Bill Cassidy Louisiana

US Senate In Great Flux As Fall Elections Arrive!

Ronald 18 Comments

The United States Senate is in great flux as the Midterm Elections of 2026 arrive in less than four months.

Turnover will be massive:

11 Senators are retiring.

2 Senators have been defeated for renomination.

1 Senator (Lindsey Graham) just passed away.

Seven other Senators running for reelection face the possibility of losing their seat, 5 Republicans and 2 Democrats.

Dan Sullivan in Alaska (R)
Ashley Moody in Florida (R)
Jon Ossoff in Georgia (D)
Susan Collins in Maine (R)
Ed Markey in Massachusetts (D)
Pete Ricketts in Nebraska (R)
Jon Husted in Ohio (R)

Additionally, with Republican Senator Mitch McConnell still in recovery from a fall and a bout with pneumonia, and with Lindsey Graham’s passing creating a void on key Senate committees, plus the opposition of several Republican Senators to some Donald Trump agenda items, it is unlikely that what the White House wants will occur in the three and a half months until the midterms.

Senators John Cornyn of Texas, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Rand Paul of Kentucky, and Mitch McConnell of Kentucky when he returns to the Senate, are all “wild cards” that make major actions unlikely.

Also, the fact of Lindsey Graham’s death opens up the possibility that his South Carolina Senate seat might be a possible gain for Democratic nominee Dr. Annie Andrews.

Republican Fury At Iran Agreement Very Evident!

Ronald 17 Comments

There is massive Republican and conservative fury at the Iran Agreement negotiated by Donald Trump’s Administration.

To many, it is clear nothing substantive was gained by the three and a half month war, and that the future situation in the Middle East Cauldron is far from stable.

Among the critics are:

Senator Ted Cruz of Texas
Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley
Former Vice President Mike Pence
Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina
Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana
Senator John Cornyn of Texas
Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas
Senator Susan Collins of Maine
Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska
Senator Roger Wicker of Mississippi
Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo
Former National Security Adviser John Bolton

Even Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota expressed concerns with the agreement.

And there are a long list of others, who see the Trump agreement with Iran as no better than the one negotiated by Barack Obama in 2015.

Major US Senate Turnover Coming In 120th Congress (2027-2029)

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The nation will witness a major US Senate turnover in the upcoming 120th Congress (2027-2029).

This would be due to retirements, primary defeats, potential election defeats, and 4 Senators running for Governor.

For now, the following is certain:

The following 11 US Senators are retiring:

Republican Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, running for Governor
Democrat Dick Durbin of Illinois
Republican Joni Ernst of Iowa
Republican Mitch McConnell of Kentucky
Democrat Gary Peters of Michigan
Democrat Tina Smith of Minnesota
Republican Steve Daines of Montana
Democrat Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire
Republican Thom Tillis of North Carolina
Republican Alan Armstrong of Oklahoma, appointed temprarily to replace Markwayne Mullin
Republican Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming

The following two US Senators were defeated in primaries:

Republican Bill Cassidy of Louisiana
Republican John Cornyn of Texas

The following seven US Senators are endangered for reelection:

Republican Dan Sullivan of Alaska, challenged by Mary Peltola
Republican Ashley Moody of Florida, challenged by Alex Vindman
Democrat Jon Ossoff of Georgia, challenged by Republican nominee
Republican Susan Collins of Maine, challenged by Graham Platner
Democrat Ed Markey of Massachusetts, challenged by Seth Moulton in primary
Republican Pete Ricketts of Nebraska, challenged by Independent Dan Osborn
Republican Jon Husted of Ohio, challenged by former Senator Sherrod Brown

Likely gains for Democrats seem possible or likely in

Alaska, North Carolina (open seat), Maine, Ohio, and with outside chances in Texas (open seat), Iowa (open seat), Montana (open seat), and Florida.

But Republicans have possibilities in Georgia, Michigan (open seat), and New Hampshire (open seat).

Also, the following US Senators are running for Governors of their states, and if elected, would resign from the Senate, and a replacement would be appointed or elected:

Democrat Michael Bennet of Colorado
Democrat Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota
Republican Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee

IF all of the above were to occur, the maximum number of new US Senators, either by election or appointment for replacements, could reach the mid 20s in number.

Imagining about 20 new Senators as a minimum, is very likely to occur!

Republican Senate Majority In “Free Fall” For Remainder Of 2026!

Ronald 68 Comments

The Republican Party in the US Senate, under Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota, is facing a “free fall” for the remainder of 2026, through the contentious Midterm Elections this coming November.

While there are 53 Republican US Senators, with the recent defeat of Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and John Cornyn of Texas;

and the coming retirement of Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and Thom Tillis of North Carolina;

and the continuing reputation for “independence” of Rand Paul of Kentucky and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska;

along with the usual difficult balancing act of Susan Collins of Maine, who faces a very difficult reelection campaigan against Graham Platner;

the potential for the loss of support for Donald Trump for the remainder of this year is likely.

