Congressional Democrats plan red district tours for August recess ow.ly/Hp0i106gQnY

Democrats are not changing their economic message to appeal to red district voters this August recess. They say the president and his party have done that work for them. Read my check-in with top party communicators: politico.com/live-updates/2…

Politico’s Andrew Howard reports on newly obtained GOP memo encouraging members to go on the offensive against Dems’ anti-megabill message The memo doesn’t address previous advice to avoid town halls — which progressives are focused on this recess politico.com/news/2025/07/2…

These are the unofficial regional capitals if you have a big brain

Approps update: Schumer says Democrats have started running the hotline on the minibus

Sen. Hawley says he and Trump have made up over stock trading proposal — blames other senators for rift: politico.com/live-updates/2…

NEW: Thune says he’s put Trump officials “into conversation directly” w/Schumer’s team as they negotiate on nominees. “This is how this is ultimately going to get resolved.” More on noms and funding talks from K Tully-McManus Cassandra Dumay Jordain Carney politico.com/live-updates/2…

New: Senate GOP will hotline an agreement to try to lock in a deal on MilConVA, Ag and LegBranch (LegBranch would get its own vote) Noms is coming down to WH and Schumer w/ WH staff in the building last night politico.com/live-updates/2…

Senate passes first funding package ahead of shutdown cliff ow.ly/6l7e106hIph

new - Furious voters are flooding lawmakers’ town halls. Republicans aren’t worried. w/ Cassandra Dumay Mia Camille McCarthy politico.com/news/2025/08/0…

Rep. Nancy Mace started her gubernatorial campaign’s ‘Mother of All Town Halls’ tour today. After other Republicans avoided similar events due to angry, interrupting crowds — Mace’s campaign said, “no issue, no policy and no topic is off limits.” Tonight’s Q&A lasted ~10 minutes

House Republicans want another megabill. But their Senate counterparts have doubts over whether it’s politically possible. politico.com/news/2025/08/1…

Chris Murphy goes all in on funding bill boycott as Dems seek bipartisanship ow.ly/4XvV106iOJe

👀ICYMI: Check out this morning’s Inside Congress for my exclusive interview with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on one of Dems’ top messaging priorities ahead of the midterms politico.com/newsletters/in…

It’s hard to overstate just how well deserved this is. Eric’s pensive and thorough reporting is just going to knock it out of the park. Plus, who better than a Miami Cuban to be the first @POLITICO DHS reporter in the Trump era. Follow Eric.

House Republicans launch bill to extend health subsidies past midterms ow.ly/LXqv106kN2y