How the House landscape is evolving

Republican strategists are shifting money away from some of their own incumbents as the midterm outlook darkens. Millions of dollars in planned GOP television spending have been withdrawn for the New Jersey seat held by Tom Kean Jr. and the Iowa seat held by Mariannette Miller-Meeks, based on data from AdImpact. Kean's district was always a difficult hold, since Donald Trump carried it by barely over a point, and he has struggled since a four-month absence that he later tied to treatment for depression. Iowa has become unusually hard terrain for Republicans because of tariffs and the Iran war, according to NBC News.

A person familiar with the strategy told NBC News that the Iowa money is going to the state's 2nd and 3rd districts, also defensive fights for the party. Republican groups are likewise easing pressure on some Democratic incumbents and favoring open seats and troubled GOP-held districts. They still hold a financial edge, but districts Trump won by roughly 10 points in 2024 have proved less safe than expected.

Separately, Trump lifted sanctions on Russian diesel exports, which angered senators in both parties and alarmed Ukraine. Soon after, Starlink disruptions hampered Ukrainian defenses, and Sen.

Summarized by PolitiKool from NBC News’s reporting. Read the full story at NBC News →