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EXPLORE · WEEK OF AUG 31 – SEP 6, 2026UPDATED OCT 1, 11:29 AM ET

The week in Congress news.

The week’s biggest stories about members of Congress and 2026 candidates: who covered them, how each side told them, and what each side is seeing less of.

‹ AUG 24–30THIS WEEK
TOP STORY · 1 REP. · AUG 27 – SEP 3

House Censures Chuck Edwards Over Conduct Toward Former Staffers

The House censured Rep. Chuck Edwards after an ethics investigation into his conduct toward two former staffers. Coverage centers on the findings and Edwards’s response, with some outlets using more pointed language than others.

Chuck EdwardsREP. · R-NC-11
OUTLETS52
ARTICLES62
LEFT1
CENTER40
RIGHT3
UNRATED8
PHOTO · WINNIPEG FREE PRESSHouse censures Rep. Chuck Edwards for conduct toward former female staffers
HOW EACH SIDE TOLD ITUNRATED · 8 OUTLETS, E.G. TWINCITIES
LEFT-LEANING1 OUTLETA sharply critical portraitThe Daily Beast uses a strongly critical headline and foregrounds the ethics findings alongside Edwards’s rejection of them.
“MAGA Rep Chuck Edwards, 65, Unravels After Vote Over His Creepy Behavior”THE DAILY BEAST · CRED 70 · MOST CREDIBLE ON THIS SIDE
CENTER40 OUTLETSFindings alongside Edwards’s responseCenter outlets generally pair the committee’s findings with Edwards’s account in restrained, attributed reporting.
“North Carolina congressman Edwards asks House colleagues not to censure him”ASSOCIATED PRESS · CRED 97 · MOST CREDIBLE ON THIS SIDE
RIGHT-LEANING3 OUTLETSA forceful ethics rebukeThe Daily Caller pairs the censure and committee findings with Edwards’s objections, while using more emphatic wording in its headlines.
“Rep Chuck Edwards censured over sexual harassment of female staffers”FOX NEWS · CRED 71 · MOST CREDIBLE ON THIS SIDE
Findings alongside Edwards’s responseCenter outlets generally pair the committee’s findings with Edwards’s account in restrained, attributed reporting.
“North Carolina congressman Edwards asks House colleagues not to censure him”ASSOCIATED PRESS · CRED 97 · MOST CREDIBLE ON THIS SIDE
UNRATED · 8 OUTLETS, E.G. TWINCITIES
LEFT-LEANING OUTLETS ARRIVED 5D LATEROpen the story →
MOST-COVERED STORIES · RANKED BY OUTLETS

