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Big Money, Big Moves: the GOP is a Tour de Force Going into 2026
Historic fundraising numbers from GOP candidates, House GOP makes New Media moves, John Boozman on SNAP, and more
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July 16, 2025
Let’s dive in.
INTERVIEW: Rep. Marlin Stutzman on the new Middle East, crypto, and rescissions
Heard on the Hill
EXCLUSIVE: Tom Cotton makes Arkansas political history
EXCLUSIVE: Winning for Women and aligned groups raise over $1.5 million
EXCLUSIVE: After helping build “MAGA majority,” Andy Barr posts massive fundraising numbers
SCOOP: Largest Republican caucus hosts historic New Media Row on Capitol Hill
SCOOP: Rep. Pfluger keeps spotlight on Trump assassination attempt with event featuring dozens of lawmakers
SCOOP: NBCUniversal relies on the same "digital technology" that NBC News attacked James Comer for using
SCOOP: How one Democrat’s shift on illegal immigration complicates party’s majority push in 2026
SCOOP: Rep. Stephanie Bice has over $1.5 million cash on hand, raised almost $400,000
SCOOP: Kennedy Center’s Les Miserables blows away expectations with record sales
OPINIONATED: Sen. John Boozman on SNAP corrections
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INTERVIEW: Rep. Marlin Stutzman on the new Middle East, crypto, and rescissions
by Matthew Foldi
THE LOWDOWN:
The Middle East is being remade in real time, and Rep. Marlin Stutzman (R., Ind.) is adapting with the times. Stutzman was also one of the first lawmakers to meet with Ahmed al-Sharaa, Syria’s new president.
Stutzman spoke with the Washington Reporter following news that President Donald Trump is lifting virtually all sanctions on the country, a move that Stutzman supports.
Stutzman is optimistic that the Middle East, from Syria to Saudi Arabia can be “an economic powerhouse.”
Closer to home, Stutzman is eager to see Crypto Week take off, tying the burgeoning industry to agriculture in America’s heartland.
Rep. Marlin Stutzman (R., Ind.) didn’t plan on becoming one of Congress’s go-to experts on Syria. In fact, during his first stint in office, Saudi Arabia consumed more of his time.
The Middle East is being remade in real time, and Stutzman is adapting with the times. Given both new realities on the ground, and the large Syrian community in the Midwest, he has spent no shortage of time working on the region. Stutzman was also one of the first lawmakers to meet with Ahmed al-Sharaa, Syria’s new president.
Stutzman spoke with the Washington Reporter following news that President Donald Trump is lifting virtually all sanctions on the country, a move that Stutzman supports.
“I was recently there, getting to see what was going on in Syria firsthand,” he said. “Over there, you have people who are trying to make a living. You have people that are trying to survive.”
“You have people who are trying to recover. I was having a conversation with Rand Paul yesterday, and we were talking about what makes a difference in these countries, and it's trade and it's commerce,” he continued. “Having the ability to buy and sell and then support your family, feed your family, clothe your family, is essential.”
Under Trump, Stutzman said “we're giving them a chance, and we're giving the new administration there a chance, in spite of the background of al-Sharaa.”
“And the thing is, those sanctions can always be slapped back on if the regime or administration misbehaves,” he said.
Heard on the Hill
CASSIUS CLAY OF CONGRESS: Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R., S.D.) is expected to push a motion to discharge the rescissions bill from the Senate Appropriations Committee today, which would lead to the fourth vote-a-rama this year, breaking the current record. Under Thune’s leadership, the Senate has taken more votes than any Congress has in over 35 years. A spokesperson for Thune said, “the numbers don’t lie.”
IN DEEP SCHIFF: The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) is accusing Sen. Adam Schiff (D., Calif.) of being a Maryland man due to his residency in the Free State. The NRSC is seizing on a report from President Donald Trump, who alleged mortgage fraud by the California Democrat. The Washington Reporter’s Matthew Foldi previously broke that Laphonza Butler, Schiff’s predecessor in the Senate, was registered to vote in Maryland when she was appointed to the upper chamber.
MOORE MONEY: Rep. Riley Moore (R., W.Va.) raised $412,000 this quarter, an impressive haul for a freshman lawmaker.
PLAY BALL: The Congressional Women’s Softball Game is tomorrow and the Washington Reporter was on site for practice this morning. Stars of the show were Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R., W.Va.) and Rep. Stephanie Bice (R., Okla.).
