Texas lawmakers failed to pass a bill to improve local disaster warning systems this year  —  A GOP state lawmaker who represents Kerr County says he likely would vote differently now on House Bill 13, which would have established a grant program for counties to build new emergency communication infrastructure.

Playbook: Why Biden wanted the CNN debate  —  With help from Eli Okun, Bethany Irvine and Ali Bianco  —  Good Monday morning.  This is Jack Blanchard.  —  FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — Biden bombshell: Here's one for the history books.  This morning, Playbook readers can read the actual six-page memo …

Deadly Texas floods raise questions about emergency alerts and whether staffing cuts affected forecasts and warnings  —  As the death toll climbs in central Texas from catastrophic flooding over the holiday weekend, many are wondering if the tragic event could have been prevented and who is to blame.

Trump bill's health effects won't be felt until after midterms  —  President Trump's tax and spending bill sets in motion nearly $1 trillion in cuts to Medicaid and other health policy changes that could loom over the midterm elections.  — But the real effects likely won't be felt until well after the ballots are cast.

Capitol agenda: GOP turns toward DOGE cuts and a shutdown cliff  —  Republicans finally got their “big, beautiful bill” across the finish line.  Now they're turning to their next urgent tasks: codifying billions in spending cuts and avoiding a government shutdown.