Congress passed a new housing law, including an attempt to limit corporate ownership of homes. We’ll also examine the Senate’s summer confirmations, including Todd Blanche as Attorney General, and preview troubling provisions in the NDAA—including one that would deepen U.S.-Israeli military cooperation and another that would override California to benefit a private oil pipeline.
Please Support Congressional Dish – Quick Links
- Contribute monthly or a lump sum via PayPal
- Support Congressional Dish via Patreon (donations per episode)
- Send Zelle payments to: Donation@congressionaldish.com
- Send Venmo payments to: @Jennifer-Briney
- Send Cash App payments to: $CongressionalDish or Donation@congressionaldish.com
- Use your bank’s online bill pay function to mail contributions to: 5753 Hwy 85 North, Number 4576, Crestview, FL 32536.
Please make checks payable to Congressional Dish
Thank you for supporting truly independent media!
Contact Your Members of Congress: (202) 224-3121
Background Sources
Recommended Congressional Dish Episodes
CD283: A Federal Reserve Digital Dollar (CBDC)
H.R.6644 – 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act
Senate Roll Call Vote – June 22, 2026
House Roll Call Vote – June 23, 2026
“JPI Announces Appointment of Scott Turner as Chief Visionary Officer.” June 7, 2023. JPI.
“Rental Housing: Institutional Investor Ownership of Single-Family Rental Homes,” [GAO-26-108675]. March 24, 2026. U.S. Government Accountability Office.
“What Is the Build-to-Rent Sector, and Who Does It Serve?” Laurie Goodman and Amalie Zinn. June 2023. Urban Institute.
Digital Currency
“FAQs on the digital euro.” Updated August 17, 2026. European Central Bank.
“Empowering Europe: boosting strategic autonomy through the digital euro.” April 8, 2025. European Central Bank.
S.629 – Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act of 2025
House Roll Call Vote – June 23, 2026
Kara Marie Westercamp, Judge of the United States Court of International Trade
“Ahead Of Confirmation Vote, Durbin Speaks Out Against Kara Westercamp’s Nomination To Lifetime Position On The Court Of International Trade Over Inflammatory Social Media Posts.” July 21, 2026. U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee.
Senate Roll Call Vote – July 21, 2026
Benjamin Flowers
Senate Roll Call Vote – July 22, 2026
Michael Martin
Senate Roll Call Vote – July 22, 2026
Todd Blanche
Gutting Ethics Enforcement
“At Trump’s DOJ, watchdogs gutted as misconduct complaints soar.” Andrew Goudsward and Brad Heath. August 6, 2026. Reuters.
“Acting AG Todd Blanche was told last year to recuse from Justice Department matters involving Trump.” Katelyn Polantz et al. Updated May 14, 2026. AP News.
“Ex-DOJ employees sue Bondi for wrongful termination.” David Thomas. July 25, 2025. Reuters.
Comey Indictment
“Federal Grand Jury Indicts Former FBI Director James Comey for Threats to Harm President Trump.” April 28, 2026. U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Public Affairs.
Anti-Weaponization Fund
“Republican senators say they will back Blanche confirmation after he rescinds ‘weaponization’ fund.” Dan Rosenzweig-Ziff. August 4, 2026. Reuters.
Order rescinding Anti-Weaponization Fund. August 2, 2026. U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General.
Order establishing requirements for the Anti-Weaponization Fund. May 19, 2026. U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General.
Opposition Letters
“Opposition to Todd Blanche Nomination for U.S. Attorney General.” July 13, 2026. New York City Bar Association.
Letter from Former U.S. Department of Justice employees and officials to Senators Charles E. Grassley and Richard J. Durbin opposing the nomination of Todd Blanche for attorney general. July 7, 2026. Justice Connection.
Daniel Perez, Ambassador to Brazil
“Brazil denounces US revocation of ambassador’s visa.” Maryam Ashalem de Andres. August 5, 2026. Anadolu Agency.
“State Department revokes visa for Brazil’s ambassador to U.S.” Olivia Gazis and Jordan Freiman. August 4, 2026. CBS News.
“Nota em reação à decisão dos EUA de alterar o visto da embaixadora do Brasil em Washington.” August 4, 2026. Secretaria de Comunicação Social.
