This Week in the World

The historic groundswell of civic engagement we saw this week in the midterm elections was a hopeful affirmation: We as ordinary people have power to make change in our government.

We are inspired by the record turnout and the resilience of our democracy despite the serious threats it faced ahead of these elections.

Though Israel’s parliamentary elections concluded, it remains uncertain who will head the government. Regardless of the ultimate outcome, U.S. lawmakers must pressure the next Israeli government to allow direly needed relief to reach Palestinians in Gaza.

As President Trump seeks to create a climate of fear and intimidation ahead of Election Day, people of faith are coming together across the country to help ensure that everyone feels safe and welcome at the polls.

More than a year after Congress passed the largest-ever cuts to food assistance, our most vulnerable neighbors are feeling the consequences.

The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” passed in July 2025, made major cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), preventing people from receiving the support they need.

This week marked the 25th anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan and the start of the “Global War on Terror.”

The human, financial, and environmental costs of America’s “forever wars” have been tragic.

In a historic vote this week, more senators than ever before supported legislation seeking to hold the Israeli government accountable for violence and human rights violations against Palestinians.

On Monday, we joined the United Nations and people around the world in celebrating the 45th International Day of Peace.

At a time of surging U.S. militarism and global conflict, the International Day of Peace provides a hopeful reminder: Amid the unrelenting news of violence, countless people all across the globe are also acting each day to build peace.

25 years ago this week in the wake of the September 11 attacks, Congress passed the 2001 Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF), opening the door for what became the never-ending “Global War on Terror.”

The AUMF passed unanimously in the Senate. In the House, 420 representatives voted “yes.” Courageously, Rep. Barbara Lee stood alone in voting “no.”

As we mark 25 years since the September 11 attacks, we join people all across the country and the globe in remembering all those lost in the horrific attacks of that day.

We honor all of the first responders, fire fighters, and other ordinary people who acted with extraordinary courage to save the lives of others, even at the cost of their own.

This week, President Trump once again resumed strikes on Iran, killing more civilians and causing more economic turmoil.

On Wednesday, a U.S. airstrike hit a wedding celebration in a small costal town, killing at least four people, including two children, and wounding dozens of others.

As Senator Chris Van Hollen (MD) pointed out, this horrific strike fits into a broader pattern of the Trump administration’s callous and reckless disregard for civilians.