Pressure ratchets up on Congress to ban lawmakers from the stock market

As Congress sends the Epstein Files Transparency Act to President Trump's desk, there are questions about what the new files might show after thousands of documents have already been released.

President Trump has proposed $2,000 payments to low- and middle-income households, suggesting that these payments could be funded by revenue generated from his tariffs. However, this proposal has met with indifference from Congress, as the nation faces record levels of publicly held debt.

Congress has approved legislation requiring the Justice Department to publicly release documents related to Jeffrey Epstein and his network. This move aims to enhance transparency regarding the investigations into the late sex offender's activities.

The Trump administration is renewing its efforts to challenge state regulations on artificial intelligence (AI), urging Congress to pre-empt such laws while considering an executive order. This initiative aligns with ongoing discussions in Congress regarding the regulation of AI at the federal level.

Congress has passed a measure aimed at reversing the Alaskan petroleum reserve plan established during the Biden administration. The legislation will now be sent to former President Trump for his consideration.

The House of Representatives has passed two bills aimed at repealing cashless bail and laws that restrict police enforcement capabilities in Washington, D.C. This legislative move follows a previous veto by former President Joe Biden on a similar bill that had bipartisan support in Congress in 2023.

The Trump administration has introduced a 28-point peace plan aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. This unexpected initiative has surprised supporters of Ukraine in Congress, signaling a renewed effort to end the war. The plan's details have not been fully disclosed, but it represents a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy regarding the conflict.

The bipartisan push for a congressional stock trading ban is gaining momentum, with lawmakers still working on the specifics of a proposal. A hearing held by the House Administration Committee has brought renewed attention to the issue, which has been under discussion on Capitol Hill for several months.