PSW Weekly Round-Up - 8/3

Legislative Update

House. The House is in recess and is scheduled to return on Aug. 31 for one week before the Labor Day recess.

Senate. The Senate plans to vote Monday evening on a procedural vote to advance a Continuing Resolution (CR) to temporarily provide government funding when the new fiscal year begins Oct. 1. The CR, which Senate appropriators unveiled Sunday afternoon, would provide funding through Dec. 11. The measure would also provide a temporary extension, through Dec. 11, of programs authorized by the surface transportation legislation that expires Sept. 30.

The CR would also temporarily, through Dec. 11, prevent the Office of Management and Budget from finalizing its proposed rule that would give political appointees discretion to cancel federal grants and other financial assistance. Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) aims for Senate passage before Senators leave at the end of the week for their summer recess, returning Sept. 14. Because the Senate version differs in numerous respects from the House-passed CR, the House would either have to vote to accept the Senate measure or negotiators would have to work out a compromise between the two chambers.

Also on the agenda this week is a vote on the Russia sanctions bill that would make it harder for Russia to sell its oil and natural gas abroad by imposing tariffs of up to 100% on the top five countries that buy those Russian exports. In addition, the Senate could vote on the confirmation of Todd Blanche to be attorney general. The Judiciary Committee is scheduled to vote Tuesday morning on the nomination. Senators also plan to vote on a package of 74 Executive Branch nominees. It is unclear whether there will be a floor vote this week to take up the CLARITY Act, which provides a cryptocurrency regulatory framework but appears to be short of 60 votes due a Democratic push for stronger ethics language.

Committee Action of Note:

Tuesday, August 4

• Senate Budget Committee Hearing: “Medicaid: The Reality.”
• Senate Finance Subcommittee on Health Care Hearing: “Building a Resilient Health Care Future with Biotechnology.”
• Senate Judiciary Committee Business Meeting: Nomination of Todd Blanche to be Attorney General
• Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism Hearing: “Your Data, Their Profit: The Consumer Cost of AI Surveillance Pricing.”
• Senate Indian Affairs Committee Hearing: Roundtable on “Tracking Prediction Markets’ Exponential Growth: Tribal Implications and Beyond.”

Wednesday, August 5

• Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Markup to consider various kids’ online safety legislation.
• Senate Judiciary Committee Nominations Hearing.
• Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Federal Courts, Oversight, Agency Action, and Federal Rights Hearing: “Hidden in Plain Sight: Confronting the Muslim Brotherhood Network in America.”

• Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee Hearing: “Empowering Main Street by Unlocking Access to Capital.”
• Senate Agriculture Committee Hearing on S. ____, Agricultural Act of 2026

Executive Action of Note:

In a July 31 proclamation, President Trump announced the imposition of a temporary tariff-rate ​quota ​on imports ‌of ⁠quartz surface products ​from ​several ⁠countries. The action was supported by the U.S. quartz industry but opposed by homebuilders, suppliers, and others who warned that it would raise the cost of quartz countertops. This and other executive actions include:

• Presidential Determination Pursuant to Section 101 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as Amended, on Recoverable Critical Minerals and Materials - July 30, 2026
• Presidential Permit: Authorizing Cameron County, Texas, to Own, Operate, and Maintain the Brownsville and Matamoros Bridge in Brownsville, Texas - July 30, 2026
• To Facilitate Positive Adjustment to Competition From Imports of Quartz Surface Products - July 31, 2026

Political Update

August 4 Primaries. On Tuesday, Michigan Democrats will choose between Rep. Haley Stevens and Abdul El-Sayed to be their nominee to run against former Rep. Mike Rogers (R) for the Senate seat now held by retiring Senator Gary Peters (D). In the 7^th Congressional District, there is a heated Democratic primary among three candidates – retired Navy SEAL Matt Maasdam, former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink, and progressive activist William Lawrence. The winner will face Rep. Tom Barrett (R) in November. In the 13^th District, Rep. Shri Thanedar (D) is facing a primary challenge from state Rep. Donavan McKinney.

In addition to Michigan, voters will head to the polls on Tuesday in Missouri, Virginia, and Washington for congressional primaries. Of note is the Democratic primary in the 1^st District of Missouri, where Rep. Wesley Bell is facing a challenge from former Rep. Cori Bush.

August 6 Primaries. After Tennessee lawmakers redrew the state’s congressional districts in May and created a “solid red” 9^th District, Democratic Rep. Steve Cohen announced he would not run for re-election in the district, setting up a Republican primary with four candidates vying for their party’s nomination on Aug. 6. Also on Thursday, Senator Marsha Blackburn (R) and Rep. John Rose (R) are running for the GOP nomination for governor. If Blackburn wins the nomination and the race in November and then resigns her Senate seat, Republican Gov. Bill Lee would appoint a successor until a special election.

August 8 Primaries. In Hawaii’s 1^st District, Democratic Rep. Ed Case is facing a primary challenge from state Senator Jarrett Keohokalole.

Upcoming Primaries

• Aug. 11 – Alabama House Special for Districts 1, 2, 6, and 7, Connecticut House, Minnesota House and Senate (for the seat of retiring Democratic Senator Tina Smith), South Carolina Senate Republican Primary Special (for the seat of the late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham), Vermont House, Wisconsin House
• Aug. 18 – Alaska House and Senate, California House Special (for the 14^th District seat of former Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell), Florida House and Special Senate (for the seat held by Republican Senator Ashley Moody, who was appointed to fill Marco Rubio’s seat), Wyoming House and Senate
• Sept. 1 – Massachusetts House and Senate

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