Republicans punt Trump’s difficult agenda to fall

Senate Republicans are postponing the most challenging parts of President Trump's agenda until mid-September, per Semafor—landing right as the midterm elections approach, when passing legislation becomes harder. Senate Majority Leader John Thune plans to advance bipartisan bills on cryptocurrency regulation and college sports, and may move forward on a party-line spending measure that could include voter ID provisions. Several hurdles stand in the way. Democrats are pressing for stricter presidential ethics protections in the crypto bill, many Republicans are seeking amendments to the college sports legislation, and Thune will need 50 votes for a budget resolution—a necessary step for a third party-line spending bill. The House must also approve the Senate's government funding bill.

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