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The Hill
a day ago
- Business
- The Hill
The Hill's Headlines - July 23, 2025
ADMINISTRATION President Trump will reveal 'AI Action Plan' shaped by his Silicon Valley supporters HOUSE The House will end its session early as Republicans clash over Jeffrey Epstein vote BUSINESS The White House says Japan will face %15 tariff rate on goods as part of trade agreement CAMPAIGN Rep. Mike Lawler (R) will run for reelection to the House, passing up on NY governor bid IN THE NEWS Venus Williams wins a doubles match in D.C. in her first tournament in more than year
The Hill
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hill
House throttled by Epstein drama
A HOUSE COMMITTEE voted Tuesday to subpoena convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein 's longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell, as the groundswell from Republicans demanding transparency derailed the chamber's business for a second consecutive week. The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee voted to authorize the subpoena following a motion put forward by Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.), even as President Trump urges his party to drop the topic and move on. Republicans on the House Rules Committee adjourned Monday night without completing their work in order to dodge Democratic threats to stage additional votes to compel the release of new Epstein documents. So far, Trump's move to authorize the Department of Justice (DOJ) to release grand jury transcripts from the Epstein case has failed to quell demands from Republicans on Capitol Hill for more transparency. Two federal judges on Tuesday asked the DOJ for more information before deciding whether to unseal the transcripts. Meanwhile, the DOJ said it planned to meet with Maxwell, who was convicted in 2021 on sex trafficking charges and sentenced to 20 years in prison. 'I anticipate meeting with Ms. Maxwell in the coming days,' Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche posted on X. 'Until now, no administration on behalf of the Department had inquired about her willingness to meet with the government. That changes now.' Trump on Tuesday said he wasn't following the new developments but that the DOJ's move 'sounds appropriate.' Republican leaders on Capitol Hill are caught between Trump's insistence that there's nothing more to uncover and demands from the rank-and-file to release all government files on the case. The turmoil stems from a DOJ report released earlier this month that determined Epstein did not keep a 'client list,' which many on the right believed would include the names of powerful people implicated in Epstein's crimes. To date, Maxwell is the only person to have been convicted in the case. Epstein died by suicide in a jail cell in 2019 as he was awaiting trial. Tensions are running hot on Capitol Hill, with Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) swiping at Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), who cosponsored a measure with Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) that would force a vote on releasing more Epstein documents. 'Bless his heart,' Johnson said when asked if he'd support Massie's reelection bid. Massie has repeatedly broken with Trump over spending and been a thorn in the side of GOP leaders. Trump has threatened to back a primary challenge against Massie. In an interview with NBC News, Massie said that move would 'backfire tremendously.' 'They're trying to beat up on me in order to keep everybody else in line here,' he said. But Johnson is also dealing with a revolt from other members. 'I led Republicans in a serious resolution — that protects victims — to expose the truth about the Epstein files, just like President Trump promised. But leadership is stalling,' Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) posted on X. 'The American people deserve action, not excuses. Let's vote on it before August recess and get it DONE!!' Johnson said this week the House would not vote on a resolution calling for the release of some Epstein documents, saying he wanted to give the DOJ 'space' as it seeks to unseal grand jury testimony. The Speaker on Tuesday said he supports 'maximum transparency' but is concerned about releasing information about Epstein's victims. 'Some of them were minors, some of them were not,' Johnson said. 'When the Epstein records are turned over to the public, which we must do as quickly as possible, we have to also be very judicious and careful about protecting innocent.' The House will adjourn a day earlier than scheduled this week, with lawmakers leaving town Wednesday. They'll return in September.
