda.

• The group, dubbed Innovation Council Action, has the blessing of tech mogul and Trump AI adviser David Sacks. It's distinct from other pro-industry groups in that it's focused on boosting President Trump's priorities.

Why it matters: The AI lobby is on course to be a colossal player in the 2026 elections — bankrolling allies who advocate for deregulation and punishing critics who support tighter rules.

More than 5 million voting-age Americans would have to drive an estimated hour or more to present their citizenship documents to register to vote, as would be required under the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act.

Why it matters: President Trump is pushing the SAVE Act as necessary to secure future elections, but it could complicate voting for many American citizens.

Without a federal law, surrogacy in the U.S. is governed by a patchwork of state regulations/

Why it matters: Confusing, varied local rules can determine everything from whether agreements are legally binding to who is recognized as a parent at birth.

More Americans are turning to surrogacy to build their families, as the practice becomes more common and more publicly discussed.

Why it matters: As surrogacy becomes more visible and accessible, ethical, legal and cultural tensions become harder to ignore.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-Calif.) shared insight into his relationships with some of the Democratic Party's biggest names in a new wide-ranging interview on "The Axios Show."

Why it matters: Newsom, a potential presidential candidate for 2028, bluntly shared conversations he's had with Democratic former presidents or presidential nominees of the last decade.

Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has emerged as a key figure in President Trump's push for peace talks with Tehran.

The big picture: Trump has pressed Iran to strike a peace deal as the war reaches its first month, but the regime has rebuffed and mocked the overtures. However, Ghalibaf has reportedly shown a willingness to engage.

A growing number of House Democrats are calling on Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.) to resign after the House Ethics Committee found her guilty of dozens of charges, including serious financial misconduct.

Why it matters: Some of those lawmakers said they are at least open to voting to expel the Florida Democrat, creating substantial new pressure for her to be ousted from Congress by one means or another.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has agreed in a meeting with the Freedom Caucus to put a 60-day continuing resolution that funds all of DHS, including ICE and CBP, in lieu of the Senate-passed bill on the House floor.

Why it matters: The move will prolong the more than five-week long shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security, requiring the Senate to come back and approve the House bill.

A hacktivist group that the U.S. has linked to back to Iranian intelligence services claims it has stolen "personal and confidential information" from FBI Director Kash Patel, including emails, documents and potentially confidential files.

Why it matters: The attack could be the most significant cyberattack of the ongoing war between the U.S., Israel and Iran, and could put an uncomfortable spotlight on Patel.

Hardline House conservatives are threatening to sink a Senate-passed DHS funding bill, escalating a standoff that's already kept the agency shut down for more than five weeks.

Why it matters: House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is staring down a messy path to funding the Department of Homeland Security with no easy off-ramp.