Additionally, Utah Senator John Curtis is an independent minded member, and cannot be counted upon to be in loyal support of Trump on a constant basis, and is not up for reelection until 2030. As the successor to Mitt Romney, he is from the same tradition, as the former Senator and 2012 Presidential nominee, one of total independence.

Congressional Republicans’ Support Of Trump Splintering

Ronald 32 Comments

The sycophancy of Congressional Republicans, particularly Senate Republicans, toward Donald Trump is showing signs of splintering on a number of matters, further endangering the party as the Midterm Elections of 2026 come upon us in a little over five months.

Trump’s insistence of total loyalty of party members is wearing thin, as he alienated many by working against the renomination of Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy; endorsed Ken Paxton over Senator John Cornyn for the Texas Senate nomination that will be decided next week; and most divisive, his plan to set up a 1.776 Billion Compensation Fund, also termed the “Anti Weaponization Fund”, for so called victims of government “mistreatment”, including the January 6, 2021 US Capitol Insurrectionists, who went to prison for their crimes, before being pardoned by Trump on Day One of his second term.

The willingness of many Republican Senators to be openly critical of the idea of paying insurrectionists and convicted criminals compensation, often in the millions of dollars, was made evident after a tumultuous two hour meeting with Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. Among those who were outraged were Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski, Maine Senator Susan Collins, Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell, North Carolina, Senator Thom Tillis, Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy, and Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson.

But also there are opponents of the proposed White House Ballroom; the proposed Triumphal Arch; and other spending on vanity projects that Trump has promoted.

With Trump’s public approval ratings reaching an all time low, and with the Iran War continuing without any end in sight, and the abuses of ICE and other government agencies and the horrors of so many Trump government officials, we are finally seeing a disintegration of party support for Trump.

The question is however how far will the revolt against Trump develop over the next months until November, and beyond.

Texas Senate Race Likely To Promote Flip Of Senate To Democrats!

Ronald 21 Comments

In a surprise, but not shocking development, President Donald Trump has abandoned Texas Senator John Cornyn, who voted with him almost all of the time, and instead, has thrown his support and endorsement to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a highly divisive and corrupt figure, for the upcoming Senate Republican Primary runoff, taking place on May 26.

Trump has proved yet again that loyalty is a one way street, as no matter how much any Republican backs him, if such individual shows any independence or expresses doubt about some Trump utterance or policy, Trump is very willing to abandon him.

This led to the defeat of Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie, because of his persistence in pursuing the Epstein Scandal, and speaking out in criticism of the Iran War.

This led to the defeat of Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy, who went against his own best judgment to support Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services, despite his crazy views on vaccines. But Cassidy also voted to convict Trump on impeachment charges after the January 6, 2021 US Capitol Insurrection, so Trump went on the attack for Cassidy’s “disloyalty”.

Now, Cornyn, who was Senate Majority Whip after 2014, and was a contender for Senate Majority Leader in 2024, faces the likelihood that he will lose his seat to a man, Attorney General Ken Paxton, who was impeached but not convicted in the Texas state legislature, for corruption, and also was cheating on his wife, who is presently suing him for divorce. But Trump says Paxton is a “True” MAGA Republican.

The end result is the strong likelihood that Texas State Senator and Democratic Senatorial nominee James Talarico, who has great charisma and personal presence, will have an easier time winning the Senate seat, the first Democratic statewide victory in 30 years. If Talarico wins, the likelihood of Democratic control of the US Senate in the 120th Congress (2027-2029) seems assured.

Talarico will turn 37 this summer, and is perceived by many as a future leader of the Democratic Party nationally, if he can win the Texas Senate seat, and some observers see him as having potential for national office.

Only Two Senators And One House Member Who Voted For Impeachment Of Trump After January 6, 2021 Remain In Congress

Ronald 15 Comments

After the January 6, 2021 US Capitol Insurrection, incited by President Donald Trump, 10 Republicans in the House voted to impeach Trump, and 7 Republican Senators voted to convict Trump.

Sadly, as we face the Midterm Elections of 2026, only ONE House member, and only TWO Senators remain in Congress for the future, and one of the Senators, Susan Collins of Maine, faces a tough contest against Democrat Graham Platner, for her desired sixth term in the upper body.

David Valadao of California is running for reelection, and while the district lines are likely to change, due to the vote of Californians to promote redistricting to favor Democrats, it seems likely that Valadao will keep his House seat.

Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska does not face voters again until 2028, but having already beaten back an attempt to defeat her in 2010, when she lost the Republican primary, ran as an Independent, and still was elected again, as she was in 2016 and 2022.

Four of the other five Senate Republicans who voted to convict Trump all retired at the end of their term—Richard Burr of North Carolina in 2022; Patrick Toomey of Pennsylvania in 2022; Ben Sasse of Nebraska by resigining in 2023; Mitt Romney of Utah in 2024; and now Bill Cassidy of Louisiana has been defeated in the Republican primary yesterday.

This is a sad commentary on the reputation of the Republican Party, as Donald Trump works to wipe out the truth and the facts that led to the impeachment trial, and the first time to have multiple members of his party vote to convict and remove.