NBC News
03-07-2025
- Politics
- NBC News
Live updates: Trump agenda bill moves closer to passage; Hakeem Jeffries slams Republicans in hourslong speech
What to know today HOUSE ADVANCES BILL: A massive bill to advance President Donald Trump's agenda cleared a key hurdle in the House after a group of Republican holdouts changed their votes. The legislation is now set up for a final vote. JEFFRIES HOLDS THE FLOOR: House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., has been speaking on the chamber floor against the bill for more than three hours as the House debates the measure. Trump has pushed to sign the bill into law by July 4. TRUMP PRESSURES HOLDOUTS: The president and White House officials have been heavily involved in efforts to sway GOP holdouts. Trump warned them, 'MAGA IS NOT HAPPY.' TRUMP'S JULY FOURTH PLANS: Trump is heading to Iowa today to commemorate the July Fourth holiday and announce plans for next year's 250th anniversary celebrations. Share Jeffries, four hours into his speech, opens another binder Megan Lebowitz The House minority leader has opened another binder in his now more than four-hour speech. Jeffries is at around the halfway mark to the longest House floor speech, a record held by former Republican leader Kevin McCarthy, of California. Jeffries has spent the hours slamming the GOP bill and reading notes from people who he says will be harmed if the bill is signed into law. Trump spent most of the night on the phone with lawmakers Gabe Gutierrez The president spent most of the night working the phones with lawmakers as he tried to get his signature spending bill over the finish line, according to a senior White House official. Currently, there is no Marine sentry outside the West Wing, indicating the president is not inside the Oval Office. There is a celebratory vibe inside the West Wing, according to the official, as staff prepare for a long day. The president is set to meet with former Hamas hostage Edan Alexander and his family later today before heading to Iowa for a rally kicking off the one-year countdown to America's 250th birthday. Trump to meet with last living American held hostage in Gaza Monica Alba and Rebecca Shabad The president and first lady Melania Trump are expected to meet today with Edan Alexander and his family in the Oval Office, the White House said. Alexander was released in May after being held hostage by Hamas for 584 days. He is believed to be the last living U.S. citizen held captive in Gaza. 'The President and First Lady have met with many released hostages from Gaza, and they greatly look forward to meeting Edan Alexander and his family in the Oval Office tomorrow," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement yesterday. Minority leader goes past three-hour mark in floor speech Kyle Stewart and Megan Lebowitz Jeffries has been delivering floor remarks for more than three hours, using the unlimited speaking time granted to the House leaders. After nearing the end of the binder he was reading from, he picked up another. Jeffries began his speech just before 5 a.m. The record for the longest House floor speech is eight hours and 32 minutes, set by then-Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., in November 2021 in opposition to then-President Joe Biden's Build Back Better plan. Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., held the record before that for an eight-hour and seven-minute speech in 2018. Only House leaders have unlimited speaking time on the floor. Empty pizza boxes are wheeled away from Mike Johnson's office A Capitol facilities worker wheels a bin full of empty pizza boxes from Speaker Johnson's office last night. Trump to head to Iowa State Fairgrounds for America250 kick-off event Trump is scheduled to travel to Des Moines, Iowa, today to deliver remarks at an event kicking off the one-year countdown to America's 250th anniversary. The event will take place at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, a venue Trump last visited two years ago during the Republican presidential primary. 'Iowa voted for me THREE TIMES, because they love my Policies for our Wonderful Farmers and Small Businesses, and they LOVE AMERICA! This will be a very special event, honoring our Great Country, and our Brave Heroes who fought to keep us FREE,' Trump wrote in a Truth Social post Tuesday. His visit comes as he has two pending lawsuits against the state's most-read newspaper, The Des Moines Register, and its most well-known pollster, Ann Selzer. Trump sued both of them over a poll last year that showed Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris leading in Iowa shortly before Election Day. Trump ultimately won the state. Jeffries shows no signs of slowing down in House floor speech Megan Lebowitz and Kyle Stewart House Minority Leader Jeffries has shown no signs of slowing down during his floor speech, which has now gone on for more than two hours. Jeffries has been reading notes from people who could be affected by the bill as he continues his critique, and said he would be taking his "sweet time." "It appears, Mr. Speaker, that I'm about halfway through the stories as it relates to Medicaid," he said. Reading from a binder, Jeffries is highlighting the stories of people across the country who rely on Medicaid, and he appears to be about halfway through the binder. First to NBC News: Vivek Ramaswamy and his allies build a fundraising edge in Ohio governor's race Henry J. Gomez A super PAC promoting Vivek Ramaswamy for governor in Ohio has raised $17 million since January — a figure that the group shared first today with NBC News. The money collected by VPAC: Victors not Victims is separate from the $9.7 million that Ramaswamy's campaign this week announced it has raised since launching in February. Taken in tandem, the massive haul puts the Trump-backed Ramaswamy at a substantial financial advantage in the still-developing race. