Senator Mitch McConnell returned to the Senate after being absent for about three months due to a fall and health issues. He appeared in a wheelchair and cast his first vote since June, saying he is continuing physical therapy but is ready to work again.
Key Facts
McConnell had not voted since June 11 after a serious fall that led to hospitalization.
He spent time in a rehabilitation center before continuing recovery at home.
He arrived at the Senate in a wheelchair and voted on a judicial nomination.
McConnell is 84 years old and a childhood polio survivor, which affects his recovery.
He has had several health problems recently, including falls, a concussion, and flu-like symptoms.
McConnell served as Senate GOP leader from 2007 until stepping down in 2024.
He plans to retire early next year and will not run for reelection.
McConnell said he will do his best to be present for important votes while recovering.
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Senator Mitch McConnell announced he will return to the Senate after being absent for three months due to a fall at his home. He said he is still recovering but plans to participate in important votes, starting with the farm bill.
Key Facts
Mitch McConnell has not been in the Senate since June 14 due to a fall at his home.
He is 84 years old and has had lingering health challenges, including childhood polio.
McConnell was discharged from a rehabilitation center on August 6 and has been doing physical therapy at home.
He will return to the Senate on Monday to cast his first vote since his accident.
His absence prevented some Senate work, including delaying the farm bill vote.
McConnell’s upcoming Senate term ends in January.
Some political opponents criticized McConnell for being away from the Senate for so long.
Lawmakers returned to the Capitol after a five-week summer break.
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California Governor Gavin Newsom said he will not run for president in 2028 if Vice President Kamala Harris decides to run. He explained that they would be competing for the same group of voters, which could hurt their chances.
Key Facts
Gavin Newsom is the Governor of California and a member of the Democratic Party.
Kamala Harris is the current Vice President of the United States.
Newsom said this in an interview on Monday.
Newsom will not run for president in 2028 if Harris runs again.
He believes both running would split their shared supporters.
Newsom called it a disadvantage to both if they compete against each other.
This statement relates to U.S. domestic politics and upcoming presidential elections.
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Senator Mitch McConnell returned to the U.S. Capitol on Monday after three months away due to health issues. He voted for the first time since June and said he is ready to work on important bills like the farm bill and support NATO and Ukraine.
Key Facts
McConnell arrived at the Capitol in a wheelchair and spoke briefly to reporters.
He cast his first Senate vote since June on Monday evening, supporting a judicial nominee.
McConnell said his recovery from a bad fall and mild pneumonia has been long and difficult.
He mentioned ongoing physical therapy and not being fully recovered yet.
McConnell plans to help move the farm bill and continue supporting NATO and Ukraine.
He was last seen at the Capitol on June 11 before his hospitalization.
There were rumors and questions about his health during his absence.
McConnell is 84 years old and will retire when his current term ends in January.
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A government watchdog reviewed the Florida immigration detention center called Alligator Alcatraz and found that the conditions were tight and cramped. The center had very small metal cages and tents, and detainees did not get enough space, fresh air, or shower time according to state and federal rules. The facility closed in June after these problems were reported.
Key Facts
The Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) inspected Alligator Alcatraz in early 2026.
Detainees were held in enclosures as small as 18 square feet, which is less than half the standard space required.
Some detainees were placed in small metal cages called "calming areas" that measured about 52 inches by 52 inches.
These metal enclosures were unlocked and detainees could leave, but sometimes were used for short-term punishment.
Detainees had only one hour of recreation three days a week, less than the required six hours per week.
Showers were only allowed on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, not daily as required by Florida rules.
The facility could not clearly state which detention standards it followed, raising concerns about proper care.
The center was closed in June 2026 amid criticism from lawmakers, immigration advocates, and environmental groups.
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Robert F. Kennedy Jr., now the U.S. Health Secretary, will speak at a sold-out anti-vaccine conference in Washington, DC, organized by the group Children’s Health Defense (CHD). He will appear alongside Andrew Wakefield, a former doctor known for a discredited study wrongly linking vaccines to autism.
Key Facts
Kennedy will deliver a keynote speech at an anti-vaccine conference held by CHD, the group he once led.
Andrew Wakefield, who lost his medical license over false vaccine-autism claims, is also a featured speaker.
Wakefield’s study was retracted, and a medical board found him guilty of serious professional misconduct.
CHD promotes misinformation linking vaccines and autism, despite scientific consensus proving vaccines are safe.
The conference is called a “pursuit of a more perfect future” for the “health freedom movement.”
Tickets for the event in September are mostly sold out, with both in-person and online options available.
Kennedy separated from CHD when he became health secretary but is now returning to openly support anti-vaccine views.
Reports say President Donald Trump has encouraged Kennedy to push the false vaccine-autism link.
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Democratic Representative Al Green from Texas is pushing for another vote to impeach President Donald Trump, marking the ninth impeachment attempt since 2017. This new resolution accuses the president of allowing immigration officers to act without accountability after several deaths occurred.
