Capitol Insights
On Tuesday April 23 the Senate voted to approve a new aid package for Ukraine, ending months of struggle between Speaker Mike Johnson and the White House.
Since the first investigation of China by the Trump Administration under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 (Section 301 Investigation) conducted by US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, the United States has targeted the Peoples’ Republic of China (PRC) with a number of tools and tariffs aimed at protecting the intellectual property of the US technology and other data rich industries. They ranged from expanding the powers of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) as well as expanded export controls and recent regulation and legislation related to cross-border data transfer like Tiktok. And of course, the tariffs imposed on China as a remedy to the Section 301 investigation imposed are still in place and under review by the Biden Administration, although US Trade Representative Tai also said this week that review was close to completion.
This week, the Biden administration faced pressure to finalize several rules in time to avoid the Congressional Review Act (CRA) deadline that would allow lawmakers to overturn them. Here is an overview of several proposed rules, as well as an explanation of the Congressional Review Act.
Early in the morning on Tuesday, March 26, the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, MD was struck by a cargo ship and completely collapsed. This was after the vessel had a “complete blackout” that knocked out power to the engine and navigation equipment. Six construction workers who were on the bridge at the time of collapse are tragically presumed dead.
At the end of the week, Congress passed a sweeping $1.2 trillion spending package, steering the United States government clear of a looming partial shutdown. The passage of this budget agreement not only underscores the complexities of contemporary American politics but also signals significant repercussions within the political landscape, particularly within the House of Representatives.