https://www.csmonitor.com Coverage of US politics from The Christian Science Monitor. en-us Christian Science Monitor. All rights reserved. Tue, 14 Jul 2026 16:55:24 EDT 300 https://www.csmonitor.com/extension/csm_base/design/csm_design/images/csmlogo_250x30.png https://www.csmonitor.com https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0714/mitch-mcconnell-fall-senate?icid=rss eba3b403134819e65cd2868e9db9a8e4 For almost a month, no one knew why Sen. Mitch McConnell was missing from the U.S. Senate. There’s no set way for the Senate – or the states – to respond to such an event. Tue, 14 Jul 2026 15:37:00 -0400 Scott Baldauf https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0714/platner-sexual-assault-congress-red-line?icid=rss b3c4b038071889b6f6668e06367febc4 In the post-#MeToo era accusations of sexual misconduct have increased. But while some politicians have ended their campaigns or resigned, others have survived such allegations, raising questions about how voters evaluate charges and the impact of partisanship. Tue, 14 Jul 2026 05:00:10 -0400 Sophie Hills https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0713/lindsey-graham-trump-congress-ally?icid=rss f477aea089fac0ea6eaba7d5c57f7e3f No one else in Congress had the kind of relationship with President Donald Trump that Senator Graham, who died Saturday, had. Mr. Graham influenced the president’s thinking on consequential matters, particularly in the realm of foreign policy. Mon, 13 Jul 2026 14:54:00 -0400 Linda Feldmann https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0713/wealth-tax-billionaires-california?icid=rss cc1e434fe7d6987a1fd097ecf389a617 With the top 1% holding nearly one-third of household wealth in the U.S., efforts to impose new levies on the wealthy have been gaining traction. In California, voters will decide this fall whether to impose a one-time 5% tax on the state’s billionaires. Mon, 13 Jul 2026 05:00:10 -0400 Sophie Hills https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0711/Mediators-try-to-save-crumbling-Iran-deal-as-Trump-Khamenei-trade-threats?icid=rss 7616a68dd5a6ce896273a85f84e618c5 Iran's leader vowed to avenge his father's death at the hands of the U.S., while President Trump says he threatened missile attacks in response to threats to kill him. Sat, 11 Jul 2026 14:30:28 -0400 JON GAMBRELL, MICHELLE L. PRICE and WILL WEISSERT https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0710/trump-midterm-elections-republicans?icid=rss dd83790acd254d9a3ff19eb339b60b2a As President Trump calls attention to the SAVE America Act, other potentially significant changes to how Americans vote are taking place ahead of midterm elections. Fri, 10 Jul 2026 05:00:10 -0400 Caitlin Babcock https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0709/graham-platner-maine-senate?icid=rss aec5c20ff66709bb4b0839a1e17f7411 The collapse of Graham Platner’s Senate campaign in Maine has state Democrats wrestling with questions over candidate vetting and whether the next nominee should come from the party’s moderate or progressive wing. Thu, 09 Jul 2026 16:00:40 -0400 Simon Montlake https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0707/trump-democrats-communists-socialists?icid=rss e49e6abf842d857f4d498779ef6d79fd Polls show younger voters are less fearful of socialism and more likely to question the benefits of capitalism as it relates to their lives. But while anti-communist rhetoric is red meat for the Republican base, it might not persuade many other voters. Tue, 07 Jul 2026 14:28:00 -0400 Simon Montlake https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0703/united-states-250th-civic-engagement?icid=rss b71fe1b236b3c98afbd3b6c270dba1f1 Democracy requires civic engagement – and it can sometimes seem to be falling short. But the seeds of renewal are visible, from potluck dinners to youth programs. Fri, 03 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0400 Patrik Jonsson https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0702/president-trump-air-force-one-qatar?icid=rss 560eb18ab16a49a5974abbca921f0f6c The first flight of the new Air Force One, controversially donated by Qatar, took President Donald Trump to North Dakota where he spoke about one of his predecessors, Teddy Roosevelt. Thu, 02 Jul 2026 13:09:00 -0400 Caitlin Babcock https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0701/reflecting-pool-algae-trump-sabotage?icid=rss 3b832dfc0f0cc84ae1a61647fe5ea5ed As the nation prepares to celebrate its 250th, a major topic in Washington isn’t the meaning of democracy but a shallow pool of water. Views on the Reflecting Pool, like many things, are shaped by politics. Wed, 01 Jul 2026 11:35:00 -0400 Linda Feldmann https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0630/ai-congress-digital-safety?icid=rss a55f4ade49461d3e36f01a8ddce40969 Lawmakers want child AI protections but clashes on industry liability. The House’s KIDS Act omits that standard, potentially teeing up a Senate battle. Tue, 30 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0400 Caitlin Babcock https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0629/texas-republicans-muslim-housing-community?icid=rss 904c0de7adff304523d17ddaa2361402 A battle is brewing in Texas over a Muslim housing development. Republican critics in the state say it creates a “no-go zone,” while supporters of the project say the concerns are unfounded. Mon, 29 Jun 2026 05:30:10 -0400 Simon Montlake Henry Gass https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0627/voting-rights-supreme-court-klan-resilience?icid=rss 43131e940f378b2951c9b8ebdf3eec99 It's been six decades since the Voting Rights Act was enacted. Today, as the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, the sacrifices of those who died for that landmark law are in question. Sat, 27 Jun 2026 09:30:14 -0400 Gary Fields https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0625/democratic-socialists-new-york-congress?icid=rss 28d8308107d13b3903f3406f4c19697c Far-left wins in congressional primaries followed mayoral victories in major U.S. cities. Mainstream Democrats, struggling with voter dissatisfaction, are unhappy about the rising leftism. Thu, 25 Jun 2026 05:00:15 -0400 Linda Feldmann https://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/2026/0623/snap-nutrition-maha-chicken-candy-soda?icid=rss 85c4786ba76971b29d4a093a894fe4a4 Both parties have been enacting state-level bans on using SNAP benefits for soda and candy. On Monday, a federal judge said the new rules violate federal laws governing the food program. Tue, 23 Jun 2026 15:54:00 -0400 Story Hinckley https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0623/trump-iran-obama-israel?icid=rss 8f7339f2f7bb337d5399bab72e5918ea President Trump is trying to improve on the Obama-era Iran deal after failing to get a military victory. Tue, 23 Jun 2026 05:00:16 -0400 Simon Montlake https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0622/new-york-primary-democratic-socialists?icid=rss bcd2e3621cbdf8cb34a29b453927056f Zohran Mamdani’s mayoral victory last year has aided the rise of far-left challengers in this week’s U.S. House primaries. If they win, Brad Lander and democratic socialists Claire Valdez and Darializa Avila Chevalier could affect Democratic Party stances on key issues in Congress. Mon, 22 Jun 2026 05:00:09 -0400 Aaron Short https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0617/obama-presidential-center-south-side?icid=rss 815d69dc5b6e736c7e90e87da1f114ef As the Obama Presidential Center opens its doors to the public this week, its vision of transforming a traditional presidential library into a modern community center will be put to the test. Wed, 17 Jun 2026 17:27:06 -0400 Richard Mertens https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0617/ice-immigration-detention-delaney?icid=rss f2792a711d62a9f998e885ddd08257be There are growing complaints about conditions at Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facilities as funding swells. Wed, 17 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0400 Sarah Matusek