• 340B SCAM?: Sen. Bill Cassidy (R., La.) received praise from conservatives for hosting a HELP Committee hearing on the fraud-ridden 340B program. One conservative strategist told the Washington Reporter that “Cassidy is standing up against fraud and waste which is now a huge issue in Republican primaries — smart policy and smart politics.”
  • AFFORDABLE ELECTRICITY: Sens. Tom Cotton (R., Ark.) and Tim Sheehy (R., Mont.) introduced legislation to lower energy prices by preventing states from mandating renewables that drive up electricity costs. Expect energy prices to be a major issue in the 2026 midterms.
  • FACT CHECK: Rep. Stephanie Bice (R., Okla.), one of the members of the House Committee on Administration, used an iconic scene from The Simpsons to remind her Democratic colleagues this week that “the SAVE Act does not prevent married women from voting.”
  • RED ALERT FOR CODE PINK: The State Department reaffirmed findings from lawmakers like Sen. Tom Cotton (R., Ark.) that Code Pink acts as a vector of Chinese influence operations. “I’ve long called for an investigation into Code Pink’s ties to the Chinese Communists,” Cotton said following the Reporter. “I’m glad the State Department is taking action.”
  • SAVE THE FUTURE: The CIA released a Chinese-language video showing a Chinese People’s Liberation Army official contacting the agency. “You hold the world’s fate in your hands,” the CIA notes.
  • NEW JOB: Ally Triolo, Rep. Vince Fong’s (R., Calif.) press secretary, will start a new role as the RNC’s Director of Election Integrity Communications next week.
  • DEEPSEEK CONCERNS: Senate sources tell the Washington Reporter that there is growing concern about China’s DeepSeek AI model that could present privacy and national security risks to the U.S. if used by individuals with government devices. Expect legislation soon.