FOUR-MINUTE READ | UNBIASED COVERAGE OF TOP POLITICAL NEWS
Federal Level
Senate Stalls Bipartisan Data Center Ratepayer Bill
On Thursday, Senator Martin Heinrich, a New Mexico Democrat, blocked an attempt to pass the bipartisan Ratepayer Protection Act by unanimous consent. Senator Jon Husted, an Ohio Republican and the bill’s sponsor, sought quick approval after the House passed it 417 to 3 on Wednesday. The measure would ask states to consider standards making data centers cover costs for new power generation, transmission lines and other grid upgrades. Heinrich said voluntary state action would not adequately protect consumers and offered his GRID Savings Act instead. Ohio Republican Senator Bernie Moreno objected to Heinrich’s proposal, leaving both measures stalled in the Senate. 1, 2
Judge Strikes Down Federal Anti-DEI Grant Policy
On Thursday, a federal judge struck down an Education Department policy directing the cancellation of teacher-training grants connected to diversity, equity and inclusion programs. U.S. District Judge Angel Kelley ruled for eight Democratic-led states and found that the department had offered no clear standard for identifying programs it considered DEI. She also said officials failed to consider the effect on teachers and people preparing to enter the profession. The directive led to the cancellation of more than 90 percent of grants in two federal programs, including 40 grants involving institutions in the plaintiff states. Claims seeking lost money must proceed separately. 3
Judge Requires Notice Before Kennedy Center Changes
On Thursday, a federal judge ordered the Kennedy Center to provide 30 days’ notice before making major physical changes to its main building, including any demolition. U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper issued the order while denying Democratic Representative Joyce Beatty’s request for an emergency hearing. Kennedy Center executive director Matt Floca said in a court filing that the building’s current closure was temporary, initially planned for seven days and subject to weekly review. Cooper also directed the administration to provide a sworn report on the closure and emergency repairs by Wednesday. Beatty is challenging the center’s plans and President Trump’s proposed changes. 4, 5
Institute Seeks Court Block on Trump Name Carving
On Thursday, the U.S. Institute of Peace and former board members asked a federal appeals court to stop the Trump administration from carving President Trump’s name into the institute’s headquarters. Their emergency filing said a formal request for the work had been made and a contractor selected. Trump’s name was attached to the building in removable lettering last December, when the administration renamed the congressionally created institution. The filing argued that permanent alteration of the privately supported building’s design would cause irreparable harm while litigation over the institute’s leadership continues. The White House had not responded publicly to requests for comment. 6, 7
New Polls Show Narrow Michigan Senate Contest
On Thursday, two new polls showed Democrat Abdul El-Sayed holding a narrow lead over Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan’s open U.S. Senate race. A Washington Post-Schar School survey put El-Sayed ahead 48 percent to 45 percent, while an Emerson College poll placed him ahead 48 percent to 46 percent. The seat is open because Democratic Senator Gary Peters is not seeking reelection, making Michigan a major contest as Republicans defend their Senate majority. The surveys also found differences by education, with Emerson reporting stronger support for Rogers among voters without four-year college degrees and stronger support for El-Sayed among college graduates. 8
State Level
Washington Court Voids Natural Gas Ballot Measure
On Thursday, the Washington Supreme Court invalidated Initiative 2066, a voter-approved measure intended to protect natural gas access and limit state and local efforts to discourage its use. The justices ruled 6 to 3 that the initiative violated the state constitution’s single-subject requirement because it combined four distinct policy areas. Chief Justice Debra Stephens wrote that the court could not determine which subjects voters would have supported separately and could not preserve individual sections. Justice Sal Mungia dissented, arguing that much of the measure could remain after removing some provisions. Washington voters approved the initiative with 51.7 percent of the vote in 2024. 9, 10
North Dakota Court Upholds Youth Treatment Ban
On Thursday, the North Dakota Supreme Court unanimously upheld the state’s ban on gender-affirming medical care for minors, affirming a lower court ruling. The 2023 law makes it a crime for providers to prescribe puberty blockers and certain other treatments to adolescents for gender transition. The court found that minors have no fundamental right to a particular course of medical treatment and that the law regulates by age and medical purpose, not sex or transgender status. Pediatric endocrinologist Luis Casas argued that the measure discriminates and interferes with health care decisions. Attorney General Drew Wrigley said the ruling respected constitutional principles and legislative authority. 11, 12
Texas Poll Shows Hinojosa Leading Abbott
On Thursday, a ReconMR poll showed Democratic state Representative Gina Hinojosa leading Republican Governor Greg Abbott 49 percent to 45 percent among likely Texas voters. The result reversed the firm’s July survey, which placed Abbott ahead by one point, while other current polls continued to show different results. ReconMR surveyed 614 likely voters from September 8 through 11 using telephone and text-to-web interviews, with a 4.3-point margin of error for the core questions. The survey also found Hinojosa ahead on affordability and water management, while Abbott led on border security and public safety. The candidates are competing in the November gubernatorial election. 13, 14
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Article Sources
1. Politico, “Democrat blocks fast-track passage for data center ratepayer bill,” Sept. 17, 2026.
2. CNBC, “Bill to curb AI data center utility costs hits snag in Senate,” Sept. 17, 2026.
https://www.cnbc.com/2026/09/17/ai-data-center-utility-cost-senate.html
3. Reuters, “US judge strikes down Education Department’s anti-DEI grant policy,” Sept. 17, 2026.
4. ABC News, “Judge says Trump has to give 30 days notice before demolishing Kennedy Center,” Sept. 17, 2026.
5. USA Today, “Judge orders Trump give 30-day notice before any demolition of Kennedy Center,” Sept. 17, 2026.
6. Politico, “Urgent motion filed to stop carving of Trump’s name into US Institute of Peace building,” Sept. 17, 2026.
https://www.politico.com/news/2026/09/17/trump-carving-us-institute-of-peace-01083535
7. CNN, “US Institute of Peace and ousted board members ask court to block Trump from carving his name into the building,” Sept. 17, 2026.
https://www.cnn.com/2026/09/17/politics/usip-institute-peace-trump-name-carve
8. USA Today, “El-Sayed holds slim lead over Rogers in Michigan Senate race, polls say,” Sept. 17, 2026.
9. Washington State Standard, “WA high court tosses natural gas measure approved by voters,” Sept. 17, 2026.
10. Courthouse News Service, “Washington high court voids voter-approved natural gas measure,” Sept. 17, 2026.
https://www.courthousenews.com/washington-high-court-voids-voter-approved-natural-gas-measure/
11. KFGO and North Dakota Monitor, “North Dakota Supreme Court upholds ban on transgender healthcare for minors,” Sept. 17, 2026.
12. EIN Presswire, “New opinion: September 17,” Sept. 17, 2026.
https://www.einpresswire.com/article/943052806/new-opinion-september-17
13. ReconMR, “Hinojosa Now Leads Abbott by 4 Points; Talarico Widens Lead to 6 Points,” Sept. 17, 2026.
https://reconmr.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/ReconMR-Texas-Poll-September-Release-Final.pdf
14. The New York Times, “Latest Governor Polls: Election 2026,” Sept. 17, 2026.
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/polls/governor-polls-2026.html