Lawmakers are leaving Washington for the final stretch of the campaign season under the dispiriting shadow of another short-term funding deadline. @casey_j_wooten and @savbehrmannDC report (unlocked): buff.ly/3BfbJGa

Will baseball-skeptical Biden bring any joy to Mudville? George Condon reports that every president since Taft has taken in a professional baseball game while in office. Biden has just five weeks to join them. (unlocked) njour.nl/s/726274?unloc…

The National Journal Hotline team has revealed its fall House Power Rankings of the top 20 seats most likely to flip. Rep. Brandon Williams still holds the top spot, and Rep. Marianette Miller-Meeks makes her debut on the list at #20. (unlocked) buff.ly/4evjiae

‘Playing with fire’: Despite years of alarms, Congress fails to pass AI election-security legislation ahead of election Philip Athey and @savbehrmannDC report that bills have stalled over concerns they would limit political speech, so states and federal agencies have begun

On this episode, Kirk A. Bado James Downs and @nenonicolosio discuss the recently released rankings of the seats most likely to flip. Listen on Spotify: buff.ly/47PNOcF

Vice President Kamala Harris was dealt a really bad hand of cards, but she’s playing those cards flawlessly. Former President Trump started out with an excellent hand, but he’s playing it very poorly. @charliecookDC with the latest Off to the Races: buff.ly/47PyUDk

The Harris campaign seeks the support of rural Black voters, while Trump aims to right the ship in a state where he has notoriously struggled. Zac Weisz reports (unlocked): buff.ly/3zG5J91

President Biden on Monday said he may ask Congress to end its October recess early to return to D.C. and pass a supplemental spending bill for Hurricane Helene relief. Check out the NJ Daily Outlook: buff.ly/3Y7VuTp

While national Democrats are sending money to states, those working on legislative races say more is needed. Mary Frances McGowan reports (unlocked): buff.ly/4endRKU

Iran on Tuesday launched some 200 ballistic missiles at Israel, raining explosions down on Tel Aviv, Haifa, Jerusalem, and other major cities in a further escalation of Middle East tensions. Check out the NJ Daily Outlook: buff.ly/47O42TE

There are signs that these Senate races could narrow over the next few weeks as Election Day approaches. Natalie Jackson with the latest Leading Indicators (unlocked): buff.ly/3TUGhnk

With only a few weeks left until the election, there are still some large policy gaps remaining in both candidates’ health platforms. @erindurkin2 reports (unlocked): buff.ly/3ZJS6QL

The presidential campaign's last event with a guaranteed big audience is now over. George Condon reports (unlocked): buff.ly/4gO9MRh

In this free Q&A, Lauren Green talks to @repjohncurtis about his priorities and why he's not like Mitt Romney or Mike Lee. Read here: buff.ly/3XOFVzI

President Biden has deepened the U.S.-Seoul alliance. But many officials in the country fear that commitment could wither under another Trump presidency. @crisleemaza reports (unlocked): buff.ly/3Y6Lc71

The Lone Star State stands as Senate Democrats’ best chance at a pickup this cycle, and recent polling suggests the race could be tightening once again for Republican Sen. Ted Cruz. How close is the race? Nicholas Anastácio reports (unlocked): buff.ly/4dMFsEh

Joe Biden is opting not to intervene in the longshoremen's strike, an impactful work stoppage that could pose damage to (slowing the economy) and benefit for (solidarity with union workers) for Kamala Harris's election hopes. Check out the NJ DAILY Outlook:

Artificial-intelligence-based automation was a major sticking point in the SAG-AFTRA strike last year, and this past week, the International Longshoremen's Alliance, which represents dock workers on the East and Gulf coasts, called almost 50,000 workers to strike. Check out the

Mike Johnson didn’t expect to be the top House Republican when the 118th Congress began. A year into his tenure, it’s unclear he’ll lead the party when the 119th Congress begins. @casey_j_wooten and Lauren Green report (unlocked): buff.ly/3zK6ttQ

On the campaign trail, tariffs have taken on the role of panacea for the sky-high price tag of Donald Trump’s economic policy proposals. @casey_j_wooten reports (unlocked): buff.ly/3NbVAnS