WASHINGTON, March 6 (Reuters) - Democratic U.S. Senator Mark Kelly proposed on Friday suspending the 18.4-cent-per gallon federal gasoline tax through October ‌1 in a bid to help Americans who face rising prices at ‌the pump due to the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran.

Democrats face an uphill battle to capture the U.S. Senate in the November midterm elections, as Republicans are defending just two seats viewed as competitive by nonpartisan analysts and hold a 53-47 majority.

U.S. Senator Steve Daines has opted not to run for re-election in 2026. Daines' withdrawal of his candidacy was received by the Montana Secretary of State's Office at 4:57 p.m. on Wednesday, just minutes before the filing deadline closed. Daines was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2014, and re-elected in 2020.

Marine veteran and Green Party candidate Brian McGinnis remains defiant after a violent removal from a Senate hearing involving Sen. Tim Sheehy.

The fight for control of the US Senate is now officially underway after primaries in Texas and North Carolina delivered the first clues for Democrats and Republicans as they prepare for an eight-month march to the November midterm elections.

Republican U.S. Senator Steve Daines from Montana said on Wednesday that he will not seek re-election in November's midterm elections.

The 2026 primary in Illinois is Tuesday, March 17.

The Associated Press has projected that U.S. Senator Tom Cotton has won the 2026 Arkansas Republican Primary for US Senate.