EIW Today - July 21st, 2025

Prism Group's Daily Summary

HOUSE REPUBLICANS BEGIN TO CRACK ON TARIFFS… Several Republican lawmakers who are tasked with protecting influential export-reliant industries within their districts have slowly begun to voice concerns — albeit couched in praise — to Administration officials, with dozens of House Republicans having signed onto letters to President Trump’s top trade advisors in recent weeks. Disgruntled House Republicans are urging the Administration to take a more restrained approach, especially as the all-important August 1st deadline approaches. The GOP Senate is yet to demonstrate strong alignment with the House on softly pushing back against the Administration, though industry groups are now “pulling out all the stops” to pressure President Trump through the executive.

BIPARTISAN HEALTH TALKS STALL OVER EXPIRING ACA CREDITS…

Fresh off the heels of the megabill, GOP lawmakers are pushing ahead with plans for a bipartisan health package before the year’s end. Their priorities include reigning in pharmacy benefit managers and expanding Medicare to cover weight loss drugs. Democrats, hesitant to reenter negotiations, are demanding the inclusion of a $383 billion extension of expanded tax credits for Affordable Care Act insurance premiums set to expire this year. Without action, millions of working Americans could see their premiums skyrocket or lose coverage altogether. The standoff highlights deepening partisan divisions, with progress hinging on whether Republicans will budge on subsidies or narrow the legislation to stand-alone drug-cost provisions. 

REINDUSTRIALIZE 2025: REBUILDING US MANUFACTURING…  A coalition of Silicon Valley investors and senior officials in the Trump administration met at a conference last week to promote revitalizing technology and manufacturing industries within the US. Central to this techo-industrial initiative is the emphasis that a renaissance is needed in order to safeguard national security interests. Another key focus of the event was the potential for creating “high status” blue-collar jobs. The event was organized by an ad-hoc group, led by CEO of Atomic Industries Aaron Slodov, who is continuing to spearhead advocacy efforts for US technology and manufacturing.

THE STATE OF THE STATES

SESSIONS BY THE NUMBERS: 

Eight legislatures are in regular session. Texas is in special session.

WHAT WE'RE WATCHING: 

Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones (R) has created a new Committee on Eliminating Georgia’s Income Tax to consider ways to phase out the 5% tax rate. Three senators Jones appointed to the committee are running to replace him as lieutenant governor.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) has launched a plan to eliminate up to $144 million in medical debt held by 210,000 state residents. The state Senate has proposed adding $5 million in medical debt forgiveness funds to the state budget.

LAWMAKERS... IN OR OUT? 

The House... convenes today at 12:00 PM. The full schedule may be found here. 

The Senate... convenes today at 3:00 PM. The full schedule may be found here. 

HAPPENING ON THE HILL  

The House...  

Committee on Small Business will hold a hearing Tomorrow, July 22nd at 9:45 AM entitled, “Full Committee Markup.” 

Committee on Foreign Affairs will hold a hearing Tomorrow, July 22nd at 10:00 AM entitled, “Markup.”

“Oversight of the U.S. Organ Procurement and Transplant System.” 

Committee on Energy and Commerce, Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee will hold a hearing Tomorrow, July 22nd at 10:15 AM entitled, 

Committee on Natural Resources will hold a hearing Tomorrow, July 22nd at 10:15 AM entitled, “Full Committee Oversight Hearing.”

Committee on Energy and Commerce, Energy Subcommittee will hold a hearing Tomorrow, July 22nd at 10:30 AM entitled, “Strengthening American Energy: A Review of Pipeline Safety Policy.” 

Committee on Ways and Means, Health and Oversight Subcommittees will hold a hearing Tomorrow, July 22nd at 2:00 PM entitled, “Past Lessons, Present Insights, Future Opportunities.”

Committee on Natural Resources, Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee will hold a hearing Tomorrow, July 22nd at 2:00 PM entitled, “Examining the Trump Administration’s Work Combatting Transnational Cartels in Indian Country.”

Committee on Natural Resources, Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries Subcommittee will hold a hearing Tomorrow, July 22nd at 2:15 PM entitled, “Legislative Hearing on H.R. 180, H.R. 3706, H.R. 3831, H.R. 4033, H.R. 4293, H.R 4294 and a Discussion Draft.”

Committee on Small Business, Oversight, Investigations, and Regulations Subcommittee will hold a hearing Wednesday, July 23rd at 10:00 AM entitled, “American Resilience: Examining SBA Disaster Assistance Programs.”

Committee on Foreign Affairs will hold a hearing Wednesday, July 23rd at 10:00 AM entitled, “FY26 State Department Posture: Bureau of Political Affairs.”

Committee on Ways and Means will hold a hearing Friday, July 25th at 10:00 AM entitled, “The One, Big, Beautiful Bill Delivering for American Workers – Las Vegas, Nevada.”

The Senate...    

