In this week's Federal Tap, Senators return to Capitol Hill on Monday and will continue debating the Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017 (BCRA).
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Senators return to Capitol Hill on Monday and will continue debating the [Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017]( (BCRA). Eleven Republicans have expressed opposition to the BCRA in its current form but are open to negotiations. Four Republicans said that they would vote for the bill, and thirty-eight are undecided or still reviewing the bill. To get the BCRA passed, Senate Majority Leader [Mitch McConnell]( (R-Ky.) can only afford to lose two Republican votes with Vice President [Mike Pence]( voting to break a 50-50 tie. No Democrats are expected to vote for the BCRA. Republican senators have been working on the bill during the July 4 recess, and they will have to wait for the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to score the bill once it is released before scheduling a vote. McConnell would like to hold a vote before the August recess, but a growing list of senators have called for the recess to be canceled if senators are unable to draft a bill that can be passed. Find out what each Republican senator has said about the healthcare bill [here](.
Republicans in Utahâs 3rd Congressional District special election set to debate
On Tuesday, three Republican contenders in [Utahâs 3rd Congressional District special election](27s_3rd_Congressional_District special election, 2017) will [debate]( at a forum sponsored by [Americans for Prosperity](. The candidatesâProvo Mayor [John Curtis]( former state legislator [Chris Herrod]( and business executive [Tanner Ainge]( compete in the Republican primary next month on August 15. The winner will appear on the general election ballot with Democrat [Kathie Allen]( Libertarian [Joe Buchman]( Independent American candidate [Jason Christensen]( and independent [Sean Whalen](. This race to fill the seat left vacant by [Jason Chaffetz]( (R), who resigned on June 30, will be the [sixth special election]( to the U.S. House in 2017.
Jimmy Gomez to be sworn into Congress
Representative-elect [Jimmy Gomez]( (CA-34) is scheduled to be sworn into Congress. Gomez won election to the seat by defeating fellow Democrat [Robert Lee Ahn]( in a [special election]( that occurred on June 6. After winning election, Gomez said that he would try and delay his resignation from the [State Assembly]( in order to vote on the stateâs cap-and-trade program. The delay in being sworn in is unusual, as the average time between a special election and being sworn into Congress is one week. Following Gomezâs swearing-in, one vacancy will remain in the House. Get caught up on all of this yearâs congressional special elections on our [overview page](.
Confirmation hearing set for Trump FBI director nominee Christopher Wray
- [Christopher Wray]( who was nominated by President [Donald Trump]( to be the next director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), will appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday for his confirmation hearing. Wray is a partner at the law firm King & Spalding. He served as an assistant attorney general in charge of the Department of Justice's (DOJ) criminal division from 2003 to 2005 under the Bush administration. Under current Senate rules, Wray would need 51 votes for confirmation. Republicans hold 52 seats in the upper chamber and would not need support from Senate Democrats to confirm Wray. Former FBI Director [James Comey]( who was fired by Trump on May 9, 2017, was confirmed by a vote of 93-1 on July 29, 2013.
- See also: [Trump administration FBI Director appointment](
Trump delivers foreign policy speech in Warsaw, Poland
President Donald Trump traveled to Warsaw, Poland, where he delivered a speech reaffirming the relationship between the U.S. and Poland and called on western nations to protect the shared values of individual freedom and sovereignty. A senior adviser to Trump [said]( âThe core theme of this speech is a defense of Western civilization.â Trump spoke about the importance of fighting global terrorism. He said, âWe are fighting hard against radical Islamic terrorism, and we will prevail. Â We cannot accept those who reject our values and who use hatred to justify violence against the innocent.â He called on Russia to âcease its destabilizing activities in Ukraine and elsewhere, and its support for hostile regimes -- including Syria and Iran.â He warned against âthe steady creep of government bureaucracy that drains the vitality and wealth of the people. Â The West became great not because of paperwork and regulations but because people were allowed to chase their dreams and pursue their destinies.â He reaffirmed the U.S.â commitment to NATOâs article 5, the mutual defense commitment. He concluded his speech by saying, âSo, together, let us all fight like the Poles -- for family, for freedom, for country, and for God.â
Trump attends G20 summit; meets with Putin
President Donald Trump attended the two-day Group of Twenty (G20) summit in Hamburg, Germany. The G20 is a forum for 19 nations and the European Union to discuss economic cooperation and global policies. The world leaders discussed the [Paris Climate Agreement]( [trade]( migration, [terrorism]( and the global economy. While at the summit, Trump met privately with Russian President Vladimir Putin for more than two hours. Secretary of State [Rex Tillerson]( [said]( âThe president pressed President Putin on more than one occasion regarding [Russian]( involvement [in the election]. President Putin denied such involvement, as I think he has in the past. The two leaders agreed, though, that this is a substantial hindrance in the ability for us to move the Russian-U.S. relationship forward.â Tillerson also said that Trump and Putin reached an agreement for a ceasefire to begin on Sunday in [Syria](. The leaders also discussed the conflict in Ukraine and cybersecurity issues.
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