What got covered most

70 of 133 stories reached 3+ outlets
70 of 133 stories reached 3+ outlets
EACH BAR SHOWS WHO COVERED THE STORYLeft-leaningCenterRight-leaningUnrated outletsHOW WE RATE OUTLETS →
1
House Censures Chuck Edwards Over Conduct Toward Former StaffersThe House censured Rep. Chuck Edwards after an ethics investigation into his conduct toward two former staffers. Coverage centers on the findings and Edwards’s response, with some outlets using more pointed language than others.Chuck EdwardsR-NC-1152 OUTLETS · 62 ARTICLES · AUG 27 – SEP 3LEFT-LEANING 5D LATER
WHO COVERED IT52 OUTLETS52 OUTLETS · 62 ARTICLESAUG 27 – SEP 31 left-leaning · 40 center · 3 right-leaning · 8 unrated.Mostly center outletsLEFT 5D LATER
2
Ed Markey Wins Massachusetts Democratic Senate PrimaryEd Markey defeated Seth Moulton in Massachusetts’ Democratic Senate primary. Coverage differs on whether the contest centers on generational change and age or transgender rights and the candidates’ policy positions.Seth MoultonD-MA-6Ed MarkeyD-MA45 OUTLETS · 67 ARTICLES · AUG 31 – SEP 3LEFT-LEANING 34H LATER
WHO COVERED IT45 OUTLETS45 OUTLETS · 67 ARTICLESAUG 31 – SEP 36 left-leaning · 24 center · 6 right-leaning · 9 unrated.Mostly center outletsLEFT 34H LATER
3
MAGA Inc. Announces $10 Million Texas Senate Ad BuyMAGA Inc. committed $10 million to Texas Senate ads backing Ken Paxton and targeting James Talarico, whose campaign disputes the tax claims. Coverage ranges from portraying the spending as support for Paxton to an effort to shore up a struggling bid.Ken PaxtonR-TXJames TalaricoD-TX33 OUTLETS · 34 ARTICLES · SEP 5–12LEFT-LEANING 46H LATER
WHO COVERED IT33 OUTLETS33 OUTLETS · 34 ARTICLESSEP 5–122 left-leaning · 17 center · 6 right-leaning · 8 unrated.Mostly center outletsLEFT 46H LATER
4
Markey Wins Massachusetts Democratic Senate PrimaryMarkey defeated Seth Moulton for the Massachusetts Democratic Senate nomination. Coverage differs on whether the story centers on age and ideology, generational change, or Markey’s progressive credentials.Ed MarkeyD-MA20 OUTLETS · 22 ARTICLES · AUG 31 – SEP 5LEFT-LEANING 34H LATER
WHO COVERED IT20 OUTLETS20 OUTLETS · 22 ARTICLESAUG 31 – SEP 51 left-leaning · 13 center · 1 right-leaning · 5 unrated.Mostly center outletsLEFT 34H LATER
5
House Returns With Stopgap Funding and Edwards Censure on AgendaHouse lawmakers returned to Washington with stopgap funding and a possible censure of Rep. Chuck Edwards on the agenda. Coverage centers on funding as a leading priority, with the ethics recommendation also in view.Chuck EdwardsR-NC-1118 OUTLETS · 18 ARTICLES · AUG 31 – SEP 1
WHO COVERED IT18 OUTLETS18 OUTLETS · 18 ARTICLESAUG 31 – SEP 10 left-leaning · 16 center · 0 right-leaning · 2 unrated.Only center outlets
7
James Talarico's 2020 Remarks on Capitalism Resurface in Texas Senate RaceTalarico’s 2020 remarks about capitalism resurfaced during his Texas Senate campaign, and his campaign says he supports capitalism and oil and gas. Center outlets emphasize the contrast; right-leaning outlets more often frame the remarks as a liability.James TalaricoD-TX11 OUTLETS · 14 ARTICLES · SEP 1–4BLIND SPOT · LEFT-LEANING READERS SEE LESS
WHO COVERED IT11 OUTLETS11 OUTLETS · 14 ARTICLESSEP 1–40 left-leaning · 1 center · 10 right-leaning · 0 unrated.No left-leaning outletsBLIND SPOT · LEFT-LEANING READERS SEE LESS
8
Comer Says McConnell May Return When Senate ReconvenesRep. James Comer said Mitch McConnell may return when the Senate reconvenes, though McConnell’s office had not announced a date. Coverage focuses on Comer’s expectation and whether the return timing is confirmed.Mitch McConnellR-KYJames ComerR-KY-110 OUTLETS · 11 ARTICLES · SEP 3–4
WHO COVERED IT10 OUTLETS10 OUTLETS · 11 ARTICLESSEP 3–40 left-leaning · 7 center · 1 right-leaning · 2 unrated.No left-leaning outlets
9
Wall Street Journal Publishes Former Staffers' Account of Fetterman's WorkOutlets agree former staffers accused Senator John Fetterman of neglecting constituent duties and Senate work. They diverge on whether the reports demonstrate unacceptable job neglect or coordinated Democratic pushback against his political positions.John FettermanD-PA10 OUTLETS · 10 ARTICLES · SEP 3–6CENTER AND RIGHT-LEANING 18H LATER
WHO COVERED IT10 OUTLETS10 OUTLETS · 10 ARTICLESSEP 3–64 left-leaning · 2 center · 3 right-leaning · 1 unrated.Covered across the spectrumCENTER & RIGHT 18H LATER
10
Vance Criticizes El-Sayed at Michigan Campaign RallyVance criticized Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed at a rally for Mike Rogers, and El-Sayed responded. Coverage differs on whether the exchange centers on Vance’s family and a personal rebuke or on the political contest and the attacks’ wider implications.Abdul El-SayedD-MI10 OUTLETS · 10 ARTICLES · AUG 31 – SEP 4LEFT- AND RIGHT-LEANING 4D LATER
WHO COVERED IT10 OUTLETS10 OUTLETS · 10 ARTICLESAUG 31 – SEP 41 left-leaning · 4 center · 3 right-leaning · 2 unrated.Covered across the spectrumLEFT & RIGHT 4D LATER
Showing 10 of 70
BLIND SPOTS · THIS WEEK