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. A Total Disaster As HHS Secretary, A Danger To All Americans’ Health And Well Being! :(

Ronald 20 Comments

Americans’ health and well being are in dire threat and danger, due to the total mental disaster that is Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

Totally unqualified from the beginning, with no expertise in science or health, RFK Jr., himself is a perpetual drug and alcohol abuser, and a well known sexual abuser as well.

This nightmare Trump Cabinet officer is endangering the entire nation by his firing of qualified people to lead public health agencies, and declaring war on vaccines, which have saved millions of American lives over the past century.

RFK Jr. displayed how unstable and dangerous he is in his testimony on Thursday before a contentious Senate committee hearing, including expressed outrage by two Republican medical doctor Senators, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, and John Barrasso of Wyoming, who were taken aback at his utterances and unstable behavior. And Barrasso is also the second highest ranking Republican in the Senate, as Senate Majority Whip, so his complaints and concerns are significant.

There were calls for RFK Jr.s resignation, and condemnation of his belief in conspiracy theories about vaccines and diseases, and RFK Jr’s totally unstable behavior in his answering of questions from committee members.

RFK Jr. is a disgrace to the Kennedy family name, and his own sister, Kerry Kennedy; his own cousin, Caroline Kennedy; and his own second cousin and grandson of John F. Kennedy, Jack Schlossberg, warned against him becoming HHS Secretary.

Many “Blue States” will ignore the HHS Department, and promote their own vaccinations and health related issues, such as California, Oregon, and Washington State, and likely the same for the New England States and the Middle Atlantic States.

At the same time, tragically, the state of Florida is leading the movement, under the despicable Governor Ron DeSantis and his lunatic Florida Surgeon General, Dr.Joseph Ladapo, to end the requirement that all children be vaccinated for many diseases before they enter school years.

This will cause a massive health crisis, and loss of life of young children and adults, with this reckless war on mandatory health requirements!

Gutless Wonders, And NOT Profiles In Courage: Republican Senators Who Allow Themselves To Be Controlled!

Ronald 8 Comments

A very disturbing development is the reality that several Republican Senators, who have expressed concern and doubts about various Donald Trump Cabinet Appointments and other nominees who require Senate approval, have shown they are NOT “Profiles in Courage”, but instead “Gutless Wonders”!

The threat of Elon Musk promoting opponents in upcoming Senate primaries has led to these Senators bowing to pressure, and making themselves look unprincipled, and without any morals, ethics, or scruples.

The need for these Senators, all of whom have great financial assets and earlier careers where they did well financially, to cave in to pressure is astounding.

Even if they lost their seats in the Senate, or chose not to run for reelection, they would not be in any kind of financial straits that would pressure them to be cowards, but they are precisely that!

I am referring to those Senators I had written about that might be barriers to Trump’s nominees, including:

Joni Ernst of Iowa
Thom Tillis of North Carolina
Bill Cassidy of Louisiana
Susan Collins of Maine
James Lankford of Oklahoma
John Curtis of Utah

Additionally, a newer Republican Senator, Todd Young of Indiana, after having doubts about Tulsi Gabbard, bent to the pressure from Vice President JD Vance to back her for Director Of National Intelligence!

With upcoming confirmation votes next week, it looks quite hopeless that any nominee will be stopped by four Republican votes against such nominee.

Subject to change, it seems as if only Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Mitch McConnell of Kentucky might vote NO, beyond Pete Hegseth, and who can be sure that even those two Senators will be consistent.

This is all very exasperating and disillusioning, as we are on the road to the worst ever Presidential Cabinet of advisers in American History, people in many cases outrageously horrible to be in their positions and guaranteed to conduct themselves in illegal, unethical, and immoral ways!

Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins And? Will Trump Nominees Be Stopped?

Ronald 12 Comments

Two Republican women Senators, considered the most “moderate” in the party caucus, have come out in committee against the nomination of Pete Hegseth to be Secretary of Defense.

Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine have made clear that they are unhappy with Hegseth’s statements in the past against women in the military, although he has backed off on that idea recently.

Murkowski does not face an election until 2028, and already in the past, had kept her seat as an Independent in one election race. And Susan Collins has hinted she may not run for reelection in 2026, but even if she does, she is in a strong position in a state that is more “Blue”, but her ability to keep her seat has been strong in the past. She has served 28 years and is the longest serving female Republican Senator in American history.

The question is whether there are two more Republicans who will have the guts and courage to join Murkowski and Collins. Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell, former Majority and Minority Leader, is a “free spirit” in his last two years in the upper chamber, who disagrees with Donald Trump on foreign and defense policy, so might rebel against Hegseth.

Joni Ernst of Iowa seemed a possible negative vote, but was pressured in her home state to support Hegseth, and therefore looks likely to vote for him despite some qualms.

As stated by this author and blogger in an earlier post on January 12, there are a few other Republican Senators who might, hopefully, join in opposition, particularly the new Utah Senator John Curtis, seen as similar in moderation as was Mitt Romney, plus Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, James Lankford of Oklahoma, and Thom Tillis of North Carolina!

If not voting against Hegseth, there is greater possibility that some of this group will vote against other objectionable nominees, including Tulsi Gabbard, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr, and Kash Patel.