This week on Washington Journal... Democratic Socialists of America National Co-Chair Ashik Siddique explains the principles of democratic socialism and discusses recent primary victories by DSA-backed candidates. Then, Republican Congressman Marlin Stutzman of Indiana joins us to talk about renewed U.S. military action in Iran and defense spending. And News Center Maine political reporter Phil Hirschkorn looks at the latest developments in Maine's U.S. Senate race and the upcoming Democratic nominating convention.

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Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin says states who do not take certain steps to safeguard election security will lose federal counterterrorism grant money, and he promises to aggressively pursue voter fraud cases; He spoke the day after President Donald Trump gave a

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White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt says President Donald Trump will in his primetime address to the nation present new evidence about election security and potential foreign interference and the "findings" will "shock" listeners; Senate Judiciary Committee holds a second day of hearings on the nomination of Todd Blanche to be Attorney General. Witnesses include former Attorney General John Ashcroft, a survivor of Jeffrey Epstein's sexual abuse and a mother whose daughter was the victim of a crime by an illegal alien; White House teleprompter operator is accused of making nearly $100,000 in prediction market bets about what President Trump would say in speeches; Senate confirmation hearings for Labor Secretary Nominee Keith Sonderling and TSA Administration nominee David Cummins; Russell Vought, Acting

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Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche says at his Senate confirmation

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President Donald Trump walks back his previous demand of 20 percent of the value of all cargo through the Strait of Hormuz as payment for the U.S. patrolling the Strait and instead says Gulf nations will be making major economic investments in the U.S.; Senate Democrats block the Senate from taking up the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), citing resumption of the war with Iran and failure of Republican and Democratic negotiators to reach agreement on spending levels, defense and non-defense, for the next fiscal year; Labor Department's Consumer Price Index inflation report for June was 3.5% year over year, less than expected; Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh testifies before a House committee, promising the Fed will tackle inflation and make its decisions without regard to politics; Senate swears-in its newest member, Darline Graham, appointed to serve out the term of her late brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC); Russia sanctions bill championed by Sen. Lindsey Graham before he died gets bipartisan support on Capitol Hill and in the White House; Supreme Court Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Elena Kagan testify before Congress on the Supreme Court's budget request, which includes more money for security in light of increase threats; CDC update on the cyclosporiasis outbreak across the country; House passes the Sunshine Protection Act, to make daylight saving time permanent nationwide.

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Congress is back in DC and a lot has changed since they left two weeks ago. The sudden death of Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) has sent ripples through the Senate, along with the continued absence of Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY). Gov. Henry McMaster (R-SC) nominated Darlene Graham Nordone to take Sen. Graham's place for now. Meanwhile, President Trump says the US is resuming its blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. And the latest from Campaign 2026 on the Democratic Senate races in Maine & Michigan.

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President Trump returns from the NATO summit in Turkey after allies agree to boost defense spending and expand support for Ukraine. We also look at the latest developments in indirect U.S.-Iran talks, the shakeup in Maine's Senate race after Democrat Graham Platner suspends his campaign, and the continuing questions surrounding Senator Mitch McConnell's health and absence from the Senate. Plus: a new Secret Service badge, China's helium export ban, a foiled plot targeting the White House UFC event, and other top stories from Washington.

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In this weekend's episode, three segments from this past week's Washington Journal.

First: A discussion about the start of a new, temporary program covering GLP-1 medications for obesity for certain Medicare beneficiaries with Dr. Mehmet Oz of the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

Then: James Robbins of Institute of World Politics discusses the latest on the Iran War and this week's NATO Summit

Finally: Matt Bennett – co-founder of the center-left group "Third Way" discusses recent wins by Democratic Socialist candidates and what it means for the future of the Democratic Party.

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President Donald Trump says he will not sign a bipartisan housing bill passed by Congress because the Senate has not passed a separate bill requiring proof of U.S. citizenship to vote, so the housing bill will become

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Now that Graham Platner has suspended his campaign as Democratic nominee for U.S. Senator from Maine, a lot of other candidates are jumping into the race. We will hear from them and talk with Maine Public reporter Kevin Miller about who is most likely to get the party's approval to take on Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) in November (12); Former Olympian David Hearn pleads not guilty in D.C. Superior Court to charges he damaged the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. One of his lawyers says the Trump dministration

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