This weeks summary of the major upcoming political events in the United States

this week (week of 16–22 February 2026) — focusing on national-level developments and key political news (not local or entertainment events):

📅 Political Calendar & Key Events

• Annual National Governors Association (NGA) gathering — 19–21 Feb:• Traditionally a bipartisan meeting of governors and the White House, but this year has become politically contentious due to disputes over invitations. • President Trump is hosting a meeting with governors on 20 Feb at the White House, continuing political debate over inclusivity and partisanship.

• 2026 State of the Union Address (upcoming next week):• Although not this week, an important date to know — the State of the Union Address is scheduled for 24 Feb 2026 by President Donald Trump.

🗳️ Election-Related Movement

• 2026 Midterm & Senate Elections:• The 2026 midterm election campaign continues shaping national politics. Primary and filing deadlines for several Senate seats and other offices occur this quarter — e.g., Idaho’s Senate primary filing and others later in the spring.

• Candidacy Announcement:• Independent candidate Kimberly Persico announced a bid for Montana’s U.S. House seat, reflecting ongoing candidate movements ahead of the midterms.

🧨 Political Tension & Policy Battles

• Governor exclusion controversy — An ongoing flashpoint: disagreement over whether Democratic governors would be included in White House NGA events has sparked bipartisan tensions and boycotts.

• Legislative actions in Congress — Recent House action on election-related legislation (e.g., bills affecting voter registration rules) could influence political debate this week ahead of Senate consideration.

📢 Public Protests & Grassroots Momentum

• Local and statewide political demonstrations — including ongoing activism around immigration enforcement and other divisive federal policies — continue across multiple states this week.

📍 Holiday Context With Political Impact

• Presidents Day (16 Feb) — A federal holiday observed across the U.S., often used by political commentators and campaigns to reflect on leadership and civic issues; government offices and Congress were closed for the holiday.