AP Top Political News at 1:20 p.m. EDT

Blanche nomination at risk of delay as senator seeks assurances on Trump settlementFauci invokes the Fifth Amendment and declines to testify in GOP-led Senate panel's COVID-19 hearingTrump and DOJ ask Supreme Court to toss $83 million defamation verdict in E. Jean Carroll caseObama endorses Iowa Democrat Turek for the US Senate in a video of them playing basketballTrump's attacks on mail balloting and concerns over delays turn midterms spotlight on Postal ServiceA new media ecosystem is taking root on the left, reshaping Democratic politicsInvestigators in Comey seashells case omitted key facts and distorted others, defense lawyers allegeLindsey Graham returns home one last time for his funeral in South CarolinaSenate takes first steps on Russian sanctions as Zelenskyy watches from Senate