Trump issued 15 new executive orders in July, D.C. Council amends Initiative 82
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Here are the top stories from the week of August 4 - August 8.
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TEXAS HOUSE DEMOCRATS LEAVE THE STATE TO PREVENT A QUORUM FOR CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING
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Democratic members of the Texas House of Representatives have left the state to prevent a quorum necessary for the chamber to
vote on the proposed congressional district map.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) added redistricting to the state's 30-day special legislative session agenda, writing that he was doing
so "in light of constitutional concerns raised by the U.S. Department of Justice." On July 30, Texas Republicans released a
proposed map to create five more Republican-leaning districts.
On Aug. 3, Texas House Democrats left the state to deny a quorum. Rep. James Talarico (D) wrote, "My Democratic colleagues and I
just left the state of Texas to break quorum and stop Trump's redistricting power grab. [...] It's time to fight back."
A quorum is the minimum number of members needed to conduct official business. In Texas, two-thirds of elected members must be
present for a quorum. Republicans have an 88-62 majority in the state House, meaning that 12 Democrats and all Republicans must be
present for a quorum.
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TRUMP ISSUED 15 NEW EXECUTIVE ORDERS IN JULY
President Donald Trump (R) issued 15 executive orders in July, bringing his total to 181.
Trump issued 46 executive orders in January 2025, more than in any other month of his presidency. He issued the fewest executive
orders in June, with nine.
Trump’s 401 orders across both of his terms rank 10th among all U.S. presidents. Franklin D. Roosevelt’s (D) 3,721 executive
orders were the most any president has issued.
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WASHINGTON D.C. COUNCIL AMENDS INITIATIVE 82 TO CAP TIPPED WAGE AT 75% OF THE FULL MINIMUM WAGE BY 2034
On July 28, the Washington, D.C. Council voted to amend Initiative 82, a 2022 ballot measure, as part of the city's 2026 budget.
The budget—which the council approved 7-5—now heads to Mayor Muriel Bowser's (D) desk and then to the U.S. Congress for final
approval.
Voters approved Initiative 82 74% to 26%. The measure gradually increases the tipped minimum wage from $5.35 in 2022 by $2
annually to match the minimum wage of non-tipped employees in 2027.
The council's amendment maintains the tipped minimum wage at $10 per hour until July 1, 2026. The council previously froze the
minimum wage at $10 in June when it was set to rise to $12 per hour. At $10 per hour, the tipped minimum wage is 56% of the city's
full minimum wage. It will increase to 60% of the city's full minimum wage in 2028 and 5% each year afterwards until it reaches
75% in 2034.
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THE U.S. SENATE HAS CONFIRMED FIVE INDIVIDUALS TO ARTICLE III JUDGESHIPS SINCE JUNE 15
As of August 4, there were 48 vacancies out of 890 authorized federal judicial posts. Forty-seven of those were for Article III
judgeships, which require U.S. Senate confirmation for lifetime appointments. Five individuals have been confirmed since June 15,
and 10 have been nominated.
The following are the confirmed individuals:
* Whitney Hermandorfer, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.
* Emil Bove, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
* Joshua Divine, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri
* Cristian Stevens, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri
* Zachary Bluestone, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri
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