“Brazil withholds approval of Trump’s ambassador pick, deepening rift with US.” Gram Slattery and Lisandra Paraguassu. July 30, 2026. Reuters.
“U.S. Embassy warned Brazil officials that Trump envoys would have meeting with Flavio.” Ivan Martínez-Vargas. July 29, 2026. Exame.
“Brazil officials say visa requests denied to Trump officials ahead of election.” Lisandra Paraguassu. July 26, 2026. Internazionale.
NDAA in Progress
Section 219: United States- Israel Defense Technology Cooperation Initiative
“The Myths and Real Risks of Section 219: Unpacking the NDAA Provision on US-Israel Cooperative Projects.” Elias Yousif. August 10, 2026. Stimson.
Sen. Chris Van Hollen remarks on Sec. 219. Congressional Record — Senate. July 13, 2026. U.S. Government Publishing Office.
Hunt Amendment
Exxon Mobil: Summary. OpenSecrets.
Wesley Hunt: Summary. OpenSecrets.
“House approves seizing California land to protect pipeline.” Andres Picon. July 24, 2026. E&E News.
“Sable’s Eminent Domain Requests Included in Amendment to Latest Defense Authorization Bill.” Andrew Gillies. July 22, 2026. KEYT.
“California gas suffers another huge setback as judge slaps down oil giant’s Hail Mary.” Sheetal Banchariya. July 20, 2026. New York Post.
“Brownley, Schiff, and Carbajal Launch Investigation into Sable Offshore’s Politicized Efforts to Restart Oil Drilling Operations Off Santa Barbara Coast.” May 27, 2026. Rep. Julia Brownley Official House of Representatives Website.
“California’s fight over pipeline tests state’s right to push back against Washington during war.” Julie Watson. April 27, 2026. AP News.
“Secretary Wright Directs Sable Offshore to Restore the Santa Ynez Unit and Pipeline.” March 13, 2026. U.S. Department of Energy.
“Trump officials back firm in fight over California offshore oil drilling after huge spill.” Julie Watson. October 16, 2025. AP News.
Darlene Graham
“Sen. Darline Graham at S.C. GOP Primary Debate: ‘I’m Not That Informed on National Security.’” Tim Hains. August 19, 2026. Real Clear Politics.
Audio Sources
Todd Blanche rejects Kristen Welker’s DOJ independence pledge
August 16, 2026
Kristen Welker:
Can you pledge that the Justice Department will always act independently of the White House?
Todd Blanche:
Well, there’s a big difference between saying we will always do our job and investigate any case an…Act independently of the White House? No, I’m not going to pledge that, and no Attorney General should ever pledge that. The President, I mean, if I were to pledge I will be independent of the White House, what that means is that if President Trump says, I want the Department of Justice to go after every violent criminal in this country, which is what he has said, what you’re saying to me is, I should say, No, sir, not going to do it. So I will act with integrity. Our prosecutors will act with integrity. We will prosecute without fear or any sort of favor, and that’s exactly what we’ve been doing, and that’s what every Department of Justice should do.
The Nomination of the Honorable Todd Blanche to be Attorney General of the United States
Senate Judiciary Committee
July 15, 2026
1:47:25 Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA):
Are you and President Trump friends?
Todd Blanche:
I’m his lawyer – was his lawyer – and now I’m the Deputy Attorney General. So I met him as his criminal defense attorney.
2:27:00 Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE):
Is the Department of Justice that you are running independent from the White House?
Todd Blanche:
The Department of Justice, like every single department in the Executive, is part of the Executive. I mean, Article Two of the Constitution gives the power of the executive to President Trump. So we certainly operate with integrity. We certainly operate in the single mindset to serve the American people and do the right thing, but if confirmed, I will be a member of the cabinet. I’m serving in the acting capacity that way now, just like the other cabinet members. And President Trump can fire me whenever he wants.
3:24:25 Todd Blanche:
As the President of the United States, under Article Two, he’s in charge of the Department of Justice.
