Senior U.S. Senator from Iowa; president pro tempore of the Senate
Todd Blanche has posted written orders that rescind a May directive creating a $1.8bn "anti-weaponization" fund and that limit broad IRS audit protections in a settlement with Donald Trump. Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis have said they will support advancing his nomination to the full Senate, though Democrats and legal experts have said the written assurances leave room to revive the fund.
Bloomberg reports Fitch Ratings finds not-for-profit hospitals and health systems have broad optimism about resilience, but tone has shifted to caution. The recovery appears near a transition point as operating conditions evolve.
The US DHS has published a draft rule to make a $103,265 H-1B visa fee permanent, following a prior $100,000 temporary charge that faced legal challenges. The rule adds to existing costs and would not apply to certain in-country, student-visa holders. Courts are weighing the legality as lawsuits question presidential authority and Congress approval.
The State Department has paused all immigrant visa applications to reassess public-charge rules, while preparing to revoke up to 200,000 asylum-related business and tourist visas. Officials say the pause is temporary and tied to a global training program for consular staff, with interviews being rescheduled into the fall. Legal challenges are anticipated as the administration tightens enforcement of immigration policy.
Sen. John Curtis has asked the Republican-led Senate Judiciary Committee to subpoena Donald Trump Jr. over his business ties, foreign gifts and a Russian oligarch-funded wedding party. Curtis has demanded the same scrutiny for Hunter Biden and cited reporting that Umar Kremlev paid substantial costs for Trump Jr.'s Bahamas celebrations in May.
The Guardian reports that President Trump is pressing for influence over election results as midterm contests approach. Democrats argue Congress has the final say on seating members, while concerns grow about the potential for political interference in close races. Analysts warn that a loyal clerk or manipulated rolls could threaten the integrity of the 2027 seating process.