This Morning's Political News: 4‑Minute Read
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Friday, June 5, 2026 · 8:00 a.m. ET
Federal Level
Senate Passes $70 Billion ICE and Border Patrol Funding Bill
After a marathon vote-a-rama that ran through Thursday night, the Senate voted 52-47 in the early morning hours of Friday, June 5, to pass a $69.5 billion bill funding Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Border Patrol for three years. Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska was the only Republican to vote against the measure. Democrats used the overnight amendment process to force Republicans to take on-the-record votes on the administration’s anti-weaponization fund and White House ballroom security provisions, exposing notable GOP divisions. The bill now moves to the House.¹
Senate Advances Iran War Powers Resolution to Full Vote
The Senate on Thursday, June 4, advanced the Iran war powers resolution, setting up a full chamber vote in the coming days after the House passed the measure 215-208 on Wednesday, June 3. Four Republicans joined Democrats in the House vote to direct President Trump to end U.S. military hostilities with Iran, marking the first time the House has succeeded in approving such a resolution after three failed attempts. The administration maintains the ceasefire renders the measure moot, and a presidential veto is expected if the Senate passes it.²
Trump Announces $700 Million to Revive U.S. Coal Industry
President Trump announced on Thursday, June 4, that his administration will commit $700 million in federal funding to the coal industry. Invoking the Defense Production Act, the administration will distribute $425 million to 13 existing coal plants and $75 million to a new export terminal. An additional $185 million in Department of Energy grants will fund construction of the first new U.S. coal plants since 2013, in Alaska and West Virginia, with a closed Maryland facility also set to restart. Critics noted that coal is generally more expensive to build and operate than natural gas or renewable energy alternatives.³
FISA Section 702: Senate Races to Meet June 12 Deadline
With the 45-day extension of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act set to expire on June 12, Senate Republicans circulated a draft three-year reauthorization bill on Tuesday, June 2, and pressed for action Thursday. The proposal, led by Intelligence Chair Tom Cotton and Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley, stops short of requiring warrants before searching Americans’ communications gathered under the spy program, and includes a ban on the Federal Reserve issuing a digital currency. A bipartisan bloc of privacy-focused senators has signaled it will push back, leaving the outcome uncertain heading into the weekend.⁴
State Level
New York Democrats Launch 2028 Redistricting Campaign
New York’s Democrat-controlled Legislature voted on Wednesday, June 3, to give initial approval to a state constitutional amendment that would allow mid-decade congressional redistricting and eliminate the state’s existing ban on partisan gerrymandering. Currently, Democrats hold 19 of New York’s 26 congressional seats. Analysts say a redrawn map could shift that figure to 23-3 in Democrats’ favor, potentially costing Republicans up to four House seats. The amendment must pass the Legislature again after November’s elections and then win a statewide voter referendum before new lines could take effect for 2028.⁵
California Governor Race Remains Too Close to Call
As of Thursday, June 4, with approximately 57 percent of the expected vote counted, Republican Steve Hilton held a narrow lead at 27 percent in California’s all-party gubernatorial primary, with Democrat Xavier Becerra close behind at 26 percent and billionaire Tom Steyer at 20 percent. Because California allows mail ballots postmarked by Election Day to arrive for up to 30 days, certified results will not be available until early July. The race is the most competitive California governor’s contest in years and is being closely watched as a signal of the national political climate heading into the November midterms.⁶
L.A. Mayor Race Unsettled; Reality Star Pratt Holds Second
The race to determine who will face incumbent Mayor Karen Bass in a November runoff remained unresolved on Thursday, June 4, with Bass leading at 35 percent and Spencer Pratt holding second place at approximately 29 percent, with 66 percent of the expected vote counted. Progressive City Councilwoman Nithya Raman stood at 23 percent, remaining a credible threat to Pratt’s position as late mail ballots continue to be tabulated. The outcome carries statewide implications, as Los Angeles is the largest city in California and the race has drawn significant national attention.⁷
Illinois Passes Landmark Gig Worker Unionization Bill
The Illinois General Assembly passed legislation on Sunday, June 1, giving more than 100,000 rideshare drivers the right to form a union and collectively bargain for pay and working conditions while remaining classified as independent contractors. Governor JB Pritzker is expected to sign the bill, making Illinois the third state, alongside California and Massachusetts, to extend union rights to gig workers. Republicans in the chamber expressed skepticism about organizing independent contractors, but the bill passed comfortably on largely party-line votes and now awaits the governor’s signature.⁸
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Article Sources
1. Bloomberg, “Senate Passes Funding for ICE and CBP After Months of Debate,” June 5, 2026.
2. CNBC, “U.S. Senate passes $70 billion in new funds for ICE, Border Patrol,” June 5, 2026.
3. Politico, “Senate GOP passes immigration enforcement bill,” June 5, 2026.
4. PBS NewsHour, “WATCH LIVE: Senate holds ICE funding vote-a-rama,” June 4, 2026.
5. NBC News, “Some Republicans cast votes against Trump priorities as Senate takes up ICE and Border Patrol bill,” June 4, 2026.
6. American Legion, “House votes for first time to halt Iran war,” June 4, 2026.
7. NPR, “House passes resolution to end hostilities with Iran,” June 3, 2026.
8. TIME, “House Votes to Restrain Trump’s Iran War Powers,” June 4, 2026.
9. The New York Times, “Trump Announces $700 Million in Funds Meant to Boost Coal Industry,” June 4, 2026.
10. CBS News, “Trump announces $700 million investment in coal plants and mining,” June 4, 2026.
11. The Washington Post, “Trump expected to announce $700 million in new support for struggling coal industry,” June 4, 2026.
12. Politico, “Senate Republicans propose 3-year extension of key surveillance power,” June 2, 2026.
13. PBS NewsHour, “WATCH: Senate considers FISA extension as June 12 deadline nears,” June 4, 2026.
14. The Wall Street Journal, “The 2028 Redistricting Wars Begin,” June 4, 2026.
15. Reuters, “New York Democrats take first step toward new U.S. House map for 2028,” June 4, 2026.
16. The New York Times, “N.Y. Democrats Move to Allow More Frequent Redistricting,” June 4, 2026.
17. Spectrum News Albany, “New York State Legislature passes redistricting constitutional amendment,” June 3, 2026.
18. ABC News, “California primaries results: Governor’s race not yet projected,” June 3, 2026.
19. ABC7 Los Angeles, “California primary election results: Becerra, Hilton neck and neck,” June 4, 2026.
20. The Washington Post, “Los Angeles mayor faces a TV star and a former ally. See primary results live,” June 4, 2026.
21. Capitol News Illinois, “Rideshare drivers could unionize in Illinois under bill passed by General Assembly,” June 1, 2026.
22. Pluribus News, “Another blue state gives ride-hailing drivers unionization rights,” June 3, 2026.