What each side is seeing less of

Stories that outlets on one side covered and the other side mostly didn’t. The rule is strict, so most weeks only a handful qualify.

HOW WE DECIDE →ALSO IN SOURCES →
LEFT-LEANING READERS ARE SEEING LESS OF9 THIS WEEK
BLIND SPOTSEP 1–4James Talarico's 2020 Remarks on Capitalism Resurface in Texas Senate RaceJames TalaricoSENATE CANDIDATE · D-TX11 outlets: 1 center, 10 right-leaning. No left-leaning outlets.
BLIND SPOTSEP 1–411 OUTLETS · 91% RIGHT
ONE-SIDEDSEP 2–5James Talarico Visits Cracker BarrelJames TalaricoSENATE CANDIDATE · D-TX4 outlets: 4 right-leaning. No left-leaning or center outlets.
ONE-SIDEDSEP 2–54 OUTLETS · 100% RIGHT
ONE-SIDEDSEP 3–4Sanders and Casar Introduce Bill to Ban Artificial SuperintelligenceBernie SandersSENATOR · I-VT4 outlets: 3 right-leaning, 1 unrated. No left-leaning or center outlets.
ONE-SIDEDSEP 3–44 OUTLETS · 100% RIGHT
ONE-SIDEDSEP 2–3Collins Comments on Jackson’s Relationship With Second CousinSusan M. CollinsSENATOR · R-METroy JacksonSENATE CANDIDATE · D-ME4 outlets: 4 right-leaning. No left-leaning or center outlets.
ONE-SIDEDSEP 2–34 OUTLETS · 100% RIGHT
ONE-SIDEDSEP 2–3Jewish Michiganders Sign Letter Opposing Abdul El-Sayed’s Senate NominationAbdul El-SayedSENATE CANDIDATE · D-MI3 outlets: 3 right-leaning. No left-leaning or center outlets.
ONE-SIDEDSEP 2–33 OUTLETS · 100% RIGHT
RIGHT-LEANING READERS ARE SEEING LESS OF3 THIS WEEK
BLIND SPOTAUG 31 – SEP 6Mike Johnson Supports Max Miller's Reelection Amid Ethics ReviewMax L. MillerREP. · R-OH-7Mike JohnsonREP. · R-LA-45 outlets: 4 left-leaning, 1 center. No right-leaning outlets.
BLIND SPOTAUG 31 – SEP 65 OUTLETS · 80% LEFT
ONE-SIDEDSEP 1–4Mike Johnson Remarks on Iranians and Iran PolicyMike JohnsonREP. · R-LA-44 outlets: 3 left-leaning, 1 unrated. No center or right-leaning outlets.
ONE-SIDEDSEP 1–44 OUTLETS · 100% LEFT
ONE-SIDEDSEP 1–2Republicans Raise Concerns About Ken Paxton's Senate CampaignKen PaxtonSENATE CANDIDATE · R-TX3 outlets: 3 left-leaning. No center or right-leaning outlets.
ONE-SIDEDSEP 1–23 OUTLETS · 100% LEFT
HOW WE DECIDE →ALSO IN SOURCES →

