GET THE APP
Tuesday, June 23, 2026

Category: Politics
May 6, 2026
News
Politics

DATA: Affordable Health Care is Top Issue for MAHA Voters.

A new poll reveals that affordability, particularly in health care, is the leading concern for “Make America Healthy Again” voters, potentially influencing midterm election outcomes.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: A poll conducted by KFF found that health care costs are the top concern for voters identifying with the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement, with 61 percent of all respondents stating it will have a “major impact” on their midterm voting decisions.
📺 DETAIL: The survey, conducted April 14-19 among 1,343 U.S. adults, revealed that 42 percent of MAHA supporters prioritize lowering health care costs over other issues like food safety (21 percent) and vaccine reevaluation (10 percent). This comes as the Trump administration faces criticism for rising costs amid the Iran war, which has driven up gasoline prices and affected consumer spending. The administration’s approval ratings on health care and food policy remain low, at 38 percent and 46 percent, respectively. The MAHA movement has also split with the Trump administration over the use of the pesticide glyphosate, which is believed to cause cancer. The Trump administration recently sided with pharma giant Bayer, which manufactures the pesticide, over MAHA activists.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “This poll really shows that the issues the MAHA movement has elevated resonate broadly with the American public, but even for voters who support MAHA, health care costs are the dominant priority by a wide margin,” said Audrey Kearney, senior survey analyst at KFF.
🎯 IMPACT: With affordability concerns dominating voter priorities, Republicans may face challenges in maintaining control of Congress in November if it remains focused on the Middle East and other foreign policy issues, instead of emphasizing its work to bring down drug prices.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less

A new poll reveals that affordability, particularly in health care, is the leading concern for "Make America Healthy Again" voters, potentially influencing midterm election outcomes.

show more
May 5, 2026
News
Politics

Minnesota Senate Approves Stringent Gun Restrictions Amid Fraud Scandal.

Minnesota Senate Democrats have narrowly approved a controversial gun control bill banning semiautomatic rifles and high-capacity magazines. The bill now heads for the state’s House of Representatives.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: The Democrat-controlled Minnesota Senate has narrowly passed SF 4067, a gun control bill banning certain semiautomatic rifles and magazines holding over 17 rounds. The proposal passed with 34 Democrats voting in favor and 33 Republicans voting against. Notably, the contentious move comes as the state is gripped by an ongoing fraud scandal linked to its Somali community.
📺 DETAIL: On Monday evening, the Democrat-controlled Minnesota Senate passed SF 4067, a proposal that bans certain semiautomatic rifles and magazines holding over 17 rounds. The proposal was passed by one vote. The legislation includes provisions expanding “Red Flag” confiscation laws, outlawing binary triggers, which allows a semi-automatic firearm to fire at an increased rate, and banning privately manufactured firearms. While the bill was expected to pass the state Senate, its fate in the state House of Representatives is uncertain, due to the chamber being evenly split between the Democrats and GOP.
🎯 IMPACT: If enacted, the legislation could significantly restrict firearm ownership in Minnesota. Minnesota’s House of Representatives is perfectly split down the middle with 67 Democrats and 67 Republicans, likely making for an intense and divisive debate. In December last year, Tim Walz, the outgoing Democrat Governor of Minnesota, blasted support for constitutional gun rights as “bullshit” in a tirade against Republicans. Around the same time last year, his state became mired in allegations of widespread welfare fraud. In one high-profile case, Asha Farhan Hassan, a member of a prominent family in the state’s Somali community, pleaded guilty to wire fraud in connection with schemes to defraud a child food program. Concerns about fraud in the state have sparked an investigation led by Vice President J.D. Vance, who recently confirmed that Governor Walz could be implicated.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less

Minnesota Senate Democrats have narrowly approved a controversial gun control bill banning semiautomatic rifles and high-capacity magazines. The bill now heads for the state's House of Representatives.

show more
May 4, 2026
News
Politics

The Case Against James Comey Extends Beyond His ‘86-47’ Instagram Post.