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost suspended his bid for the GOP nomination in May, after the state's Republican Party issued an early endorsement of Ramaswamy. And rumblings that Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel might enter the primary have yet to lead to an actual campaign from the former Ohio State football coach. Ramaswamy, a biotech entrepreneur who briefly ran against Trump for president in 2024, worked with Elon Musk earlier this year to launch Trump's Department of Government Efficiency. But Ramaswamy left before the agency was up and running to focus on the gubernatorial race. Show more Jeffries says bill is 'wrong,' 'dangerous' and 'cruel' Kyle Stewart and Megan Lebowitz House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., argued that the bill was 'cruel' in floor remarks that began about an hour and a half ago. 'What is contemplated in this one big, ugly bill is wrong. It's dangerous, and it's cruel, and cruelty should not be either the objective or the outcome of legislation that we consider here in the United States House of Representatives,' Jeffries said. "But it is cruel to take away Medicaid from the American people,' he added. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office projected that the bill would result in 11.8 million people losing health insurance over the next decade. Jeffries speaks against GOP bill during floor debate Kyle Stewart House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., is expected to speak for roughly an hour on the floor against the Republicans' bill. Johnson expects House to pass Trump agenda bill this morning Kyle Stewart Speaker Johnson Mike Johnson, R-La., said he expected the House will on the GOP's domestic policy package 'around 8-8:30 this morning,' if not sooner. Asked how he was able to win over the Republican holdouts, Johnson told reporters, 'There was just a lot of patience and listening to everyone's concerns and making sure that their, their concerns were addressed.' Johnson said he's talked to Trump 'multiple times today, tonight, this morning.' 'I mean, he was up engaged as late as 1 am. He may still be up for all I know. He doesn't really sleep a lot,' he said. When asked about the self-imposed July 4 deadline for passage and whether Johnson was disappointed to again be sorting out legislation overnight, he said: 'I'm not disappointed. I mean, again, this is part of the process. It's, when you're doing a big, comprehensive piece of legislation, you're going to expect a lot of, a lot of extra time, a lot of questions and a lot of deliberation over it. We factored that in, but we're still going to meet the deadline.' House advances Trump agenda bill, setting up final passage The House advance the Trump agenda bill on a 219-213 vote after most of the Republican holdouts flipped their votes to support the rule. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., was the only Republican to vote with all Democrats against the procedural motion. The House is now debating the bill and will soon vote on final passage. Share House procedural vote stretches past three hours Kyle Stewart The House has now held the rule vote open for more than three hours. And Trump is continuing to express his displeasure with the GOP holdouts on Truth Social: 'FOR REPUBLICANS, THIS SHOULD BE AN EASY YES VOTE. RIDICULOUS!!!'
NBC News
03-07-2025
- Politics
- NBC News
Live updates: Trump agenda bill is on the brink of passage in the House
What to know today HOUSE ADVANCES GOP BILL: A massive bill for President Donald Trump's agenda cleared a key hurdle in the House after a group of Republican holdouts changed their votes. SELF-IMPOSED DEADLINE APPROACHING: The House is now debating the bill on the floor before proceeding to final passage. Trump has pushed to sign the bill into law by July 4. TRUMP PRESSURES HOLDOUTS: The president and White House officials have been heavily involved in efforts to sway GOP holdouts. Trump warned them 'MAGA IS NOT HAPPY' on Truth Social. TRUMP'S JULY FOURTH PLANS: Trump is heading to Iowa today to commemorate the July Fourth holiday and announce plans for next year's 250th anniversary celebrations.
NBC News
03-07-2025
- Politics
- NBC News
Trump administration live updates: House holds key procedural vote on teeing up Trump agenda bill
/ Updated What to know today HOUSE TAKES UP GOP BILL: The House is voting now on a rule for floor consideration of President Donald Trump's so-called big, beautiful bill — a day after Senate Republicans made changes that irked many of their House GOP colleagues. HOLDOUTS DELAY VOTE: The House floor remained open for more than seven hours today on an earlier procedural vote as Republican leaders struggled to gain enough support within their own party to move forward. TRUMP OPTIMISTIC ON BILL'S PROSPECTS: Trump said in a post this evening that the House "is ready to vote tonight," adding that they had "GREAT" conversations all day. The president and White House officials were heavily involved in efforts to sway GOP holdouts. 16m ago / 10:15 PM EDT Speaker Johnson making last-minute push to win over GOP holdouts Kyle Stewart Reporting from Washington Four Republicans are in the no column right now on the measure to advance Trump's agenda bill to floor debate before a vote on final passage. Johnson has been in an animated discussion with one of the holdouts, Rep. Andrew Clyde, R-Ga., on the floor for several minutes. Members can change their votes up until the moment the gavel comes down. The other current "no" votes are Reps. Keith Self, R-Texas, Victoria Spartz, R-Ind., and Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa. 54m ago / 9:37 PM EDT House votes on the rule for floor debate on Trump agenda bill Kyle Stewart Reporting from Washington The House is voting now on the rule for the reconciliation bill. It needs to be adopted so the House can move to debate the bill itself. The vote takes a simple majority to pass. Every member is here today and participated in the previous vote. If all members vote, Republicans can afford to lose only three defections. Members can, of course, choose not to vote or to vote present. That would change the math. If the rule is adopted, the House will move to an hour of debate on the bill itself. 