<p>Texas AG Ken Paxton Won't Face Federal Corruption Charges as He Gains Momentum for Likely Senate Run<br>—</p><p>The federal criminal investigation was the most serious legal threat the once-embattled Republican faced. With the probe now over, Paxton is gearing up to likely challenge U.S. Sen. John Cornyn in 2026.<br><a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/ken-paxton-corruption-probe-justice-department-senate-race?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=mastodon-post" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="www.propublica.org/article/ken-paxton-corruption-probe-justice-department-senate-race?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=mastodon-post"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">www.propublica.org/article/ken</span><span class="invisible">-paxton-corruption-probe-justice-department-senate-race?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=mastodon-post</span></a></p><p><a href="/tags/news/" rel="tag">#News</a> <a href="/tags/texas/" rel="tag">#Texas</a> <a href="/tags/uspolitics/" rel="tag">#USPolitics</a> <a href="/tags/law/" rel="tag">#Law</a> <a href="/tags/senate/" rel="tag">#Senate</a> <a href="/tags/gop/" rel="tag">#GOP</a> <a href="/tags/republican/" rel="tag">#Republican</a> <a href="/tags/election/" rel="tag">#Election</a></p>
senate
<p>My sentiments exactly. Graham Platner's past comments reek of misogyny and entitlement. Someone responded to one of my earlier comments with, "Don't you believe in redemption?" In general, yes. In this case? He's got more work to do. <a href="/tags/politics/" rel="tag">#Politics</a> <a href="/tags/maine/" rel="tag">#Maine</a> <a href="/tags/democrats/" rel="tag">#Democrats</a> <a href="/tags/democracy/" rel="tag">#Democracy</a> <a href="/tags/senate/" rel="tag">#Senate</a> <a href="/tags/progressive/" rel="tag">#Progressive</a> <a href="/tags/us/" rel="tag">#US</a> <a href="/tags/uspol/" rel="tag">#USpol</a> <a href="https://www.pressherald.com/2025/11/19/why-is-graham-platner-getting-a-free-pass-opinion/" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="www.pressherald.com/2025/11/19/why-is-graham-platner-getting-a-free-pass-opinion/"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">www.pressherald.com/2025/11/19</span><span class="invisible">/why-is-graham-platner-getting-a-free-pass-opinion/</span></a></p>
<p>IMPACT: Senators Call on DOJ to Investigate Potential DOGE Conflicts of Interest After ProPublica Report</p><p>Sens. Elizabeth Warren, Ron Wyden and Jack Reed cited our reporting on how one aide assigned to the CFPB helped oversee the mass layoffs of the agency’s staff while holding as much as $715K in stocks that bureau employees are prohibited from owning.</p><p><a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/doge-aides-conflict-of-interest-senators-letter?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=mastodon-post" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="www.propublica.org/article/doge-aides-conflict-of-interest-senators-letter?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=mastodon-post"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">www.propublica.org/article/dog</span><span class="invisible">e-aides-conflict-of-interest-senators-letter?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=mastodon-post</span></a></p><p><a href="/tags/news/" rel="tag">#News</a> <a href="/tags/doj/" rel="tag">#DOJ</a> <a href="/tags/congress/" rel="tag">#Congress</a> <a href="/tags/senate/" rel="tag">#Senate</a> <a href="/tags/ethics/" rel="tag">#Ethics</a> <a href="/tags/government/" rel="tag">#Government</a> <a href="/tags/uspolitics/" rel="tag">#USPolitics</a></p>
<p>Lawmakers Call for Probe of How Firm Tied to Kristi Noem Got Piece of $220 Million DHS Ad Contracts<br>---</p><p>The demands for an investigation come after a ProPublica story revealed that the Noem-connected Strategy Group was secretly a subcontractor on the ad campaign.<br><a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/kristi-noem-dhs-strategy-group-senate-probe?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=mastodon-post" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="www.propublica.org/article/kristi-noem-dhs-strategy-group-senate-probe?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=mastodon-post"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">www.propublica.org/article/kri</span><span class="invisible">sti-noem-dhs-strategy-group-senate-probe?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=mastodon-post</span></a></p><p><a href="/tags/news/" rel="tag">#News</a> <a href="/tags/kristinoem/" rel="tag">#KristiNoem</a> <a href="/tags/dhs/" rel="tag">#DHS</a> <a href="/tags/uspolitics/" rel="tag">#USPolitics</a> <a href="/tags/law/" rel="tag">#Law</a> <a href="/tags/government/" rel="tag">#Government</a> <a href="/tags/senate/" rel="tag">#Senate</a></p>