Who’s in the news

BY OUTLETS
1▲7Ed MarkeySENATOR · D-MA62OUTLETSTone of 98 articles: 37 good look · 28 mixed · 31 neutral · 2 bad look.6 STORIESEd Markey Wins Massachusetts Democratic Senate Primary
1▲15Seth MoultonREP. · D-MA-662OUTLETSTone of 91 articles: 1 good look · 47 mixed · 24 neutral · 19 bad look.5 STORIESEd Markey Wins Massachusetts Democratic Senate Primary
3—Abdul El-SayedSENATE CANDIDATE · D-MI58OUTLETSTone of 151 articles: 15 good look · 54 mixed · 8 neutral · 74 bad look.22 STORIESAbdul El-Sayed Apologizes for Remarks After Synagogue Attack
4▲2Ken PaxtonSENATE CANDIDATE · R-TX54OUTLETSTone of 94 articles: 5 good look · 8 mixed · 47 neutral · 34 bad look.14 STORIESMAGA Inc. Announces $10 Million Texas Senate Ad Buy
5▼1James TalaricoSENATE CANDIDATE · D-TX50OUTLETSTone of 87 articles: 9 good look · 26 mixed · 22 neutral · 30 bad look.11 STORIESMAGA Inc. Announces $10 Million Texas Senate Ad Buy
BILLS AND VOTES IN THIS WEEK’S COVERAGE

On the floor and in the news

BILLS IN THE NEWSOUTLETSPEOPLE
H.R. 1One Big Beautiful Bill ActBECAME LAWOne Big Beautiful Bill ActBECAME LAWJUL 4, 202529 PEOPLE IN COVERAGE3229
S. 1383Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act of 2025PASSED BOTHVeterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act of 2025PASSED BOTH14 PEOPLE IN COVERAGE1214
H.R. 9694Epstein Files Transparency Act IIIN COMMITTEEEpstein Files Transparency Act IIIN COMMITTEE3 PEOPLE IN COVERAGE103
H.R. 4405Epstein Files Transparency ActBECAME LAWEpstein Files Transparency ActBECAME LAWNOV 19, 20256 PEOPLE IN COVERAGE96
H.R. 22SAVE ActPASSED HOUSESAVE ActPASSED HOUSE8 PEOPLE IN COVERAGE88
H.R. 29Laken Riley ActPASSED HOUSELaken Riley ActPASSED HOUSE4 PEOPLE IN COVERAGE74
S. 5Laken Riley ActBECAME LAWLaken Riley ActBECAME LAWJAN 29, 20256 PEOPLE IN COVERAGE56
VOTES IN THE NEWSOUTLETS
HOUSE · ROLL 292 · SEP 1In the matter of allegations relating to Rep. Chuck Edwards H.Res. 1498PASSED 413–243
HOUSE · ROLL 289 · SEP 1Providing for the condemnation and denouncement of socialism in all its forms H.Res. 1490PASSED 220–1927
HOUSE · ROLL 288 · SEP 1Rule for H.R. 1501 and 3 other measures H.Res. 1499PASSED 210–2085
HOUSE · ROLL 295 · SEP 3Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act of 2026 H.R. 4795PASSED 237–1692
BILLS HUB →VOTES HUB →
NOV 3 · 58 DAYS AWAY

Races in the news

ELECTIONS HUB →ALL RACES →
TEXAS · SENATE138 ART.
Ken PaxtonRJames TalaricoD
66OUTLETS THIS WEEKMAGA Inc. Announces $10 Million Texas Senate Ad Buy
MASSACHUSETTS · SENATE99 ART.
Ed MarkeyDINCJohn DeatonR
62OUTLETS THIS WEEKEd Markey Wins Massachusetts Democratic Senate Primary
MICHIGAN · SENATE152 ART.
Abdul El-SayedDMike RogersR
58OUTLETS THIS WEEKAbdul El-Sayed Apologizes for Remarks After Synagogue Attack
MAINE · SENATE46 ART.
Susan M. CollinsRINCTroy JacksonD
20OUTLETS THIS WEEKSusan Collins Comments on Troy Jackson’s Family in Interview
NEW YORK · HOUSE 825 ART.
Hakeem S. JeffriesDINCLewis MizrahiR
19OUTLETS THIS WEEKHouse Passes Procedural Rule Backed by Golden and Gluesenkamp Perez
LOUISIANA · HOUSE 429 ART.
Mike JohnsonRINCConrad CableD
17OUTLETS THIS WEEKMike Johnson Cancels Late-September House Votes
21 TOPICS · STORIES THIS WEEK · CHANGE SINCE LAST WEEK