3:32:35 Todd Blanche:
On the crypto point, our crypto prosecutions are way up, and it is very true that crypto fraud is a thing, and it’s still happening. But getting rid of a task force of a bunch of lawyers in Washington D.C. did nothing more than empower AUSAs (Assistant U.S. Attorneys) around the country to bring cases, which is what they’ve done. So I’m proud of the work that we’re doing in that space, and we’ll continue to do it.
Nomination Hearing
Senate Judiciary Committee
June 10, 2026
2:08:45 Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT):
Who won the 2020 election?
Michael Martin:
Senator, as a matter of law, Joe Biden was the winner of the 2020 election.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT):
Who got more votes?
Michael Martin:
Senator, my focus as a judicial nominee is on the law, and as a matter of law, Joe Biden won the 2020 election.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT):
Who got more electoral college votes?
Michael Martin:
Joe Biden received more electoral college votes.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT):
And was the Capitol attacked on january 6?
Michael Martin:
Senator, as part of my work as an Assistant United States Attorney, I had the opportunity to look at pictures and videos from that day, and what I saw in those was that officers, law enforcement officers, were attacked, and the building was damaged and vandalized.
Nomination Hearing
Senate Judiciary Committee
May 20, 2026
1:28:55 Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT):
Mr. Flowers, who won the 2020 election?
Benjamin Flowers:
Senator Blumenthal, I’ll incorporate the answer that Justice Jackson gave, that Chairman Grassley referred to earlier. It wouldn’t be appropriate for me to comment on the outcomes of any election, except to say that, legally speaking, Joe Biden was certified.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT):
Justice Jackson said it would be inappropriate for her, as a sitting federal judge. You are not a sitting federal judge. Who won the 2020 election?
Benjamin Flowers:
Senator, it’s long been understood that nominees should abide by the same code of ethics that binds sitting judges. So I do think her example is persuasive and I intend to follow it.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT):
I think your failure to answer that question mocks this committee, and I will just say to you, she declined to answer based on the code of ethics because at the time she was a sitting federal judge, and frankly, I know Justice Jackson, you’re no Justice Jackson, and I would ask her the same question and insist on her answering it if she were the nominee today. So I’ll give you one more chance. Who won the 2020 election?
Benjamin Flowers:
Sir, I’ll again adhere to Justice Jackson’s precedent.
Nomination Hearing
Senate Judiciary Committee
March 25, 2026
1:08:15 Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT):
Who won the 2020 election?
Kara Marie Westercamp:
Senator, under our constitution, the Electoral College votes for the president, and then that is certified by Congress. And in 2020, President Biden was certified by the Electoral –
Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT):
Yeah, that’s not my question. Who won the election?
Kara Marie Westercamp:
And again, Senator, under our constitution, and it’s actually –
Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT):
You know, I know who was certified, and I know what you think of certification because you tweeted on January 6 in a post saying in reference to the 2020 election results, “A certified lie is still a lie.”
1:46:05 Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE):
Ms. Westercamp, just if you’d briefly tell me what’s your role been in advising President Trump on the tariffs that he issued under IEEPA, the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
Kara Marie Westercamp:
Senator, so, consistent with past precedent for nominees who have appeared before this committee, who worked in the executive branch, and cognizant of the various privileges that the executive branch enjoys, I can talk about specific matters, but not the advice given or to whom the advice was given.
Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE):
So, did you discuss with President Trump how CIT should or might rule on the legality of these tariffs?
Kara Marie Westercamp:
Senator, that gets again into areas that I can’t discuss, but I can tell you that I did work on various executive orders citing IEEPA, and since the Learning Resources decision, I have not had further work related to that, and I’m also not working on any of the the ongoing litigation that’s currently back before the CIT.
1:47:35 Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE):
You wrote in your Senate Judiciary Questionnaire you would recuse in any case touching upon work you performed while in the [White House] Counsel’s office. Would that cover everything that relates to IEEPA or tariffs?
Kara Marie Westercamp:
Senator, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 455, which is the statute governing recusal, I would take any recusal matter very seriously, discuss the matter with my colleagues and determine whether recusal is appropriate, and I think with the various subject matter that I have worked on at White House Counsel’s office, I would very seriously consider whether recusal would be appropriate.
Music
Tired of Being Lied To by David Ippolito
