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Congress Faces Challenges in Tax Policy and Budget Reconciliation Efforts

Congress Faces Challenges in Tax Policy and Budget Reconciliation Efforts

This week, Congress is focused on tax policy and budget reconciliation as the House and Senate are both in session. The House is preparing for a floor vote on the FY2027 budget resolution, which includes a $95 billion reconciliation bill. This bill prioritizes defense funding, voter ID measures, and farm aid, but excludes tax provisions. The Senate's reception of the resolution is uncertain, with some members expressing concerns about the lack of spending offsets. Additionally, several tax-related bills have been introduced, including the Disclosure of Tax Havens and Offshoring Act, aimed at increasing transparency for U.S. multinationals.

Rep. Thomas Massie Criticizes GOP's SAVE Act Strategy as Political Maneuver

Rep. Thomas Massie Criticizes GOP's SAVE Act Strategy as Political Maneuver

Rep. Thomas Massie from Kentucky has publicly criticized the Republican Party's approach to the SAVE Act, labeling the ongoing debate as a political maneuver rather than a genuine legislative effort. Massie stated on social media that the GOP has no real intention of passing the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, which mandates proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration in federal elections. He suggested that the party is using the issue to score political points against Democrats, who are resistant to the legislation. This comes as the House prepares to vote on a continuing resolution to fund the government, which Massie claims will not include the SAVE Act. President Trump has been a vocal supporter of the legislation, urging its passage in the Senate after it cleared the House. However, the Senate's failure to pass the act led to President Trump withholding his signature on a bipartisan housing bill in protest.

Senate Faces Resistance on Permanent Daylight Saving Time Proposal

Senate Faces Resistance on Permanent Daylight Saving Time Proposal

A bill to make daylight saving time permanent across most of the United States is encountering significant opposition in the Senate, despite support from President Trump and a strong majority in the House. The Sunshine Protection Act, which passed the House with a 308-117 vote, aims to eliminate the biannual clock changes. However, Senate Majority Leader John Thune has indicated that the proposal faces substantial resistance, requiring 60 votes to advance. Proponents, including Florida Republican Senator Rick Scott, argue that permanent daylight saving time would simplify daily life and benefit businesses and tourism. However, opposition is bipartisan, with concerns about children going to school in the dark during winter months. Senators from northern states, such as South Dakota's Mike Rounds, have voiced concerns about late sunrises. Religious groups have also raised objections, citing disruptions to morning prayers.

Representative Val Hoyle Introduces Housing Bill to Expand Affordable Housing and Rental Assistance

Representative Val Hoyle Introduces Housing Bill to Expand Affordable Housing and Rental Assistance

Representative Val Hoyle has introduced H.R. 9281, the Decent, Affordable, Safe Housing for All Act, aimed at addressing housing affordability in the United States. The bill, which currently has six cosponsors, proposes a comprehensive approach to increase housing supply, expand rental assistance, and provide tax relief to renters and homebuyers. It includes federal grants, tax credits, and rule changes to support affordable housing construction and encourage long-term affordability. Key components of the bill include the creation of homeless rental vouchers, permanent homelessness grants, and capacity-building grants for states and housing agencies. Additionally, the bill proposes changes to the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program and introduces a new renter tax credit framework. The bill also directs a study on converting vacant commercial properties into housing.

House Republicans push $95 billion package for the Iran war and Trump's priorities

House Republicans push $95 billion package for the Iran war and Trump's priorities

The House will try to advance a Republican-only $95 billion budget proposal, a long-shot effort to fund the Iran war and other White House priorities

House passes temporary government funding bill months early to avoid election season shutdown

House passes temporary government funding bill months early to avoid election season shutdown

The House has moved to head-off a potential government shutdown before this fall’s critical midterm elections

House Votes to Extend Government Funding to Prevent Election Year Shutdown

House Votes to Extend Government Funding to Prevent Election Year Shutdown

The U.S. House of Representatives has voted 220 to 205 to extend government funding at existing levels through December 4, aiming to prevent a government shutdown just before the midterm elections. The vote saw six Democrats join Republicans in advancing the bill. The decision comes amid tensions over President Trump's election overhaul bill, the SAVE America Act, which has been a point of contention among lawmakers. Democratic leaders have criticized the funding extension for not addressing issues such as funding for immigration enforcement. The bill now moves to the Senate, where it will require bipartisan support to pass.

US senator urges Wall Street to reject 'troubling' paid early access to Trump posts

US senator urges Wall Street to reject 'troubling' paid early access to Trump posts

July 21 (Reuters) - A top Democratic U.S. senator on Tuesday urged banks and trading firms to shun a new product offering early access to posts on President Donald Trump's Truth Social platform, warning it creates a "very troubling form of information asymmetry" for government policies.

House Unanimously Passes Whistleblower Protections for Contractors

House Unanimously Passes Whistleblower Protections for Contractors

The U.S. House of Representatives has unanimously passed the Expanding Whistleblower Protections for Contractors Act, a significant legislative move aimed at enhancing protections for whistleblowers in government contracting. Co-introduced by Representatives James Comer and Robert Garcia, the bill strengthens anti-retaliation measures and broadens the scope of protected disclosures. It also prohibits reprisals by executive branch officials against whistleblowers. The legislation, which had already passed the Senate, extends protections to government contractors, subcontractors, and grantees, including those in the intelligence community. This move is supported by over 200 organizations and is seen as a step towards greater government accountability.

U.S. House Passes Short-Term Funding Bill to Prevent Government Shutdown

U.S. House Passes Short-Term Funding Bill to Prevent Government Shutdown

The U.S. House of Representatives, controlled by Republicans, has passed a short-term funding measure to prevent a government shutdown. The bill, known as a continuing resolution, was approved by a narrow margin of 220-205 votes. This measure is intended to fund federal agencies through December 4, ahead of the upcoming November midterm elections. The bill now moves to the Senate, where Republican leaders are negotiating with Democrats to explore their own version of a short-term funding bill. The urgency of this measure stems from the impending expiration of funding for most federal agency programs at midnight on September 30, marking the end of the current fiscal year. This development follows a historic Department of Homeland Security shutdown earlier in the year, which lasted 75 days and caused significant disruptions, including unpaid workers, disrupted air travel, and compromised public safety.

Senate Faces Resistance on Daylight Saving Time Bill Despite President Trump's Support

Senate Faces Resistance on Daylight Saving Time Bill Despite President Trump's Support

A bill to make daylight saving time permanent across most of the United States is encountering significant opposition in the Senate, despite having passed the House with a 308-117 vote and receiving backing from President Trump. The Sunshine Protection Act, sponsored by Florida Republican Senator Rick Scott, aims to eliminate the biannual clock change, arguing it would simplify daily life and benefit businesses and tourism. However, Senate Majority Leader John Thune has indicated that the proposal faces substantial resistance, needing 60 votes to advance. Opposition is bipartisan, with concerns about darker winter mornings affecting schoolchildren and commuters, particularly in northern states. Religious groups have also raised objections, citing disruptions to morning prayers.

House Passes Bipartisan Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Reauthorization Act

House Passes Bipartisan Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Reauthorization Act

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Reauthorization Act of 2026, a bipartisan bill that reauthorizes the C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation Program for another five years. This program is crucial for connecting patients with life-threatening blood cancers and diseases to life-saving stem cell donors. The bill, supported by a coalition of bipartisan co-sponsors, aims to preserve and strengthen the national registry and infrastructure that facilitates these critical medical connections.