EIW Today - June 17th, 2025

Prism Group's Daily Summary

SENATE MAKES ITS MARK ON RECONCILIATION BILL… Senate Republicans on Monday introduced proposed revisions to a House-passed tax-cut and spending package that would permanently extend certain business tax breaks while further restricting the deduction for state and local income taxes, a move that drew criticism from some House members. The diverging versions of the legislation emerging from the two closely divided Republican-led chambers could pose challenges for party leaders aiming to pass the measure, ahead of their self-imposed July 4 deadline.

PRESIDENT TRUMP & PRIME MINISTER CARNEY LAUNCH 30-DAY SPRINT FOR US-CANADA TARIFF DEAL… President Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Carney committed on Monday afternoon to nailing down an economic agreement within the next month ahead of G7 sessions. The pledge represents a marked turn from a previously rocky US-Canada relationship, with President Trump now stating that a trade deal with Canada is a “top priority.” Though the two sides continue to view the viability of tariffs policy differently, Trump expressed optimism surrounding an expedited agreement. Several other issues were discussed by the two sides as well, including critical minerals, border security, and drug and gun smuggling.

BROOKINGS & AEI ENGAGE IN RURAL DEVELOPMENT… The Brookings Institution and the American Enterprise Institute have announced they are creating a commission to encourage and resource equitable rural development. The commission will work to instigate national policy discourse on rural development and create tangible, on-the-ground solutions for rural businesses. It will aim to empower these industries and equip rural America with the resources to sustain and expand their production. Brookings will host a public launch on July 1st to lay out the objectives of the program.  

SENATOR TED CRUZ LOOKS TO LIMIT STATE REGULATION OF AI… Senator Ted Cruz is leading the charge to block state regulation of AI, backing the federal regulatory moratorium included in the reconciliation bill. As Commerce Committee Chair, Cruz is looking to deny states federal funding for broadband projects if they regulate AI; however, many house republicans oppose this provision, affirming that inhibiting the state’s capacity to regulate AI is a violation of state’s rights. This provision could have significant implications on state laws restricting how health insurers use AI in the claims process.

THE STATE OF THE STATES

SESSIONS BY THE NUMBERS: 

Sixteen legislatures are in regular session. Maine is in special session.

WHAT WE'RE WATCHING: 

New legislation advancing in the New Jersey Assembly would ban companies from using AI systems to act as licensed mental health professionals. The bill would levy fines of up to $10,000 for the first offense and $20,000 for subsequent offenses.

Maine budget writers are recommending ending a free community college program after this year’s class of graduating high school seniors. The budget would instead grant $20 million to community colleges to continue paying education costs for existing participants.

LAWMAKERS... IN OR OUT? 

The House... convenes tomorrow at 11:00 AM. The full schedule may be found here. 

The Senate... convenes today at 11:30 AM. The full schedule may be found here. 

HAPPENING ON THE HILL  

The House...  

Check back tomorrow for possible updates. 

The Senate...    

Committee on the Judiciary will hold a hearing TODAY, 6/17 at 10:30 AM entitled “Scammers Exposed: Protecting Older Americans from Transnational Crime Networks.”

President’s Fiscal Year 2026 Budget for the Department of Treasury and Tax Reform.”

Committee on Appropriations will hold a hearing TODAY, 6/17 at 10:30 AM entitled “A Review of the President’s Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Request for Military Construction and Family Housing.”

Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee will hold a CLOSED hearing TODAY, 6/17 at 10:30 AM entitled “A Review of the President’s Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Request for the Intelligence Community.”

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources will hold a hearing Tomorrow, 6/18 at 10:00 AM entitled “Full Committee Hearing to Examine the President's Budget Request for the U.S. Department of Energy for Fiscal Year 2026.”

Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions will hold a hearing Tomorrow, 6/18 at 10:00 AM entitled “Nominations of Jonathan Berry to be Solicitor, Department of Labor, Andrew Rogers to be Administrator of the Wage and Hour Division, Department of Labor, Anthony D’Esposito to be Inspector General, Department of Labor and Andrea Lucas to be a Member, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.”

Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee will hold a hearing Tomorrow, 6/18 at 10:00 AM entitled, “A Review of the President’s Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Request for the Army.”

Committee on the Judiciary will hold a hearing Tomorrow, 6/18 at 10:15 AM immediately following the Executive Business Meeting entitled, “Unfit to Serve: How the Biden Cover-Up Endangered America and Undermined the Constitution Type:Full Committee Hearing.”

Committee on Foreign Relations will hold a hearing Tomorrow, 6/18 at 10:30 AM entitled “Business Meeting.”

Committee on Foreign Relations will hold a hearing Tomorrow, 6/18 immediately following the Business Meeting entitled, “NATO Summit 2025: An Assessment of Transatlantic Security Cooperation.”

BILLS OF INTEREST 

Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA-41) introduced HR 4016, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2026.

AT THE AGENCIES  

The U.S. Department of Labor 

Check back tomorrow for possible updates.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury 

Check back tomorrow for possible updates.

The U.S. Department of Commerce 

The Department of Commerce announced that Micron Technology, Inc., plans to invest $200 billion to strengthen American memory chip production. Micron Technology, Inc. is the leading American semiconductor memory company, and this investment will go toward semiconductor manufacturing and R&D.

The U.S. Trade Representative 

Check back tomorrow for possible updates. 

The U.S. Small Business Administration 

The SBA has reemphasized the availability of relief for small businesses and private nonprofits in Florida, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Alaska affected by extreme weather this spring. Specific relief packages and request deadlines may vary. The SBA has also announced that it opened a Business Recovery Center in Pulaski County, Kentucky, which will help small businesses, private nonprofits, and residents recover from spring weather.

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