GOP Digest — June 4, 2026 | Senate Votes Secure America Act; Rubio Declares Epic Fury Over as Iran Talks Resume

Senate Votes on $64 Billion Secure America Act, Cementing ICE and CBP Funding Through FY2029:

The Senate advanced to a final passage vote on S.2, the Secure America Act, Thursday morning after clearing a 53–46 party-line cloture vote Wednesday evening. The bill provides $38 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and $26 billion for Customs and Border Protection through Fiscal Year 2029 — the largest single investment in immigration enforcement in American history. Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley called it a critical step in restoring border integrity. Senate Republican Leader John Barrasso led the floor effort. Democrats voted unanimously in opposition.

Rubio Declares Operation Epic Fury Over; Nuclear Talks Reopen as Hormuz Ceasefire Holds Tenuously:

Secretary of State Marco Rubio testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on June 3 that the United States has ended sustained military operations inside Iran: "We're no longer conducting sustained strikes inside of Iran to degrade their military, because Epic Fury is over." Rubio declared the 38-day bombing campaign a strategic success, citing major reductions in Iran's missile launchers and drone stockpile, and confirmed that Iran has for the first time agreed to negotiate aspects of its nuclear program it previously refused to discuss. The Strait of Hormuz remains closed under ceasefire terms, and 58% of Americans now oppose the war in national polling — a looming electoral risk Republicans in competitive races are watching closely.

MAHA Defeats MAGA: Businessman Lahn Upsets Trump-Endorsed Feenstra by Less Than a Point:

In the first Trump endorsement loss of the 2026 primary cycle, Iowa businessman Zach Lahn defeated Trump-backed Rep. Randy Feenstra by 37.8%–37.0% in Tuesday's Republican gubernatorial primary, with 99% reporting. Lahn ran as a Make America Healthy Again candidate aligned with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., drawing a contrast with Feenstra's conventional MAGA positioning. The result demonstrates that the MAHA coalition has developed real independent electoral muscle in the Midwest and signals that Trump's endorsement, while still potent, is no longer a guarantee even in reliably red states.

Hilton Extends Lead as Mail Ballot Count Continues Through June 9:

With 55% of expected votes tabulated, Trump-endorsed Republican Steve Hilton leads California's governor primary at 28%, ahead of Democrat Xavier Becerra at 25% and Democrat Tom Steyer at 20%. Under California's top-two system, Hilton and Becerra appear on track for the November general election — the first time a Republican will appear in a California gubernatorial general since 2002. Mail ballots postmarked June 2 continue to be counted through June 9, and the final margin between the top two is not expected to change the outcome. JUNE 16 RUNOFFS — Hudson Leads Alabama Senate Race; Georgia Early Voting Opens Monday: In Alabama's June 16 Senate runoff, former Navy SEAL Jared Hudson leads Rep. Barry Moore 48.7%–39.2% in the latest Alabama Poll (May 28, n=600), with 12% still undecided; analysts attribute Hudson's surge to voter fatigue with incumbents. In Georgia, early voting for the June 16 Senate runoff opens Monday, with Rep. Mike Collins holding a 55%–36% lead over former football coach Derek Dooley per JMC Analytics. The winner faces incumbent Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff in November in one of Republicans' top pickup opportunities.

House Ethics Opens Third Sexual Misconduct Probe of 2026, Targeting California Rep. Jimmy Gomez:

The House Ethics Committee has launched an investigation into Democratic Rep. Jimmy Gomez of California over multiple sexual misconduct allegations, CNN reported Tuesday. The probe began after a New York Post report that Gomez was seen kissing a congressional staffer at a private event in 2023; investigators subsequently uncovered additional allegations. Gomez acknowledged making "personal mistakes outside my marriage" but denied violating House rules. The probe is the third sexual misconduct ethics investigation of a House Democrat this cycle, following the resignation of Rep. Eric Swalwell amid rape allegations and the federal fraud indictment of Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick.