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Emine Yücel @emineirmakyucel.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

“Donald Trump has made clear that he wants to ‘take over the voting’ in state-run elections. Election interference is unconstitutional and illegal and Congress will be watching,” Sen. Padilla said.

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Emine Yücel @emineirmakyucel.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

Congressional election observers will be deployed to polling sites across 9 states with closely contested Senate races, including Ohio, Michigan and Georgia, Sens. Schumer and Padilla told reporters on Wednesday.

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Reposted by Emine Yücel

TPM @talkingpointsmemo.com · 12/10/2026

Posts on social media and emails to TPM suggest a growing number have found a clever way to make use of the money they have been receiving from the Trump admin.

talkingpointsmemo.com

Some are Using Trump’s Healthcare Checks to Support Charities — and Dem Candidates

President Donald Trump has been sending checks to millions of Americans ahead...

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Reposted by Emine Yücel

Allegra Kirkland @allegrak.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

The Weekender lineup: I looked at some of the weirdest, worst midterms ads thus far @emineirmakyucel.bsky.social explains how Trump is the Darth Vader of politics when it comes to govt funding The Free Press pubs rage bait on Cornell Some personal news + more talkingpointsmemo.com/the-weekende...

talkingpointsmemo.com

The Weird, the Menacing and the False: Tracking the Worst of the 2026 Midterms Ads

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Emine Yücel @emineirmakyucel.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

I have seen a lots of people mention getting these checks/direct deposits from the Trump admin and donating it for a good cause or for a campaign of their choosing. If anyone has done something similar and would like to share please drop a comment, DM me or email me at emine@talkingpointsmemo.com

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Emine Yücel @emineirmakyucel.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

Jackson: "We we took a trillion dollars out of our healthcare industry so that we give people like Elon Musk the income tax cuts - that's what the OBBB did ... So no, I don't think $90 is meaningful when when you see ... ACA subsidies taken away..."

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Emine Yücel @emineirmakyucel.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

Collins: "Well, they fall short, but I'm sure that they're helpful to some people. But what we've got to do is to work on health care affordability, and a major issue here is the high cost of prescription drugs ..." Cont. to tout bills she worked on around easing cost of prescription drugs

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Emine Yücel @emineirmakyucel.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

During the second Maine Senate debate last night, Sen. Collins and Troy Jackson were asked if these checks are meaningful relief or if they fall short of the real problem. Collins largely avoided the question, instead talking about her work on trying to lower prescription drug costs.

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Emine Yücel @emineirmakyucel.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

"“They’ve gotten so comfortable in breaking the law in past instances that they seem recklessly willing to stretch any definition to the breaking point as long as it allows them to do what they want to do," Devin O'Connor told me.

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Emine Yücel @emineirmakyucel.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

"The fund’s language makes clear to anyone who cares to read it that it is intended to be spent reducing the costs of particular services for those who rely on those services, and across-the-board payments to offset premiums are certainly not that," David Super said.

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Emine Yücel @emineirmakyucel.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Around the legality of the Medicare checks - Basically everyone I talked to agreed the way they are using the funds is "legally dubious."

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Emine Yücel @emineirmakyucel.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

In terms of the timing - Senate Budget Comm Ranking Member Jeff Merkley said: "Donald Trump is a con man. This attempt to sway Americans by sending them a check with less than 30 days before the midterm elections is deceitful ... this is a political stunt by a desperate president."

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Emine Yücel @emineirmakyucel.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Two things going on with these checks: Maybe the most obvious & a point so many people I talked to made is, of course: the timing of the checks, specifically their proximity to the upcoming midterms. And in the case of the $90 Medicare Improvement Fund checks ... the legality of them.

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Reposted by Emine Yücel

TPM @talkingpointsmemo.com · 06/10/2026

We're launching a special limited-run version of the TPM Show With Josh and Kate ahead of the midterms. Introducing: the Polltober Show. Send us all your pressing questions about specific races, candidates, chamber control, the courts, the polls, whatever! talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/were-...

talkingpointsmemo.com

We’re Launching a Special New YouTube Series Around the Midterms!

You have questions, we have answers. Since TPM readers are as obsessed...

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Reposted by Emine Yücel

TPM @talkingpointsmemo.com · 06/10/2026

Despite her recent statements, she has, over the past year and a half — through the Trump administration's countless illegal impoundments, funding freezes and pocket rescissions — done little to actually rein the executive branch in.

talkingpointsmemo.com

Susan Collins Voted to Confirm Russ Vought. Is She Having Second Thoughts?

In recent weeks, as the Office of Management and Budget Director Russ...

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Emine Yücel @emineirmakyucel.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

My latest: Following Wednesday's failed bid by Senate Dems to block Trump's pocket rescission, Trump WH, once again, trampled over Congress’ power of the purse. Several experts point out their use of the “pocket rescissions” loophole is more an admission of guilt than a clever trick.

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Emine Yücel @emineirmakyucel.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Update: Sen. Ron Johnson shutdown the UC effort, blocking the Dem effort. He said he was “happy” to reject the UC request, claiming both that the Impoundment Control Act is poorly written and that the pocket rescission request from the White House was not big enough

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Emine Yücel @emineirmakyucel.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

NEW: Sens. Murray and Merkley will try to pass a bill Wednesday to block the “pocket rescission” the Trump WH sent over to Congress last Friday. The proposed bill would also prevent the president from attempting to use a pocket rescission in the future. talkingpointsmemo.com/news/senate-...

talkingpointsmemo.com

Senate Dems Will Attempt to Stop Trump White House’s Latest Illegal Pocket Rescission

Senate Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA) and Senate Budget Committee...

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Reposted by Emine Yücel

TPM @talkingpointsmemo.com · 29/09/2026

@emineirmakyucel.bsky.social and @jragazzo.bsky.social talk about Mike Johnson's claim that this was the "most productive" Congress ever, GOP infighting, and what will happen if the Dems retake the House: www.youtube.com/watch?v=tS05...

youtube.com

Congress Is Leaving Town. What Do Lawmakers Have to Show for Themselves? | TPM Live

YouTube video by Talking Points Memo

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Reposted by Emine Yücel

TPM @talkingpointsmemo.com · 17/09/2026

The drama came just a day after Massie introduced eight impeachment articles against Hegseth, accusing the Defense Secretary of conducting an illegal war against Iran, among other charges.

talkingpointsmemo.com

Johnson Sends House Members Home Until After the Midterms, Avoiding Massie’s Vote to Impeach Hegseth

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) is being accused of running away from...

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Reposted by Emine Yücel

TPM @talkingpointsmemo.com · 02/09/2026

From congressional leadership to 2028 presidential hopefuls, a growing number of big names are getting behind the idea.

talkingpointsmemo.com

What Democrats Have, and Haven’t, Said About Supreme Court Reform

A once controversial issue pushed only by the most progressive members of...

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Emine Yücel @emineirmakyucel.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

The OLC opinion "has more holes in it than a slice of Swiss cheese,” Charles Tiefer, professor emeritus at the University of Baltimore School of Law, told me. “It’s clearly a devious tactic to try to cover up the investigations into Trump’s corruption before they even get started.”

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Reposted by Emine Yücel

TPM @talkingpointsmemo.com · 14/08/2026

🚨 We only have $16,002 left to go in our annual journalism fund drive! 🚨 As a reminder, your contributions go towards all of the below. If you’re able, please help us get over the finish line. We appreciate you. accounts.talkingpointsmemo.com/contribute

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Reposted by Emine Yücel

TPM @talkingpointsmemo.com · 12/08/2026

The memo was widely interpreted as preparation for a world in which Dems again have the oversight power to launch probes into two years of White House misconduct.

talkingpointsmemo.com

Dems Sound the Alarm Over Trump DOJ’s Attempt to Block Oversight: ‘He Knows Accountability Is Coming’

Top congressional Democrats on Tuesday pushed back on a new memo from...

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Reposted by Emine Yücel

TPM @talkingpointsmemo.com · 07/08/2026

UPDATE: Cassidy caves. “I’ve learned that some of the cases that have been publicly reported to be under investigation by the Department of Justice have been dismissed or no longer being pursued,” he said on the Senate floor this morning.

talkingpointsmemo.com

Blanche Nomination on Track After Cassidy Says He Will Support Him

Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) said he will support Todd Blanche’s nomination for...

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Emine Yücel @emineirmakyucel.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

TPM’s review of court filings and interviews with lawyers found that the Trump admin made the damaging admission as part of an attempt to avoid going to discovery on those cases.

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Emine Yücel @emineirmakyucel.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

NEW piece from me @joshkovensky.bsky.social looking at instances of Trump admin admitting in court to terminating clean energy grants, in part or entirely, to punish the president’s perceived political enemies. talkingpointsmemo.com/news/trump-a...

talkingpointsmemo.com

Trump Administration Has Repeatedly Confessed in Court to Withholding Money From Blue States

Late last year, Department of Justice (DOJ) officials agreed to make a...

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Emine Yücel @emineirmakyucel.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

ICYMI: Democrats and a couple of Republicans included a significant provision in their CR that would delay the Trump White House and the OMB from finalizing a grantmaking rule change it proposed in May.

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Reposted by Emine Yücel

TPM @talkingpointsmemo.com · 28/07/2026

Beshear’s letter comes as McConnell and the Office of the Attending Physician released an update on the senator’s condition on Monday.

talkingpointsmemo.com

Kentucky Gov. Demands McConnell Give Verbal Address as Proof He Can Serve

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) has once again formally requested proof of...

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Emine Yücel @emineirmakyucel.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

Thune’s response to Trump: “If somebody can show me how we get an outcome … I’m all for it.” “We could stay here until Christmas and the Democrats aren't voting for this and Republicans are not getting rid of the legislative filibuster.”

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Emine Yücel @emineirmakyucel.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

Tillis is saying his vote will flip on Sep. 10. He called it "the magic day" saying it will have been "60 days since the White House said 'war' for the first time" to describe what's goin on in Iran.

