DARK SECRETS: 16 | Vintage Vibes

Government-seeded accounts could test Trump’s ‘communists’ claim

President Donald Trump’s recent attacks on democratic socialists who have won Democratic Party primaries could clash with his idea of creating investment accounts for American adults. The administration this week already formally launched its Trump Accounts initiative for children, which includes a one-time government contribution of $1,000 for each eligible…

Roll Call · Jul 10

After Thursday night firings, election commission has no members

President Donald Trump on Thursday night removed the remaining members of a federal commission intended to assist with federal elections, amid his broader effort to control voting procedures and election administration. Trump fired Chair Thomas Hicks and Benjamin Hovland from the Election Assistance Commission, while Republican commissioner Christy McCormick resigned.…

Roll Call · Jul 10

CBO: House highway bill would widen trust fund deficit

The House version of this year’s mega surface transportation reauthorization bill could increase the deficit anticipated in the Highway Trust Fund over the next five years despite the inclusion of new fees on electric vehicles and hybrids, according to the Congressional Budget Office The CBO analysis, released Thursday, found that…

Roll Call · Jul 10

Jockeying to replace Platner on Maine ballot has already begun

A pseudo Senate primary has formed in Maine as Democrats wait on Graham Platner to potentially end his campaign in the face of an allegation of sexual assault.  Platner, the Democratic nominee to challenge Republican Sen. Susan Collins this fall, has denied the accusation but said Monday that he was…

Roll Call · Jul 8

Little clarity on Iran from Trump, but new help ahead for Ukraine

Lawmakers and European officials hoping to get clarity on the U.S.-Iran conflict from President Donald Trump at a NATO summit likely left disappointed. During a Wednesday evening press conference in Ankara, Turkey, the first reporter to question him characterized the Iran standoff as a “strategic dead end for you” and…

Roll Call · Jul 8

Justices to face Congress after contentious court rulings

Supreme Court justices are scheduled to appear before both Senate and House appropriators next week, marking the first time since 2019 that justices will face lawmakers. Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Elena Kagan are slated to testify before the Senate and House Financial Services Appropriations subcommittees on July 14 to…

Roll Call · Jul 7

Contractor curbs on repair data causing Marines ‘significant’ issues

The Marine Corps is facing “significant” challenges keeping some of its most important weapons in working order, because Marines too often must rely on contractors for equipment upkeep, the service’s second-ranking general recently wrote to a Senate panel. Gen. Bradford Gering, the Marine Corps assistant commandant, described for the Armed…

Roll Call · Jul 7

So far, Trump’s midterm campaign schedule slightly behind 2018 pace

President Donald Trump’s midterms campaign schedule has been lighter this year than his pace of hitting the road for Republican candidates during a 2018 midterm elections cycle that saw big Democratic gains. The GOP campaigner in chief had, between Jan. 1, 2018 and July 7, 2018, held nine road shows…

Roll Call · Jul 7

Progressive staff group urges sexual misconduct overhaul

Sweeping moves to address sexual misconduct at the Capitol may not be coming anytime soon, given the slow pace of change in Congress. But even “low-hanging fruit” could make a difference, some staffers say. The Congressional Progressive Staff Association laid out some ideas in a letter sent to lawmakers on…

Roll Call · Jul 7

Former House GOP tax writer Bill Archer dies at 98

Former Rep. Bill Archer, a Texas Republican who spent three terms chairing the powerful House Ways and Means Committee in the 1990s, died Saturday at his farm in Stanley, Va. He was 98. Archer, who came to Congress in 1971, was elected to fill former President George H. W. Bush’s…

Roll Call · Jul 6