<p><a href="/tags/trump/" rel="tag">#Trump</a>'s <a href="/tags/onebigbeautifulbill/" rel="tag">#OneBigBeautifulBill</a> cuts federal <a href="/tags/spending/" rel="tag">#spending</a> on <a href="/tags/medicaid/" rel="tag">#Medicaid</a> & <a href="/tags/affordablecareact/" rel="tag">#AffordableCareAct</a> marketplaces by ~$1 trillion over a decade, acc/to the <a href="/tags/nonpartisan/" rel="tag">#nonpartisan</a> <a href="/tags/cbo/" rel="tag">#CBO</a>, threatening the physical & financial <a href="/tags/health/" rel="tag">#health</a> of tens of millions of <a href="/tags/americans/" rel="tag">#Americans</a>.</p><p>The bill, which the <a href="/tags/senate/" rel="tag">#Senate</a> passed Tues, would reverse many of the health coverage gains of <a href="/tags/biden/" rel="tag">#Biden</a> & <a href="/tags/obama/" rel="tag">#Obama</a>, whose policies made it easier for millions of people to access <a href="/tags/healthcare/" rel="tag">#healthcare</a> & reduced the US <a href="/tags/uninsured/" rel="tag">#uninsured</a> rate to record lows.</p><p><a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/07/02/nx-s1-5453870/senate-republicans-tax-bill-medicaid-health-care" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/07/02/nx-s1-5453870/senate-republicans-tax-bill-medicaid-health-care"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">www.npr.org/sections/shots-hea</span><span class="invisible">lth-news/2025/07/02/nx-s1-5453870/senate-republicans-tax-bill-medicaid-health-care</span></a></p>
<p>"Power, Progress, and Patient-Led Change"</p><p>An overiew of Advocacy Week 2025 from Solve ME:</p><p><a href="https://solvecfs.org/advocacy-week-2025-power-progress-and-patient-led-change/" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="solvecfs.org/advocacy-week-2025-power-progress-and-patient-led-change/"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">solvecfs.org/advocacy-week-202</span><span class="invisible">5-power-progress-and-patient-led-change/</span></a></p><p>"In a single week, the Solve M.E. community took part in 187 congressional meetings—sharing powerful personal stories, urgent data, and clear policy goals with Senate and House offices."</p><p>@mecfs @longcovid </p><p>1/n</p><p><a href="/tags/uspol/" rel="tag">#USPol</a> <a href="/tags/mecfs/" rel="tag">#MEcfs</a> <a href="/tags/longcovid/" rel="tag">#LongCovid</a> <a href="/tags/pots/" rel="tag">#POTS</a> <a href="/tags/congress/" rel="tag">#Congress</a> <a href="/tags/senate/" rel="tag">#Senate</a> <a href="/tags/advocacy/" rel="tag">#Advocacy</a> <a href="/tags/solveme/" rel="tag">#SolveME</a></p>
<p><a href="/tags/stephencolbert/" rel="tag">#StephenColbert</a> should now run for <a href="/tags/senate/" rel="tag">#Senate</a> against the odious Lindsey Graham in <a href="/tags/southcarolina/" rel="tag">#SouthCarolina</a>. He's the perfect guy for the times. Actually intelligent with a keen knowledge of politics and history. Can communicate the same to a wide audience. Actually patriotic, actively supports the troops. Actually religious, but not obnoxious about it. If we're going to have circus politics now, can you imagine a more skilled ringmaster?</p>
<p>Senator Demands Federal Agencies Halt Small Business Contracts, Citing Investigation of Native Hawaiian Firm<br>---</p><p>Joni Ernst, chair of the Senate Small Business Committee, sent letters to 22 federal agencies saying the no-bid contracts granted through a Small Business Administration program are a “fraud magnet.”<br><a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/sb8a-native-hawaiian-republican-senate-oversight?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=mastodon-post" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="www.propublica.org/article/sb8a-native-hawaiian-republican-senate-oversight?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=mastodon-post"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">www.propublica.org/article/sb8</span><span class="invisible">a-native-hawaiian-republican-senate-oversight?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=mastodon-post</span></a></p><p><a href="/tags/news/" rel="tag">#News</a> <a href="/tags/business/" rel="tag">#Business</a> <a href="/tags/government/" rel="tag">#Government</a> <a href="/tags/senate/" rel="tag">#Senate</a> <a href="/tags/hawaii/" rel="tag">#Hawaii</a> <a href="/tags/fraud/" rel="tag">#Fraud</a></p>
