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

I POSSIBLE EXECUTIVE ORDER ON CANNABIS

President Donald Trump is expected to issue an executive order as soon as today reclassifying cannabis under federal law. The move would shift cannabis from a Schedule I drug, its current category alongside heroin, to a lower classification. Reclassification would ease regulatory restrictions on cannabis research, allowing companies and universities to conduct it more easily. It could also open the door for cannabis products to move across state lines and allow businesses to access tax breaks currently denied to Schedule I substances.

>> Watch Representatives Maxwell Frost (D-FL) and Buddy Carter (R-GA) debate cannabis legalization here.

I MASS SHOOTINGS IN AUSTRALIA, RHODE ISLAND

The United States and Australia are reeling from deadly mass shootings over the weekend. In Australia, a father and son targeted Jewish people attending a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach, killing at least 15 people. At least 38 others remain hospitalized with injuries. Authorities have labeled the shooting an act of terrorism and plan to bring criminal charges against the surviving suspect. In Providence, Rhode Island, two people were killed, and nine others were injured in a shooting at Brown University. The police released a person of interest they had detained earlier, saying they didn’t have enough evidence to connect the person to the shooting. So far this year, the U.S. has recorded at least 75 school shootings. Nationwide, there have been at least 391 mass shootings and 12,929 shooting deaths.

>> Lawmakers discuss protecting students from mass shootings here.

I U.S. SEIZES VENEZUELAN OIL TANKERS

President Trump says that he is willing to seize more Venezuelan oil tankers following last week’s seizure of a tanker allegedly transporting Venezuelan oil to Iran. The tanker, known as the Skipper, held 1.1 million barrels of oil and was moved to a U.S. port to offload its contents. The Treasury Department updated its sanctions list to include additional Venezuelan companies and oil tankers. Venezuela, a OPEC member with the world’s largest proven oil reserves, is exporting about 749,000 barrels per day this year. About half of Venezuela’s oil exports go to China.

>> Find out more about U.S. actions against Venezuela here.

I REDDIT SUES TO BLOCK AUSTRALIAN SOCIAL MEDIA LAW

Reddit has filed a lawsuit to block Australia’s new law banning social media accounts for children under 16. The company argues the law infringes on children’s rights to political communication. Reddit’s lawsuit follows an earlier legal challenge filed by two teenagers who also claim the new law restricts their political speech. Australia’s law is the first of its kind worldwide, and seeks to prevent teens from what the Australian government calls the adverse effects of social media, including mental health problems and online exploitation. At least five other countries have laws requiring companies to obtain parental consent for teen social media accounts. At least one country, France, has announced plans to ban social media accounts for children under 15.

>> Learn how U.S. states are trying to make social media safer for kids here.

I HOUSE TO VOTE ON HEALTH SUBSIDIES AS EXPIRATION DATE APPROACHES

With Affordable Care Act subsidies set to expire at the end of the year, and premiums poised to jump, the House is moving this week on a health care package to address the looming expiration. If the subsidies lapse, people with ACA plans could see their monthly premiums increase by as much as 50%. The House plan would lower premiums for some ACA plans through a cost-sharing program, but would not extend COVID-era subsidies set to expire at the end of the month. House Republican leadership is also expected to allow a vote on an amendment that would extend those subsidies.

>> Explore proposals for universal health care here.

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