Committee on Finance will hold a hearing Tomorrow, July 22nd at 9:45 AM entitled, “Open Executive Session Consider Favorably Reporting the nominations of Joseph Barloon, of Maryland, to be a Deputy United States Trade Representative (Geneva Office), with the rank of Ambassador; and Brian Morrissey, Jr., of Virginia, to be General Counsel for the Department of the Treasury.”

Committee on Foreign Affairs will hold a hearing Tomorrow, July 22nd at 10:00 AM entitled, “Nominations.”

Committee on Finance will hold a hearing Tomorrow, July 22nd at 10:15 AM entitled, “Hearing to Consider the nominations of The Honorable Jonathan McKernan, of Tennessee, to be an Under Secretary of the Treasury, vice J. Nellie Liang, resigned and Alex Adams, of Idaho, to be Assistant Secretary for Family Support, Department of Health and Human Services, vice January Contreras.”

Committee on Judiciary will hold a hearing Tomorrow, July 22nd at 10:15 AM entitled, “Securing the Skies: Law Enforcement, Drones, and Public Safety.”

Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women's Issues will hold a hearing Tomorrow, July 22nd at 2:30 PM entitled, “ The Status of Democracy and Human Rights in Hong Kong, Five Years After the PRC’S JUDICIAL TAKEOVER.”

Committee on Judiciary, Subcommittee on Border Security and Immigration will hold a hearing Tomorrow, July 22nd at 2:30 PM entitled, “Biden’s Border Betrayal: Criminal Aliens in America.” 

Committee on Foreign Affairs will hold a hearing Wednesday, July 23rd at 10:00 AM entitled, “Business Meeting.”

Committee on Foreign Affairs will hold a hearing Wednesday, July 23rd IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE BUSINESS MEETING entitled, “Dismantling Transitional Criminal Organizations in the Americas.” 

Committee on Natural Resources will hold a hearing Wednesday July 23rd at 10:00 AM entitled, “Full Committee Hearing to Identify Challenges to Meeting Increased Electricity Demand.”

Committee on Health, Education, and Labor Pensions, Subcommittee on Education and the American Family will hold a hearing Wednesday, July 23rd at 2:00 PM entitled, “K-12 Subcommittee Hearing on Choice and Literacy: Empowering Families for Better Educational Results.”

Committee on Judiciary, Subcommittee on the Constitution will hold a hearing Wednesday, July 23rd, 2025 entitled, “Ending Illegal DEI Discrimination & Preferences: Enforcing Our Civil Rights Laws.” 

Committee on Foreign Affairs will hold a hearing Wednesday, July 23rd at 2:30 PM entitled, “US Diplomatic Strategies for a Dynamic Middle East.” 

Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship will hold a hearing Wednesday July 23rd at 2:30 PM entitled, “Innovation in the Crosshairs: Countering China’s Industrial Espionage.” 

Committee on Appropriations will hold a hearing Thursday, July 24th at 10:00 AM entitled, “Full Committee Markup of Interior, Environment and Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Acts.” 

Committee on Health, Education, and Labor Pensions will hold a hearing Thursday, July 24th at 10:00 AM entitled, “Empowering Workers by Expanding Employee Ownership.”

Committee on Judiciary will hold a hearing Thursday, July 24th at 10:15 AM entitled, “Executive Business Meeting.” 

BILLS OF INTEREST

Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) introduced S.2347 to prohibit any and all discrimination in health care and require the provision of equitable service and access. 

Rep. David Scott (D-GA-13) introduced HR 4529 to increase market access for black and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. 

Rep. Kelly Morrison (D-MN-3) introduced HR 4520 to require the SBA to provide assistance with applying to SBIR and STTR programs. 

Rep. Troy Downing (R-MT-2) introduced HR 4495, the SBA Fraud Enforcement Extension Act. 

Rep. Gil Cisneros (D-CA-31) introduced HR 4491, the SBA IT Modernization Reporting Act.

AT THE AGENCIES  

The U.S. Department of Labor 

The Department of Labor introduced its Veterans Accommodations Toolkit, an online resource set to encourage employment and participation in apprenticeship programs for disabled American veterans. The program not only offers resources, tips, and strategies for veterans, but also for potential employers to strengthen workplace support and accommodations in recruitment, hiring, training, and retention.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury 

The Treasury released the Treasury International Capital (TIC) data for May 2025. Complete data are available here.

U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent issued a statement celebrating President Trump’s signing of the GENIUS Act, emphasizing the importance of the stablecoin and its potential to become a multitrillion dollar industry. 

The U.S. Department of Commerce 

Check back tomorrow for possible updates.

The U.S. Trade Representative 

Check back tomorrow for possible updates. 

The U.S. Small Business Administration 

The Small Business Administration is still offering relief to Texas small businesses and private nonprofits affected by severe weather. This includes Fort Worth, which was impacted by the Cooper Apartment Complex Fire in June. 

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