A planned vote this week to advance Todd Blanche’s nomination for attorney general appears in doubt. Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas called off a scheduled meeting with Blanche on Wednesday morning. Cornyn told reporters that the Justice Department has not adequately addressed in writing his concerns about the federal settlement that afforded President Donald Trump and members of his family protection from tax audits. Without Cornyn's vote, Blanche's nomination can’t advance through the Republican-led committee to a floor vote. Another Republican on the committee, Thom Tillis of North Carolina, has backed Cornyn’s position. Blanche is serving as acting attorney general while he awaits confirmation.

House Republicans have unveiled a $95 billion plan focused on boosting defense, aiding farmers and enacting stricter voter registration rules. The package would be a sequel to the massive tax and spending cut bill President Donald Trump signed into law last year. It’s a long-shot undertaking that was narrowed to address concerns from some GOP members about how it would be paid for and from others about adding to the deficit. The House is expected to vote on a budget resolution as soon as next week, but debate and votes on a final package would not occur until the heat of the election season. Democrats are expected to overwhelmingly oppose whatever final product emerges.

A federal judge says President Donald Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS over his leaked tax returns was filed for an “improper purpose” as she referred one of his attorneys for possible disciplinary action. The ruling from U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams on Monday amounts to a stinging rebuke of the Republican president’s lawsuit, characterizing it as an exercise in self-dealing in which he sued an entity that is effectively under his control. The suit concluded in May with a settlement agreement that created a since-abandoned $1.776 billion fund meant to compensate allies of the president, as well as immunity from tax audits.

Jane Calvert has spent 25 years championing John Dickinson, a lesser-known Revolutionary War figure. Known for not signing the Declaration of Independence, Dickinson was a key voice against British taxation and wrote “The Liberty Song.” Despite his contributions, he sought peace with Britain and abstained from the independence vote. Calvert argues Dickinson's concerns about unpreparedness and lack of legal protections were valid. Though he later supported the U.S. Constitution and served in public roles, his reputation remains overshadowed. Some historians agree with Calvert's view, while others see him as a secondary figure.

The United States is rapidly building what it calls a “smart wall” on the Mexico border, combining tall steel fencing with advanced technology like sensors and cameras. Critics argue this militarizes the border and impacts local communities. Customs and Border Protection says the technology helps free up agents for other tasks. Contracts for hundreds of miles of wall have been signed. The wall has been a top priority for Republican President Donald Trump, with $46 billion allocated for its completion. Critics warn of privacy concerns and environmental impacts. The project continues to face scrutiny over costs and oversight.

New Jersey is set to charge companies whose workers have Medicaid health coverage. California's lawmakers are calling on their state to lay out a plan for doing the same thing next year. It's an idea that other states have considered this year as new federal policies mean fewer people have coverage and states have to foot more of the bill when they do. The affected companies oppose it. So do some liberal organizations, who fear that it will make it harder for lower-income people to get and keep jobs — and could discourage some from getting Medicaid coverage.