Proxy Wars

Good afternoon. This is the Final NOTUS newsletter for August 6, 2026. You can get it in your inbox every day by signing up here — it’s free!

THE LATEST

Sen. Mitch McConnell voted by proxy on farm bill amendments during the Agriculture Committee markup today. But the Kentucky Republican’s absence is why the bill did not advance to the Senate floor.

• Chair John Boozman (R-Arkansas) says they will try to vote again on this version of the bill next month.
• McConnell was discharged from his rehabilitation center today to continue recovery at home, he said in a statement this afternoon.

Sen. John Husted (R-Ohio) called for Rep. Max Miller (R-Ohio) to resign from the House today after remaining mostly tight-lipped about his views for weeks. “Anyone who commits domestic violence is not fit to serve in Congress,” he wrote.

THE ADMINISTRATION

The White House kicked off an overhaul of Head Start — part of the administration’s plan to cede education authority to the states.

Trump dismissed reports of the U.S. military being low on munitions today, saying whoever leaked that information is “being hunted down” to potentially face jail sentences.

• He also backed Pete Hegseth on Truth Social after The Washington Post reported the two men had a heated exchange last week over the shortages.

The FCC scrapped a limit on broadcast TV ownership, potentially paving the way for more corporate media consolidation.

Jeanine Pirro has found her limit.

THE HILL

JD Vance discussed Iran negotiations at today’s GOP lunch, Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wisconsin) said, adding that he doesn’t think anyone is satisfied: “It’s a devil of a problem.”

The Senate Homeland Security Committee, helmed by Kentucky Republican Rand Paul, voted to hold Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress after he pleaded the Fifth Amendment during a contentious hearing last week.

A new measure from Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) would restore reporter access to the Pentagon, NOTUS reports. The bill, which is unlikely to advance, comes as the agency is battling over the restrictions in court.

THE STATES

Republican Rep. Andy Ogles — whom Trump endorsed — will face a tough primary landscape tonight in Tennessee when he faces Charlie Hatcher after an influx of outside political spending.

NO FACE, NO CASE

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

Correction: A previous version of this newsletter misstated which state Sen. Boozman serves. He is a senator from Arkansas.