The Justice Department’s case against former FBI Director James Comey is much more in-depth than a simple Instagram post, according to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Former FBI Director James Comey has been indicted by the Department of Justice (DOJ) on two felony counts connected to an Instagram post from May 2022. The post featured seashells arranged to read “86 47,” interpreted as a threat against President Donald J. Trump. However, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said on Sunday that more evidence of wrongdoing beyond the Instagram post will be revealed.
📺 DETAIL: Acting Attorney General Blanche defended Comey’s indictment over the weekend, asserting the case is supported by more than just the Instagram post. To “86” something or someone means to get rid of it in the hospitality trade, and to kill them in mob slang. The number “47” is widely understood to refer to Trump as the 47th President of the United States.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “Rest assured that it’s not just the Instagram post that leads somebody to get indicted.” – Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche.
🎯 IMPACT: The case against Comey comes after a third attempt on President Donald J. Trump’s life in Washington, D.C., on April 25, which the White House blames on inflammatory, violent rhetoric from Democrats and other Trump critics like Comey. This follows a previous attempt to prosecute Comey last year for lying to Congress, which was dropped by a judge on a technicality in November. The judge ruled that U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan could not prosecute the case, finding that her appointment violated U.S. law.

Image by Mark Warner.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less

The Justice Department's case against former FBI Director James Comey is much more in-depth than a simple Instagram post, according to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche.

show more
May 1, 2026
News
Politics

Alabama Moves to Redraw Congressional Map After Key SCOTUS Ruling.

Governor Kay Ivey is reconvening Alabama’s state legislature, which could reshape the congressional landscape pending a pivotal decision from the Supreme Court.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Governor of Alabama Kay Ivey (R) has announced that the state’s congressional map will be redrawn ahead of the midterm elections following a landmark Supreme Court ruling against racially gerrymandered majority-minority electoral districts. Howvever, the special session to redistrict the state is contingent on the U.S. Supreme Court lifting a key injunction.
📺 DETAIL: On Friday, Ivey announced that she is summoning the Alabama legislature to redraw the state’s congressional map. The session to redistrict the state is scheduled for Monday next week. However, the session is dependent on the Supreme Court lifting an injunction tied to the Allen v. Milligan case. That case initially forced Alabama to create additional racially gerrymandered black-majority districts. Steve Marshall (R), Attorney General of Alabama, filed an emergency appeal asking justices to lift the Allen v. Milligan injunction on Thursday evening.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “By calling the Legislature into a special session, I am ensuring that Alabama is prepared should the courts act quickly enough to allow Alabama’s previously drawn congressional and state senate maps to be used during this election cycle.” — Kay Ivey
🎯 IMPACT: If Alabama is successful at getting the Allen v. Milligan injunction lifted, the state would be allowed to eliminate racially gerrymandered majority-minority districts, likely costing the Democrats representation in the U.S. House of Representatives in the November midterms. The Louisiana v. Callais ruling against racial gerrymandering earlier this week suggests that there is a high chance the Supreme Court will lift the injunction.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less

Governor Kay Ivey is reconvening Alabama's state legislature, which could reshape the congressional landscape pending a pivotal decision from the Supreme Court.

show more
April 30, 2026
Politics
SCOTUS

Louisiana Halts Primaries Following Landmark Supreme Court Decision.

Louisiana’s congressional primary elections are on hold after the Supreme Court ruled the state’s district map was an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. Governor Jeff Landry (R) will now work with the state legislature to draw up a new map in time for the November midterms, likely benefiting the GOP.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Louisiana has suspended its May primary elections for congressional races following the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark ruling that one of the state’s Democrat-leaning majority-minority districts was illegally racially gerrymandered.
📺 DETAIL: The Supreme Court’s decision on Wednesday terminated a previous stay on an injunction against Louisiana’s enforcement of its current congressional map, and heralds major changes to the implementation of the Voting Rights Act, which had forced the establishment of several Democrat-leaning majority-minority electoral districts. Justice Samuel Alito, writing for the majority, stated that the state’s efforts to comply with a lower court ruling resulted in an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. On Thursday, Governor Jeff Landry (R) and Attorney General Liz Murrill (R) confirmed plans to work with the state legislature and Secretary of State to redraw the district map in compliance with the ruling, which will likely strengthen the GOP’s position going into the November midterms.
🎯 IMPACT: Louisiana must now quickly redraw its map to meet constitutional requirements. “Yesterday’s historic Supreme Court victory for Louisiana has an immediate consequence for the State,” Gov. Landry and Attorney General Murrill said in a joint statement on Thursday, explaining, “[T]he State is currently enjoined from carrying out congressional elections under the current map. We are working together with the Legislature and the Secretary of State’s office to develop a path forward.” Before now, Republicans had been on the back foot with respect to redistricting, with the Democrats redrawing maps in a way that suits their party in California and Virginia. However, changes in Louisiana and other Southern states following the Supreme Court ruling, along with a redistricting push in Florida, could change the congressional arithmetic dramatically.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “The State’s attempt to satisfy the Middle District’s ruling, although understandable, was an unconstitutional racial gerrymander.” – Justice Samuel Alito

Image by Gage Skidmore.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less

Louisiana's congressional primary elections are on hold after the Supreme Court ruled the state's district map was an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. Governor Jeff Landry (R) will now work with the state legislature to draw up a new map in time for the November midterms, likely benefiting the GOP.

show more
April 29, 2026
News
Politics

Florida House Advances Redistricting Bill.

