Brookings Institution

What’s shaping voters’ decisions ahead of the 2026 midterms? E.J. Dionne Jr., Suzanne Maloney, Ben Harris, and Marcela Escobari examine the policy issues influencing voters in the latest episode of Please Discuss...

"This moment offers an opportunity to ensure that parents, early childhood professionals, and child development experts are in the room to help shape how AI products that affect children are designed, tested, and governed," write Sweta Shah, Melissa Boteach, and Kathy Hirsh-Pasek.

On Nov. 3, voters will decide the balance of power in Congress and set the stage for legislation, investigations, and rulemaking for years to come. Experts examine what it could mean for healthcare, the Iran war, education, AI, and more.

A new report estimates that DOGE canceled $470 million worth of grants and contracts to Tribes and Native organizations, violating federal trust and treaty obligations.

The new scholarship tax credit program could help public school families pay for some educational services, but advocates worry it could do more harm than good. n.pr/4zHo1jy

Americans may disagree over who is responsible for corruption, but there is broad support for accountability. New analysis from Raymond La Raja, Zachary Albert, and Tatishe Nteta examines what that could mean for institutional reform.

AI is becoming an issue in the 2026 midterms, as voters and policymakers weigh data center development, national security, and election integrity. On Oct. 21, Rep. James A. Himes and experts will examine the policy questions at stake. Register to join them below.

How will mid-decade redistricting and new congressional maps shape the 2026 midterms? On Monday at 10:30 a.m. ET, Kathryn Dunn Tenpas, William Galston, Erin Covey, and Christopher Warshaw discuss what's at stake for Congress and the presidency.

Rachel Perera argues that the Trump administration’s August 2026 school discipline guidance overlooks the practical challenges schools face while mischaracterizing their obligations under civil rights law.

Between 2023-24 and 2024-25, international immigration to the DMV region fell by 44%, contributing to a slowdown in the region’s overall growth.

The AI boom is not just about software; it could drive as much as $10.3 trillion in investments in data centers, power systems, and other physical infrastructure. Listen to Stijn Van Nieuwerburgh discuss on the first episode of a new season of the Brookings Podcast on Economic Activity.

Trump’s successors will need to learn from his missteps on Taiwan if they wish to steadily rebuild confidence in America as an upholder of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, writes Ryan Hass.

Happy Indigenous Peoples Day! Did you know that while Native Americans account for 3% of the U.S. population, just 0.5% of philanthropic funding goes to Native-exclusive causes? Some insights from our @brookings.edu research about the need for more robust philanthropic investment in Indian Country

What could Louisiana v. Callais mean for representation and voting rights? Gabriel R. Sanchez, Keon L. Gilbert, and Rashawn Ray assess how recent Supreme Court decisions may influence redistricting, voter participation, and election administration, and what it means for communities across the U.S.

"When the Kremlin raises the prospect of nuclear use in implausible circumstances, at the end of the day, it does not follow through." Read Steven Pifer's analysis on what Putin's recent threats reveal.

Tara Watson proposes a temporary direct care worker visa to address the looming workforce challenge and improve the quality of care available to older Americans needing support.

Mail-in ballot delays, redistricting battles, and court challenges are all shaping the road to the midterms. In the first episode of Please Discuss..., E.J. Dionne, Elaine Kamarck, Elena Patel, and Scott Anderson debate the issues voters and election officials face ahead of Election Day.

Join PRRI and @brookings.edu in person or online later this month for the release of the 17th annual American Values Survey! Happening Tuesday, October 20 at 10:00 AM Eastern. Learn more and register: www.brookings.edu/events/new-s...

What can the Olympic Peninsula teach policymakers about rural prosperity? On a special episode of Reimagine Rural, Anthony Pipa talks with Derek Kilmer and Benji Backer about infrastructure, workforce support, access to capital, and the role of federal policy in shaping rural opportunity.

What could Brazil’s Oct 4 election mean for governance, public security, technology policy, and the country’s role on the global stage? Brookings experts break down the key issues shaping the vote and the potential implications for Brazil and the international community.

Updated Hutchins Fiscal Impact Measure @brookings.edu shows local, state & federal fiscal policy shaved 0.1 pct pt off Q2 GDP growth. We project fiscal to be moderately restrictive over rest of 2026 and more so in 2027 (assuming no new legislation) www.brookings.edu/articles/hut...

A new USPS policy reducing some rural post offices from two daily pickups to one could lead to an estimated 43,000-55,000 additional mail ballot rejections nationwide. Elena Patel examines the potential impact and offers recommendations for voters, USPS, and election officials.

Join @brookings.edu for an event marking the release of the 3rd edition of Senior Fellow William H. Frey’s book, “Diversity Explosion: How New Racial Demographics Are Remaking America” 📆 Wednesday, September 30th, 3pm EDT 💻 Register online ⤵️ https://bit.ly/4hharfg

High turnout in three German state elections may reflect more than dissatisfaction with current politics. Constanze Stelzenmüller and Mathilda Silbiger argue the results could signal growing polarization and fragmentation in Germany’s political culture.

"AI agents don't need superintelligence to cause irreversible harms." From cybersecurity and financial stability to jobs, governance, and global cooperation, Brookings experts weigh in on one of today's biggest policy debates: Is AI an existential threat, and what should governments do about it?

