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United States House of Representatives in Recess until September

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson is sending lawmakers home a day earlier than previously scheduled, on Wednesday July 23rd instead of the 24th, to begin their five-week summer recess until early September. This coincides with a now-cancelled Thursday vote in the House Rules Committee (whose job it is to determine which legislation comes to the House floor) over a bill that would release files relating to the Jeffrey Epstein case.

Source 1: NBC News, Source 2:  Politico

Environmental Protection Agency Rule on Limits to Greenhouse Gases

This week, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plans to withdraw a scientific finding that greenhouse gases are hazardous to human health. Called the “endangerment finding,” this 2009 finding became the principle basis for limiting greenhouse gas emissions in vehicles, power plants, and the oil and gas industry in general. It’s largely been viewed as the primary way for the government to combat climate change. According to an EPA spokesperson, the proposal will “be published for public notice and comment” after review from other impacted federal agencies.

Source 1:  Reuters, Source 2: CNN

United States and Japan Reach a Deal on Trade

On Tuesday night, President Donald Trump announced a trade agreement with Japan. The deal will include United States importers paying a 15% reciprocal tariff on Japanese goods, which includes tariffs on automobiles and car parts, as well as Japan investing over $550 billion into the United States as well as improved market access to Japan for American goods, such as automobiles and agricultural products. Additionally, Japan will still be subject to tariffs of up to 50% on materials like steel and aluminum. Japan joins a list of key trading partners with the United States to reach agreements before the August 1st deadline for tariff enactment, joining the European Union, South Korea, and India in reaching deals with the Trump administration.

Source 1: CNN, Source 2:  Reuters

Vote Smart provides easy access to congressional and state voting records and maintains a collection of key votes grouped by issue. Vote Smart uses the following criteria to select key votes:

1. The vote should be helpful in portraying how a member stands on a particular issue.
2. The vote should be clear for any person to understand.
3. The vote has received media attention.
4. The vote was passed or defeated by a very close margin.