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WEEKLY POINTS

This week’s guide to government and politics in under 10 minutes

I Texas Starts Redistricting for Republican Advantage

Texas legislators are in a special legislative session after President Donald Trump urged the state to redraw its Congressional districts, saying it would take “just a very simple redrawing” for Republicans to “pick up five seats.” Analysts say that the current redistricting plan could give Republicans control of 80% of Texas’ 38 congressional seats. Currently 25 Republicans and 12 Democrats represent Texas in Congress. The move has prompted Democratic governors in California, New York and Illinois to consider a redistricting push in their states to secure more Democratic seats ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

>> Learn more about how the redistricting process works and why it matters here.

I Epstein Controversy Continues

The Department of Justice met twice last week with Ghislaine Maxwell, convicted child sex predator Jeffrey Epstein’s accomplice. Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year jail term following a plea deal with federal prosecutors. Reports state Maxwell received limited immunity during her testimony. Her lawyer claims she answered fully and honestly when asked about more than 100 people over two days of interviews. The Trump administration and Congress have been under increasing pressure to release the Epstein files, the evidence the government collected for its sex trafficking case against Epstein in 2019.

>> Find out more about the Epstein files here.

I Executive Order Reshapes Homeless Approach

Last week, President Donald Trump signed an executive order seeking to reshape how the U.S. approaches homelessness. The order calls for changes making it easier for state and local authorities to remove outdoor encampments. It also seeks to expand the power of authorities to use involuntary civil commitment for those deemed “a risk to themselves or others.” For the last two decades, federal policy has been based around a “housing first” strategy, getting people into homes and then offering substance abuse treatment. President Trump’s order would require substance abuse treatment as a condition of housing assistance. The order calls on the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to defund addiction programs that include “harm reduction” strategies, such as those that provide clean needles.

>> Dig deeper into the debate about harm reduction programs here.

I Senate Eyes Minibus Funding Bill

Senate leaders are considering a plan to package three funding bills into a “minibus” bill and passing it before the chamber leaves for its August recess on August 4. The minibus would combine funding for the departments of Agriculture, Veterans Affairs, Commerce and Justice. It would also include military construction projects, federal science programs, NASA, trade agencies, the Food and Drug Administration, and FBI. The federal government is less than 10 weeks away from its September 30 deadline to prevent a government shutdown. 

>> Hear about a proposal to cut off paychecks for lawmakers during government shutdowns here.

I Thailand-Cambodia Ceasefire

Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to a ceasefire after Thai and Cambodian forces exchanged fire along the countries’ mutual border last week. The two militaries fired rockets and artillery, and Thailand struck a Cambodian military target with an airstrike. The fighting has killed dozens and displaced hundreds of thousands. Cambodia has accused Thailand of using cluster munitions, a controversial weapon banned by more than 100 countries. Thailand has accused Cambodia of intentionally targeting civilians.

>> Learn more about cluster munitions and why so many countries ban them here.

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