Can policymakers slow the development of advanced AI without compromising U.S. competitiveness? Elham Tabassi and Kyle Chan join Thomas Wright on The Current to discuss AI safety, regulation, and the implications of the U.S.-China technology race.

What can we learn from the closest 2026 primary elections? Elaine Kamarck and Jordan Muchnik highlight an in-depth analysis of candidates from 33 congressional districts and 10 Senate races.

What do we lose without local news? On Sept 23, join America's Rural Future in Morgantown, West Virginia (or online) to hear from journalists, local leaders, and policy experts on the national consequences of local news decline and local information ecosystems.

“If the Follow the Rules Act were better known, then perhaps more public servants might be willing to resist improper orders—and more military and civilian leaders might think twice before giving them,” writes University Professor Emeritus Sean O'Keefe and co-author Joshua Gotbaum (@brookings.edu ).

A proposed “Golden Dome” missile defense system could cost as much as $1.2 trillion over 20 years while facing significant technical hurdles. Michael O’Hanlon argues for a more limited homeland missile defense approach and a broader public debate over costs, risks, and strategic goals.

Democrats will be defending governorships in five states that President Trump won in 2024—Arizona, Kansas, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania.

Ryan Hass explains why the U.S. and China both have an interest in sustaining an "uneasy calm" and what it could mean for Xi Jinping's upcoming visit.

The end of America's Middle East? Join us for a Sadat Forum conversation with Gregory Gause, @abuaardvark.bsky.social, and @profsaunders.bsky.social, Monday, September 28, 3:00 to 4:00 PM EDT. Register by scanning code below or go to go.sadat.umd/sadatforum

The new, expanded IRS Spotlight offers data, timelines, records, and more on federal tax administration developments and IRS performance. @vanessawilliamson.bsky.social shares a few highlights below.

The U.S. Treasury Department recently announced buybacks of some of its long-term debt, and in turn, the U.S. dollar has plummeted. Robin Brooks breaks down why a modest Treasury announcement sent the dollar tumbling, and what it signals about mounting fears over U.S. fiscal sustainability.

“History tells us not to ignore the quality of the candidates and the campaigns they run, because they can make the difference between victory and defeat in close elections," write Elaine Kamarck and William Galston.

With EU officials setting an October deadline for progress in trade talks with Beijing, Brookings experts examine the situation and forecast whether the EU and China will be able to rebalance their economic relationship.

In updated research, Marcela Escobari, Ian Seyal, and Paul Beach find that last year's ICE surges led to more persistent and widening job losses than previously realized.

Hear from people around the world working to advance gender equality in and through education. Embedding Equality in Education is a new podcast from the Center for Universal Education—follow on your favorite podcast app and listen to the trailer at the link below.

On Sunday, the Alternative for Germany party are predicted to win elections in Saxony-Anhalt. Constanze Stelzenmüller and Mathilda Silbiger explain why such a win may trigger a political earthquake that will reverberate all the way to Berlin.

In recent years, @econharris.bsky.social and I've closely tracked Russia's shadow fleet of oil tankers in our database for @brookings.edu. There's now signs that the efficacy of US sanctions is fading. Activity on US sanctioned ships is rising. Our latest blog: www.brookings.edu/articles/the...

As NYC schools ban AI in elementary and middle schools, read Rebecca Winthrop's proposal for establishing student AI councils.

From weapon-detection cameras to bathroom listening devices, schools across America are adopting AI surveillance tools, often without evidence the technology is reliable.

Intellectual humility—the ability to recognize the limits of your own knowledge and beliefs—is a virtue that requires cultivation. A new report explores why intellectual humility is important for adolescents and how schools can help them develop it.

What role should tariffs play in U.S.-China trade negotiations? Kari Heerman analyzes the U.S.-China Board of Trade's proposal on "non-sensitive" goods and explains why policymakers may face difficult tradeoffs if relief isn't paired with meaningful gains for U.S. exporters.

What does a stronger European role in NATO mean for the U.S.? Michael O’Hanlon explores how greater European defense capacity could strengthen alliance burden-sharing, reinforce deterrence, and continue delivering significant strategic value for the United States.

Poor health outcomes and limited economic opportunity can create a self-reinforcing cycle in rural communities. Anthony Pipa and co-authors examine how health challenges affect workforce participation, local institutions, and long-term economic vitality, and highlight priorities for future research.

New in @brookings.edu Why did consumer sentiment remain so weak even as the post-Covid economy improved? @harveymelody.bsky.social and I find that the expiration of the expanded CTC in early 2022 explains about 17% of the late-2023 sentiment gap (“vibecession”) www.brookings.edu/articles/exp...

New analysis from me & Diane Schanzenbach, possibly my favorite piece ever: We study the SNAP payment error rate and explain why tying how much a state will have to contribute toward SNAP payments to its PER is inherently empirically unstable. Remand. www.hamiltonproject.org/publication/...

How significant is the DSA's momentum in 2026? Elaine Kamarck, Riana Mahtani, and Gabriel Kraemer find that while DSA-aligned candidates have posted notable primary wins, their success remains concentrated in deep-blue areas.