Senate Democrats

CNN analyst Harry Enten rounds up the biggest themes shaping American politics right now, including competitive Senate races, signs of Democratic strength that could point to blue waves in coming elections, and corruption allegations surrounding Donald Trump. The roundup bundles polling data and political trends into one overview of the current electoral landscape.

Reuters reports that congressional Democrats are preparing investigations into Donald Trump's family business dealings should they win control of Congress in the upcoming midterm elections. Party figures have signalled they would use committee powers to examine foreign and domestic ties involving the Trump Organization. The story is drawing attention as the elections approach and control of the House and Senate remains in play.

A former bodyguard and onetime romantic partner of former Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema has been arrested after allegedly breaking into her home and throwing 22 paintings into her pool. The incident, first reported by NBC News, is drawing wide attention because of the unusual details and Sinema's high profile as a former senator who left the Democratic Party to become an independent.

Abdul El-Sayed, a Michigan physician, public health official and former gubernatorial candidate, is running for the US Senate. He previously ran for governor of Michigan in 2018 and served as executive director of the Detroit Health Department. His campaign is drawing attention among progressive Democrats as the race takes shape.

Senate Democrats are using procedural tools to force a vote on Israel's human rights practices in the West Bank, putting the chamber on record over US military support conditions. The move, reported widely across US local and national outlets, highlights growing tension within the Democratic Party over aid to Israel and the treatment of Palestinians under occupation.

Democrats are looking at Nebraska as a possible pickup opportunity in their effort to take a Senate seat away from Republicans. The state, long considered solidly Republican, is drawing Democratic attention as the party searches for paths to gain ground in the chamber. The report comes from NBC News, though details on candidates or strategy remain limited.

A bill to end Pennsylvania's closed primary elections has passed the state House, a step toward letting independent voters participate in party primaries. Currently, only registered Democrats and Republicans can vote in the state's nominating contests, leaving over a million unaffiliated voters on the sidelines. The measure now moves to the state Senate, where its fate remains uncertain.

The US Senate has blocked a resolution demanding accountability over Israeli violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. The measure, pushed by Democrats, failed after Republicans opposed it. The vote highlights ongoing divisions in Washington over US policy toward Israel, with critics arguing that continued military aid comes without conditions on conduct in the occupied territories.

Senators Elissa Slotkin, Gary Peters and Alex Padilla are pressing the Homeland Security Secretary to stand up to Trump over election interference and to keep ICE agents away from polling places. The three Democrats argue that deploying immigration enforcement at the polls would intimidate voters and undermine election integrity, and they want the department to commit publicly to protecting the electoral process.