It’s 9 A.M. Somewhere

Good afternoon. This is the Final NOTUS newsletter for July 23, 2026. You can get it in your inbox every day by signing up here — it’s free!

THE LATEST

Half the states and Washington, D.C., are suing the Trump administration for trying to use federal emergency grant funding to control state election rules.

The Senate rejected a war powers resolution in its first action since the ceasefire deal collapsed in a 47-49 split, with four Republican senators not voting. The House had passed a similar measure earlier in the day.

Spotted: A House Rules Committee staffer carrying three bags of booze through security shortly after 9 a.m. Recess is upon us.

THE ADMINISTRATION

A Secret Service agent on JD Vance’s detail is under investigation and potentially facing criminal charges after private information was apparently leaked to the media.

The Pentagon will partner with UNC-Chapel Hill and Virginia Tech for a reworked educational program for service members after Secretary Pete Hegseth cut ties with several Ivy Leagues.

Karoline Leavitt said the president’s patience with John Thune is “running out” during a press briefing today as multiple attempts to jam through the SAVE America Act continue to flounder in the upper chamber.

• “Maybe she or somebody else ought to get on the phone and get the votes, right? It’s 50 around here,” Thune told reporters in response. “Instead of pointing the finger at Republicans, they might think about going after the people who are stopping it on the floor, which is the Democrats.”

THE COURTS

The estranged MAGA lobbyists who were hired by rapper Boosie Badazz to secure a presidential pardon have inked a new deal to do the same for Rajendra Parikh, who pleaded guilty last year to conspiracy to commit bank fraud.

The White House won’t intervene in the extradition process for “manosphere” influencer brothers Andrew and Tristan Tate, who were arrested by U.S. Marshals in Florida last week.

The Minnesota man who pleaded guilty to killing former state House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband was sentenced to life in prison today.

THE HILL

Mark Sanford, the former South Carolina governor, announced he’s running for the late Lindsey Graham’s Senate seat.

• The upper chamber is struggling to pass Graham’s last bill.

The Senate HELP Committee abruptly canceled votes today for three Labor and Health and Human Services nominees — Erica Schwartz, Sean Kaufman and Keith Sonderling — due to attendance issues. Votes have been pushed to next week.

WHERE’S THE CORSAGE?

Thank you for reading! Today’s newsletter was produced by Kelly Poe and Erik Schutz. If you liked it, please forward it to a friend. If someone shared it with you, please sign up — it’s free! Got a tip or comments to share? Email us at finalnotus@notus.com.