May 31
This week in MORE POWER:
Trump Verdict Implications
Literally, More Power
U.S. vs. Intl. Criminal Court
Unofficial Girl: Taiwan
Congress is on recess until next week, so they didn’t pass any bills, but we're here to tell you what they and the Biden administration were up to on their time away.
Trump Verdict Implications
But first, a quick update on what the Trump verdict means for our democracy. Donald Trump is the first U.S. president to be convicted of a felony, demonstrating that no one is above the law. Trump and some of his supporters are calling the hearing a sham and sounding alarms about a corrupt judicial system. So, what does this mean for the election? An angry voter is a motivated voter, so this could compel people who otherwise would have stayed home to vote. On the other hand, highly educated voters who traditionally vote republican could change their vote due to this conviction. What does this mean for congress? Every member of the House has an election in November, and the republicans hold a very thin majority. Now, republican candidates will have a convicted felon at the top of their ticket. Whether this fires up the Trump base or makes them have a change of heart, the impacts will likely trickle down the ticket as well.
Literally, More Power
Severe weather in Texas caused sustained power outages last week, reinforcing the need for alternative energy sources. Congress has been unwilling or unable to pass legislation on this, so on Tuesday the White House announced a major initiative to modernize the aging U.S. electrical grid, collaborating with 21 states to enhance grid capacity and reduce outages. This effort aims to facilitate the integration of clean energy and address climate change by updating infrastructure and increasing transmission capabilities. The Biden administration says it will invest tens of billions to prevent outages, enhance energy security, and drive innovation. This initiative includes technical assistance and federal funding for states to build more transmission lines. Beyond severe weather, this modernization is crucial as electricity demand rises due to data centers, AI, and electric vehicles.
U.S. vs. Intl. Criminal Court
The International Criminal Court (ICC) announced that it’s seeking arrest warrants for leaders of Hamas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Israel supporters were outraged and members of congress drafted a bill to sanction the ICC. Secretary of State Antony Blinken appeared to be open to penalties through legislation, which surprised some lawmakers, but ultimately the Biden administration said they don’t believe sanctions on the ICC are “an effective or an appropriate path forward.” Bipartisan efforts continue in Congress to find a viable response to the ICC’s charges.
Unofficial Girl: Taiwan
A bipartisan delegation of U.S. lawmakers visited Taiwan's new leader, Lai Ching-te, marking the first such meeting since his recent inauguration. This visit underscores U.S. support for Taiwan amidst increasing tensions with China, which conducted large-scale military drills around the island in response to Lai’s inauguration. China, which claims sovereignty over Taiwan, has criticized U.S. interactions with the island as a violation of its territorial claims and has sanctioned U.S. lawmakers involved in such visits. China’s Foreign Ministry reiterated its demand for the U.S. to stop supporting Taiwan's independence and damaging Sino-American relations. The U.S., while formally recognizing China since 1979 under the one-China policy, maintains informal ties with Taiwan through the Taiwan Relations Act, which authorizes defense funding for Taiwan.
Congressional visits to Taiwan have increased, reflecting concerns over a potential Chinese invasion. The Biden administration has expanded support for Taiwan, including a recent approval of $4 billion in security aid as part of the $95 billion aid package to Israel, Gaza, Ukraine and the Indo-Pacific region.
What Congress Passed
Nothing, they were not in session.
Nothing, they were not in session.
Nada.
What POTUS Signed Into Law
S. 546, Recruit and Retain Act
