House Republicans Dangle Possible Vote on Epstein Files, After Voter Backlash
The measure, a nonbinding resolution, has not been scheduled for a vote. It is unclear whether Republicans will ever bring it up, or whether it could muster the support to pass in the face of a deep G.O.P. divide over the Trump administration's handling of the case of Mr. Epstein, who died by suicide in federal custody while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
But Republicans on the powerful House Rules Committee voted to advance it after Democrats threatened to force additional votes on the Epstein disclosures, which could have put G.O.P. lawmakers in a tough spot with constituents who are clamoring for more information. The dispute was holding up final passage of legislation to claw back $9 billion in congressionally approved spending, which had been scheduled for a vote on Thursday evening.
Even as the panel approved the Epstein measure, Mr. Trump, who has faced days of backlash from loyal supporters over the Justice Department's decision to close its investigation without releasing additional information, said that he would authorize Attorney General Pam Bondi to release testimony from grand jury proceedings in the case.
'The effect of this resolution is much stronger than any of you had expected,' said Representative Virginia Foxx of North Carolina, the Republican chairwoman of the Rules Committee, apparently suggesting that it had swayed Mr. Trump to authorize Ms. Bondi to release the testimony.
But the approval of the resolution by the Rules Committee, a panel dominated by Republicans and generally under the tight control of the speaker, reflected that widening tension between Mr. Trump, his base and Congress over the case of Mr. Epstein had reached a breaking point.
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Reuters reports: Read more here. Tariffs have started to hit US automaker General Motors (GM), who reported a fall in second quarter core profit of 32% to $3 billion on Tuesday. The automaker said tariffs have sapped $1.1 billion from results as it continues to grapple with President Trump's challenging trade war. Reuters reports: Read more here. Canadian boycott of US spirits hurts broader alcohol sales: Trade group American imports to Canada have dropped sharply due to Canadian provinces' boycott of US spirits amid the ongoing trade war with the United States, according to a Canadian liquor trade group. Reuters reports: Read more here. American imports to Canada have dropped sharply due to Canadian provinces' boycott of US spirits amid the ongoing trade war with the United States, according to a Canadian liquor trade group. Reuters reports: Read more here. 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Johanna Foods Inc. is arguing that Trump's reasons for the levy increase — including support for Brazil's former right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro — don't present 'unusual and extraordinary' threats that give him emergency authority to circumvent Congress' taxing power. The New Jersey-based company estimates that the Brazil tariffs would increase its costs for not-from-concentrate orange juice from Brazil by $68 million over the next 12 months and raise retail costs for consumers between 20-25%. According to the complaint, Brazil supplies more than half of all orange juice sold in the US. Read more here. Orange juice prices join the list of products that could see price increases as a result of tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. Bloomberg reports: A US orange juice distributor is suing over President Donald Trump's move to impose a 50% tariff on Brazil starting next month. 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"We appreciate that and fully expect that the administration will keep in place and enforce these Section 232 tariffs." Goncalves said the only place where it's having a problem is with Stelco, the Canadian steel company it acquired in November 2024. The CEO urged Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to implement similar protectionist policies, saying that other efforts to curb unfair trade practices were "insufficient." Cleveland-Cliffs stock soared 11% in early trading Monday after the company reported record steel shipments of 4.3 million net tons for the three months ended June 30. Read more about how Cleveland-Cliffs' stock is trading. Cleveland-Cliffs (CLF) CEO Lourenco Goncalves praised President Trump's protectionist policies on Monday, stating that the 25%-50% tariffs on foreign steel imports have had a "positive impact" on the US steel and automotive industries. The Section 232 steel tariffs "have played a significant role in supporting the domestic steel industry," Goncalves said during the company's earnings call. 'So far, there's no indication that the Section 232 tariffs will be used as a bargaining chip by the Trump administration as leverage in trade deals with other countries," Goncalves added. "We appreciate that and fully expect that the administration will keep in place and enforce these Section 232 tariffs." Goncalves said the only place where it's having a problem is with Stelco, the Canadian steel company it acquired in November 2024. The CEO urged Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to implement similar protectionist policies, saying that other efforts to curb unfair trade practices were "insufficient." Cleveland-Cliffs stock soared 11% in early trading Monday after the company reported record steel shipments of 4.3 million net tons for the three months ended June 30. Read more about how Cleveland-Cliffs' stock is trading. Bessent: Trump more concerned about quality of deals than making deals by Aug. 1 Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Monday said the US wouldn't rush to make trade deals ahead of an Aug. 1 deadline for many of President Trump's sweeping tariffs to kick in. "We're not going to rush for the sake of doing deals," Bessent told CNBC in an interview. More from Reuters: Read more here. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Monday said the US wouldn't rush to make trade deals ahead of an Aug. 1 deadline for many of President Trump's sweeping tariffs to kick in. "We're not going to rush for the sake of doing deals," Bessent told CNBC in an interview. More from Reuters: Read more here. More signs that Europe is hardening its stance We detailed earlier (keep scrolling) how the EU is readying its plans for retaliation in case a trade deal with the US fails. The Wall Street Journal has a big report out today with some more details of those plans — and details on how delicate negotiations are on even thinner ice, as President Trump keeps wanting more. The report said the EU got a "surprise" when US officials said Trump would want a higher baseline tariff in any deal, likely north of 15%, after months of talks around a 10% baseline. That apparently prompted Germany, Europe's largest economy, to swing to more of an alignment with France, which has been pushing a harder line throughout the negotiations. 'All options are on the table,' a German official said. The official said there was still time to negotiate a deal but added, 'If they want war, they will get war.' More from the report: Read more here. We detailed earlier (keep scrolling) how the EU is readying its plans for retaliation in case a trade deal with the US fails. The Wall Street Journal has a big report out today with some more details of those plans — and details on how delicate negotiations are on even thinner ice, as President Trump keeps wanting more. The report said the EU got a "surprise" when US officials said Trump would want a higher baseline tariff in any deal, likely north of 15%, after months of talks around a 10% baseline. That apparently prompted Germany, Europe's largest economy, to swing to more of an alignment with France, which has been pushing a harder line throughout the negotiations. 'All options are on the table,' a German official said. The official said there was still time to negotiate a deal but added, 'If they want war, they will get war.' More from the report: Read more here. Stellantis warns of $2.7B loss as tariffs bite Big Three automaker Stellantis (STLA) warned on Monday that it expects a 2.3 billion euro ($2.7 billion) net loss for the first half of 2025, hit by restructuring costs, ebbing sales, and an initial hit from US tariffs. The Chrysler maker's US-listed shares slipped nearly 2% in premarket, mirroring a drop in its stock in Milan. Reuters reports: Read more here. Big Three automaker Stellantis (STLA) warned on Monday that it expects a 2.3 billion euro ($2.7 billion) net loss for the first half of 2025, hit by restructuring costs, ebbing sales, and an initial hit from US tariffs. The Chrysler maker's US-listed shares slipped nearly 2% in premarket, mirroring a drop in its stock in Milan. Reuters reports: Read more here. EU to prepare its retaliation plan as US hardens its stance on trade talks EU negotiators are scrambling to make a trade agreement with the US as the Aug. 1 tariff deadline closes in. But they are also stepping up preparations to strike back if the two sides fail to secure a deal. Bloomberg reports: Read more here. EU negotiators are scrambling to make a trade agreement with the US as the Aug. 1 tariff deadline closes in. But they are also stepping up preparations to strike back if the two sides fail to secure a deal. Bloomberg reports: Read more here. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
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CT council member in garbage business pledges $500K of his own money on congressional run
Jack Perry admits that he does not have the normal pedigree for a member of Congress. After spending a career in the garbage hauling business, Perry said that he is running as a Democrat against 77-year-old U.S. Rep. John B. Larson in a potential multi-candidate primary in 2026. Perry, 35, also gained attention by pledging to spend $500,000 of his own money against Larson, using part of the proceeds from selling his family-owned garbage business that he started in 2008. 'I'm not a typical politician. I mean, seriously, how many can drive a garbage truck?' Perry asked. 'I'm a working-class guy who is unafraid to take on big challenges and stand up for people. I'm not trying to climb a political ladder for myself. I want to make sure everyone has ladders to climb and can afford to live and retire comfortably in Connecticut. I'll fight for the people, not the powerful.' As a Democratic member of Southington's Republican-controlled town council, Perry is not well known statewide. But he gained additional name recognition in his hometown when running for state Senate in 2020 against conservative firebrand Rob Sampson of Wolcott. Sampson won by 54% to 46% in the year that incumbent President Donald Trump ran strongly in the district despite losing in Connecticut and nationwide to Democrat Joe Biden. CT US congressman in seat for decades might have a Democratic challenger Perry spent 16 years in the family business, HQ Dumpsters and Recycling, before it was sold last year to trash hauler CWPM in Plainville. While no longer the owner, he still oversees the daily operations for the new owner, the Manafort family, in a position he says is far less stressful. As a relative political newcomer, Perry understands it will be difficult running against veteran Democrats with high name recognition like Larson and former Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin, who is seriously considering joining the race. 'It's a heavy lift, and that's where I'm trying to make it viable and showing people how passionate I am,' Perry told The Courant in an interview. 'Anyone that knows me knows that when my heart's in it, I will work endless hours, and that's just who I am as a person. Passion is everything. That's how I was able to build a successful garbage business. I started in 2008 during the Great Recession. It was passion, determination and work ethic. Nothing I've gotten in life has been easy, but it's very rewarding.' Perry added, 'I'm looking to be a fresh voice with new energy and advocate for the working class, the middle class, and those that are retiring that can't afford to stay in our state because of the cost. It goes back to inflation, grocery bills, electric costs, housing — all those things. It's hard.' With a mother who was an immigrant from Poland and a biological father who was absent from his life, Perry was raised with the help of his stepfather. He started working in the family's landscaping business at the age of 13, and has continued working ever since. Through the years, he has watched housing costs skyrocket, along with food and many other items. 