FRIDAY PLANS: The Senate likely will convene on Friday to continue confirming President Trump’s nominees. Trump is the only president who has not had a nominee confirmed by voice vote or unanimous consent in modern history. A spokesperson for Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R., S.D.) said the “obstruction is nothing like we’ve seen before” because Senate Democrats “are putting up every road block” leading to cloture votes on every nominee.
LAISSEZ LES BONS TEMPS ROULER: Sen. Bill Cassidy (R., La.) posted his best-ever fundraising quarter, raising $2.1 million. The Louisiana Republican heads into the rest of the year with $9 million.
DESPERATE DEM: Arkansas Democrat Hallie Shoffner has launched a vicious attack on Sen. Tom Cotton (R., Ark.) for being MAGA and for his support for President Donald Trump. A source close to Cotton said, “No matter the cost, Cotton will never apologize for standing with President Trump and his America First agenda.”
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EXCLUSIVE: Tom Cotton makes Arkansas political history
by Matthew Foldi
THE LOWDOWN:
Sen. Tom Cotton (R., Ark.) made Arkansas political history with his most recent fundraising report, raising over $1 million in this most recent fundraising quarter.
Cotton’s haul made Arkansas history — the nearly $10 million cash on hand that Cotton now has across all of his accounts is the most for any Republican in Arkansas history.
President Donald Trump said Cotton “is working tirelessly to strengthen our military, provide the best care for our veterans, help secure our now very secure (record-setting) southern border, cut taxes and regulations, ensure American energy dominance, and protect our always under siege Second Amendment.”
When Cotton announced his bid for reelection, he did so “with the support of every Arkansas statewide official, the entire Arkansas congressional delegation, and 108 out of 110 of Arkansas’s Republican State Legislators,” he noted at the time.
Sen. Tom Cotton (R., Ark.) made Arkansas political history with his most recent fundraising report, raising over $1 million in this most recent fundraising quarter, his team exclusively told the Washington Reporter.
Cotton’s haul made Arkansas history — the nearly $10 million cash on hand that Cotton now has across all of his accounts is the most for any Republican in Arkansas history.
While Cotton is unlikely to face a competitive bid for reelection, he nevertheless recently rolled out an endorsement from President Donald Trump, who has carried Arkansas easily in the past three election cycles. Trump called Cotton “a former U.S. Army Ranger [who] bravely served our nation in combat, and brings the same fighting spirit to the U.S. Senate.”
Cotton “is working tirelessly to strengthen our military, provide the best care for our veterans, help secure our now very secure (record-setting) southern border, cut taxes and regulations, ensure American energy dominance, and protect our always under siege Second Amendment,” Trump continued.
EXCLUSIVE: Winning for Women and aligned groups raise over $1.5 million
by Matthew Foldi
THE LOWDOWN:
The leading groups backing GOP women candidates raised $1.5 million in the second quarter of 2025, according to numbers obtained exclusively by the Washington Reporter.
Winning for Women Action Fund (WFW AF) and its aligned groups hauled in $600,000 in hard dollars as part of its latest quarter.
The group has a history of backing GOP winners, including Sens. Susan Collins (R., Maine), Joni Ernst (R., Iowa), Katie Britt (R., Ala.), Ashley Moody (R., Fla.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R., Miss.), along with Reps. Stephanie Bice (R., Okla.), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R., Iowa), and others.
Earlier this year, WFW hosted a summer fundraiser that featured most of the House GOP’s leadership.
The leading groups backing GOP women candidates raised $1.5 million in the second quarter of 2025, according to numbers obtained exclusively by the Washington Reporter.
Winning for Women Action Fund (WFW AF) and its aligned groups hauled in $600,000 in hard dollars as part of its latest quarter.
“Early support like this is critical in close races,” Meredith Allen Dellinger said of her group’s success; Dellinger is the executive director of WFW AF. “We are excited to be able to send significant resources to their campaigns this early in the cycle, and we are just getting started.”
The group has a history of backing GOP winners, including Sens. Susan Collins (R., Maine), Joni Ernst (R., Iowa), Katie Britt (R., Ala.), Ashley Moody (R., Fla.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R., Miss.), along with Reps. Stephanie Bice (R., Okla.), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R., Iowa), Jen Kiggans (R., Va.), Claudia Tenney (R., N.Y.), Lisa McClain (R., Mich.), Ashley Hinson (R., Iowa), and more.
