Early Morning Political News: 4‑Minute Read
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Monday, July 13, 2026
Federal Level
McConnell Breaks 28-Day Silence: Fall, Pneumonia, No Return Date
Senator Mitch McConnell ended 28 days of public silence on Sunday, July 12, disclosing that he fell at his Washington home in June, was briefly unconscious, and subsequently developed pneumonia. The 84-year-old stated he has “every intention of finishing the job,” but provided no timeline for a return to active Senate duty. Emergency scanner records released earlier this month showed that responders performed CPR at the scene, a detail McConnell’s office had never addressed. The statement came one day after Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear publicly called on McConnell to update his constituents. 1, 2
Senate Returns Today Facing Two Critical Absences
The U.S. Senate reconvened on Monday, July 13, for its first session since the death of Senator Lindsey Graham and McConnell’s ongoing hospitalization, both absences narrowing the already thin Republican majority at a critical juncture. Senate tradition calls for tributes to Graham at the opening of today’s session. With contested votes on nominees and spending matters on the calendar, Majority Leader John Thune acknowledged what he called a “difficult moment” for the chamber while signaling he intends to press forward with the legislative agenda. 3, 4
SC Senate Seat Race: Mace, Wilson, Evette All Circling
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster must now appoint a temporary senator to serve out the remainder of Lindsey Graham’s term under state law, while a special Republican primary is expected by August 11 to select a nominee for November’s general election. Representative Nancy Mace told Fox News on Sunday, July 12, that she is exploring a run and texted McMaster suggesting he appoint himself as a placeholder to “hold the lane.” Congressman Joe Wilson and Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette are also being discussed as strong contenders, and President Trump said Sunday he already has a candidate in mind. 5, 6
U.S. Strikes 140 Iran Targets; Hormuz Declared Closed
On Sunday, July 12, the U.S. military struck more than 140 targets in Iran after an Iranian attack on a container ship in the Strait of Hormuz left a crew member missing. Tehran responded by declaring the strait closed until calm is restored, while the Pentagon said the waterway remains open. The escalation places President Trump’s signed interim deal in serious jeopardy, with the 60-day negotiating window less than halfway complete. Democratic leaders and a small group of Senate Republicans publicly called on Sunday for formal congressional authorization before the conflict deepens further. 7, 8
First Amendment Groups File Emergency Motion over Press Subpoenas
On Sunday, July 12, the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press and two other First Amendment organizations filed emergency motions in federal court seeking to quash the Trump administration’s subpoenas against four New York Times journalists. The subpoenas were served Saturday over a story about security risks related to the Qatari-gifted Air Force One, with agents reportedly appearing at reporters’ homes. Bipartisan members of Congress, including two Senate Republicans, called on Sunday for the Justice Department to withdraw the subpoenas immediately. 9, 10
State Level
Texas Governor Race Sharpens over Dueling Tax Plans
On Sunday, July 12, the Texas governor’s race intensified as Republican Governor Greg Abbott and Democratic challenger Gina Hinojosa unveiled competing affordability proposals. Abbott is pushing to eliminate school district property taxes on homesteads entirely, while Hinojosa is proposing one-time direct payments of $1,500 per household funded by the state’s $27 billion Rainy Day Fund. Independent pollsters at the University of Texas note both proposals are politically calculated, but each carries significant fiscal and legislative hurdles heading into the November election. 11
Texas Birth Tourism Debate Reaches State Capitol
Texas Republican senators met on Sunday, July 12, to consider legislation targeting foreign surrogacy and birth tourism practices in the wake of the Supreme Court’s recent birthright citizenship ruling. Governor Abbott had already ordered a state investigation into a South Texas hospital for advertising maternity packages to foreign nationals. On Sunday, Trump weighed in via Truth Social, calling American citizenship “not for sale” and announcing he intends to ask the Supreme Court to rehear the birthright citizenship decision. 12, 13
Maine Democrats Scramble as Senate Convention Nears
Maine Democratic Party officials held calls on Sunday, July 12, to finalize their process for selecting a Senate nominee before the July 27 state convention following Graham Platner’s withdrawal from the race. Former state Senate President Troy Jackson and former Secretary of State Shenna Bellows are actively competing for delegate support. The race for Senator Susan Collins’ seat is considered one of the most closely watched in the country, and a divided or delayed Democratic convention could hand Republicans a significant advantage. 14, 15
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Article Sources
1. Eastern Herald, “McConnell Breaks Weeks of Silence, Says He Fell and Developed Pneumonia,” July 13, 2026.
https://easternherald.com/2026/07/13/mcconnell-fall-pneumonia-senate-absence-statement/
2. Fox News, “Mitch McConnell breaks silence on mystery hospitalization after Graham’s death,” July 11, 2026.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/mitch-mcconnell-breaks-silence-mystery-hospitalization-after-graham-death.amp
3. Facebook / Greenville News, “The Senate returns July 13 for its first session since Sen. Lindsey Graham’s death,” July 12, 2026.
https://www.facebook.com/greenvillenews/posts/the-senate-returns-july-13-for-its-first-session-since-sen-lindsey-grahams-death/1
4. KGW / NBC Affiliates, “McConnell shares health update after weeks in hospital,” July 12, 2026.
https://www.kgw.com/video/news/politics/national-politics/mcconnell-shares-health-update-hospital/283-176488b1-e8c2-4306-bc4a-ac
5. Political Wire / Punchbowl News, “McMaster to Name Lindsey Graham’s Replacement,” July 12, 2026.
https://politicalwire.com/2026/07/12/mcmaster-to-name-lindsey-grahams-replacement/
6. The Washington Times, “Rep. Nancy Mace pondering Senate run to fill Sen. Lindsey Graham’s seat,” July 12, 2026.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/jul/12/rep-nancy-mace-reportedly-pondering-senate-run-fill-sen-lindsey/
7. India Today, “US-Iran strikes resume as Trump says ceasefire may be over,” July 12, 2026.
https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/world/story/us-iran-conflict-trump-ceasefire-over-strait-of-hormuz-strikes-ptag-2946365-2026-07-12
8. CBS News, “Trump orders new round of strikes to hold Iranian forces accountable,” July 9-12, 2026.
https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/us-iran-war-trump-ceasefire-talks-strait-of-hormuz/
9. CBS News New York, “DOJ subpoenas New York Times journalists after Air Force One security report,” July 11, 2026.
https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/video/doj-subpoenas-new-york-times-journalists-after-air-force-one-security-report/
10. The Star Malaysia / Reuters, “Trump administration subpoenas New York Times journalists over Air Force One story,” July 11, 2026.
https://www.thestar.com.my/news/world/2026/07/11/trump-administration-subpoenas-new-york-times-journalists-over-air-force-one-story-newspaper-says
11. KXAN / State of Texas, “Competing Affordability Plans Take Shape in Texas Governor Race,” July 12, 2026.
12. The Guardian, “Trump to ask US Supreme Court to reconsider birthright citizenship ruling,” July 8, 2026.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jul/08/trump-supreme-court-birthright-citizenship
13. Fox News, “Abbott orders probe after Texas hospital advertises birth packages in Mexico,” July 6-12, 2026.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/abbott-orders-probe-texas-hospital-advertises-birth-packages-mexico-citizenship-not-sale
14. Reuters, “Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner formally withdraws from race,” July 10, 2026.
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/maine-senate-candidate-graham-platner-formally-withdraws-race-2026-07-10/
15. CNN Politics, “Graham Platner has formally withdrawn from the Maine Senate race,” July 10, 2026.
https://www.cnn.com/2026/07/10/politics/maine-senate-race-graham-platner-democrats-replacement