Browse by topic

Ethics/Corruption50Change since last week: ▲10House Censures Chuck Edwards Over Conduct Toward Former StaffersEconomy34Change since last week: ▼10James Talarico's 2020 Remarks on Capitalism Resurface in Texas Senate RaceHealthcare31Change since last week: ▲5Ed Markey Wins Massachusetts Democratic Senate PrimaryForeign Policy29Change since last week: ▼3Abdul El-Sayed Faces Scrutiny Over Deleted 9/11 PostsImmigration18Change since last week: ▼10Stephen Lynch Wins Massachusetts 8th District Democratic PrimaryVoting Rights17Change since last week: ▼1House Passes Procedural Rule Backed by Golden and Gluesenkamp PerezTechnology/Privacy13Change since last week: ▲6Sanders and Casar Introduce Bill to Ban Artificial SuperintelligenceBudget/Spending11Change since last week: ▲8Troy Jackson Cosponsors $13.4 Million Maine Maritime Academy Funding BillTaxes11Change since last week: ▼3MAGA Inc. Announces $10 Million Texas Senate Ad BuyEnvironment/Climate10Change since last week: ▲5CNN Reports on William Lawrence’s Deleted Social Media PostsAbortion/Reproductive Rights8Change since last week: ▲1DeSantis Endorses Byron Donalds for Florida GovernorCriminal Justice8Change since last week: ▼1Roy Cooper Appoints Kerwin Pittman to Criminal Justice Task ForceLabor/Unions7Change since last week: ▲5Abdul El-Sayed and Mallory McMorrow Appear at Press ConferenceEducation6Change since last week: ▲3Everton Blair Sworn In as Georgia 13th District RepresentativeDefense/Military4Change since last week: ▼1Thom Tillis Calls on Trump to Replace Pete HegsethHousing3Change since last week: —Ed Markey Defeats Seth Moulton in Massachusetts Senate PrimaryVeterans Affairs3Change since last week: ▲3Report on Fetterman's Senate Work Draws Democratic CriticismAgriculture2Change since last week: —Ashley Hinson Leads Josh Turek in Iowa Senate PollGun Policy1Change since last week: ▼2DeSantis Endorses Byron Donalds for Florida GovernorInfrastructure1Change since last week: ▼1Kennedy Center Board Votes to Add Inscription Crediting TrumpSocial Security/Medicare1Change since last week: ▼1Angela Nixon Compares Her Political Positions With Jesus’s Teachings in Sermon
SOURCES

Know who’s telling you the news

Every outlet covering Congress by lean and credibility, who owns it, who reposts whom and what the other side is reading.

Open the source atlas →
MOST ACTIVE OUTLETS THIS WEEKMOST ACTIVE THIS WEEKLEANCREDARTICLESCRED · ARTICLES
Fox Newsfoxnews.comCENTER-RIGHTCENTER-RIGHTCredibility 71Articles this week 68townhall.comtownhall.comFAR RIGHTFAR RIGHTCredibility 44Articles this week 59Daily Kosdailykos.comLEFTLEFTCredibility 44Articles this week 39twitchy.comtwitchy.comFAR RIGHTFAR RIGHTCredibility 38Articles this week 36Breitbartbreitbart.comRIGHTRIGHTCredibility 41Articles this week 35redstate.comredstate.comFAR RIGHTFAR RIGHTCredibility 43Articles this week 34
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