State lawmakers in Florida’s House of Representatives have passed a redrawn congressional map which could give Republicans a significant edge in upcoming midterm elections.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Florida’s House of Representatives has approved a redrawn congressional map. The redistricting proposal could provide Republicans with four additional seats in the U.S. Congress come the November midterms.
📺 DETAIL: On Wednesday, Florida’s House of Representatives approved a redrawn congressional map. Proposed by Governor Ron DeSantis (R), the redistricting measure redraws areas in Orlando, Tampa, and south-eastern Florida. The proposal will reduce the number of Democrat-leaning areas while boosting Republican representation. The scramble to redistrict Florida was sparked after voters in Virginia narrowly approved a redistricting proposal that favors the Democrats.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “Based on the testimony that we’ve heard in the two various Committees, I believe that there is a likelihood that that map will be upheld against legal challenges.” – State Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka (R-FL).
🎯 IMPACT: After being approved by the state’s House of Representatives, the proposal moves to the Florida Senate, where the Republicans have a substantial majority. Florida’s redistricting measure mirrors similar efforts in other states besides Virginia. In California, a redrawn congressional map favoring the Democrats was passed earlier this year. Similarly, a new congressional map favoring Republicans was introduced in Texas. Notably, these moves come as the Supreme Court voted 6-3 on Wednesday to limit provisions of the Voting Rights Act that previously required some states to create majority-minority districts favoring Democrats.

Image by F McGady.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less

State lawmakers in Florida's House of Representatives have passed a redrawn congressional map which could give Republicans a significant edge in upcoming midterm elections.

show more
April 28, 2026
Crime
Politics

Democrat Candidate Arrested for Doing Cocaine on the Campaign Trail.

A Democrat candidate for the Indiana State Senate faces drug and resisting law enforcement charges after he was arrested while allegedly high on cocaine during canvassing for his campaign.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Andrew Dezelan, a Democrat candidate for Indiana State Senate District 31, was arrested on charges of cocaine possession and resisting law enforcement. Police responded to reports of a man canvassing door-to-door in Fishers, Indiana, and later discovered drugs in his vehicle after noticing signs of impairment.
📍 WHEN & WHERE: The incident occurred Sunday evening, with Dezelan later booked into the Hamilton County Jail.
📺 DETAIL: Officers responded to reports of a man going door-to-door and later found Dezelan sitting in his car, where they observed signs of impairment, including erratic behavior, rapid speech, and sweating. When asked for identification, Dezelan allegedly became agitated, attempted to leave, and resisted officers, leading to a brief struggle before he was taken into custody. Police said a subsequent search uncovered cocaine in his vehicle, resulting in charges of possession of cocaine and resisting law enforcement. Dezelan, 38, is one of four candidates seeking the Democratic nomination for Indiana’s Senate District 31 in an upcoming primary election. He was booked into the Hamilton County Jail following the incident. The case remains pending as Dezelan faces both felony and misdemeanor charges.
🎯 IMPACT: This arrest raises questions about Dezelan’s fitness for public office and could influence the Democratic primary race for Senate District 31.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less

A Democrat candidate for the Indiana State Senate faces drug and resisting law enforcement charges after he was arrested while allegedly high on cocaine during canvassing for his campaign.

show more
April 28, 2026
Data
Politics

DATA: Midterms Deadlocked Between Dems and GOP.

