UPI | Sep 16, 2026 | Members: Mike Johnson, Thomas Massie, Hakeem S. Jeffries
Speaker Mike Johnson canceled Thursday's House session, starting a seven-week recess early and further shortening the legislative calendar. Rep. Thomas Massie had said he would force a vote to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over the Iran war, and Democrats said leadership sent members home to avoid it. Johnson denied the two were connected, and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said he opposed closing early.
CNN (via KEYT) | Sep 14, 2026 | Members: Mitch McConnell
Sen. Mitch McConnell came back to the Senate after about three months away for health reasons, CNN reported. He arrived in a wheelchair, appeared thinner and spoke more slowly, and said it was time to get back to work. Several close Senate votes this summer, including on Blanche's confirmation and Iran war powers, took place without him.
NPR (via IJPR) | Aug 08, 2026 | Members: Susan M. Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Bill Cassidy, John Cornyn, Thom Tillis
The Senate confirmed Todd Blanche, who had been acting attorney general since April, in a pre-dawn vote. Republican Sens. Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski voted no with all Democrats, and Sen. Bill Cassidy's last-minute yes supplied the deciding vote. Sens. John Cornyn and Thom Tillis had earlier held up the Judiciary Committee vote until Blanche put in writing that a proposed anti-weaponization fund was dead.
WTOC | Jul 12, 2026 | Members: Lindsey Graham
South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, who had served in the Senate since 2003, died Saturday, July 11, after what his office called a brief and sudden illness. He had won his June primary and was set to face Democrat Annie Andrews in November. Colleagues from both parties and President Trump paid tribute.
CNN (via KRDO) | Jun 23, 2026 | Members: Susan M. Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Bill Cassidy, Rand Paul, John Fetterman, Mitch McConnell, Gregory W. Meeks
The Senate approved a House-passed resolution directing the president to remove U.S. forces from hostilities with Iran. Republican Sens. Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Bill Cassidy and Rand Paul joined Democrats, while Democratic Sen. John Fetterman voted no, and Republican absences helped it pass. The White House said a concurrent resolution has no force of law, while its House sponsor, Rep. Gregory Meeks, says it is binding.
Associated Press (via ABC7) | May 27, 2026 | Members: John Cornyn
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton beat four-term Sen. John Cornyn in the May 26 Republican runoff, about a week after President Trump endorsed him. Cornyn is the first Texas Republican senator to lose renomination. Paxton faces Democratic state Rep. James Talarico in November.