Thune’s midterm crossroads: Keep the Senate working or let candidates campaign, w/@DISivak No commitment to stay next week amid pressure to vote on measures members can take home to voters, like insulin cap from Collins & data center energy bill from Husted. Collins has "compelling argument," Thune says, & Husted's has a "significant level of interest in having a vote." washingtonexaminer.com/news/…

Sen. Todd Young (R-IN) doesn't sound like a fan of Trump inviting Putin to G20 unless the Russian president is ready to make "concessions." "If it's to announce that Putin has made some significant concessions as it relates to a war that he started and continues to sustain, then great. But I don't have any details about the invitation. I think elevating Vladimir Putin is not where we should be focused right now. It should be trying to come up with ways to bring him to the table for a serious negotiation."

Senate Judiciary Chair Grassley didn't rule out investigating Trump Jr.’s Russian-funded wedding party at John Curtis' request, but he tempered expectations for quick decision w/recess and elections looming. Meanwhile outgoing Judiciary members Cornyn and Tillis endorsed hearing from him Grassley: "I’m going to take [Curtis'] request seriously and sit down with staff and see what we can do.” washingtonexaminer.com/news/…

"He shouldn't do that," Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) says of Trump banning media outlets from WH.

Source passes along internal talking points from Senate GOP Conference Chair Tom Cotton (R-AR). "Affordability" section notes anticipated questions from reporters about "what the administration and congressional Republicans are doing to deliver durable relief." Not much advice beyond saying things will get better after the war

New: Lot of GOP grumbling about lack of wins they feel they can tout to voters amid Iran war & higher prices, w/@TocRadio. House gone, Senate focused on college sports bill & Trump fixated on tariffs, Kennedy Center & $5K check promises. "All we’ve done since [OBBBA] is stand around sucking on our teeth," said Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA), who spent the weekend campaigning on conservative turf for GOP Senate candidates. "I’ll bet you making the football coaches happy doesn’t come up.” washingtonexaminer.com/news/…

Sen. Cornyn's (R-TX) reax to this yesterday: "I think she's saying what a lot of Hispanics have been thinking, which very aggressive enforcement against people who aren't criminals and aren't a threat to public safety. I think among Hispanics, particularly, there's a sense that it's gone too far." He adds the Trump admin tactics are "a problem for Republicans" in midterms, including w/Hispanic vote for #TXSen race.

Kansas, where a Democrat hasn't been elected to the Senate since 1932, is also in dead heat, per another Emerson poll #KSSen: 🔵Hamilton: 45% 🔴Marshall (incumbent): 43%

Also critical comments from Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT), another leadership member, on Ratepayer Protection Act "It doesn't seem like a terribly effective, important piece of legislation. So I'm not sure it's going to change much on the ground."

Senate Dem Whip Durbin is unsure if any Dems will block, but he characterized it as a "last-minute" move from GOP to help Husted in #OHSen despite overwhelming bipartisan support in House. "I haven't looked at the bill. Of course, data centers is a key issue, and Jon Husted's in a very tough race for election to the United States Senate. So this is a frequent approach: last-minute legislation on a subject that's controversial in a senatorial contest."