The House of Representatives returned to the U.S. Capitol this week for the first time since July.
Lawmakers entered the building Monday night, fresh from summer recess. (The Senate, whose recess started later, is not scheduled to return until Sept. 14.)
The chamber had one major task this week: pass a bill to keep government funded into December. (It did so early Tuesday afternoon.)
But Republicans face something more: a torrent of questions about the words and actions President Donald Trump has unleashed while they’ve been gone.
Iran
Two experts explain what the latest U.S.-Iran strikes could mean for oil supplies and maritime safety. Watch the clip in the player above.
What is the long-term plan in Iran? What is Congress’ role here?
The U.S. has now been at war with Iran for more than six months, and the president insists he’s in “no hurry.” Congressional Republicans have long told me they wanted the war to be “weeks.” The two countries exchanged fire over the weekend and Trump is again threatening some kind of scorched-earth “hit them hard” attack.
Venezuela
What is the U.S. doing with Venezuelan oil?
Nearly nine months after the U.S. arrested its leader and Trump bragged that the U.S. would “run” Venezuela, the South American country has given the U.S. rights to 17 untapped oil fields. Some experts warn the deal is murky and its meaning is unclear.
Tariff war with Canada
I asked House Speaker Mike Johnson on Tuesday whether he supports Trump’s ongoing trade war against Canada, among other key issues. Video by PBS News
Do Republicans approve of a trade war with Canada?
Even right-leaning FOX News declared this to be a “critical point” as Trump has escalated a trade war with our neighbor and former best ally. Canada is also not backing down.
Inflation
What do you say to Americans frustrated by still stubborn inflation?
Energy costs continue to rise, making prices sticky overall and keeping inflation higher than the Federal Reserve’s 2% target.
Beef
How do you respond to cattle ranchers who say an already tough situation was just made harder for them?
In an attempt to bring down beef prices, Trump sparked criticism from cattle country with a plan to temporarily import ground beef. He has since calmed some voices by giving ranchers more ability to process their meat. But that same move inflamed others, raising concerns about food safety.
ICE
What’s the strategy for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement?
Arrests by ICE soared to 50,000 in July, and many Republicans applauded that figure. But there is sharp debate over ICE’s decision to buy thousands of electric shock gloves. And there are problems from the right, with the Cato Institute’s finding that ICE has released more immigrants with criminal convictions under Trump than it did under Biden.
“Lake America”
Do Republicans want to change the name of Lake Ontario?
Trump likes to name bodies of water and signed an executive order renaming Lake Ontario to “Lake America.” House Democrats are attempting to block this.
A threat against the Kennedy Center
Do Republicans want to, or would they allow, Trump to demolish the Kennedy Center?
Trump officials, meanwhile, are threatening to demolish the Kennedy Center in the nation’s capital if they do not get approval or renovations they would like.
