SCOTUS shapes the midterms as the Court weighs in on voting rights and birthright citizenship, while the White House navigates a secret contract and tense foreign negotiations.

1. 1
   SCOTUS

   Supreme Court Upholds Mail-in Ballot Grace Periods

   The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled 5-4 to uphold state laws allowing mail-in ballots received after Election Day to be counted. The decision rejects a Republican-led challenge to a Mississippi law and deals a setback to White House efforts to restrict mail-in voting ahead of the November midterms.

2. 2
   Immigration

   SCOTUS to Rule on Birthright Citizenship

   The Supreme Court is expected to issue a highly anticipated ruling today on President Trump's executive order aimed at ending birthright citizenship. This comes at the end of a blockbuster term for immigration rulings, following recent decisions regarding Temporary Protected Status.

3. 3
   Foreign Policy

   Conflicting Claims Emerge Over U.S.-Iran Talks

   The White House claims senior officials are in Doha for negotiations with Iran following recent mutual strikes, though Tehran denies any direct talks. Vice President JD Vance has defended a proposed Memorandum of Understanding as a solid foundation for a final peace deal despite public opposition from Israel.

4. 4
   White House

   White House Awards $500M No-Bid Contract for East Wing

   The White House secretly awarded a no-bid contract worth up to $500 million to reconstruct the East Wing ballroom. Administration officials routed the agreement through the Executive Residence, an office exempt from federal rules that require competitive bidding.

5. 5
   Agriculture

   Emergency Declared Over Fertilizer Supply Chain

   President Trump declared an emergency to suspend certain anti-dumping and countervailing duties on phosphate fertilizer imported from Morocco. The move aims to secure critical agricultural supplies for American farmers amid disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict with Iran.

6. 6
   Congress

   Rep. Tom Kean Jr. Returns After Mysterious Hiatus

   Representative Tom Kean Jr. is expected back on Capitol Hill today after an unexplained four-month absence. The New Jersey Republican missed over 140 votes, including critical decisions on the budget and military operations, reportedly due to a personal medical issue.