An April 23-26 Harvard/Harris poll shows a 50-50 split among voters for the Republicans and the Democrats ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: The latest Harvard Harris poll indicates a 50-50 dead heat among voters for the upcoming 2026 Congressional midterm elections, with both Democrats and Republicans solidifying their bases.
📰 DETAIL: The poll of 2,745 registered voters, weighted for age within gender, region, race/ethnicity, marital status, household size, income, employment, education, political party, and political ideology, reveals that 71 percent of voters plan to participate in the midterms. While the results are a dead heat overall, 52 percent of independents are currently leaning towards Democrats. Additionally, 67 percent of voters are already considering the 2028 presidential election, with Kamala Harris and J.D. Vance emerging as favored candidates within their parties.
🎯 IMPACT: The deadlock in voter preference underscores the competitive nature of the upcoming midterms and highlights the potential influence of independent voters. The poll also suggests that geopolitical tensions and domestic issues like cost of living and military actions could sway voter sentiment.
📈 DATA: The survey has a margin of error of +/- 1.87 points. Notably, it shows strong support for Trump’s policies on crime and immigration, despite mixed reviews on his overall performance, particularly with respect to the economy. On Iran, the President has majority support, with most respondents saying airstrikes against the Islamic Republic were justified.

Image by Ted Eytan.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less

An April 23-26 Harvard/Harris poll shows a 50-50 split among voters for the Republicans and the Democrats ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

show more
April 27, 2026
Politics

New Plan Could Claw Back 4 GOP Seats After Virginia Referendum Defeat.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) has introduced a redistricting proposal reflecting the state’s population growth, which could allow Republicans to gain four additional seats in the November midterms.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has unveiled a new congressional map that could give Republicans four additional seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. The map reflects Florida’s population growth and demographic shifts, with the governor emphasizing that it ensures fair representation for the state. This follows the GOP losing referendum on redistricting that will favor the Democrats in Virginia.
📺 DETAIL: The proposal, shared on Monday ahead of a special legislative session to consider redistricting, would reshape multiple districts in a way that favors GOP candidates. DeSantis argues the proposed reforms are justified by the state’s population growth and issues with prior census data. Democrats complain the plan amounts to partisan gerrymandering and have threatened legal challenges, noting Florida’s constitution prohibits maps from being drawn to benefit a political party. Notably, DeSantis’s effort follows a Democrat-led redistricting push in Virginia, which is likely to hand Democrats several additional House seats. If approved by Florida lawmakers, DeSantis’s map could significantly influence the balance of power in Congress, although it will face legal challenges.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “Florida got shortchanged in the 2020 Census, and we’ve been fighting for fair representation ever since.” – Ron DeSantis.
🎯 IMPACT: The new map could solidify Republican dominance in Florida, where the GOP already holds a 1.5 million voter registration advantage, and balance out the Democrats’ redistricting push in Virginia, which is likely to hand them four additional seats.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) has introduced a redistricting proposal reflecting the state's population growth, which could allow Republicans to gain four additional seats in the November midterms.

show more
April 23, 2026
Immigration
Politics

Amnesty Bill Author Admits It Is for ‘Big Business to Have Cheap Labor.’

Representative Maria Salazar (R-FL) has admitted that her proposed “Dignidad” (Dignity) mass amnesty bill is in large part about “help[ing] big business to have cheap labor.”

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Florida Republican Rep. Maria Salazar is promoting her Dignidad (Dignity) mass amnesty bill as a solution to labor shortages, confirming at a Wednesday press conference in Washingston, D.C.: “When people tell me that I am trying to help big business to have cheap labor, I’m going to answer them: It’s not [just] big business; it’s not only agricultural or construction or hospitality or health care or manufacturing—it’s more.” The bill would grant amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants and block deportations.
📺 DETAIL: Salazar suggested the Dignidad amnesty would lower costs by driving down wages, arguing, “Americans want affordability, and they want affordable vegetables and fruits.” Notably, regularizing millions of illegals and giving them the right to work would likely have a particular impact on the job opportunities and pay for younger and lower-skilled Americans, at a time when goals such as getting on the property ladder are already increasingly out of reach.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “The President is a very smart guy. He comes from hospitality and from construction. Do I have to tell him that those [migrants] are needed [in] those five sectors, construction, hospitality, agriculture, health care, and manufacturing?” – Rep. Salazar
🎯 IMPACT: Salazar’s amnesty would dramatically undermine the “mass deportations” pledge President Donald J. Trump ran on in 2024, putting the interests of illegals and big business ahead of American workers. Notably, the Wednesday press conference was organized by a subsidiary of the American Business Immigration Coalition (ABIC), whose executive director, Rebecca Shi, is a Chinese immigrant. Shi, whose mother was subject to a deportation order for 19 years, stated openly at the conference, “Work permits for long-term immigrants lower costs.”

Image by World Economic Forum / Benedikt von Loebell.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less

Representative Maria Salazar (R-FL) has admitted that her proposed "Dignidad" (Dignity) mass amnesty bill is in large part about "help[ing] big business to have cheap labor."

show more