local
GOP Senate majority narrows after McConnell, Graham updates
By Stephen Goin at KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS)
· July 13, 2026
· 2 min read
WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - The GOP’s narrow Senate majority has become even tighter after Sen. Mitch McConnell broke his silence following a month-long absence from Capitol Hill.On Sunday, the Kentucky Republican disclosed that he;d suffered a fall in June, was briefly unconscious and later developed...
Key takeaway The 84-year-old said he is now recovering at a rehabilitation center and, on his doctors’ advice, will not return to the Senate floor to vote until he is further along in his recovery.
Why this matters in The Midland
The narrowing GOP Senate majority has significant implications for the Permian Basin area, where energy policy and nominations for key positions can have a direct impact on the local economy. With Senators McConnell and Graham's absence, the Republican party's ability to pass legislation and confirm nominees is further constrained. For Midland , this means that upcoming votes on President Trump's nominees for Attorney General and Director of National Intelligence could be closely watched, as these positions can influence policy decisions affecting the oil and gas industry. The region's representatives will likely be under pressure to ensure that the interests of the energy sector are represented in these confirmation processes. As the Senate prepares to consider these nominations, Midland residents can expect to see their elected officials navigating the complexities of a closely divided Senate, where every vote counts.
About this story
Original reporting by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . The Midland surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 13, 2026 ·
Source: KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - The GOP’s narrow Senate majority has become even tighter after Sen. Mitch McConnell broke his silence following a month-long absence from Capitol Hill.On Sunday, the Kentucky Republican disclosed that he;d suffered a fall in June, was briefly unconscious and later developed...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 13, 2026 by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) and curated for The Midland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Stephen Goin at KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS). To learn more about how The Midland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Midland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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