President Donald Trump has told House Speaker Mike Johnson he won't be spending $4.9 billion in congressionally approved foreign aid, effectively cutting the budget without going through the legislative branch. The Republican president is using what's known as a pocket rescission — when a president submits a request to Congress to not spend approved funds toward the end of the fiscal year, so Congress cannot act on the request in a 45-day time frame and the money goes unspent as a result. It's the first time in nearly 50 years a president has used one. Trump's move has drawn backlash in the Senate. The fiscal year draws to a close at the end of September.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Friday signed into law a new congressional voting map designed to help Republicans gain more seats in the 2026 midterm elections, delivering a win for President Donald Trump and his desire to hold on to a slim GOP majority in the U.S. House. The Texas maps drafted in rare mid-decade redistricting have prompted a gerrymandering tug-of-war for voters with Democrats in states across the country. Outnumbered Democrats tried in vain to stop the Texas vote. At one point, they staged a two-week walkout. Democrats have vowed to challenge the new map in court.

Former President Barack Obama has expressed support for California Governor Gavin Newsom's approach to redistricting. Obama spoke at a fundraiser on Martha's Vineyard, emphasizing the need for Democrats to respond effectively to Republican-led redistricting efforts, particularly in Texas. He praised Newsom's plan as responsible and temporary, contingent on Republican states' actions. The event raised $2 million for the National Democratic Redistricting Committee. Texas lawmakers have been debating a new congressional map that could create five new GOP seats. Democratic governors are considering similar strategies to strengthen their party's position in Congress.

President Donald Trump's decision to increase federal law enforcement and immigration agents in Washington has impacted neighborhoods like Columbia Heights. On Tuesday, vendors noticed fewer customers, especially Spanish speakers. The White House reported 450 arrests since the federal operation began on Aug. 7. The Republican president declared a crisis in the Democratic-controlled city, despite declining crime statistics, and took control of the police department for 30 days. Democratic Rep. Sam Liccardo of California introduced a bill to require reports on National Guard deployments, although it's unlikely to pass in the Republican-controlled Congress.

Texas Democrats have ended a two-week walkout that stalled efforts to redraw congressional districts as part of a national partisan brawl over President Donald Trump's desire to reshape U.S. House maps to his advantage. Their return Monday to the Texas Capitol will allow the Republican-run Legislature to proceed as California Democrats' advance a countereffort to redraw their congressional boundaries in retaliation. The tit-for-tat puts the nation's two most populous states at the center of an expanding fight over control of Congress ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Texas and California have been at the forefront of a national fight to reshape the congressional landscape.

Texas Republican leaders say they're prepared to end their stalemated legislative special session and immediately begin another standoff with Democrats in the GOP's efforts to redraw congressional maps as directed by President Donald Trump. Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows confirmed the plans Tuesday during a brief session that marked another failure to meet the required attendance standards. Dozens of Democrats have left the state and left the GOP majority unable to move forward with its gerrymandering attempt. Burrows said lawmakers will not reconvene again until Friday. If Democrats are still absent, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott said he will end the current session and will call another.

Texas Republicans were unable again Monday to approve new congressional districts to meet President Donald Trump's demands. Dozens of Democrats remain outside the state, denying their GOP colleagues the attendance required to vote on the president's maps. The standoff is now into its second week and has spread to multiple states. California Gov. Gavin Newsom is asking President Donald Trump to stop his push or else his Democratic state will answer. Republicans are trying to redraw five U.S. House districts at Trump's urging. The president is looking for ways to bolster the chance that the GOP will keep control of Congress in the 2026 elections.

For the second day in a row, Texas Democrats prevented their state's House of Representatives from moving forward, at least for now, with a redrawn congressional map sought by President Donald Trump. Texas and California are at the center of a national political power struggle that could reshape Trump's second presidency. In California, the state's dominant Democrats are maneuvering to counter Trump's Texas play by boosting Democratic House seats in the liberal-leaning state. The rivalry tugging at the nation's political balance is playing out in advance of the 2026 midterm elections. The Texas map would shore up Republicans' midterm prospects as the president's political standing slumps. Texas Republicans will attempt to convene the House again on Friday.

Lawmakers have left Washington for the annual August recess, but a few weeks of relative quiet at the U.S. Capitol can't mask the partisan tensions that are brewing on government funding and President Donald Trump's nominees. It could make for a momentous September. On government funding, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries sent their Republican counterparts a sharply-worded letter Monday calling for a meeting this week. They said it will take bipartisanship to avert a "painful, unnecessary shutdown." On nominees, Republicans are considering changes to Senate rules to get more of Trump's nominees confirmed.

Ghislaine Maxwell is open to answering questions from Congress if granted immunity from future prosecution, her lawyers say. Maxwell, serving a 20-year sentence for conspiring with Jeffrey Epstein to abuse underage girls, has requested questions in advance and wants any interview scheduled after her Supreme Court petition is resolved. The House Oversight Committee, however, has stated it will not consider offering her immunity. Maxwell's lawyers have also urged the Supreme Court to review her conviction, claiming she did not receive a fair trial. They suggest she might testify openly if pardoned by President Trump.