US Waits on Iran to Confirm Talks as Ceasefire Winds Down

The US is waiting on whether Iran will take part in a second round of talks before a ceasefire expires on Wednesday, with the sides deadlocked on how to end a war that’s engulfed the Middle East and triggered a growing energy crisis.

Hill Watch: Explaining the Iran Ceasefire, Surging Oil Prices & Major Debates Ahead

Aired on April 14, 2026, this episode of Hill Watch Live examines the upcoming key debates to look for this spring, highlighting congressional priorities, including funding, affordability, and advances in technology.

Latest Stories

US Waits on Iran to Confirm Talks as Ceasefire Winds Down

The US is waiting on whether Iran will take part in a second round of talks before a ceasefire expires on Wednesday, with the sides deadlocked on how to end a war that’s engulfed the Middle East and triggered a growing energy crisis.

DeSantis’ Map Redraw Push Tests Florida GOP Ahead of Midterms

Florida Republicans head into a special legislative session next week with an opportunity to redraw congressional maps that could grow the GOP majority in the House. But members of Florida’s congressional delegation also are showing growing unease about how aggressive they should be.

Trump’s Redistricting Bids Near End With Virginia, Florida Moves

America’s year-long redistricting battles are nearing their end: Virginia voters on Tuesday will decide whether to give Democrats a three-seat boost in this year’s midterm election, while Florida Republicans will have the chance next week to counter with their own congressional map to even the score.

States Rethink Income Tax Cuts as Triggers Fail to Guard Budgets

North Carolina’s Republican-led legislature returns to session Tuesday at odds with the state’s Democratic governor—and itself—over whether to pause the state’s planned personal and corporate income tax cuts to address a potential $2.8 billion budget deficit in two years.

Newsmaker Exclusives

Rahm Emanuel Wants Democrats to Ditch Culture War, Talk Prices

Rahm Emanuel says Democrats ‘lost the American people’ on cultural issues -- but he knows how they can win them back in November.

From the Analysts

BGOV Bill Analysis: H.R. 8322, 10-Day FISA Extension

The federal government’s legal authority to monitor certain private electronic messages without a warrant would be extended through April 30 under H.R. 8322, giving lawmakers more time to negotiate a long-term reauthorization for the surveillance program.

BGOV Bill Analysis: H.R. 4690, Repeal Building Energy Standards

Energy efficiency standards requiring federal buildings to phase out fossil fuels would be repealed under H.R. 4690.

NASA Health Support Contracts Spike Before Artemis II Launch

NASA spending on astronaut health-care services jumped more than 9,000% before the Artemis II launch in April, though it wasn’t enough to prevent a medical market-wide slip in contracting dollars in the first half of fiscal 2026, according to Bloomberg Government analysis.

FROM ACROSS BLOOMBERG GOVERNMENT

BGOV States of PlayFederal ContractingBloomberg Government
  • BGOV States of Play
  • Federal Contracting
  • Bloomberg Government

DeSantis’ Map Redraw Push Tests Florida GOP Ahead of Midterms

Florida Republicans head into a special legislative session next week with an opportunity to redraw congressional maps that could grow the GOP majority in the House. But members of Florida’s congressional delegation also are showing growing unease about how aggressive they should be.

States Rethink Income Tax Cuts as Triggers Fail to Guard Budgets

North Carolina’s Republican-led legislature returns to session Tuesday at odds with the state’s Democratic governor—and itself—over whether to pause the state’s planned personal and corporate income tax cuts to address a potential $2.8 billion budget deficit in two years.