Daily on Energy: White House considers extending Jones Act waiver, despite GOP pleas

WHAT’S HAPPENING TODAY: Good afternoon and happy Wednesday, readers! France suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Spain yesterday, ending Kylian Mbappé’s quest for another World Cup. England is facing off against Argentina this afternoon – could it be coming home? 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿⚽🇦🇷 Welcome to Daily on Energy, written by Washington Examiner energy and environment […]

Trump's CDC nominee stumbles under GOP lawmaker's grilling: 'He's fed up'

Trump critic Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) on Wednesday pressed the president's nominee to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, asking if she would stand up to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Politico reported.Erica Schwartz, if nominated, would work under Kennedy, who previously fired Susan Monarez for pushing back on the Trump cabinet member's vaccine agenda, according to Politico. Schwartz apparently struggled to convince the senators that she would push back against Kennedy during the Senate committee for her confirmation."I feel like I’m having to go after this question a little bit more firmly than I feel like I should," Cassidy told Schwartz. "You can be CDC director and just take orders. We need a CDC director who will actually stand up to crazy, stupid things being said that undermine faith in immunization."Cassidy, a physician who lost his primary to a Trump-backed challenger, has become more vocal in criticizing the administration. "I’m here personally liking you, but feeling as if I’m having to represent the public health of the United States of America, so that it’s not taken over by people who are ideologically inclined and looking to file a lawsuit, not looking to prevent disease," Cassidy said.CNN anchor Dana Bash commented on Cassidy's comments."We haven't seen him in a while; he's clearly fed up with the vaccine decisions being made by Kennedy," she said.Schwartz's response to Cassidy in the hearing did not satisfy the lawmaker's questions.CNN medical correspondent Meg Tirrell described his reactions to Kennedy's leadership around vaccines."We also heard from Cassidy at the end of the hearing just how frustrated he is with some of the vaccine language out there, including from the other nominee," Tirrell added.

Trump nominee for intelligence post refuses to answer questions during hearing

Walter "Jay" Clayton III, President Donald Trump's pick for Director of National Intelligence, faced intense questioning during his Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday, repeatedly refusing to answer direct questions from Democrats. When Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA) asked Clayton who won the 2020 election, Clayton refused to engage, saying, "I'm not gonna do this with you." "This is a job interview," Ossoff replied and asked again, "Who won the 2020 election?""I think I've answered the question," Clayton said, "We can keep doing this."Clayton also dodged questions about former Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard's presence at an FBI raid on a Georgia elections office at Trump's direction. As Ossoff continued questioning Clayton's credibility, Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Tom Cotton (R-AK) repeatedly gaveled him down, yelling, "Your time has expired!" before Ossoff called Clayton's candidacy "disqualifying." Clayton faces additional scrutiny for subpoenaing New York Times reporters who covered Air Force One security flaws, according to NPR.Watch the video below. Your browser does not support the video tag.

As U.S. Starts 'New' Iran War, Lawmakers Want Answers About Deadly Elementary School Strike

A Tomahawk missile struck an Iranian school and reportedly killed over 100 children in February.

Trump's attorney general pick answers questions on ICE, Kash Patel and Epstein - video

Todd Blanche, Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general, faced questions from senators on ICE, FBI director Kash Patel's conduct, and the handling of the Epstein files Continue reading...

House GOP Confirms Plan to Enact As Much of SAVE America Act 'As Possible'

Blanche makes stunning slip as GOP senator demands 'Are you and President Trump friends?'

Todd Blanche, President Trump's former personal lawyer turned acting attorney general, appeared to catch himself mid-sentence Wednesday during his high-stakes Senate Judiciary confirmation hearing.Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) asked the acting attorney general a simple question: "Are you and President Trump friends?"The question nearly tripped Blanche, who replied, "I'm his lawyer," paused, then corrected, "Was his lawyer."The stumble landed as ethics questions have dogged Blanche's entire tenure over how closely he's stayed tied to cases touching Trump personally. Blanche's legal maneuvering delayed Trump's sentencing in his New York case until after the 2024 election.Blanche has served as acting attorney general since April, when Trump ousted Pam Bondi. He faces sharp questioning over the Epstein files, the canceled $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund, and prosecutions of Trump's perceived enemies.Kennedy: Are you and President Trump friends?Blanche: I'm his lawyer—was his lawyer pic.twitter.com/V4P1fNezYT— Acyn (@Acyn) July 15, 2026

Tim Walz becomes GOP punchline in sweeping new war on welfare fraud

The "WALZ Act" targets welfare fraud and COVID abuse in a sweeping package projected to save taxpayers roughly $240 billion in federal funds.