Recent special elections in Wisconsin and Florida, along with President Trump’s new tariffs, have sparked concern within the Republican party about the 2026 midterms. Republican senators, including Tillis and Paul, warn that the tariffs risk economic harm and voter backlash, drawing historical parallels to previous tariff-related electoral defeats. Trump’s dismissal of criticism from senators who voted to roll back his tariffs further fuels this anxiety. Public opinion polls reveal a lack of widespread support for Trump’s economic policies, adding to GOP worries about the upcoming elections.
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Ohio Senate Republicans passed Senate Bill 56, altering the state’s recently legalized recreational marijuana law despite overwhelming voter approval. The bill reduces allowable THC levels, limits home cultivation, and imposes stricter advertising restrictions aimed at protecting children. Republicans argue voters lacked full understanding of the initiative, while opponents claim this action disregards the public’s will and disproportionately harms marginalized communities by impacting the social equity fund and limiting dispensary numbers. The bill now heads to the House for consideration.
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Following the historic election of Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender member of the House, Speaker Mike Johnson implemented a new rule barring transgender women from women’s restrooms in the Capitol complex. This policy, prompted by Rep. Nancy Mace, directly targets McBride and reflects a broader Republican strategy of leveraging anti-trans rhetoric for political gain. The rule, despite claims of protecting women’s spaces, creates significant practical difficulties for McBride and other transgender individuals. This action underscores the growing centrality of anti-trans policies within the GOP agenda and their willingness to escalate such culture wars.
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John Q. Hosedrinker