<p>Sen. Ron Johnson Endorses Book Touting Chlorine Dioxide's Unproven Health Benefits<br>---</p><p>Wisconsin's Ron Johnson has a history of spreading vaccine misinformation. Now he's giving credence to assertions about the therapeutic powers of chlorine dioxide, a disinfectant and deodorizer. “It is all lunacy," one expert said.<br><a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/ron-johnson-wisconsin-chlorine-dioxide-pierre-kory-endorsement?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=mastodon-post" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="www.propublica.org/article/ron-johnson-wisconsin-chlorine-dioxide-pierre-kory-endorsement?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=mastodon-post"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">www.propublica.org/article/ron</span><span class="invisible">-johnson-wisconsin-chlorine-dioxide-pierre-kory-endorsement?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=mastodon-post</span></a></p><p><a href="/tags/news/" rel="tag">#News</a> <a href="/tags/wisconsin/" rel="tag">#Wisconsin</a> <a href="/tags/health/" rel="tag">#Health</a> <a href="/tags/misinformation/" rel="tag">#Misinformation</a> <a href="/tags/congress/" rel="tag">#Congress</a> <a href="/tags/senate/" rel="tag">#Senate</a> <a href="/tags/uspolitics/" rel="tag">#USPolitics</a></p>
<p>Newest <a href="/tags/substack/" rel="tag">#Substack</a>: READ THE REST & DON'T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE! <a href="https://blueamp.substack.com/p/dems-search-for-identity-psst-sherrod" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="blueamp.substack.com/p/dems-search-for-identity-psst-sherrod"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">blueamp.substack.com/p/dems-se</span><span class="invisible">arch-for-identity-psst-sherrod</span></a> - "As <a href="/tags/democrats/" rel="tag">#Democrats</a> search for identity, <a href="/tags/culture/" rel="tag">#culture</a> & policies to reinforce the values the first 2 communicate to voters, they must lean into the roadmap Sherrod provided for yrs to win handily in OH. </p><p>Even ignoring the dingos of the rw echoes-phere & corporate <a href="/tags/media/" rel="tag">#media</a> click bait ladies of the night, doesn't mean there’s not a problem. B/c there is, it’s a major & it’s one some of us have been screaming about for yrs"</p><p><a href="/tags/news/" rel="tag">#news</a> <a href="/tags/politics/" rel="tag">#politics</a> <a href="/tags/trump/" rel="tag">#trump</a> <a href="/tags/russia/" rel="tag">#russia</a> <a href="/tags/usa/" rel="tag">#usa</a> <a href="/tags/ukraine/" rel="tag">#ukraine</a> <a href="/tags/us/" rel="tag">#us</a> <a href="/tags/unitedstates/" rel="tag">#unitedstates</a> <a href="/tags/eu/" rel="tag">#eu</a> <a href="/tags/ai/" rel="tag">#ai</a> <a href="/tags/writing/" rel="tag">#writing</a> <a href="/tags/tech/" rel="tag">#tech</a> <a href="/tags/senate/" rel="tag">#senate</a> <a href="/tags/tariffs/" rel="tag">#tariffs</a> <a href="/tags/ice/" rel="tag">#ICE</a> <a href="/tags/economy/" rel="tag">#economy</a> <a href="/tags/nato/" rel="tag">#nato</a> <a href="/tags/donaldtrump/" rel="tag">#donaldtrump</a></p>
<p>After reporting by ProPublica revealed industry connections among Transportation Department regulators and showed how they are seeking to loosen oil and gas pipeline safety regulations, Sen. Maria Cantwell is demanding answers.<br><a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/trump-dot-oil-gas-pipeline-ethics-questions-senator-cantwell?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=mastodon-post" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="www.propublica.org/article/trump-dot-oil-gas-pipeline-ethics-questions-senator-cantwell?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=mastodon-post"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">www.propublica.org/article/tru</span><span class="invisible">mp-dot-oil-gas-pipeline-ethics-questions-senator-cantwell?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=mastodon-post</span></a></p><p><a href="/tags/news/" rel="tag">#News</a> <a href="/tags/transportation/" rel="tag">#Transportation</a> <a href="/tags/industry/" rel="tag">#Industry</a> <a href="/tags/business/" rel="tag">#Business</a> <a href="/tags/government/" rel="tag">#Government</a> <a href="/tags/regulation/" rel="tag">#Regulation</a> <a href="/tags/senate/" rel="tag">#Senate</a></p>
<p>Senators Propose Sweeping Changes to Generic Drug Oversight<br>---</p><p>Citing a ProPublica investigation, lawmakers are calling on the FDA to conduct more drug testing and to alert hospitals and other purchasers when foreign manufacturers with safety failures are given a special pass to send their products to the U.S.<br><a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/lawmakers-propose-changes-drug-oversight-fda?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=mastodon-post" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="www.propublica.org/article/lawmakers-propose-changes-drug-oversight-fda?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=mastodon-post"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">www.propublica.org/article/law</span><span class="invisible">makers-propose-changes-drug-oversight-fda?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=mastodon-post</span></a></p><p><a href="/tags/news/" rel="tag">#News</a> <a href="/tags/congress/" rel="tag">#Congress</a> <a href="/tags/senate/" rel="tag">#Senate</a> <a href="/tags/law/" rel="tag">#Law</a> <a href="/tags/fda/" rel="tag">#FDA</a> <a href="/tags/drugs/" rel="tag">#Drugs</a> <a href="/tags/safety/" rel="tag">#Safety</a> <a href="/tags/health/" rel="tag">#Health</a> <a href="/tags/publichealth/" rel="tag">#PublicHealth</a></p>
