Disclaimer: Many of the developments discussed below are fluid and may change rapidly. The information is relevant and accurate as of 1:00 PM EDT on May 5, 2026.
Department of Homeland Security Shutdown
President Donald Trump signed legislation ending a record-breaking 76-day partial federal shutdown affecting most of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Earlier in the day, the House of Representatives took a key step toward resolving the 10-week lapse in DHS funding by passing a bill to fund the majority of the department. However, the legislation excludes funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol.
Republicans from the Senate Homeland Security Committee and Senate Judiciary Committee released legislative text for a reconciliation bill to fund ICE and Border Patrol through 2029 with a $72 billion budget. Through the reconciliation process, the bill will only need a simple majority in the Senate to advance.
Takeaway: Most of DHS has reopened, but funding for ICE and Border Patrol remains a key point of congressional conflict. A potential pathway for the remaining funding could appear through a second reconciliation bill.
Federal Nominations
The Senate Banking Committee voted to advance Federal Reserve Chair nominee Kevin Warsh along party lines. The nomination was able to progress after the Department of Justice (DOJ) dropped its probe into Chair Jerome Powell. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) previously said he would block all Federal Reserve nominations while an investigation into Chair Jerome Powell was ongoing, arguing that the probe interferes with the independence of the central bank.
In addition, President Trump withdrew the stalled surgeon general nomination for Casey Means and nominated Nicole Saphier in her place. The withdrawal followed a contentious Senate Health Committee hearing after Means failed to secure enough votes from the committee, including Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA).
Takeaway: Senate Republicans demonstrated some resistance to the Trump Administration by blocking several federal nominations. In addition, the nomination withdrawal of Casey Means is a potential roadblock to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s “Make America Healthy Again” agenda.
Redistricting
As the 2026 midterm elections approach, multiple states have pursued mid-decade redistricting, a move broadly criticized as partisan. These efforts have accelerated following a 6–3 Supreme Court ruling that limited the reach of the Voting Rights Act. The court ruled that Louisiana created an unconstitutional map with a second majority-minority district.
Current State Landscape
- Louisiana: The congressional primary on May 16 has been postponed by Governor Jeff Landry (R) to give state lawmakers time to create a new House map. Lawsuits have been filed challenging the move to delay the primary elections.
- Alabama: Republican state officials appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court to use a House map passed in 2023 to potentially gain one Republican seat. The map is intended to take effect after the 2030 census.
- Tennessee: Governor Bill Lee (R) has called a special session to consider a new House map that adds one Republican seat. However, the candidate qualifying period has ended.
- Texas: Governor Greg Abbott (R) approved a new House map that could add five Republican seats. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the new map can be used for the midterm elections.
- California: Voters approved a new House map that could add five Democratic seats. The U.S. Supreme Court allowed the new map to be used for the midterm elections.
- Florida: Governor Ron DeSantis (R) approved a new House map that could add four Republican seats. A court challenge argues that the new map violates the state constitution.
- Missouri: Governor Mike Kehoe (R) approved a new House map that could add one Republican seat. Election officials are working to determine if a referendum petition that seeks a statewide vote complies with constitutional criteria.
- North Carolina: The General Assembly approved a new map that could add one Republican seat. A federal court panel denied a request to block the new map.
- Ohio: A panel voted to approve a new House map that could add two Republican seats. There are no challenges because the state constitution requires new districts ahead of the 2026 election.
- Utah: A judge imposed a new map that could give Democrats one seat after the court ruled that state lawmakers violated anti-gerrymandering standards. The state Supreme Court and a federal court panel rejected challenges to the new map.
- Virginia: Voters approved a measure to authorize a new House map that could give Democrats four new seats. The state Supreme Court will rule on the legality of the effort by state lawmakers.
Takeaway: Mid-decade redistricting is rapidly shaping the 2026 midterm landscape. However, the process is complicated as new House maps immediately trigger intense legal challenges.
