Poll: Democrats have biggest advantage for control of Congress in 8 years

The latest NPR, PBS News, Marist poll indicates a decline in approval ratings for Republicans, reflecting low confidence in both major political parties among voters. This trend suggests a challenging political landscape as the midterm elections approach.

Saudi Arabia is releasing U.S. citizen Saad Almadi, who was jailed for five months due to social media posts critical of the royal family. His release follows a bilateral meeting between President Trump and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Washington, D.C. Almadi, 75, immigrated to the U.S. in 1976 and was arrested during a family visit in 2021.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) opposed an effort by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) to repeal a provision in the recent government funding bill. This provision allows senators to sue the Justice Department for surveillance of their activities. Thune criticized the repeal attempt, emphasizing the importance of the provision for Republican senators.

Rep. Cory Mills (R-Fla.) is facing a censure effort in Congress led by Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), who plans to introduce a resolution that would require GOP leadership to act within two legislative days. This move highlights ongoing tensions within the Republican Party.

Congressional Republicans have called for a revision of Census Bureau procedures ahead of the next count, alleging that the 2020 census included 'fake' individuals and resulted in an undercount of populations in GOP-leaning states. They argue this has shifted political power away from these states.

Federal judges have blocked a redistricting plan proposed by Texas Republicans, labeling it as 'racially gerrymandered.' This ruling has sparked backlash from Republican officials, who argue that the decision reflects a double standard in judicial scrutiny. The case is expected to escalate to the Supreme Court as the GOP prepares for the upcoming midterm elections.

The U.S. Congress has formally approved the release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein, with the Senate voting in favor of the Epstein Files Transparency Act. This legislation requires the Justice Department to disclose all unclassified materials concerning Epstein. The White House is now awaiting President Trump's decision on the bill, which has garnered significant bipartisan support.

A controversial provision that would allow senators to sue for $500,000 over subpoenaed phone records is facing potential withdrawal from the government funding bill. This measure has sparked significant debate among Republicans, highlighting divisions within the party.