Key Facts
Al Green has led six of the nine impeachment efforts against President Trump since 2017.
Green introduced a new resolution (H.Res. 1486) on August 24, accusing Trump of abusing presidential power.
The resolution focuses on immigration agencies ICE and CBP, linking them to the deaths of four people this year.
Green plans to force a vote on this resolution in the House before it adjourns this week.
No other members of Congress have cosponsored the resolution so far.
Democratic leaders, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, have not supported or endorsed impeachment efforts recently.
The White House criticized the resolution, saying it contributes to attacks on law enforcement and highlights the work ICE and CBP do.
There have been two previous successful House impeachments of President Trump, but he was acquitted by the Senate both times.
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A 40-year-old woman in Pennsylvania has died from complications related to measles. This is the third death in an outbreak that has infected over 670 people and sent more than 120 to the hospital.
Key Facts
A woman aged 40 died due to measles complications in Pennsylvania.
This is the third reported death linked to the current measles outbreak.
Over 670 people have caught measles in this outbreak.
More than 120 people have been hospitalized because of measles.
Local health officials are tracking and responding to the outbreak.
Measles is a contagious viral disease that can cause serious health issues.
The outbreak is ongoing and remains a public health concern.
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Senator Ted Cruz wants President Donald Trump to sign the Protect College Sports Act on live TV during ESPN’s "College GameDay" show. The bill aims to regulate the large business around college sports.
Key Facts
The Protect College Sports Act is a proposed law focused on college sports regulation.
Senator Ted Cruz is promoting the bill and its importance.
Cruz suggested that President Trump sign the bill live on ESPN’s popular sports show "College GameDay."
The bill addresses the business side of college sports, which involves large amounts of money.
The goal is to pass the bill with strong support, not just the minimum number of votes needed.
ESPN’s "College GameDay" is a widely watched program covering college sports.
President Donald Trump would sign the bill once it is passed by Congress.
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A new CBS News poll shows that most Republicans and Democrats say President Trump motivates them to vote in the November midterm elections. The poll results highlight how President Trump remains an important figure in American politics during this election.
Key Facts
The CBS News poll asked both Republicans and Democrats about their reasons for voting in the midterms.
Most voters from both parties said President Trump influences their decision to vote.
The midterm elections will take place in November.
Anthony Salvanto, CBS News executive director of elections and surveys, explained the poll findings.
The poll reflects President Trump's significant role in motivating voter turnout.
This motivation applies to both supporters and opponents of President Trump.
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President Donald Trump says that Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries are causing diesel prices to go up. He wants Ukraine to stop these strikes to help lower the cost of diesel fuel in the U.S.
Key Facts
President Trump blames Ukraine for higher diesel prices.
He says the cause is Ukraine’s attacks on Russian oil refineries.
The strikes are reported to disrupt Russia’s oil supply.
Diesel prices have been rising recently.
Trump is calling for Ukraine to stop these strikes.
The issue affects diesel fuel costs in the United States.
The statements were reported by CBS News journalists Ed O’Keefe and Aaron MacLean.
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President Donald Trump is responding to rising concerns about artificial intelligence (AI) by opposing new rules or regulations on the technology. Despite increasing calls from tech experts and politicians for oversight, the President is signaling that he does not support tighter control measures.
Key Facts
President Trump addressed concerns about artificial intelligence recently.
He is against creating new rules to regulate AI.
Many people in the tech industry are calling for more regulation.
Politicians from both major parties have expressed worries about AI risks.
The President spoke to reporters and posted on social media about this topic.
There is a growing public discussion about how to manage AI technology safely.
Trump’s position differs from many experts who want stronger safeguards.
The debate involves balancing innovation with safety and ethical use.
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A group of landowners, ranchers, and a non-profit filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump’s administration to stop building a border wall in the Big Bend region of Texas. They argue the wall is unnecessary there because very few people cross that part of the border, and the area is their home.
Key Facts
The lawsuit was filed by Conserve Big Bend and six landowners with support from many others.
The Trump administration plans a $46 billion project to build walls, barriers, and technology along the US-Mexico border.
The Big Bend region has about 500 miles of border but only about 1 percent of border arrests occur there.
Landowners and groups say the area is special to them and includes important archaeological and natural sites.
The government has waived environmental and cultural protections to speed up wall construction.
Similar border wall projects are happening in Arizona on land belonging to Indigenous tribes who oppose the barrier.
In Texas, the wall has faced many lawsuits and opposition from local officials and groups.
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The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under President Donald Trump is canceling rules that limited pollution from coal and gas power plants. The EPA says this will lower costs and help build energy projects, but some groups warn it could harm health and the environment.
Key Facts
The EPA is removing rules that limited greenhouse gas emissions from coal and gas power plants.