'I was reading the other day in the paper that the average age for a first-time homebuyer is 38 years old,' Perry said. 'I'm 35. I bought my first home at 25 on a single income. It was hard for me, and it was a fixer-upper. But you can't do that in Southington on a single income of $60,000. It's just not doable. In 2015, it was.' He added, 'Inflation is hurting people, and they're now picking and choosing what they can afford to buy. Over the years, I've seen employees struggle. As an employer, I was able to help my employees. I remember an employee couldn't afford his insulin. This was before they made insulin affordable. We got him a different plan and coverage to be able to afford his insulin. I'm the type that, when I see issues, I stand up, regardless of how big the fight may be and regardless of what the obstacles are to get there.' Larson's campaign spokesman, Charles Perosino, said that democracy ensures that anyone seeking to run can do so, adding that the voters will make the final decision on their representative. 'John is proud to have secured billions in federal funding for the First District, including over $34 million for the town of Southington, and remains focused on taking on the Trump Administration as they raise the cost of living for working families by attacking access to health care, imposing cost-raising tariffs, and threatening Americans' hard-earned benefits,' Perosino said. 'When Democrats take the majority in 2026, John will serve as chair of the Social Security committee, and has been recognized as a national leader to protect and expand benefits, so that all Americans can retire — as FDR intended — with dignity.' Perry's entrance into the race comes as the political dam has broken in the battle against Larson. As more opponents step forward, there is little downside in challenging an established incumbent because others have already jumped into the race. The first official opponent was Hartford school board member and attorney Ruth R. Fortune, who filed official paperwork with the Federal Election Commission to run against Larson. After emigrating to the United States at age 12 from Haiti, Fortune grew up in the Nassau County town of Westbury on Long Island. She graduated from Baruch College in Manhattan and later received a law degree from the University of Connecticut. A Hartford resident since 2012, she has two children attending the Hartford public schools and a younger sibling starting pre-K this year. A former financial advisor at Merrill Lynch, she now works at the law firm of Wiggin and Dana in the trust and estates department. The best-known opponent is Bronin, who is seriously considering running and has been talking to fellow Democrats about the possibility. Larson, who turned 77 on Tuesday, personally told Bronin during an hour-long, face-to-face meeting that he is running again. Bronin would be the highest profile challenger in years for Larson, who has won 14 consecutive elections. As a graduate of Yale Law School, a Rhodes Scholar and a former U.S. Navy intelligence officer in Afghanistan, Bronin has a wide range of contacts and has shown his fundraising prowess when he won the Democratic primary for mayor in Hartford by unseating incumbent Pedro Segarra. State Rep. Jillian Gilchrest, a West Hartford Democrat, told The Courant on Tuesday that she is considering running but does not have a timeframe on when her final decision will be made. 'I think I would be great holding that seat in Congress,' said Gilchrest, who serves as co-chair of the state legislature's human services committee. 'While the sitting Congressman is still in the race, there's a sense that some respect should go his way, but with more and more people getting in, it's hard not to want to be a part of it if you think you're qualified to do the job.' Among the top issues in the race, she said, are wages, public education, access to health care, and concerns about the environment, among others. 'For Democrats, they're looking for voices who will be speaking about the issues that impact them and not waiting to feel out how best to say something,' Gilchrest said. 'They want to hear from leaders who are direct and listen to them and then speak on the issues of importance that impact their daily lives.' Larson's family, which has supported him in all races since even before he won a key primary for Congress in 1998, is already gearing up for another race. Arianna Larson, a Manchester resident who is one of Larson's nieces, sent an email to multiple supporters to rally support for the incumbent. 'I'm writing to say one thing loud and clear: it's game on,' she wrote in the email obtained by The Courant. 'This is not a fundraising email. It's a rallying cry. A call to action. A moment to get off the sidelines and get behind our candidate. For the first time in a long time, my Uncle John may be facing a more competitive primary challenge. And while I respect the value of new voices and fresh ideas — believe me, I'm part of the next generation of Democrats eager to make change — I also know that this is not the moment to be testing the bench.' She added, 'This election is happening in the second half of a Trump presidency. The stakes are enormous. We don't need a reset — we need results. And no one delivers like John Larson. He's a lifelong public servant who knows this district, knows how to lead, and never forgets who he's fighting for. He doesn't seek the spotlight — he just gets to work and gets things done. … My Uncle John is ready. The campaign is ready. The family is ready. And today, as he celebrates his birthday, and another year of life dedicated to public service, I can't think of a better way to honor that than by showing up for him – just like he's always shown up for us!' Christopher Keating can be reached at ckeating@ Solve the daily Crossword
