Trump bets voluntary pledge can head off electricity backlash
Plus: Schumer honors fallen Capitol Police officers, Democrats renew nationwide IVF legislation and Democrats dominate independents in new survey.
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Congress sent mixed signals today on President Donald Trump’s war in Iran, with the House approving a bipartisan war powers resolution seeking to require congressional authorization for continued U.S. military action while the Senate narrowly failed to advance a similar measure just hours later.
The House approved its resolution, 214-208, with unanimous Democratic support and four Republicans—Reps. Tom Barrett (R-Mich.), Warren Davidson (R-Ohio), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) and Thomas Massie (R-Ky.)—joining in favor. In the Senate, a resolution sponsored by Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) fell short, 47-49. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) was the only Republican to vote yes after Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.), who previously backed similar legislation, missed the vote. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) switched from supporting an earlier resolution to opposing this one.
The votes came as congressional Republicans continue searching for a path to approve tens of billions of dollars in emergency military funding requested by the Trump administration. House Republicans have already advanced a reconciliation framework that would unlock up to $73 billion in additional defense spending, but Senate Republican leaders have been reluctant to embrace reconciliation as the vehicle, leaving the administration’s broader funding strategy in limbo heading into the August recess.
THE LINEUP
Trump bets voluntary pledge can head off electricity backlash
Schumer honors fallen Capitol Police officers
Democrats renew nationwide IVF legislation
Democrats dominate independents in new survey
THE LEAD
President Donald Trump this afternoon expanded the White House’s Ratepayer Protection Pledge, enlisting more governors, utilities and technology companies in a voluntary effort designed to reassure Americans they won’t end up subsidizing the electricity needed to power the artificial intelligence boom…
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THE POWERS THAT BE
Schumer honors fallen Capitol Police officers: Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) commemorated the 28th anniversary of the fatal 1998 shooting at the U.S. Capitol, honoring Detective John Gibson and Officer Jacob Chestnut for sacrificing their lives to protect the Capitol…
THE POLICY DESK
Democrats renew nationwide IVF legislation: Senate Democrats reintroduced the Right to IVF Act, a legislative package that would establish a nationwide right to access in vitro fertilization, require most employer-sponsored and public health insurance plans to cover fertility treatment, expand IVF benefits for servicemembers and veterans, and require coverage through the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program…
THE TRAIL
Democrats dominate independents in new survey: New Emerson College polling suggests Democrats continue to hold a sizable national advantage ahead of this year’s midterms, with likely voters favoring a Democratic congressional candidate over a Republican by 11 points, 53% to 42%…