Congress is out of session until Monday, November 9 for the midterm campaign. No new roll-call votes until then; the last were the House on Sep 16 and the Senate on Sep 30.

Stories / Issue · Sep 8 – Oct 5, 2026

Military Readiness

Congress is addressing military readiness through multiple initiatives. Members introduced legislation on officer promotion protections, nuclear deterrence commitments, and military family support. Lawmakers secured defense contracts totaling billions for fighter jets and aircraft, while others advocated for specific military installations and test ranges. Concerns were raised about proposed officer reductions, missile defense system costs, and military base consolidation plans.

AI summary of the releases below · Oct 7, 2026

7D30D90D Export CSV
85Members · 46 D · 39 R
116Actions · 71 D · 45 R
38States & territories · CT · AZ · IL · CA lead
$850.8MFunding announced

How the conversation moved

Democrat Republican · one dot = one action
Action typeWk ofSep 68Wk ofSep 1343Wk ofSep 2023Wk ofSep 2734Wk ofOct 48Total
Requested actionDeclarations, investigations, decisions 3
Sent lettersTo agencies, companies, officials 23
HearingsHeld, testified or questioned 3
StatementsResponses to news 6
CriticizedA policy, decision or person 13
PraisedCredit for a decision or person 16
Visits and eventsTours, town halls, site visits 12
Announced fundingGrants and approvals 11
Filed or pushed billsNew, reintroduced or passed +120
Other 9

Developing stories

2 threads · 31 of 116 actions

Iran War Cost Accounting

24 members

  1. Sep 17Vindman, Houlahan Co-sponsored bill banning Pentagon from manipulating casualty records in Iran War.
  2. Sep 17Gallego demanded Pentagon provide full accounting of costs for ongoing Iran war.
  3. Sep 17Cantwell joined colleagues demanding Pentagon provide full accounting of Iran war costs to Congress.
  4. Sep 17Duckworth demanded Secretary of Defense report total costs of ongoing Iran war to Congress.
  5. Oct 5Murphy Murphy visited Middle East to assess Iran War damage and costs exceeding $45 billion.

28 actions →

Military Promotions Depoliticization Legislation

3 members

  1. Oct 1Blumenthal Led introduction of bicameral legislation to prevent political interference in military officer promotions.
  2. Oct 5Houlahan demanded answers on Department of Defense decision to end tenured appointments at military service academies.
  3. Oct 5Gillibrand introduced bill to protect military officers from arbitrary removal from promotion consideration.

3 actions →

Where they stand

Support · 23

  • DPeters MIApplauded Coast Guard restoration of full staffing and operations in Michigan
  • RMoody FLChampioned legislation protecting military test range from oil and gas drilling
  • DGillibrand NYIntroduced bill to depoliticize military officer promotions
  • RNunn IAMade case for new 132d Wing Air Mission to Air Force Secretary
  • RScott FLIntroduced bill protecting military training range from interference
  • RCotton ARUrged action to preserve domestic critical mineral supply chain
  • RMarshall KSPraised Forbes Field selection for KC-46A mission
  • DBlumenthal CTIntroduced bill to protect military promotions from political interference
  • RHamadeh AZApplauds increased hostile fire and imminent danger pay
  • DLarsen WAAdvocated for Naval Station Everett as homeport for future Navy frigates
  • RSmith MOCelebrated Boeing defense contract for Missouri aerospace manufacturing
  • RGuest MSWelcomed Key Field selection as KC-46 refueling aircraft location
  • RAlford MOPraised Boeing F/A-XX contract award for Missouri economic growth
  • RMoran KSUrged Secretary of War to maintain support for MV-75 Cheyenne program
  • RJackson TXUrged Pentagon to advance MV-75 Cheyenne aircraft program
  • RMessmer INIntroduced bill to modernize aging sealift vessels
  • RLee UTUrged military to reform substance ban standards for servicemembers
  • RGraham Nordone SCUrged Air Force to select McEntire as F-35A home base
  • DRandall WAIntroduced resolution honoring LGBTQ+ servicemembers and opposing discriminatory policies
  • RPfluger TXUrged dedicated funding for military service academies
  • DSorensen ILSupports Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters operations
  • RHouchin INSupports nuclear microreactor deployment for military energy resilience
  • RBiggs AZSupported ASU's application for ARMOR defense research center

