Medicare to Cover GLP-1 Weight-Loss and Diabetes Drugs Starting July 1 
Trump Rejects Iran Proposal as Tensions Persist Amid Fragile Ceasefire 
EU Warns of Response as U.S. Considers 25% Tariffs on Car Imports 
Judge Rules Use of Military Lawyers in Civilian Prosecutions Is Lawful 
Taiwan President Lai Defends Global Engagement During Eswatini Visit Amid China Criticism 
Iran Proposal on Strait of Hormuz and U.S. Blockade Faces Rejection from Trump 
Rising Tensions in US-Europe Relations Amid Trump Policies and Iran War 
U.S. Fast-Tracks $8.6 Billion Arms Sales to Middle East Allies Amid Rising Tensions 
Trump Signals Possible Renewal of U.S. Strikes on Iran 
UAE Exits OAPEC Amid Shift Toward Independent Oil Strategy and Market Uncertainty 
Japan Eases Arms Export Rules, Opening Door for Potential Ukraine Defense Support 
Kim Jong Un Highlights Youth Role in North Korea’s Military and Political Agenda 
Merz Downplays Rift With Trump as U.S. Plans Troop Reduction in Germany 
Iran Threatens Prolonged Strikes as Strait of Hormuz Crisis Drives Global Oil Surge 
US to Withdraw 5,000 Troops from Germany Amid Growing Rift with European Allies 
Ukraine Drone Strikes Hit Russian Oil Port Primorsk and Naval Targets 
Senate confirmations of Joe Biden’s cabinet nominees are still underway and this week brought more nominees to be confirmed. After a long wait, the Senate has confirmed Merrick Garland for Attorney General.
Garland was confirmed by the Senate this week on a bipartisan vote of 70-30, placing him in a post to lead the government agency that was heavily politicized by now-former President Donald Trump during his term. Garland’s nomination for DOJ attorney general was seen by many as retribution for having his Supreme Court confirmation hearing back in 2016 blocked by then-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
At that time, McConnell and the GOP-controlled Senate set the precedent that no Supreme Court nominees would receive a hearing in an election year, a precedent that was easily broken in 2020 when the Senate sped through the confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett to replace Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
“After Donald Trump spent four years -- four long years -- subverting the powers of the Justice Department for his own political benefit, treating the attorney general like his own personal defense lawyer, America can breathe a sigh of relief that we’re going to have someone like Merrick Garland leading the Justice Department,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer prior to the vote. “Someone with integrity, independence, respect for the rule of law and credibility on both sides of the aisle.”
During his confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Garland assured lawmakers that the Justice Department under his leadership would remain politically independent. Garland also said that his first priority should he be confirmed would be to investigate the January 6 insurrection at the Capitol.
Aside from Garland, the Senate also confirmed Ohio Congresswoman Marcia Fudge to become Biden’s Housing and Urban Development Secretary. Fudge was also confirmed on a bipartisan vote of 66-34, making her the second Black woman to take on the post and the first woman in decades to do so.
Becoming the Housing and Urban Development Secretary, Fudge will help bring Biden’s campaign promise of implementing fair housing to life. She will also take on the task of managing an agency of over 8,000 employees.
