The top U.S. political stories for Monday, July 27, 2026.

1. 1
   Senate Nominations

   Senate to Vote on Trump's Pick for Spy Chief

   The U.S. Senate is preparing to vote on the nomination of Manhattan U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton to be the Director of National Intelligence. Clayton was tapped by President Trump to fill the vacancy left when Tulsi Gabbard stepped down in June following clashes with congressional Democrats. The confirmation hearing has been tense, but Clayton is expected to be approved within days.

2. 2
   Foreign Policy

   U.S. and Iran Pause Attacks as Military Leaders Advise Restraint

   The United States and Iran have paused attacks for a second straight day, creating a brief reprieve in a nearly two-week escalation. In a high-stakes meeting, Vice President JD Vance and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine reportedly urged President Trump to avoid full-scale combat, citing munitions shortages and the risk of massive civilian casualties. The conflict has already resulted in the deaths of at least 14 U.S. service members.

3. 3
   Campaign 2026

   Trump Defends New Tariffs During Campaign Stop in Michigan

   President Trump is visiting a General Motors facility in suburban Detroit to defend his administration's economic policies ahead of the midterm elections. Trump will highlight manufacturing jobs, but he faces pushback over new 50% tariffs on Canadian imports. Critics argue the levies could harm Michigan's auto industry and worsen inflation.

4. 4
   Congress

   House Narrowly Passes $95 Billion Budget for Iran Conflict

   House Republicans narrowly passed a $95 billion budget plan that includes $73 billion in military funding for the ongoing conflict with Iran. The measure also allocates $10 billion for new voting restrictions ahead of the November midterms. Democrats unanimously opposed the bill, criticizing the lack of a formal war declaration and the push for restrictive voting measures.

5. 5
   Midterms

   Democrats Hammer Republicans on Affordability Ahead of Midterms

   House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is zeroing in on the cost of living as a key midterm election issue, accusing Republicans of failing to make life more affordable. With gas and grocery prices surging amid the Iran conflict, Democrats are criticizing the GOP for proposing cuts to Medicaid while Trump champions massive new tariffs. Recent polling shows 95% of Americans believe the country is suffering an affordability crisis.

6. 6
   Immigration

   Court Order Temporarily Halts End of TPS for Haiti

   A U.S. District Court has issued an order staying Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's decision to terminate Temporary Protected Status for Haiti. The protections were originally slated to expire in early 2026, but the court's intervention extends employment authorization for affected individuals. The administration faces ongoing legal challenges as it seeks to dismantle the temporary protections.