EXCLUSIVE: After helping build “MAGA majority,” Andy Barr posts massive fundraising numbers
by Matthew Foldi
THE LOWDOWN:
Rep. Andy Barr (R., Ky.)raised $1.4 million and now has over $6.1 million cash on hand, according to fundraising numbers obtained exclusively by the Washington Reporter.
Barr’s latest numbers show that the fundraising momentum he’s demonstrated in his House career is transferring over to his Senate bid. Barr’s donors include conservative heavyweights, like Club For Growth megadonor Dick Uihlein.
Barr’s push to bring his America First brand to the U.S. Senate comes after his leadership PAC, Building America’s Republican Representation (BARR PAC) spent over $1.3 million in over 500 individual donations to Republican candidates in the 2022 and 2024 cycles to build a MAGA majority in Congress.
That MAGA majority blocked the Biden agenda in the last two years of his presidency and passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that President Trump just signed into law.
Rep. Andy Barr (R., Ky.) reported big fundraising numbers for the second quarter as he angles to be the America First Senator from Kentucky.
Barr raised $1.4 million and now has over $6.1 million cash on hand, according to fundraising numbers obtained exclusively by the Washington Reporter.
Barr’s latest numbers show that the fundraising momentum he’s demonstrated in his House career is transferring over to his Senate bid. Barr’s donors include conservative heavyweights, like Club For Growth megadonor Dick Uihlein.
Barr’s push to bring his America First brand to the U.S. Senate comes after his leadership PAC, Building America’s Republican Representation (BARR PAC) spent over $1.3 million in over 500 individual donations to Republican candidates in the 2022 and 2024 cycles to build a MAGA majority in Congress.
Last cycle alone, BARR PAC gave over half a million dollars to Republicans, including the Trump 47 Committee and the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), along with individual candidates across America. Those candidates included many who helped deliver the House GOP its majority.
SCOOP: Largest Republican caucus hosts historic New Media Row on Capitol Hill
by Matthew Foldi
THE LOWDOWN:
Rep. August Pfluger (R., Texas), the chair of the Republican Study Committee (RSC), is hosting Congress’s first-ever New Media Row, the Washington Reporter can exclusively report.
The move comes at a critical juncture for the GOP, as the party shifts efforts from passing the One Big, Beautiful Bill (OBBB) to pitching its merits to the American people.
Over 70 House Republicans are already confirmed for the New Media Row. They are expected to use the opportunity to pitch the OBBB’s merits to the attending New Media outlet’s audiences, which reach tens of millions of Americans between them.
Pfluger’s strategy echoes that of President Donald Trump, who successfully leveraged the podcast universe to catapult himself back into the White House, following viral interviews with hosts like Joe Rogan and Theo Von.
2025 is the year of new media, and President Donald Trump isn’t the only Republican capitalizing on the action.
Rep. August Pfluger (R., Texas), the chair of the Republican Study Committee (RSC), is hosting Congress’s first-ever New Media Row, the Washington Reporter can exclusively report.
The move comes at a critical juncture for the GOP, as the party shifts efforts from passing the One Big, Beautiful Bill (OBBB) to pitching its merits to the American people.
The RSC is stepping in to fill the void of New Media on Capitol Hill, welcoming over 30 outlets and hosts this week.
Over 70 House Republicans are already confirmed for the New Media Row. They are expected to use the opportunity to pitch the OBBB’s merits to the attending New Media outlet’s audiences, which reach tens of millions of Americans between them.
"The Republican Study Committee is proud to host the first-ever new media row on Capitol Hill, building on President Trump's winning 2024 strategy of bypassing corporate media gatekeepers and connecting directly with the American people,” an RSC spokesperson told the Reporter.
“We're bringing in creators with millions of followers to give RSC Members unprecedented access to new audiences who are shaping the national conversation and helping us build on the momentum of a very successful 6 months in a Republican trifecta,” the spokesperson continued.
SCOOP: Rep. Pfluger keeps spotlight on Trump assassination attempt with event featuring dozens of lawmakers
by Matthew Foldi
THE LOWDOWN:
Rep. August Pfluger (R., Texas) hosted over two dozen House Republicans, including several who were with Trump during his Butler rally, to discuss the horrors of the attempted assassination of President Donald Trump.
The RSC event took place as political violence has escalated across America against both elected officials and law enforcement officers. Both Reps. Dan Meuser (R., Penn.) and Mike Kelly (R., Penn.) recounted their firsthand experiences of the deadly event.
