By Lauren McCauley | Editor
“There’s a lot of procedural votes that say, ‘You can go ahead, you can go ahead.’ It doesn’t just show up on the floor one day. At every single moment, you have an opportunity to stand up and say no.” - Rep. Alexandra Ocasion-Cortez, speaking at a rally last week about Sen. Susan Collins pulling her support for the “One Big Beautiful Bill” after voting to advance the package.
U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) at the U.S. Capitol Building on June 30, 2025 in Washington, D.C as Republican leaders worked to get U.S. President Donald Trump’s “One, Big, Beautiful Bill” Act through Congress before the July 4 Independence Day holiday. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
ELECTION 2026
By Emma Davis
Incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins and Democratic nominee Troy Jackson have sparred over healthcare during debates and on the airwaves. At the center of many of their arguments over healthcare is President Donald Trump’s signature spending package, known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which is expected to slash Medicaid funding in Maine and across the country.
ELECTION 2026
By Emma Davis
While much of the focus this election cycle has centered on high-profile races for statewide and national office, Mainers also have the opportunity to weigh in on several local races and referenda on Nov. 3.
ELECTION 2026
By Ariana Figueroa and Shauneen Miranda, States Newsroom
Tens of millions of Americans have already made their way to the ballot box as early voting is underway in a midterm election that will determine control of the House and the Senate, possibly flipping one or both from Republicans to Democrats.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Trump’s DOJ sends 1,000 election monitors to 50 states | Jonathan Shorman, States Newsroom
King endorses Dunlap in 2nd District House race | Lauren McCauley
900+ women criminally charged for their conduct during pregnancies | Sofia Resnick, Stateline
Pretti family: ‘We have not heard anything from the federal government’ | Madison McVan, Minnesota Reformer
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