President TrumpDonald John TrumpIlhan Omar defends Cummings after Trump attacks: He ‘wants to distract with his racism’ Donald Trump: ‘The Great Divider’ De Blasio: Democratic debates should address ‘why did we lose and what do we do differently’ MORE is counting on the Federal Reserve and renewed trade talks with China to help power the U.S. through an economic obstacle course that could impede his path to reelection.

Trump’s campaign for a second term hinges in large part on the strength of the U.S. economy and his ability to claim credit for it.

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That mission became more challenging on Friday when the Commerce Department issued new numbers showing gross domestic product (GDP) slowed from a 3.1 percent pace in the first quarter to 2.1 percent the following three months.

Trump tweeted a tepid acknowledgement of the GDP report, but he pinned the blame on the Fed’s 2018 rate hikes.

“Not bad considering we have the very heavy weight of the Federal Reserve anchor wrapped around our neck,” Trump tweeted, rehashing his well worn snipe at the central bank.

While a souring global economic forecast and mounting damage from Trump’s trade wars have taken their toll on American businesses, there are still reasons for economic optimism heading into 2020: Both the labor market and consumer spending are registering historically strong numbers, leading to robust hiring and low unemployment.

But with global risks rising and U.S. businesses beginning to brace for potential economic pitfalls, China and the Fed could have stark implications for the economy heading into a crucial election year.

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The Fed is slated to hold its next monthly policy meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday, and policymakers are almost certain to cut interest rates. Around that same time, top U.S. and Chinese officials will meet in Shanghai to revive talks aimed at ending the yearlong trade war between the world’s two largest economies.

Beth Ann Bovino, chief economist at S&P Global, said a Fed rate cut would be boon for U.S. consumers. But lowering borrowing costs, she said, might not be enough to nullify trade-related anxiety and other foreign headwinds.

“When we look at some of the business and investment readings, it does look like they’re a little bit more cautious and reluctant to open up their pocketbooks,” Bovino said. “Yes, sure, the Fed is filling up the punch bowl, but how many people are drinking?”

Trump pledged throughout his 2016 presidential campaign that the U.S. economy under his watch would grow 3 to 4 percent each year. Economists across the political spectrum raised doubts that the economy could maintain that rate of expansion, and they were vindicated Friday when revised government figures showed GDP expanded 2.5 percent in 2018.

Fuel from the 2017 tax cuts and federal spending increases helped last year’s growth, but the $1.5 trillion GOP tax cut has not led to the level of business investment predicted by many of Trump’s allies.

Fed Chairman Jerome Powell and his colleagues have expressed concern with fading business spending and the potential deeper losses triggered by trouble in Europe and China.

“When businesses become uncertain about the future and about future demand,” Powell told lawmakers on July 10, “they may decide to wait before they build something or buy something, and they may just hold off.”

“There’s no perfect way to identify these things,” Powell added. “But we do connect that to trade policy uncertainty, and also uncertainty about global growth and weak manufacturing around the world.”

A Fed rate cut this week may provide a short-term boost to wary American businesses, but it will be up to Trump to sooth the trade tensions sparking much of their anxiety.

While Washington and Beijing have agreed to hold off on further tariffs while trade talks resume, it’s unclear whether both nations will reach a deal.

Larry KudlowLawrence (Larry) Alan KudlowMORE, the president’s top economic adviser, set low expectations for the upcoming trade talks, saying the goal was simply to “reset the stage” after negotiations collapsed in May.

“I wouldn’t expect any grand deal,” Kudlow told CNBC’s “Squawk on the Street” on Friday.

Business advocates made clear that they want to see results, and their patience with the turmoil is running thin.

“Weak business investment is a significant drag on economic growth and this needs to be turned around quickly,” said Karen Kerrigan, president and CEO of the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council, which advocates for business-friendly policies.

“Clearly the effects of trade policy and tariffs are taking their toll and undermining growth.”

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Two key congressional committees are restarting talks with relevant stakeholders to put together legislation for self-driving cars after two bills last Congress failed to be signed into law amid pushback from consumer advocates and some Senate Democrats.

“The House Committee on Energy and Commerce and Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation are working on a bipartisan and bicameral basis to develop a self-driving car bill,” the panels wrote in a letter sent to stakeholders on Tuesday that was obtained by The Hill.  

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The committees asked for feedback on issues involved in creating legislation on self-driving cars such as the cybersecurity of the vehicles, the privacy of data collected and how to update existing standards in place for automated vehicles.