Another Republican who joined for the press conference, Rep. Mark Harris (R., N.C.), told the Washington Reporter that “as political leaders, we have a responsibility to talk about the issues. We have the responsibility to talk about the problem.”
Rep. Max Miller (R., Ohio), who spoke at the RSC press conference, was run “off the road in the Rocky River” by a pro-Palestinian activist. The activist recently turned himself in after the attack, the congressman explained at the time.
One year after a would-be assassin nearly murdered President Donald Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, a group of House Republicans led by Republican Study Committee (RSC) chairman Rep. August Pfluger (R., Texas) kept the day’s horrific events in the spotlight.
Pfluger hosted over two dozen House Republicans, including several who were with Trump during his Butler rally, to discuss the horrors of the nation-changing event.
The RSC event took place as political violence has escalated across America against both elected officials and law enforcement officers. Both Reps. Dan Meuser (R., Penn.) and Mike Kelly (R., Penn.) recounted their firsthand experiences of the deadly event.
Kelly, who represents Butler, chairs the bipartisan congressional task force that has been investigating the failed assassination attempt.
Another Republican who joined for the press conference, Rep. Mark Harris (R., N.C.), told the Washington Reporter that “as political leaders, we have a responsibility to talk about the issues. We have the responsibility to talk about the problem.”
SCOOP: NBCUniversal relies on the same "digital technology" that NBC News attacked James Comer for using
by Matthew Foldi
THE LOWDOWN:
A hit piece from NBC News about the Oversight Committee’s usage of “a digital signature” is falling flat following revelations from the Washington Reporter that NBC itself relies on the same technology.
NBC News certainly thought it caught Rep. James Comer (R., Ky.) dead to rights with its story, “Lead investigator into Biden's use of an autopen signed letters with a digital signature.”
However, none other than NBCUniversal itself used a digital signature in filings obtained by the Reporter.
Still, some Democrats in Congress like Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D., N.Y.) immediately tried to leverage the NBC story to attack Comer’s efforts.
A hit piece from NBC News about the Oversight Committee’s usage of “a digital signature” is falling flat following revelations from the Washington Reporter that NBC itself relies on the same technology.
NBC News certainly thought it caught Rep. James Comer (R., Ky.) dead to rights with its story, “Lead investigator into Biden's use of an autopen signed letters with a digital signature.”
However, none other than NBCUniversal itself used a digital signature in filings obtained by the Reporter.
Republicans in Congress are not taking issue with President Joe Biden using an autopen per se, but rather the autopen being used by Biden White House aides for acts of clemency ahead of the former president’s departure from office.
SCOOP: How one Democrat’s shift on illegal immigration complicates party’s majority push in 2026
by Matthew Foldi
THE LOWDOWN:
Rep. Tom Suozzi (D., N.Y.) won reelection in 2024, as President Donald Trump carried his district by almost 20,000 votes. Since the election, Suozzi has been trying to tie himself to the president’s immigration policies all year long.
Suozzi’s latest attempt centered on an appearance on MSNBC’s Morning Joe, where he said that he backs a deal that would legalize “but not necessarily provide a pathway to citizenship” for illegal immigrants.
This is a seismic shift for the veteran Democrat, who was an original cosponsor of the U.S. Citizenship Act as recently as 2021, which would provide citizenship to illegal immigrants with up to two misdemeanors.
Suozzi’s shift on illegal immigration also shows that the Democratic Party’s progressive stance on the border demonstrated under the Biden administration did not resonate in critical swing districts.
Illegal immigration continues to complicate the House Democrats’ path to a majority, with one swing district Democrat’s shift on the issue complicating the party’s 2026 majority push.
Rep. Tom Suozzi (D., N.Y.) won reelection in 2024, as President Donald Trump carried his district by almost 20,000 votes. Since the election, Suozzi has been trying to tie himself to the president’s immigration policies all year long.
Suozzi’s latest attempt centered on an appearance on MSNBC’s Morning Joe, where he said that he backs a deal that would legalize “but not necessarily provide a pathway to citizenship” for illegal immigrants.
“We need to legalize a bunch of these folks that have been here for a decade or more,” he said, adding that he backs “a deal so we can legalize…people…especially if you’ve been here for 10, or 20, or 30 years.”
This is a seismic shift for the veteran Democrat, who was an original cosponsor of the U.S. Citizenship Act as recently as 2021, which would provide citizenship to illegal immigrants with up to two misdemeanors.
