This Morning's Political News: 4‑Minute Read
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Wednesday, May 20, 2026 · 8:00 a.m. ET
Federal Level
Senate Breaks 8-Try Streak; Forces Iran War Vote
The Senate voted 50 to 47 on Tuesday to advance a war powers resolution, sponsored by Sen. Tim Kaine, that would direct President Trump to end U.S. military hostilities with Iran unless Congress explicitly authorizes the conflict. Four Republicans broke ranks: Sens. Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Rand Paul, and Bill Cassidy, who cast his vote just days after losing his Louisiana primary to a Trump-endorsed challenger. Sen. John Fetterman was the only Democrat to oppose it. The measure now moves toward a formal vote, though Trump is expected to veto it. 1, 2, 3
IRS Case Closed; DOJ to Pay $1.8B to Trump Supporters
A federal judge on Tuesday closed President Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS after the Justice Department failed to timely file settlement documents, stripping the court of jurisdiction over the case. Hours later, the DOJ confirmed the $1.776 billion Anti-Weaponization Fund, which will compensate individuals who allege they were improperly targeted by the Biden administration, including roughly 1,600 people charged in connection with the January 6 Capitol attack. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche testified before the Senate Appropriations Committee on Tuesday, confirming that any person in the country is eligible to apply for compensation. 4, 5, 6
Trump Defends $400M Ballroom as GOP Bucks $1B Ask
President Trump on Tuesday led reporters through the noisy White House East Wing construction site, shouting over heavy machinery to defend his ballroom project amid growing resistance in Congress. The administration has asked taxpayers for $1 billion in related security funding, but the Senate parliamentarian blocked the request from the reconciliation bill last weekend, and several Republicans have publicly balked at the price tag in an election year. Trump insisted the $400 million ballroom will be donor-funded, calling it a “gift to future presidents.” A Washington Post/ABC/Ipsos poll conducted in April found 56% of Americans oppose demolishing the East Wing for the project. 7, 8
State Level
Massie Defeated; Trump Proves His Clout in Kentucky
Republican Rep. Thomas Massie was ousted Tuesday night in Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District primary by Trump-endorsed challenger Ed Gallrein, a former Navy SEAL, in one of the most expensive U.S. House primaries in history, with combined spending surpassing $29 million. In the same state, Trump-backed Rep. Andy Barr won the Republican U.S. Senate primary decisively, defeating former state Attorney General Daniel Cameron to claim the GOP nomination for the seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Mitch McConnell. 9, 10
Georgia Primaries: Runoffs Set, Bottoms Wins
Georgia held its statewide primaries on Tuesday. In the Republican U.S. Senate primary, Rep. Mike Collins and former football coach Derek Dooley advanced to a June 16 runoff to determine who will challenge Democratic incumbent Sen. Jon Ossoff in November. In the Republican gubernatorial primary, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and businessman Rick Jackson also headed to a June 16 runoff. On the Democratic side, former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms won the Democratic gubernatorial nomination outright, avoiding a runoff. 11, 12
Alabama Senate Heads to Runoff; Tuberville Eyes Governor’s Race
Alabama held its statewide primaries on Tuesday. In the open U.S. Senate race, Trump-endorsed Rep. Barry Moore led the Republican field with roughly 40% of the vote, but without a majority, he and Attorney General Steve Marshall will advance to a June 16 runoff. The seat is open because Sen. Tommy Tuberville is running for governor, where he was projected by ABC News to advance to the general election against former Democratic Sen. Doug Jones. 13, 14
Oregon: Kotek and Merkley Win Democratic Primaries
Oregon voters cast ballots on Tuesday in statewide primaries. Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek won her primary comfortably and will seek a second term in November. Democratic Sen. Jeff Merkley, seeking a fourth term, was also projected to win his primary by a wide margin. Both races now advance to November general elections in what is expected to be a competitive midterm cycle for Democrats. 15, 16
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Article Sources
1. CBS News, May 19, 2026, https://www.cbsnews com/news/senate-iran-war-powers-eighth-vote-trump/
2. The Guardian, May 19, 2026, https://www.theguardian com/us-news/2026/may/19/senate-war-powers-resolution-trump
3. Times of Israel, May 19, 2026, https://www.timesofisrael com/us-senate-advances-measure-curbing-trumps-iran-war-powers-nearly-along-party-lines/
4. NPR, May 19, 2026, https://www.npr org/2026/05/19/nx-s1-5825856/doj-creates-an-anti-weaponization-fund-as-part-of-trump-irs-settlement
5. The Hill, May 19, 2026, https://thehill com/homenews/administration/5884522-trump-doj-compensation-fund-what-to-know/
6. DOJ Press Release, May 19, 2026, https://www.justice gov/opa/pr/justice-department-announces-anti-weaponization-fund
7. Los Angeles Times / AP, May 19, 2026, https://www.latimes com/world-nation/story/2026-05-19/trump-shows-reporters-ballroom-site-amid-1-billion-security-request
8. Politico, May 19, 2026, https://www.politico com/news/2026/05/19/trump-defends-ballroom-after-senate-funding-setback-00927800
9. ABC News, May 19, 2026, https://abcnews com/Politics/kentucky-2026-live-primary-election-results/story?id=132581024
10. NBC News, May 19, 2026, https://www.nbcnews com/politics/2026-election/kentucky-senate-election-win-republican-primary-andy-barr-rcna345009
11. Fox 5 Atlanta, May 20, 2026, https://www.fox5atlanta com/news/georgia-primary-election-winners-losers-runoffs
12. Politico, May 19, 2026, https://www.politico com/news/2026/05/19/collins-dooley-georgia-senate-runoff-00929116
13. Washington Post, May 19, 2026, https://www.washingtonpost com/politics/2026/05/19/alabama-senate-primary-election-results-2026-live-updates/
14. ABC News, May 19, 2026, https://abcnews com/amp/Politics/alabama-2026-live-primary-election-results/story?id=132581236
15. WLRN / NPR, May 19, 2026, https://www.wlrn org/2026-05-19/here-are-oregons-2026-primary-election-results
16. ABC News, May 19, 2026, https://abcnews com/Politics/oregon-2026-live-primary-election-results/story?id=132581036