September 26, 2024: The race to replace Mitch McConnell

Mitch McConnell’s remaining time as head of the Senate GOP may be limited, but he still has plenty to say — if you get the chance to talk with him. We did. And we asked him about the future of the filibuster, the upcoming election and some of the most controversial campaign remarks from Donald Trump and Sen. JD Vance. Playbook co-authors Rachael Bade and Eugene Daniels talk through what we learned — and the one topic on which he’s remaining mum.

Just weeks before an election in which they hope to regain a majority, Senate Republicans are singing from the same hymnal in public. But behind the scenes, there are real divisions as jockeying heats up to replace Mitch McConnell and become the next GOP leader. Frontrunners John Thune (S.D.) and John Cornyn (Texas) are appealing to supporters and — who else — former President Donald Trump. Playbook co-author Rachael Bade walks through it all. Plus, what we know about New York Mayor Eric Adams’ indictment. All that, and the rest of the news you need to know today.

That smell coming off Capitol Hill today? Jet fumes, as members prepare to get out of dodge. The House of Representatives is expected to vote this evening on a continuing resolution that will fund the government until December. According to Playbook editor Mike DeBonis, what happens next is heavily influenced by the outcome of the election. He breaks it all down with Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels. Plus, formal charges from the Department of Justice for would-be Trump assassin Ryan Routh, and the rest of the news you need to know today.

President Joe Biden will address the United Nations General Assembly this afternoon in what is expected to be one of the most important appearances in the final months of his presidency. Aides to the president say Biden has two goals: to burnish his own foreign policy legacy and to bolster Vice President and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris. White House Bureau Chief Jonathan Lemire joins Playbook editor Mike DeBonis to walk through what else we know. Plus, another possible scandal for a New York Republican representative, and all the rest of the news you need to know today.

Speaker Mike Johnson unveiled a six-month continuing resolution that would fund the government until late December. The move is in direct defiance against former President Donald Trump’s stated wishes for the bill, but Johnson argued that a government shutdown 40 days before the election would be “political malpractice.” Playbook co-author Rachael Bade breaks down what’s included in the bill and what’s missing. Plus, multiple staffers on North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson’s campaign team have resigned and everything else you need to know today.

On Thursday, reports surfaced that North Carolina Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson used a pseudonym on internet forums to express support for antisemitic ideals, as well as to comment on pornographic material. Natalie Allison of POLITICO reported that Robinson had an account on the website Ashely Madison, which is designed for married people looking for extramarital affairs. POLITICO's Natalie Allison talks with Playbook deputy editor Zack Stanton about the discoveries and whether his faltering poll numbers in North Carolina could impact Trump.

House Speaker Mike Johnson’s initial attempt to avoid a government shutdown has been quashed. Yesterday, Johnson put a spending bill on the floor, and it died in a 202-220 vote, with some Republicans joining with Democrats to down the proposal. So … where does Johnson go from here? Playbook editor (and former congress reporter) Mike DeBonis joins Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza to walk through next moves. Plus, the Teamsters put out a non-endorsement in the presidential race, while Donald Trump made some outlandish predictions about New York’s vote during a rally on Long Island. All of that, plus the rest of the news you need to know today.

On Tuesday, Vice President Kamala Harris sat down with three journalists—including Playbook’s own Eugene Daniels—to chat about some of the election’s most pressing issues. Eugene and Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza discuss what we've learned about the Democratic presidential nominee's stance on the war in Gaza, restoring Roe v. Wade, and how she perceives the task of winning Black voters.

Democrats have been using the Capitol riots on January 6, 2021, as fodder for support on the campaign trail, but some are more worried about the transition of power should Kamala Harris win the White House in November. Playbook co-author Rachael Bade digs deep on what both Democrats and Republicans are saying. Plus, the latest updates on the attempted assassination of Donald Trump on Sunday and all the rest of the news you need to know today.

For the second time in just over three months, Donald Trump has survived an assassination attempt. Around 1:30 p.m. EST on Sunday, Secret Service agents opened fire on a gunman who was located in the brush outside of the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach. Trump, who was on the golf course, was unharmed. But this story is just beginning; Playbook co-author Rachael Bade walks through what we know about the incident and the alleged gunman’s puzzling political views.