SCOOP: Rep. Stephanie Bice has over $1.5 million cash on hand, raised almost $400,000
by Matthew Foldi
THE LOWDOWN:
While Rep. Stephanie Bice (R., Okla.) is unlikely to face a competitive reelection next fall, she nevertheless continues to haul in hundreds of thousands of dollars from across the country.
In the latest fundraising quarter, Bice raised $362,424, and has over $1.5 million cash on hand.
As such, Bice has already been able to give $59,000 to expand the House GOP majority. Her total includes $15,000 directly to the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) and $44,000 directly to candidates, most of whom are on the GOP’s Patriot Program, which she chairs.
Bice’s latest largesse follows campaign cycles in which she donated over $1 million to elect House Republicans, as the Reporter has previously covered.
While Rep. Stephanie Bice (R., Okla.) is unlikely to face a competitive reelection next fall, she nevertheless continues to haul in hundreds of thousands of dollars from across the country.
Bice has been using this cash to help expand the GOP majority, according to her latest campaign finance reports, obtained exclusively by the Washington Reporter.
In the latest fundraising quarter, Bice raised $362,424, and has over $1.5 million cash on hand.
Bice easily trounced token Democratic opposition in 2024 and is likely to skate to reelection next year.
As such, Bice has already been able to give $59,000 to expand the House GOP majority. Her total includes $15,000 directly to the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) and $44,000 directly to candidates, most of whom are on the GOP’s Patriot Program, which she chairs.
SCOOP: Kennedy Center’s Les Miserables blows away expectations with record sales
by Matthew Foldi
THE LOWDOWN:
The Kennedy Center’s recent run of Les Misérables was both fully sold out and raised over $10 million, according to the famed arts center.
Over 85,000 patrons saw the show, marking the latest success for the center under the leadership of President Donald Trump and Ambassador Richard Grenell.
The show’s success comes at a critical juncture for the legendary center.
Liberals have criticized Trump and Grenell for steering the center away from its DEI-oriented programming. However, Les Misérables bringing in 135 percent of planned revenue shows that the Kennedy Center continues to succeed under Grenell.
The Kennedy Center is taking a victory lap amidst withering criticism from the left following President Donald Trump’s takeover.
The Center’s recent run of Les Misérables was both fully sold out and raised over $10 million, according to the famed arts center.
Over 85,000 patrons saw the show, marking the latest success for the center under the leadership of President Donald Trump and Ambassador Richard Grenell.
“The overwhelming success of Les Mis reaffirms our commitment to bring back productions that draw large crowds of patrons which exceed both artistic and financial expectations,” Grenell told the Washington Reporter.
The show’s success comes at a critical juncture for the legendary center.
Liberals have criticized Trump and Grenell for steering the center away from its DEI-oriented programming. However, Les Misérables bringing in 135 percent of planned revenue shows that the Kennedy Center continues to succeed under Grenell.
OPINIONATED
Op-Ed: Sen. John Boozman: Laying out some sensible and overdue corrections to nutrition assistance
by Sen. John Boozman (R., Ark.)
Congressional Republicans delivered on President Donald Trump’s priorities, which he signed into law on Independence Day. We instituted common sense reforms that make government programs more efficient and accountable to protect taxpayer dollars. That includes motivating states to administer assistance programs with more precision and vigilance.
In Fiscal Year 2024, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) overpayments — when benefits are miscalculated or go to ineligible recipients — totaled more than $8.5 billion. While the error rate dropped slightly from 11.68 percent to 10.93 percent in Fiscal Year 2024, it remains unacceptably high.
Congressional Republicans have now paved the way to tackle the root of this issue with critical modifications.
Any state with an error rate above six percent must help cover a portion of its benefit cost — encouraging better program management and responsible use of taxpayer money. Having skin in the game will incentivize states to operate SNAP more efficiently and our commonsense reforms that prioritize accountability, work, and progress toward self-sufficiency help ensure this assistance is targeted and taxpayer dollars are well-spent.
It is reasonable to expect SNAP recipients who can work to do so. However, only 30 percent of able-bodied adults without dependents on SNAP have a job, part-time or otherwise. While this population accounted for nearly 10 percent of all SNAP participants in Fiscal Year 2023, they received 14 percent of the SNAP benefits issued that year. This imbalance is unfair to taxpayers, adults who receive SNAP but also work, and those who truly need help to afford food.
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