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said the changes will reduce government regulations to help build energy infrastructure.
The EPA estimates the rule changes will save power plants more than $300 billion in costs.
A new rule could block future governments from regulating power plant emissions again.
Environmental groups say the changes will harm public health and worsen climate change effects like heatwaves and wildfires.
The EPA has rolled back several environmental protections since President Trump’s 2025 return to office.
President Trump has called climate change a “con job” and withdrew the U.S. from the 2015 Paris climate agreement for the second time.
The decision was announced during a G20 energy meeting in Houston, highlighting the importance of U.S. energy production.
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Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Palestinian activist and former student at Columbia University, is suing the university and a dean. He claims that Columbia University has a system of racism against Palestinian students.
Key Facts
Mahmoud Khalil is a pro-Palestinian activist.
Khalil used to be a student at Columbia University.
He has filed a lawsuit against Columbia University and a university dean.
The lawsuit accuses the university of institutionalized racism.
The alleged racism targets Palestinian students.
Khalil wants the university to address these claims through legal action.
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A whistleblower report says Homeland Security workers were told to break state laws to access sensitive voter data as part of an effort to find illegal voters. The report raises concerns that innocent U.S. citizens could face wrongful investigations based on faulty information.
Key Facts
DHS employees accessed state voter databases in ways that may violate state laws.
The effort targeted people flagged as possible unlawful voters by DHS.
Some states require legal confirmation to access voter data, which was bypassed.
Officers had only about 12 minutes to verify citizenship status under pressured conditions.
Training for this process was very limited, about a two-hour video.
Citizens might be investigated without knowing or being able to correct errors.
Officers were told they would not be personally responsible for these questionable searches.
Courts have rejected attempts to force states to share sensitive voter information over privacy concerns.
No evidence of widespread voter fraud or large numbers of illegal voters has been found in multiple audits.
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The Small Business Administration (SBA) announced it suspended 870,000 businesses linked to over $39 billion in suspected fraud related to COVID-19 pandemic relief loans. These actions are part of a government effort to stop fraud involving Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), with investigations and legal actions ongoing.
Key Facts
SBA officials, including Vice President JD Vance, revealed findings of widespread fraud in pandemic-era small business loans.
870,000 businesses were suspended from receiving further government payments due to suspected fraud.
The suspected fraudulent amount totals more than $39 billion.
Florida had the highest number of suspended borrowers, over 118,000, with alleged fraud of $5 billion.
California previously had 112,000 suspended borrowers linked to $8.6 billion in suspected fraud.
Fraud included fake businesses, false payroll and revenue claims, identity theft, and hidden foreign ties.
The effort to crack down on fraud began during the Trump administration’s first term and continues with the current administration.
The SBA is sending demand letters to those suspected of fraud, warning of legal consequences if debts are not repaid.
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President Donald Trump’s administration is increasing the use of “third country” deportations. This means undocumented immigrants caught in the U.S. are sent to a different country where they do not have ties, rather than their home country.
Key Facts
The Trump administration is expanding the practice of deporting immigrants to third countries.
“Third country” deportation means sending a person to a country they are not originally from and have no connection with.
More than 30 countries are receiving deportees from the U.S. under this policy.
Liberia is one of the countries accepting deportees.
This method is being used for undocumented immigrants in the United States.
It is a different approach from deporting immigrants directly to their home countries.
The policy has been reported by CBS News immigration correspondent Camilo Montoya-Galvez.
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President Donald Trump nominated Representative Wesley Hunt from Texas to be the U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia. The Senate must approve this nomination before Hunt can take the position. The U.S. has not had a full-time ambassador in Saudi Arabia since Michael Ratney left.
Key Facts
President Trump nominated Rep. Wesley Hunt as ambassador to Saudi Arabia.
Hunt represents Texas in Congress.
The Senate must confirm Hunt's nomination.
The U.S. currently has no full-time ambassador in Saudi Arabia.
The last ambassador was Michael Ratney.
Trump sent multiple nominations to the Senate at the same time.
The ambassador role is important for U.S.-Saudi relations.
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A Medicare pilot program using artificial intelligence (AI) to speed up prior authorization for medical treatments has caused long delays and problems, according to government records. The program, called WISeR, was launched in six states but has faced technical issues and slow responses, leading to concerns about delayed care for patients.
Key Facts
The WISeR program started in January and uses AI to review prior authorization requests for certain medical procedures.
It is operating in six states: Texas, Arizona, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Washington.
The program covers 13 medical services thought to be at risk for fraud, waste, or inappropriate use.
Requests are supposed to be answered within 72 hours, but many took weeks or even 83 days in some cases.
There were technical failures, increased denials, and reports that patient care was delayed or harmed.
Providers experienced difficulty getting timely approvals for necessary treatments.
The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) sued the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to release records about the use of AI in this program.
CMS said it plans to improve the program based on feedback from doctors and patients.
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