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August Approaches with High-Stakes Decisions in Washington
The Senate faces pressure to stay in session as veterans, foreign policy, and military transparency dominate the week's agenda.
Congress may be ready for August, but things aren't slowing down just yet. The House has departed for recess while the Senate faces pressure to remain in session. Lawmakers are weighing major foreign policy legislation, the Department of Veterans Affairs is marking America's 250th anniversary with new initiatives honoring our nation's earliest veterans, and questions surrounding military transparency continue to draw scrutiny. From Capitol Hill to the Pentagon and the White House, this week's developments highlight the work still ahead before the Senate can leave Washington.
Capitol Crossroads: Senate schedule showdown, Russia sanctions legislation, August recess, congressional priorities
Veterans in Focus: America's 250th commemoration, Revolutionary War veterans, Pentagon casualty reporting, military transparency
On the National Stage: Lindsey Graham memorial services, Trump meetings with Zelensky and Netanyahu, Russia and Iran developments
WHO’S HAVING EVENTS THIS WEEK?
Red Star: House Event, Blue Star: Senate Event, Purple Star: Joint Event, Green Star: Other Event
Tuesday, July 28th
Funeral of Former Senator Lindsey Graham. Washington, D.C.
NEWS DRIVING THE WEEK
Senator Darlene Graham honors her brother, former Senator Lindsey Graham, in the Capitol on Tuesday.
Congressional News
Congress has partially entered August Recess, with the House having adjourned last Thursday while the Senate remains in Washington under pressure from President Trump to cancel its August recess until lawmakers pass the SAVE America Act. Senate Majority Leader John Thune has maintained that the legislation does not currently have sufficient support to pass, setting up a public disagreement over the Senate's schedule and priorities.
Meanwhile, the Senate is expected to vote this week on the bipartisan Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act, legislation that would target Russia's oil and gas industry with additional sanctions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged lawmakers to support the measure during meetings on Capitol Hill, while Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he hopes for a "very big, bipartisan vote" and to fast-track the bill for final passage this week. Some Democrats have expressed concerns about a provision allowing the president to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on countries purchasing significant amounts of Russian oil.
Veteran News
The Department of Veterans Affairs announced a nationwide initiative honoring Revolutionary War veterans interred in VA national cemeteries as part of the nation's commemoration of America's 250th anniversary. The effort will include ceremonies at VA national cemeteries across the country recognizing the service of those who fought in the Revolutionary War.
Questions surrounding transparency at the Department of Defense also drew attention after the Pentagon's public casualty website lowered the reported number of U.S. service members killed during the Iran war from 18 to 14. According to The New York Times, military officials and Pentagon spokespeople offered conflicting explanations for the change, while Democratic lawmakers criticized the administration for providing limited information about casualties and the conduct of the conflict.
National News
Washington hosted leaders from across the United States and abroad on Tuesday as lawmakers, President Trump, Vice President Vance, Cabinet officials, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and others gathered to honor the late Senator Lindsey Graham during memorial services at the U.S. Capitol and Washington National Cathedral.
Ahead of the funeral, President Trump met separately at the White House with President Zelensky and Prime Minister Netanyahu. According to The Hill, the meetings came as the administration continues discussions surrounding the wars involving Russia and Ukraine and Iran, and followed a pause in U.S. military attacks on Iran to allow time for negotiations.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“John Thune should not allow the United States Senate to 'leave town' until it passes The Save America Act or, far better still, TERMINATES THE FILIBUSTER,”
FOR FUN
Tennis returns to the nation's capital this week as the Mubadala DC Open gets underway at Rock Creek Park. It's the world's only combined ATP and WTA 500 tournament, bringing many of the sport's biggest stars to Washington before the U.S. Open.
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