Early Morning Political News: 4‑Minute Read
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Wednesday, July 15, 2026
Federal Level
Darline Graham Nordone Sworn In as SC’s First Woman Senator
Darline Graham Nordone was sworn into the U.S. Senate on Tuesday afternoon, July 14, by Senate President Pro Tempore Chuck Grassley, becoming South Carolina’s first woman senator. Her late brother Lindsey Graham raised her as a teenager after both their parents died within a short period of one another. Senate Majority Leader John Thune welcomed her on the Senate floor, saying he looked forward to serving with her. Nordone said she promised to “carry forward the efforts” of her brother but declined to comment on specific policy issues. 1, 2
Blanche AG Hearing Opens Today; Key Senators Still Undecided
The Senate Judiciary Committee opens two days of confirmation hearings on Wednesday, July 15, for acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. Blanche spent Tuesday, July 14, meeting with undecided senators, and Republican insiders told Reuters he is on a “glide path” to confirmation before the August recess. Senators Thom Tillis of North Carolina and John Cornyn of Texas have not publicly committed their votes. Advocacy groups for Jeffrey Epstein survivors erected billboards in both states urging a no vote. More than 1,200 former Justice Department officials have also signed a letter opposing his confirmation. 3, 4
House Floor Frozen as GOP Hard-Liners Demand Border Action
House Republican leaders were in late-night negotiations on Tuesday, July 14, with Freedom Caucus members who have blocked floor votes for weeks, demanding concrete border security legislation before allowing any votes to proceed. Speaker Mike Johnson said the House Budget Committee would hold a markup Wednesday on a third reconciliation bill. Senate Majority Leader Thune separately warned that the path to 51 Senate votes for such a bill “is going to be a bumpy one.” If passed, the bill would be the third major reconciliation package of Trump’s second term. 5
Trump Announces Primetime Address Thursday on Election Integrity
President Trump confirmed to reporters at the White House on Tuesday, July 14, that his primetime address to the nation on Thursday, July 16, will focus on election integrity. Administration officials told AP News that Trump is expected to discuss newly declassified intelligence about what the White House claims are risks related to voting machines. The address will also touch on the renewed conflict with Iran. Democrats immediately characterized the speech as an effort to undermine confidence in elections ahead of the November midterms. 6, 7
Justices Barrett and Kagan Testify Before Congress on Security
In their first testimony before Congress since 2019, Supreme Court Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Elena Kagan appeared before two committees on Tuesday, July 14, presenting the court’s fiscal year 2027 budget request of $228 million. Barrett told lawmakers she now keeps a bulletproof vest at her home, and that her children have been directly affected by threats. The court is requesting six additional security agents per justice, citing a 57 percent increase in threats. Kagan also took a moment to pay tribute to the late Senator Lindsey Graham, who had supported her confirmation to the court. 8
Senate Democrats Set to Block Defense Bill Over Iran War
Senate Democrats signaled on Tuesday, July 14, that they plan to block the annual National Defense Authorization Act when the Senate votes Wednesday on whether to advance the bill. Democrats are opposing it in protest of the ongoing military conflict with Iran, which Congress has not formally authorized. The vote comes days after President Trump formally notified lawmakers that the United States is once again at war with Iran, starting a 60-day clock during which he can continue military operations without congressional approval. 5
State Level
Nikki Haley Flooded with Calls to Run for Graham’s Senate Seat
As Darline Graham Nordone was being sworn into the Senate on Tuesday, July 14, Republicans were already jockeying for the August 11 special primary to nominate a permanent senator from South Carolina. CBS News reported that former Governor and U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley has been “flooded with calls” urging her to enter the race, though her spokesperson said she has no plans to run at this time. Congressman Ralph Norman told reporters Monday, July 13, he was formally considering a run. Lt. Governor Pamela Evette and Congressman Russell Fry are also closely weighing their options. 2, 9
Peters Backs Haley Stevens in Tight Michigan Senate Primary
Outgoing Michigan Senator Gary Peters endorsed Representative Haley Stevens on Sunday, July 13, in the competitive Democratic primary to succeed him, calling her someone who “has won tough races and delivered for Michiganders.” Stevens is locked in a close race against progressive candidate Abdul El-Sayed ahead of the August 4 primary. El-Sayed has the backing of Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, while the winner faces Republican Mike Rogers in November in what is expected to be one of the most competitive Senate races in the country. 10, 11
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Article Sources
1. Townhall, “Sen. Darline Graham Nordone Officially Sworn In,” July 14, 2026.
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/cameron-arcand/2026/07/14/sen-darline-graham-nordone-officially-sworn-in-n2679425
2. ABC Columbia (WOLO), “Darline Graham Nordone sworn in as SC interim U.S. senator,” July 14, 2026.
https://www.abccolumbia.com/2026/07/14/darline-graham-nordone-to-be-sworn-in-as-sc-interim-u-s-senator/
3. Reuters, “Blanche on glide path for US attorney general confirmation, Republican insiders say,” July 14, 2026.
https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/blanche-glide-path-us-attorney-general-confirmation-republican-insiders-say-2026-07-14/
4. CNN, “Todd Blanche has to win over skeptical Republicans. Democrats are laying lots of traps,” July 14, 2026.
https://www.cnn.com/2026/07/14/politics/todd-blanche-senate-judiciary-committee-hearing
5. Politico, “House Republicans home in on $80B reconciliation package,” July 14, 2026.
https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2026/07/14/congress/house-republicans-80-billion-reconciliation-00997839
6. AP News, “Trump will speak on elections in primetime address after pushing debunked conspiracies,” July 14, 2026.
https://apnews.com/article/trump-speech-elections-integrity-ea69e086380898546e58663d8fc5c6dc
7. USA Today, “Trump says primetime address will focus on ‘free and fair elections,’” July 14, 2026.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/07/14/trump-primetime-address-speech-elections-voting/90916412007/
8. Townhall, “Two Supreme Court Justices Make a Rare Capitol Hill Appearance Amid Rising Security Threats,” July 14, 2026.
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/dmitri-bolt/2026/07/14/two-supreme-court-justices-are-testifying-before-congress-n2679401
9. CBS News YouTube, “Republicans consider future of Lindsey Graham’s Senate seat as Darline Graham Nordone fills in,” July 14, 2026.
10. Washington Examiner, “Gary Peters endorses Haley Stevens over Abdul El-Sayed to replace him in Michigan,” July 12-13, 2026.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/campaigns/congressional/4645582/gary-peters-endorses-haley-stevens-michigan-senate-race/
11. AP News, “Michigan Sen. Gary Peters backs Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens in contentious race to succeed him,” July 13, 2026.
https://apnews.com/article/haley-stevens-endorsement-peters-michigan-senate-democrats-57b6f5dbd306093cbd5ea2e774da5bd5