Oppose · 26

  • DMurphy CTVisiting region to assess war damage and costs to taxpayers
  • DHoulahan PAQuestioned DOD legal authority to end tenure at service academies
  • DDuckworth ILOpposes Trump's Triumphal Arch as wasteful vanity project
  • DWasserman Schultz FLOpposes new military mega-base proposal as costly vanity project
  • DKelly AZQuestioned if Golden Dome could fuel arms race with Russia and China
  • DJohnson TXIntroduced bill to review military personnel pardons by president
  • DReed RIOpposed reckless officer reduction without congressional consultation
  • DSchiff CAOpposes Trump's unauthorized Iran military deployment
  • DRyan NYDemanded public hearings on DoD failures in Iranian strike response
  • DCrow COOpposed casualty data manipulation by Defense Secretary
  • DWarner VADemanded full accounting of Iran war costs and Pentagon transparency
  • DCantwell WADemanded full accounting of Iran war costs from Pentagon
  • DVindman VACo-sponsored bill to stop Pentagon from obscuring Iran War costs
  • DKhanna CAIntroduced bill to refund $230 billion in war costs to American taxpayers
  • DDeluzio PAOpposes Trump's attempt to hide Iran War costs and casualties
  • DSykes OHVoted to end unauthorized Iran war and demand congressional approval
  • DSalinas ORVoted to end U.S. involvement in Iran war
  • DHoyle OROpposed illegal Iran war costing $40 billion
  • DGoodlander NHDemands removal of U.S. forces from Iran hostilities
  • DMerkley ORReleased report criticizing cost and inflation impact of Iran war
  • DTran CAOpposed deactivation of Army medical evacuation units without replacement plan
  • DMoulton MAPassed resolution to end Trump's unauthorized war with Iran
  • RMassie KYForced impeachment vote against Secretary Hegseth for illegal Iran war
  • DHeinrich NMOpposes Trump's Iran war for depleting Strategic Petroleum Reserve
  • DRosen NVDemanded hearing on impact of extended Iran deployments on troops
  • DHassan NHOpposes illegal war with Iran raising business costs

What each party did · Democrats 71 · Republicans 45

  • 1Requested action2
  • 13Sent letters10
  • 2Hearings1
  • 5Statements1
  • 13Criticized0
  • 7Praised9
  • 4Visits and events8
  • 3Announced funding8
  • 16Filed or pushed bills4
  • 7Other2

Most active

  1. DDuckworth IL7
  2. DCourtney CT6
  3. DKelly AZ5
  4. DGillibrand NY4
  5. IKing ME4
  6. DCrow CO4
  7. DReed RI3
  8. DRyan NY3

By state

  • CT10
  • AZ9
  • IL9
  • CA8
  • NY7
  • MO6
  • FL5
  • TX5

+30 more with fewer actions

Every action

116 actions · 126 releases
  1. Oct 5, 2026
  2. Oct 2, 2026
    • Bill

      RScott FL

      Introduced bill to protect Eglin Gulf Test and Training Range from interference to maintain military readiness.

      Release ↗

    • Letter

      RCotton AR

      Sent letter to cabinet secretaries urging preservation of domestic silicon carbide manufacturing.

      Release ↗

    • Praise

      DCourtney CT $750M

      Highlighted defense contract awards totaling $750+ million for Connecticut manufacturers.

      Release ↗

  3. Oct 1, 2026
  4. Sep 30, 2026
  5. Sep 29, 2026
    • Criticism

      DReed RI

      Criticized Defense Secretary Hegseth's plan to cut 20 percent of general and flag officer positions.

      Release ↗

    • Funding

      RSchmitt MO

      Secured Boeing St. Louis as prime contractor for Navy's next-generation F/A-XX strike fighter.

      Release ↗

    • Bill

      DPadilla CA

      Padilla and Scott introduced bipartisan bill to support military families transitioning to civilian life.

      Release ↗

    • Visit

      IKing ME, RCollins ME

      Welcomed Air Force's selection of Bangor Air National Guard Base as finalist for new KC-46A squadron.

      Release (2 members) ↗

    • Hearing

      IKing ME

      Questioned experts at hearing on costs and impacts of Golden Dome missile defense project.

      Release ↗

    • Praise

      RHyde-Smith MS

      Applauded Air Force selection of Key Field in Meridian as KC-46 aircraft finalist location.

      Release ↗

    • Funding

      RHoeven ND $5.5M

      Secured $5.5 million for Project ULTRA to expand drone and counter-drone testing capabilities.

      Release ↗

    • Letter

      RCotton AR

      Sent letter to Defense Secretary urging review of military supply chain security.