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Emine Yücel @emineirmakyucel.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

Cassidy's explanation for his no vote:

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Emine Yücel @emineirmakyucel.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

Senate fails to advance their Iran WPR in a 47-49 vote. Two Rs (Paul & Murkowski) who previously voted in favor of the WPR did not vote. And Cassidy, who also supported it before, voted no. Collins was a Yes. Fetterman also voted against it.

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Emine Yücel @emineirmakyucel.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

The House passed their Iran WPR again, 214-208. Rs supporting: Fitzpatrick, Davidson, Barrett & Massie

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Emine Yücel @emineirmakyucel.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

The House and Senate are expected to vote again on Iran war powers resolutions today. That comes as airstrikes continue. It’s been 12 straight days of bombings. Trump warned yesterday that the U.S. would destroy one bridge or power plant each time Iran shoots at a ship in the Strait of Hormuz.

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Reposted by Emine Yücel

TPM @talkingpointsmemo.com · 22/07/2026

Sen. Cornyn's office said he got “confirmation that all unobligated PEPFAR funds expiring in September will be obligated as expeditiously as possible."

talkingpointsmemo.com

Cornyn Threatens to Block Trump Noms Over Unreleased PEPFAR Funds — And Quickly Relents

Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) on Tuesday threatened to vote against President Donald...

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Reposted by Emine Yücel

TPM @talkingpointsmemo.com · 20/07/2026

Trump’s post comes as House Republican leadership is gearing up for a floor vote this week on the budget resolution the budget panel advanced out of committee last week.

talkingpointsmemo.com

Trump Comes to Terms With the Fact That the Entire SAVE Act Can’t Be Stuffed in Budget Bill

President Donald Trump posted on his favorite social media platform Monday morning,...

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Reposted by Emine Yücel

Allegra Kirkland @allegrak.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

In the Weekender: ranking some of Trump's most absurd pardons @emineirmakyucel.bsky.social on the GOP's Save Act Lite (ie plot to distract Trump) Hegseth being a huge weirdo about testosterone @rothschildmd.bsky.social on Butler 2024 vs. Dallas 1963 + more talkingpointsmemo.com/the-weekende...

talkingpointsmemo.com

Fraudsters, Politicos and Trump Pals: Ranking Trump’s Most Egregious Pardons

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Reposted by Emine Yücel

Josh Kovensky @joshkovensky.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Brian W. Lynch is co-director of a national task force to implement NSPM-7. He marched on the Capitol on January 6, I confirmed today talkingpointsmemo.com/news/exclusi...

talkingpointsmemo.com

EXCLUSIVE: Trump DOJ’s Top ‘Antifa’ Prosecutor Marched with Crowd on Jan. 6

On Jan. 6, 2021, a man approached the Capitol who looked like...

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Emine Yücel @emineirmakyucel.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

"Just to be clear, the President ... has not agreed in writing to delete the weaponization fund?" Cornyn asked, adding that there is no guarantee that he doesn't file a breach of contract lawsuit in the future. Blanche admitted that “they could bring a lawsuit and then we would litigate it.”

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Emine Yücel @emineirmakyucel.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Sen. Tillis also pushed back on the slush fund, saying that they should pass a legislation in Congress to make sure this does not go forward. Blanche says he is in support of that. He said the same thing to Cornyn.

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Emine Yücel @emineirmakyucel.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Cornyn told CNN he is "undecided" on how he will be voting for the Blanche nomination. During the hearing, he questioned Blanche about the so-called "anti-weaponization" fund

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Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 15/07/2026

CORNYN: The president, who's a plaintiff in this lawsuit, has not agreed in writing to delete the weaponization fund, and there's no guarantee that he or one of the other plaintiffs might raise that issue by way of a breach of contract lawsuit? BLANCHE: I suppose they could bring a lawsuit

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Emine Yücel @emineirmakyucel.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Cornyn pointed out: there is no update/change to the part of the agreement that is about the slush fund, they are just simply taking Trump's word on it

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Emine Yücel @emineirmakyucel.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Cornyn pressed on the fact that despite Blanche/DOJs claims that the $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund is "dead" it is still in the agreement the two sides signed and at any point Trump can claim breach of contract, saying the DOJ has not moved forward with the slush fund.

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Emine Yücel @emineirmakyucel.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Todd Blanche is currently testifying in front of the Senate Judiciary Comm for his confirmation hearing. We're about an hour and half into the hearing and so far the line of questioning that has stuck out most to me has been from Sen. Cornyn.

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Emine Yücel @emineirmakyucel.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

SC Gov. Henry McMaster just announced he is appointing Lindsey Graham's sister to fill out his term until Jan. That comes after President Trump said he is recommending her for the temporary position this AM. Here is a list of people who may be running for the position for the next term:

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Eric Michael Garcia @ericmgarcia.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

You know you are a real Senate sicko if you immediately thought "Who will replace Graham on Budget" and "who will be the top Republican on Judiciary next Congress when Grassley becomes the top Republican on Finance?"

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