Congress

We’re getting another look at congressional candidates’ campaign finances. Here’s what to look for.

Published

6 months ago

October 15, 2025

It’s time again for campaigns to reveal where they’re getting their money from.

House and Senate candidates are due to file quarterly fundraising reports to the Federal Election Commission by midnight Wednesday. The reports, which cover July through September, include total fundraising and spending numbers, as well as all donations from donors giving more than $200.

For candidates in battleground states and districts, fundraising numbers are a chance to showcase strength as they gear up for the midterms. And for candidates in competitive primaries, the deadline is a chance to one-up their opponents and show they are the candidate with the viability to make it to the general.

We already know some of the biggest fundraisers, since several candidates announced their totals ahead of Wednesday’s deadline. In the Michigan Senate race, Rep. Haley Stevens led the Democratic field with $1.9 million raised from July through September, with state Sen. Mallory McMorrow and former health official Abdul El-Sayed close behind, each raising around $1.7 million. (Former Rep. Mike Rogers, the only serious Republican in the race, reported $2.2 million raised.)

In the Democratic Texas Senate primary, state Rep. James Talarico’s campaign said he raised $6.2 million in just the first three weeks after launching in early September. That’s more than the $4.1 million that former Rep. Colin Allred, last year’s nominee, raised over the quarter. On the Republican side, Cornyn’s campaign said he raised $3.36 million over the quarter between his campaign and joint fundraising committee; challenger Ken Paxton has yet to release numbers.

A handful of candidates who only recently jumped into high-profile races won’t have to file until the end of January, as Wednesday’s reports only cover through the end of September. In Maine, Gov. Janet Mills’ campaign said she had raised $1 million in the first day since her Senate launch Tuesday. Meanwhile, oysterman Graham Platner’s campaign said he raised $3.2 million since his August launch. Sen. Susan Collins, the Republican they’re seeking to challenge, reported $1.9 million raised over the quarter and $6.7 million cash on hand.

Congress

Senate launches budget debate

Published

42 minutes ago

April 21, 2026

Blue Light Newsroom

Senate Republicans opened debate Tuesday on a fiscal blueprint meant to pave the way for passage of a party-line immigration enforcement funding bill later this year.

The Senate voted 52-46 to advance the budget resolution, which Budget Chair Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) unveiled earlier Tuesday. It instructs House and Senate committees to write legislation expected to deliver about $70 billion to Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other agencies.

The Senate is expected to give the measure final approval this week before leaving town. The chamber could move to a marathon voting session, known as a vote-a-rama, as soon as Wednesday, though plenty of Republicans are betting that it won’t start until Thursday.

Congress

Cherfilus-McCormick resigns amid ethics investigation

Published

4 hours ago

April 21, 2026

Blue Light Newsroom

Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.) has resigned in the face of corruption charges at home and calls for her ouster in Washington, she announced in a statement on Tuesday.

News broke minutes before the House Ethics Committee was about to meet for a public hearing Tuesday afternoon to determine a punishment for the third-term Democrat, who was charged with stealing $5 million in Covid relief funds.

Cherfilus-McCormick said in a statement the Ethics proceedings did not constitute a “fair process” and that she was “choos[ing] to step aside” rather than “play these political games.”

Congress

Rick Scott holds up Coast Guard promotions

Published

4 hours ago

April 21, 2026

Blue Light Newsroom

Florida Sen. Rick Scott is blocking quick confirmation of hundreds of Coast Guard promotions as he tries to resolve a dispute involving a shipbuilder in his home state.

The Republican said in an interview Tuesday that he has placed a hold on the Coast Guard promotions, which prevents the Senate from easily clearing them unanimously and would force Majority Leader John Thune to set up time-consuming roll call votes on promotions that are usually agreed to with little fanfare.

“I’ve been talking … since Trump came into office about trying to resolve an issue they have with a boat builder in Florida. And they … won’t put the time in to get a result,” Scott said.

“I’ve met with everybody that I can meet with, and I want them to focus,” Scott said of the Coast Guard, adding that he wasn’t trying to dictate the outcome to the administration but emphasizing “you have to get this resolved.”

Scott didn’t specify which shipbuilder he was referring to. But Scott has been a longtime booster of a Coast Guard contract with Panama City-based Eastern Shipbuilding Group to deliver four new advanced cutters. A person granted anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the matter said the hold is related to the company.

Then-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem scrapped plans for two of the boats last year, and ESG announced in November it would stop work on the two remaining boats “due to significant financial strain caused by the program’s structure and conditions.”

The tussle over the nominations comes as Thune is trying to quickly assemble and approve a new personnel package, telling reporters Monday night that confirming another tranche of President Donald Trump’s nominees is a priority alongside resolving the DHS shutdown and renewing soon-to-lapse surveillance powers.