USA TODAY is reporting that Capitol Hill is observing a day of mourning for the loss of longtime colleague Lindsey Graham. It said members of Congress paid tribute during a memorial in the Capitol Rotunda, with Vice President JD Vance and Senate Majority Leader John Thune speaking. Senators expressed visible grief, with Sen. Katie Britt sobbing and former Sen. Richard Burr kissing the casket. President Donald Trump is scheduled to give an address at the Washington National Cathedral. In Graham's honor, the Senate is scheduled to vote tonight to begin considering a Russia sanctions bill, following a private meeting between a bipartisan group of senators and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The outlet obtained an internal strategy document circulated among Republican senators by conference leadership. It said the document addresses hot-button issues, including the prospect of canceling the August recess to push the SAVE America Act at President Trump's request. Suggested talking points in the document indicate concerns about eliminating the filibuster, warning that Democrats could then make Puerto Rico and Washington D.C. states, federalize elections, and pack the Supreme Court. The document also stated that Republicans "don't have the votes" to pass the SAVE America Act or eliminate the filibuster. On the Iran war, senators were advised to express concern about gas prices.
USA TODAY also highlighted a report indicating that Canadian travel to the U.S. has dipped 25% under President Trump's presidency, attributing the decrease to sentiment toward the U.S. Additionally, DraftKings, FanDuel, and rival companies have spent at least $72 million on U.S. midterm races, with prediction markets emerging as a growing threat.