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Semafor politics

Spending clash foreshadows rough September

The stage is set for a government shutdown fight.
Chuck SchumerJonathan Ernst/Reuters

House’s crypto overhaul heads to Senate

The crypto industry had feared Trump’s dealmaking could deter bipartisan support.
Tom EmmerJonathan Ernst/Reuters

Epstein drama consumes Congress

President Donald Trump tried to divert Washington away from his administration’s handling of the sex trafficker’s case. It’s backfiring.
President Donald TrumpUmit Bektas/Reuters

Andy Beshear introduces himself to South Carolina as the normal Democrat

The Kentucky governor urged his party to drop “advocacy language” as visits to early presidential primary states begin to pile up even before the midterms.
Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Ky., in Columbia, S.C.David Weigel/Semafor

‘They took it to the next level’: Emmer breaks down the Republican crypto rebellion

The House majority whip told Semafor he was “frankly, flattered” when conservatives held up the chamber for hours over his legislation.
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn.Amanda Andrade-Rhodes/Reuters

Türkiye time: How Trump’s Fed pressure could backfire

What might happen, should Trump succeed in suborning the central bank? There are some unpleasant precedents.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.Graeme Jennings/Pool via Reuters/File Photo

House perseveres after crypto deal implodes

A procedural vote was left open late into the night until at last leaders convinced holdouts to allow the bills to advance.

Senate approves spending cuts — with a warning

The package goes back to the House now for final approval, but just one member defecting in either chamber could upend the whole effort.

Epstein story continues to haunt Trump

White House officials want this story to fade into the background, but the president keeps bringing it up.

Republicans rake in cash ahead of 2026

Ten Republicans targeted by Democrats raised more than $1 million for the quarter.

Republicans threaten to keep Congress in session to confirm Trump’s diplomats

The Trump administration is frustrated with the slow pace of ambassadorial confirmations. But Democrats are showing no signs of backing down.

Trump’s rationale for possible Powell firing divides Republicans

The president is concerned over the central bank’s costly renovations, which are under investigation. But not everyone in his party is convinced that’s a good reason.

Democrats’ former chair wants to save his party — with a podcast

Jaime Harrison told Semafor about his talk with Hunter Biden and asked why his party is so afraid of being “real.”

Sen. John Fetterman says he personally doesn’t use social media any more, chides Bluesky

Fetterman told Semafor that social media platforms should have age bans and warning labels to prevent harm to children.

Solving the Youth Wellbeing Challenge

Can we reconnect a generation?

Bahrain signs $17B in US investment deals

Similar to other countries in the region, Bahrain’s pledges focused on aviation, technology, industry, and finance.

After PEPFAR deal, Senate advances $9B in cuts

The Senate is is expected to modify the rescissions package to preserve $400 million for PEPFAR and send it back to the House.

Kentucky’s Beshear heads to South Carolina

His speech to the state AFL-CIO this morning will endorse efforts to unionize workers in right-to-work states like his own.