Monday, June 17

á           Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan announced the Trump administration is sending an additional 1,000 troops to the Middle East. Shanahan said this action does not mean the United States seeks military conflict with Iran, but that it is a measure to ensure safety and protect U.S. national interests.

á           The Environmental Protection Agency announced it will allow the use of a pesticide called sulfoxaflor that is harmful to bees and was previously banned following a lawsuit from beekeepers.

Tuesday, June 18

á           The House voted in favor of an amendment to the $1 trillion spending package that would block the Pentagon from using funding to enforce its ban on transgender people in the military.

Wednesday, June 19

á           The Trump administration replaced Obama era legislation limiting pollution from coal plants with a new rule that keeps coal-burning plans open longer.

á           Congress held a historic hearing on H.R. 40, a bill that would create a commission to address the impacts of slavery that remain in society, and issue a national apology.

 

á           The Senate Appropriations Committee approved a bipartisan bill that provides $4.6 billion in aid to federal agencies at the southwestern border. The funding will go towards the care of migrant children and improvement of border facilities. The bill also includes oversight provisions on information about unaccompanied immigrant children that is designed to block authorities from abusing the process of locating family member to track down undocumented immigrants.

Thursday, June 20

á           The Senate voted to block Trump administration arms sales to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

á           Roy Moore, a controversial Republican judge who was accused of sexual misconduct with young girls announced he is running of Alabama senator again in the 2020 race.

á           Senator Kirsten Gillibrand introduced legislation to block a new HUD rule that would stop undocumented immigrants from accessing subsidized housing by closing what the Trump administration calls a ÒloopholeÓ that allows families with members who are undocumented to live in subsidized housing if at least one member is a citizen. 

Friday, June 21

á           The House Administration Committee approved the Securing Americas Federal Election Act that would require election systems to use voter-verified paper ballots. This legislation aims to create cyber security safeguards to protect against election interference. 

á           The only abortion clinic in Missouri was denied its license renewal by the Department of Health and Senior Services. The Planned Parenthood Clinic will remain open for now, until Judge Michael Seltzer makes a final decision on the case.

á           The House Intelligence Committee issued a subpoena for Felix Sater, a former business associate of President and Trump and primary negotiator for the Trump Tower Moscow Project, after he did not show up for a voluntary interview.

á           Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan departed the Pentagon on his last day. President Trump nominated Army of the Secretary Mark Esper to take his place.

Saturday, June 22

á           President Trump announced that he has delayed the nationwide raids to deport undocumented families for two weeks unless Democrats submit to changes in asylum law.

á           The white House released part one of its two-part Middle East peace plan, highlighting its Òeconomic vision for Palestinian territories and neighboring Arab countries in which they call for a $50 billion dollar investment into industry along the West Bank and Gaza.

á           The Trump administration announced new sanctions on Iran in response to the rising tensions between the U.S. and Iran related to alleged attacks on oil tankers, the downing of a U.S. surveillance drone, and IranÕs buildup of nuclear material.

Sunday, June 23

á           A memo from the U.S. Office of Special Counsel revealed that the House Oversight and Reform Committee will subpoena Kellyanne Conway if she does not show up to the panelÕs hearing on her alleged violation of the Hatch Act.

á           Senators Mark Warner and Josh Hawley introduced a bipartisan bill that would require social media companies to disclose the value of the data collected on users.