by Jacolyn Marshall, a Democratic volunteer in Oro Valley
Health & Safety
• FDA recommends next Covid vaccines only protect against newest XBB variants dominant worldwide.
• Agriculture Department provides millions in investment funds to farmers and food businesses to improve markets, create and strengthen jobs,
control food prices, and improve nutrition.
• FDA deems lab-grown meat safe and Agriculture Department approves its sale to nation’s restaurants.
Economy
• WH launches invest.gov, a new website that highlights infrastructure projects, private manufacturing investments, and their positive impact on the US economy.
• Federal Trade Commission sues Amazon for enrolling consumers into Prime without their consent.
• Consumer confidence index in June rose to its highest level in 18 months as a strong labor market continues to buoy the US economy and consumers’ fears of a recession decline.
• Commerce Department announces US economy grew at a 2% annual pace, the fastest rate in 2 years, due to a 4.2% rise in consumer spending and a surge in exports.
• Federal Reserve announces the inflation index tumbled last month to its lowest level since 2021.
• Federal Trade Commission imposes a new rule to crack down on fake reviews and other deceptive practices by banning paying for reviews, suppressing honest reviews, and selling fake social media posts.
Environment & Climate Change
• Biden meets with N.C. college students who are part of a training program for clean energy jobs.
Immigration
• Biden administration halts mobile app appointments for asylum seekers at Texas border crossing due to reports Mexican officials threaten to detain them and miss their appointment unless they are paid.
• Biden’s task force and immigration advocates have reunited nearly 77% of children separated from their parents by the Trump administration and have begun talks to provide them financial compensation.
Justice
• DOJ unseals an indictment charging Trump with 37 felony counts, 31 relating to willful retention of national defense information, conspiracy to commit obstruction and making false statements. Hundreds of classified documents include nuclear programs, defense capabilities, and a Pentagon attack plan.
• DOJ indicts a Guardsman on sharing highly classified military and national security documents.
• DOJ indicts two Russian intelligence officers for their attempts to influence a local election in the US.
Social Justice
• Biden condemns state laws restricting LGBTQ rights and healthcare access; announces new initiatives to protect them against violence and help with mental health issues and homelessness.
• DOJ provides resources to address disappearances and killings among Native Americans, dispatches attorneys to aid investigations, and establishes a commission to coordinate agencies and best practices.
• DOJ finds Minneapolis Police Department systematically discriminated against minorities and issues a decree requiring specific reforms before federal oversight by an independent monitor is removed.
• Biden asks Education Department to develop policies to aid colleges to continue building student diversity in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision striking down affirmative action.
Government
• Biden signs executive order to develop government-wide plan to hire military spouses, bolster child- care options, improve data collection, support entrepreneur, and promote telework for spouses.
• Transportation Secretary provides aid to repair the collapsed section of the East Coast’s main north-south I-95 bridge that disrupted trucking routes and increased shipping costs.
• Biden assembles technology leaders to find ways to regulate artificial intelligence, nurture its potential for economic growth and national security, and protect against its potential dangers.
• Biden announces $40B to deliver high-speed internet in places where there’s slow or no service and is working with providers to bring down costs on what is now a household necessity.
• Federal Reserve announces the nation’s 23 largest banks passed the Reserve’s stress tests this year, a sign the banking system remains resilient.
International Relations
• Biden meets with new UK Prime Minister who offers assurances Britain remains an essential ally committed to providing fighter jets and air defense measures as Ukraine launches a counteroffensive.
• Defense Secretary meets with officials in India establishing a plan of cooperation for the next 5 years.
• WH warns Iran is aiding Russia in building a drone manufacturing plant for its war against Ukraine.
• US plans to rejoin UNESCO, the UN’s cultural and scientific agency after a decade-long absence.
• Biden’s Security Council and Cuban officials deny claims that China has a spy base in Cuba.
• Secretary of State travels to China to keep lines of communication open, manage tensions, clear up misperceptions, identify mutual interests, and avoid miscalculations that could result in conflict.
• Secretary of State and Chinese President agree to stabilize ties with mutual cooperation and competition.
• US Coast Guard joins international armada in search of vanished submersible in the North Atlantic and subsequently leads inquiry into causes and possible civil or criminal sanctions if warranted.
• Biden meets with India Prime Minister solidifying cooperation on climate, health care, and space exploration; launching new partnerships in defense, artificial intelligence, and semi-conductor production; and highlighting US-India’s booming economic relationship.
• US imposes sanctions on two Russian intelligence officers who supervised those attempting to influence US elections.
• Biden declares US and NATO played no part in the Wagner insurrection in Russia.
• Biden meets with Sweden’s Prime Minister in a show of solidarity for their entry into NATO.
International Relations: Ukraine
• Pentagon announces an additional $2.1B in long-term weapons aid for Ukraine, including more Patriot missile munitions, Hawk air defense systems, and small Puma drones that are launched by hand.
• Treasury Department reveals Russia experienced a 50% drop in oil revenues, hampering its ability to continue waging its 16-months war in Ukraine.