Senate

France's far right has gained ground in the country's indirect Senate elections, where senators are chosen by an electoral college of local officials rather than by direct public vote. The results point to the continued rise of the far right in French politics, adding to pressure on President Emmanuel Macron's camp ahead of future national contests.

CNN's Harry Enten rounds up the key political storylines heading into the next election cycle, covering competitive Senate races, signs of a potential Democratic wave, and ongoing corruption allegations involving Donald Trump. The roundup breaks down polling numbers and trends, drawing heavy attention as voters and analysts weigh what these developments could mean for control of Congress and the 2024 race.

Maine Senator Susan Collins is facing renewed scrutiny over her 2018 vote to confirm Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh as she campaigns for reelection, her first race since the court overturned federal abortion rights. The decision, which Collins said she believed would not threaten Roe v. Wade, has become a central line of attack from opponents who argue her vote enabled it.

Charlie Cook, founder of the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, said the House is a 'done deal' for Democrats in the coming midterm elections, and that reclaiming the Senate is 'very realistic'. His assessment adds weight to expectations that Democrats could win control of at least one, and possibly both, chambers of Congress, reshaping the political outlook for the remainder of President Trump's term.

Fabien Roussel, leader of the French Communist Party, has promised to avoid harsh attacks on Jean-Luc Mélenchon during the presidential campaign. His campaign director, senator Ian Brossat, told La Tribune that "we will not fall into aggression", signalling an effort to keep leftist infighting civil even as the two rivals compete for the same electorate.

Jean-Luc Mélenchon publicly claimed that La France Insoumise scores higher than its number of grand electors in every French department, celebrating the Senate election of his son-in-law Gabriel Amard and calling it a "good omen for 2027". The remarks drew attention as the far-right RN also tripled its presence, fueling debate over the left's and right's momentum ahead of the next presidential election.

Commentary is circulating asking whether Democrats would pursue a third impeachment of Donald Trump if they win control of Congress in the upcoming midterms. Trump has already been impeached twice, in 2019 and 2021, and acquitted both times by the Senate. The discussion reflects ongoing speculation about how a Democratic-controlled House might use its oversight and impeachment powers against the president.

Senator John Fetterman, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, misspoke by describing himself as a 'lifelong Republican' during remarks, before the slip was noted as a gaffe. The moment drew attention because Fetterman has drawn criticism from progressives and made outreach to conservative voters a visible part of his political identity, fueling debate about his ideological direction within the Democratic Party.

Attention is turning to the 2026 French senatorial elections, in which part of the upper house's seats come up for renewal by an electoral college of local officials. The country's indirect vote for the Sénat is being followed for what it may reveal about the balance of power between mainstream parties and the far right ahead of future national contests. Discussion centres on the expected results and composition of the chamber.

Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania sat down with CBS News correspondent Major Garrett for an interview covering the upcoming midterm elections and his own political future. The conversation touches on his role in the Senate and where he sees his career heading, drawing attention as voters and analysts weigh the midterm landscape.

President Trump will travel to Ohio to campaign for Senator Jon Husted, the Republican who is facing a competitive challenge for his seat. The visit is intended to boost Husted's standing with voters and rally Republican support in a contest seen as closely fought. Trump's endorsement and personal appearances remain a significant force in Republican primaries and general elections.

Members of Congress who once competed as college athletes are playing a prominent role as lawmakers weigh legislation affecting college sports, including issues like athlete compensation and name, image and likeness rules. Reports from NPR and public radio outlets note their firsthand experience gives them unusual influence in a debate that could reshape the multibillion-dollar college athletics system.

Calling someone a product of the 'Lower 48'—the contiguous United States—is among the sharpest insults in Alaska politics, where voters prize local roots and independence. The label is now playing a central role in the state's US Senate race, with candidates using it to question each other's commitment to Alaska's interests and paint rivals as outsiders pursuing outside agendas.

Alabama State Senator Clyde Chambliss appeared in a television interview to discuss the Rebuild Alabama Act and its impact on the state. The law, a fuel-tax measure passed in 2019 to fund road and bridge projects, remains a topic of public interest in Alabama, with viewers following how the revenue is being spent across local infrastructure.

US Senator John Kennedy has spoken out against fellow politicians who, in his view, spend more time promoting themselves than serving the public. The remarks drew attention as part of ongoing debate in Washington about political grandstanding and accountability, with supporters praising the blunt message and critics questioning its timing.