Federal Level
Trump Administration to End Medicare Drug Subsidy
The Trump administration announced Tuesday, July 28, that it will end a temporary subsidy program that has held down Medicare Part D prescription drug premiums, with the roughly $3.6 billion in annual support expiring after 2026. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz said insurers no longer need the assistance, arguing the program encouraged higher bids from plan sponsors. An administration official said about 45% of Part D’s 25 million enrollees are projected to see premiums rise between $11 and $20 a month next year, while a quarter should see costs stay flat or decline. Final 2027 premium figures are expected in September. 1,2,3
Senate Advances Graham-Inspired Russia Sanctions Bill
The Senate voted 86-12 on Tuesday, July 28, to advance a Russia and Iran sanctions package championed by the late Senator Lindsey Graham, hours after his funeral at Washington National Cathedral. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky watched the vote from the Senate chamber. Senator Rand Paul was among the small bipartisan group opposing the measure, which still faces additional procedural hurdles before reaching President Trump’s desk. 4,5
Nation Bids Farewell to Senator Lindsey Graham
President Trump delivered an emotional eulogy Tuesday, July 28, at the Washington National Cathedral funeral for Senator Lindsey Graham, who died July 11 at age 71. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky both attended, underscoring Graham’s decades-long role shaping U.S. foreign policy. Trump called him “a giant of the United States Senate” whose influence touched nearly every major piece of legislation for more than 30 years. Trump recalled their three-decade friendship and Graham’s role as a fierce advocate for a muscular American foreign policy. 6,7
Trump Asks Supreme Court to Toss Carroll Verdict
President Trump asked the Supreme Court on Tuesday, July 28, to throw out the $83.3 million defamation judgment awarded to writer E. Jean Carroll, arguing the verdict violated his free speech rights and presidential immunity protections. The case stems from statements Trump made about Carroll while in office. The high court has not yet indicated whether it will take up the appeal. 8
Deadline Passes on Trump Birthright Citizenship Bid
The deadline passed Tuesday, July 28, for the Trump administration to ask the Supreme Court to reconsider its ruling striking down the president’s birthright citizenship restrictions, with no new filing on the docket. The high court’s 6-3 decision in June found Trump’s executive order unconstitutional for denying automatic citizenship to children born in the United States to parents who are in the country illegally or temporarily. Legal experts noted the court has not agreed to rehear an argued case in more than 50 years. 9
D.C. Circuit Backs Trump on Mail Voting Order Appeal
A federal appeals court in Washington ruled Tuesday, July 28, that a Democratic Party legal challenge to President Trump’s mail-in voting executive order was premature, affirming a lower court’s earlier denial of an injunction. The order directs federal agencies to compile state citizenship lists and set new rules for mail ballots ahead of the midterms. The panel said the dispute is not yet ripe because the agencies have not finished implementing the order. 10
State Level
Rhoden Wins South Dakota Governor Runoff
Governor Larry Rhoden defeated businessman Toby Doeden by a wide margin Tuesday, July 28, in South Dakota’s first-ever gubernatorial primary runoff, earning the Republican nomination to seek a full term. Rhoden, who ascended to the governorship last year when Kristi Noem joined the Trump administration, will face Democratic nominee Dan Ahlers in November. Doeden, a self-funded political newcomer, pledged his support for Rhoden in the general election. The race drew national attention as the state’s first runoff since new primary rules took effect. 11
Michigan Wins New Order Shielding Mental Health Funds
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel secured a temporary restraining order Tuesday, July 28, blocking the U.S. Department of Education from cutting roughly $6 million in mental health grants to Michigan schools. A coalition of 14 other states joined Nessel in the case. It is the second time in a year that Nessel has gone to court over the same grant program. 12
Wisconsin Democrats Begin Voting in Governor Primary
Early in-person voting opened Tuesday, July 28, in Wisconsin’s crowded Democratic primary for governor, a contest that will determine who replaces retiring Governor Tony Evers. Five Democratic candidates are competing ahead of the August 11 primary. The eventual Democratic nominee is expected to face Republican Congressman Tom Tiffany in a race both parties view as pivotal to the swing state’s political direction. 13
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Article Sources
1. Reuters (via Yahoo News), “Trump administration plans to end Medicare drug plan subsidy, WSJ reports,” July 28, 2026.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/trump-administration-plans-end-medicare-211507928.html
2. Newser, “White House Ending Medicare Drug Subsidy,” July 28, 2026.
https://www.newser.com/story/393685/white-house-ending-medicare-drug-subsidy.html
3. The Philadelphia Inquirer, “The Trump administration is halting a Medicare drug subsidy. Will premiums rise?,” July 29, 2026.
https://www.inquirer.com/health/trump-administration-halting-medicare-drug-subsidy-20260729.html
4. USA Today, “Senate greenlights Russia sanctions bill in Lindsey Graham’s honor,” July 28, 2026.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/07/28/russia-sanctions-bill-lindsey-graham-senate-ukraine/91076048007/
5. Reuters, “Trump mourns Lindsey Graham as war hawk, golfing buddy at Washington funeral,” July 28, 2026.
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-zelenskiy-netanyahu-attend-us-senator-grahams-funeral-2026-07-28/
6. Time, “Trump Pays Tribute to Lindsey Graham: ‘He Died Doing the Work He Was Born to Do’,” July 28, 2026.
https://time.com/article/2026/07/28/trump-lindsey-graham-funeral/
7. PBS NewsHour, “WATCH: Trump pays tribute to Sen. Graham during National Cathedral funeral service,” July 28, 2026.
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-trump-pays-tribute-to-sen-graham-during-national-cathedral-funeral-service
8. USA Today, “Trump asks Supreme Court to throw out $83M award to E. Jean Carroll,” July 28, 2026.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/07/28/trump-supreme-court-jean-carroll-appeal/90371249007/
9. WSFA 12 News (AP), “Deadline passes for Trump to ask Supreme Court to reconsider birthright citizenship ruling,” July 28, 2026.
https://www.wsfa.com/2026/07/29/deadline-passes-trump-ask-supreme-court-reconsider-birthright-citizenship-ruling/?outputType=amp
10. U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, “DSCC v. Trump, Judgment,” Filed July 28, 2026.
https://media.cadc.uscourts.gov/judgments/docs/2026/07/26-5193-2185433.pdf
11. Fox News, “GOP governor survives challenge from Bitcoin evangelist in gubernatorial runoff,” July 28, 2026.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/gop-governor-survives-challenge-from-bitcoin-evangelist-gubernatorial-runoff
12. Michigan Department of Attorney General, “AG Nessel Secures Temporary Restraining Order Preventing Cuts to Federal Mental Health Grants,” July 28, 2026.
https://www.michigan.gov/ag/news/press-releases/2026/07/28/ag-nessel-secures-temporary-restraining-order-preventing-cuts-to-federal-mental-health-grants
13. Boston Globe (AP), “Wisconsin voters begin casting ballots at the polls in chaotic Democratic governor’s race,” July 28, 2026.
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/07/28/nation/wisconsin-primary-early-voting/