1h ago / 9:27 PM EDT House sets congressional record for longest vote in modern history Kyle Stewart Reporting from Washington The House is holding its longest vote in modern congressional history, surpassing the record set in November 2021. This procedural vote, which started just after 2 p.m., has been open for more than seven hours. House Republican leaders just advised that the next vote, on the House rule for debating the Big Beautiful Bill, will take place at 9:30 p.m. On Nov. 5, 2021, Democrats held open a vote on a GOP motion to adjourn for seven hours and six minutes as they tried to round up support for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and Build Back Better. The current vote has surpassed that seven-hour, six-minute length. Judge rejects Trump bid to drop lawsuit against Iowa pollster Ann Selzer and The Des Moines Register A federal judge in Iowa today denied Trump's request to dismiss his federal lawsuit against pollster Ann Selzer and The Des Moines Register newspaper. U.S. District Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger noted in her ruling that Trump still has an appeal pending in the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals over his lawsuit stemming from a pre-election poll that found Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris leading in Iowa, which Trump ended up winning in November. 'Trump must first dismiss the appeal before voluntarily dismissing the district court case,' Ebinger wrote. 'Giving effect to a notice of voluntary dismissal, for all practical purposes, would result in a dismissal of Trump's appeal—which is procedurally improper.' Trump's tariff pause is set to expire, threatening a trade war flare-up Shannon Pettypiece and Steve Kopack Trump's trade war risks reigniting next week when a pause on sweeping tariffs is set to expire, potentially driving up costs for businesses and raising prices for consumers. While Trump and administration officials recently indicated the deadline might be pushed back, Trump told reporters yesterday that he wasn't planning an extension and is informing countries of their new tariff rates. He said it has been harder than planned to make trade deals with a number of foreign governments because they are 'spoiled from having ripped us off for 30, 40 years.' 'We're going to determine a number just very simply, write them a nice letter,' Trump said aboard Air Force One. 'Probably one page or a page and a half at the most, and it's going to be essentially, 'Congratulations. It's going to be an honor to allow you to go and do business in the United States of America,' because it really is an honor to be able to do that.' Trump said today that he had reached a trade agreement with Vietnam in which U.S.-based companies will have to pay a 20% tariff on Vietnamese goods and a 40% tariff on goods routed through Vietnam from other countries. Vietnam agreed to not to charge any tariffs on U.S. goods. Fox News, MAGA hats and cookies: Inside Trump's West Wing +4 Peter Nicholas, Monica Alba, Courtney Kube, Katherine Doyle and Carol E. Lee The military leaders who came to the Oval Office to discuss the new F-47 stealth fighter jet had a few surprises in store. At one point in their sit-down with Trump, Mark Zuckerberg, the Meta chief executive, walked in unexpectedly. Worried that he didn't have security clearance, officials asked Zuckerberg to wait outside, two people familiar with the meeting said. A young aide also came in during the meeting, showed Trump something on her laptop computer and left. Trump's cellphone rang a couple of times. Expecting more privacy in the meeting with the commander in chief, some of the officials came away mystified and a bit unnerved. They quietly discussed among themselves whether the visitors and calls might have compromised sensitive information, with one asking whether they should be concerned about 'spillage.' Trump affectionately refers to the Oval Office as 'Grand Central Terminal' because of all the comings and goings, a senior White House official said. One of the people familiar with the winter meeting about the plane used another term: 'bizarro world.' 4h ago / 6:23 PM EDT House procedural vote passes 4-hour mark Kyle Stewart Reporting from Washington A procedural vote in the House has now been open for four hours as Republican leadership and the White House try to get conservative holdouts on board with the One Big Beautiful Bill. House Freedom Caucus members were huddled in a room off the chamber for a while and were joined briefly by White House Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought. Other conservative lawmakers have been in and out of Speaker Mike Johnson's office. The vote started just after 2 p.m. The previous vote in the series took an hour. Upon conclusion of the current vote, the House would then vote on the rule for the bill — a key step that's needed to start debate on the legislation itself. After an hour of debate, the House would then vote on final passage. Show more Thomas Massie on why fellow Republicans keep folding: 'They're just afraid of Trump' Sahil Kapur Reporting from Washington Thomas Massie of Kentucky, the lone House Republican who has consistently opposed Trump's deficit-raising 'big, beautiful bill,' said he sleeps well at night. "I have raised $400,000 from 4,500 donors in the last 10 days for taking this principled stand. So my life hasn't been difficult at all,' Massie told NBC News in the Capitol today, adding that he's 'not concerned' that Trump and his allies might come after him politically. He said they're trying to send a message to other Republicans. Show more