      Release ↗

    • Praise

      RWagner MO

      Praised Boeing's selection to build Navy's next-generation F/A-XX fighter jet.

      Release ↗

    • Praise

      DCourtney CT

      Praised Navy's selection of Boeing for F/A-XX carrier aircraft program.

      Release ↗

    • Statement

      DCase HI

      Seeking qualified applicants for Congressional nominations to U.S. service academies for 2027.

      Release ↗

    • Praise

      DBell MO

      Praised Boeing's billion-dollar Navy fighter contract win for St. Louis.

      Release ↗

    • Praise

      RAlford MO

      Applauded Department of War awarding F/A-XX fighter jet contract to Boeing.

      Release ↗

  6. Sep 28, 2026
    • Letter

      RMoran KS

      Led 80+ colleagues urging support for MV-75 Cheyenne Army helicopter program.

      Release ↗

    • Letter

      RJackson TX

      Led 86 colleagues in letter urging Pentagon to prioritize MV-75 Cheyenne aircraft program.

      Release ↗

  7. Sep 27, 2026
    • Statement

      DJacobs CA

      Conducted in-person oversight of USS Abraham Lincoln to address crew concerns and accountability.

      Release ↗

  8. Sep 26, 2026
  9. Sep 25, 2026
    • Letter

      RKim CA $10M

      Urged California governor to preserve $10 million federal funding for Orange County veterans cemetery.

      Release ↗

  10. Sep 24, 2026
  11. Sep 23, 2026
    • Praise

      DShaheen NH

      Praised Portsmouth Naval Shipyard's economic impact and role in Navy readiness.

      Release ↗

    • Statement

      DSewell AL

      Announced military service academy nomination applications for Alabama's 7th Congressional District.

      Release ↗

    • Visit

      RFedorchak ND

      Toured battery manufacturing facility and highlighted domestic defense supply chain strengthening.

      Release ↗

    • Funding

      RBegich AK $315M

      Announced $315 million Coast Guard contract for infrastructure in Kodiak, Alaska.

      Release ↗

    • Letter

      DCourtney CT

      Sent letter to Armed Services Committee colleagues responding to GAO submarine repair report.

      Release ↗

  12. Sep 22, 2026
    • Funding

      DReed RI $271.2M

      Announced $271 million Coast Guard contract for Naval Station Newport Pier 1 construction.

      Release ↗

    • Letter

      RLee UT

      Urged Department of War to adopt clear standards for banned substances in military.

      Release ↗

    • Letter

      RGraham Nordone SC

      Led South Carolina delegation urging Air Force to base F-35A fighter jets at McEntire Joint National Guard Base.

      Release ↗

    • Letter

      DRyan NY

      Led letter urging Armed Services Committee to hold public hearings on Port Shuaiba attack.

      ↳ Port Shuaiba Attack Accountability · Release ↗

    • Funding

      DLofgren CA $9.8M

      Announced $9.8 million federal grant to rehabilitate Jolon Road serving Fort Hunter Liggett.

      Release ↗

    • Funding

      RFong CA $10.9M

      Announced $10.95 million federal grant for aviation maintenance training facility at Edwards AFB.

      Release ↗

    • Funding

      RFedorchak ND $1M

      Announced $1.04 million for transportation improvements supporting Minot Air Force Base.

      Release ↗

    • Funding

      RBaumgartner WA $2.2M

      Announced $2.24 million federal grant to Spokane County for Fairchild Air Force Base transportation access.

      Release ↗

  13. Sep 21, 2026
  14. Sep 20, 2026
    • Bill

      DRandall WA

      Introduced resolution recognizing National LGBTQ+ Servicemembers and Veterans Day.

      Release ↗

  15. Sep 19, 2026
    • Criticism

      DReed RI $44B

      Condemned Trump administration for concealing Iran war costs and casualty figures from Congress.

      Release ↗

    • Funding

      DLarson CT $234M

      Announced $234 million Army contract for 16 Black Hawk helicopters to Sikorsky in Connecticut.

      Release ↗

  16. Sep 18, 2026
  17. Sep 17, 2026
  18. Sep 16, 2026
  19. Sep 15, 2026
  20. Sep 14, 2026
    • Request

      RHarris MD

      Called for congressional testimony from former Defense Department official on vaccine mandate memo.

      Release ↗

  21. Sep 9, 2026
  22. Sep 8, 2026

Summaries, action types, amounts and positions are read from each press release by AI and can be wrong. Joint releases (same day, same action, matching title or amount) count once. How it works