Asked if he has full confidence in AG Pam Bondi following her handling of the Epstein docs, Sen. John Kennedy says: “That's a killer question, but it'll probably be ruled a suicide.”

OVERNIGHT: GOP-led Senate votes to cancel $9 billion in funding for foreign aid, NPR and PBS Final: 51-48. Murkowski + Collins join all Democrats to vote NO. McConnell, who voted against MTP, switched to YES on the final. W/ Frank Thorp V Brennan Leach: nbcnews.com/politics/congr…

NEW: Republican Senators raise concerns about Trump firing the BLS Commissioner “If she was just fired because the President or whoever decided to fire the director just did it because they didn’t like the numbers, they ought to grow up,” Tillis told me. nbcnews.com/politics/donal…

NEW: Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin tells Democrats to 'go nuclear' in redistricting fight We went to her only town hall of the recess… and talked to the rising Democratic star about the future of the party & more w/ Brennan Leach NBC News nbcnews.com/politics/2026-…

.Michael Bennet at a town hall in GOP-controlled Durango, CO tonight: “I'm incredibly angry at the National Democratic Party for losing the election to Donald Trump,” as the crowd cheered “We should never have lost this election... it is catastrophic”

Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin urges fellow Democrats to 'go nuclear' in redistricting fight Julie Tsirkin Brennan Leach in Benton Harbor, MI nbcnews.com/politics/2026-…

NEW: Sen SCHIFF probing river-raising for JD Vance's birthday kayak trip. In a letter first shared with NBC News, Schiff, requests information about the move, which he calls “unjustified and frivolous.” nbcnews.com/politics/congr…

New: Senate Dems on HSGAC renew their demand for the Epstein files in a letter to AG Bondi After failing to meet the Aug 15 deadline in Dems' initial req, Bondi sent a letter saying DOJ is evaluating whether it’s “appropriate” to provide docs to the Cmte tinyurl.com/3kvhzbpp

NEW: Boos, jeers and a physical clash Angry constituents confront Congress on immigration, Medicaid & Gaza during summer of red-hot town halls w/⁦Syedah Asghar⁩ ⁦Brennan Leach⁩ ⁦Gabrielle Khoriaty⁩ + ⁦Kyle Stewart⁩ ⁦Julie Tsirkin⁩ nbcnews.com/politics/congr…

New: Key GOP senator Bill Cassidy promises "oversight" of RFK after CDC firing/exodus. But he isn't saying what that means. He's "reserving judgment" on RFK—won't say if he has confidence. Other Rs not thrilled w/ HHS sec. w/ Brennan Leach Frank Thorp V: nbcnews.com/politics/congr…

Sen Kennedy, who voted to confirm RFK, told us the CDC is a “goat rodeo” with “too much chaos” Said all he sees “is a multi-vehicle pileup” “We need to restore that confidence, and so far, I don’t see where Secretary Kennedy has done that.”

NEW: Some Republicans object to Trump's move to unilaterally cancel spending Collins & Murkowski are exploring next steps, including legal action, to fight Trump's pocket rescission. Other Rs warn it'll cause a shutdown. with Frank Thorp V Brennan Leach: nbcnews.com/politics/congr…

Ousted CDC director Susan Monarez to testify at Senate committee hearing via/ Brennan Leach & Frank Thorp V nbcnews.com/politics/congr…

Sen. Fetterman on his sense of safety: “If somebody wanted to kill me, it'd be easy. I mean, I'm very visible, and I don't have security… If somebody wants to take me out, it'd be easy to just pop me. So, I mean, I'm not worried about that.”

Asked whether he’s worried about a primary after CDC hearing this week, Cassidy told Brennan Leach: “I’m not thinking about that. I mean, I’m just not. If you do the right thing, that’s what I’m hired for. I’m going to do the right thing.”

I asked Sen Cruz if he’d be bringing FCC Chair Carr before the Senate Commerce Cmte he chairs: Q: Do you plan on bringing Carr before your committee? Obviously, you have jurisdiction over that. CRUZ: “We will certainly engage in oversight of all the agencies within the

NEW from Brennan Leach: Recognizing the reach of social media influencers, Sen Warren is briefing creators to educate them with info on key policy issues and Democratic messaging. MORE HERE: nbcnews.com/politics/congr…

SCOOP from Brennan Leach: Inside Elizabeth Warren's 'creator briefings,' where influencers learn about Democratic policy nbcnews.com/politics/congr…