<p>Six senators accused Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche of a “glaring” conflict of interest, citing ProPublica reporting that found he held at least $159,000 in related investments when he shut down crypto investigations at the DOJ.</p><p><a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/todd-blanche-crypto-conflict-senator-letter?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=mastodon-post" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="www.propublica.org/article/todd-blanche-crypto-conflict-senator-letter?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=mastodon-post"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">www.propublica.org/article/tod</span><span class="invisible">d-blanche-crypto-conflict-senator-letter?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=mastodon-post</span></a></p><p><a href="/tags/news/" rel="tag">#News</a> <a href="/tags/law/" rel="tag">#Law</a> <a href="/tags/uspolitics/" rel="tag">#USPolitics</a> <a href="/tags/government/" rel="tag">#Government</a> <a href="/tags/crypto/" rel="tag">#Crypto</a> <a href="/tags/doj/" rel="tag">#DOJ</a> <a href="/tags/senate/" rel="tag">#Senate</a> <a href="/tags/toddblanche/" rel="tag">#ToddBlanche</a></p>
<p>Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer’s office says a bipartisan <a href="/tags/funding/" rel="tag">#funding</a> deal has been reached to avoid a government <a href="/tags/shutdown/" rel="tag">#shutdown</a> as <a href="/tags/senate/" rel="tag">#Senate</a> <a href="/tags/republicans/" rel="tag">#Republicans</a> try to set up a Thursday vote.</p><p>The deal, according to the minority leader, includes the separation of the 5 bipartisan appropriation bills that <a href="/tags/democrats/" rel="tag">#Democrats</a> had asked for & a 2-week stopgap funding extension for <a href="/tags/dhs/" rel="tag">#DHS</a>.</p><p>Senate <a href="/tags/gop/" rel="tag">#GOP</a> leadership is now taking steps to schedule a vote for Thursday night.</p><p><a href="https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-news-01-29-26?post-id=cmkzuzwml000f3b6p8b0rkied" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-news-01-29-26?post-id=cmkzuzwml000f3b6p8b0rkied"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">www.cnn.com/politics/live-news</span><span class="invisible">/trump-news-01-29-26?post-id=cmkzuzwml000f3b6p8b0rkied</span></a></p>
<p>The FDA won’t tell Americans where their generic drugs are made, so ProPublica built the Rx Inspector tool to show you.</p><p>Now a proposed bill would also require manufacturing location information on packaging for both generic and brand-name drugs.<br><a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/drug-manufacturer-labels-us-senate-bill?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=mastodon-post" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="www.propublica.org/article/drug-manufacturer-labels-us-senate-bill?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=mastodon-post"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">www.propublica.org/article/dru</span><span class="invisible">g-manufacturer-labels-us-senate-bill?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=mastodon-post</span></a></p><p><a href="/tags/news/" rel="tag">#News</a> <a href="/tags/fda/" rel="tag">#FDA</a> <a href="/tags/health/" rel="tag">#Health</a> <a href="/tags/government/" rel="tag">#Government</a> <a href="/tags/senate/" rel="tag">#Senate</a> <a href="/tags/law/" rel="tag">#Law</a> <a href="/tags/drugs/" rel="tag">#Drugs</a> <a href="/tags/medicine/" rel="tag">#Medicine</a></p>
<p>Senate leaders are urging the Department of Defense to prioritize the purchase of generic drugs manufactured in the U.S., warning that the country’s overreliance on foreign factories poses an “existential risk” to the military.</p><p><a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/senators-warn-hegseth-foreign-drug-manufacturers?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=mastodon-post" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="www.propublica.org/article/senators-warn-hegseth-foreign-drug-manufacturers?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=mastodon-post"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">www.propublica.org/article/sen</span><span class="invisible">ators-warn-hegseth-foreign-drug-manufacturers?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=mastodon-post</span></a></p><p><a href="/tags/news/" rel="tag">#News</a> <a href="/tags/dod/" rel="tag">#DOD</a> <a href="/tags/military/" rel="tag">#Military</a> <a href="/tags/congress/" rel="tag">#Congress</a> <a href="/tags/senate/" rel="tag">#Senate</a> <a href="/tags/drugs/" rel="tag">#Drugs</a> <a href="/tags/medicine/" rel="tag">#Medicine</a></p>