The panels gave stakeholders until Aug. 23 to respond with feedback on the creation of the bill, and stressed that the objective of asking for feedback was to be “as inclusive as possible.”

Putting in place standards around autonomous vehicles was a major bipartisan focus during the last Congress, with the House Energy and Commerce Committee approving the Self-Drive Act and the Senate Commerce Committee pushing forward the AV START Act. 

Both bills would have preempted any state laws pertaining to regulating self-driving cars, with both also including language on reducing cyber risks to the vehicles and ensuring the safety of occupants. 

While the House passed the Self-Drive Act by voice vote in 2017, the Senate never took up the AV START Act due to objections over safety and security provisions in the bill by Democrats including Sens. Richard Blumenthal (Conn.), Dianne FeinsteinDianne Emiel FeinsteinSenate braces for brawl over Trump’s spy chief Rising star Ratcliffe faces battle to become Trump’s intel chief Democrats urge Graham to back down from rules change threat MORE (Calif.), and Ed MarkeyEdward (Ed) John MarkeyClimate policy is expensive, but so is climate change We can’t tackle the migrant crisis without fighting climate change House passes anti-robocall bill MORE (Mass.). 

In May, Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Roger WickerRoger Frederick WickerLawmakers deride FTC settlement as weak on Facebook GOP pushback puts Trump judicial nominee at risk Overnight Defense: Esper sworn in as Pentagon chief | Confirmed in 90-8 vote | Takes helm as Trump juggles foreign policy challenges | Senators meet with woman accusing defense nominee of sexual assault MORE (R-Miss.) said at a U.S. Chamber of Commerce event that his panel is “going to deal with autonomous vehicles” during this Congress, noting that there are “wrinkles that need to be ironed out” related to any legislation introduced on this. 

During the last Congress, Senate Majority Whip John ThuneJohn Randolph ThuneGOP trying to shore up support on budget deal Rising star Ratcliffe faces battle to become Trump’s intel chief House passes anti-robocall bill MORE (R-S.D.), the former Commerce Committee chairman, and Sen. Gary PetersGary Charles PetersDemocrats raise questions about how Ratcliffe would approach election security Senate Democrats introduce bill to combat foreign influence campaigns More than 1,400 Jewish clergy call on Trump, Congress to allow asylum-seekers into US MORE (D-Mich.) led the charge to get the AV START Act passed in the Senate.

Last month, both Thune and Peters indicated to reporters that they will again take the lead on legislation on self-driving cars in that chamber.

President TrumpDonald John TrumpProfessor installs seesaws across US-Mexico border to form connection ‘on both sides’ What the world can expect from the Boris Johnson government Marianne Williamson: I am not a ‘wacky new-age nutcase’ MORE on Tuesday welcomed the possibility of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro’s son serving as the country’s ambassador to the United States and dismissed suggestions it was a case of nepotism.

“I know his son. I find his son to be outstanding. He’s a brilliant, wonderful young man,” Trump told reporters at the White House after returning from a trip to Virginia.

“I know his son, and that’s probably why they did it,” Trump added. “He’s outstanding. I’m very happy with that appointment.”

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The president said he does not believe it amounts to nepotism, noting that the younger Bolsonaro aided his father during his presidential campaign.

Bolsonaro has floated picking his son, Eduardo, to serve as an ambassador to the U.S. despite pushback from ethics watchdogs and Brazilian officials. He has argued that Eduardo’s relationship with Trump’s children would prove beneficial for the job, The New York Times reported.

Trump is no stranger to having his children work in his administration. His daughter, Ivanka TrumpIvana (Ivanka) Marie TrumpSenators offer bipartisan proposal allowing new parents to advance tax credits Trump starts another day with Cummings attack: ’25 years of all talk, no action!’ The Hill’s Morning Report – Trump’s new target: Elijah Cummings MORE, and his son-in-law, Jared KushnerJared Corey KushnerTrump rips Scarborough, Brzezinski: ‘Morning Joe & Psycho ratings have really crashed’ The Hill’s Morning Report – Crunch time for 2020 Democrats in Detroit debate Oversight: Trump confidant Tom Barrack pushed for Saudi nuclear plant construction MORE, both serve as senior White House advisers.

Bolsonaro earned the nickname “Trump of the Tropics” last year when he ran a populist campaign that railed against government institutions. The Brazillian leader has sparked criticism for inflammatory comments about women and the LGBTQ community.

Trump earlier Tuesday expressed fondness for Bolsonaro, noting the nickname.

“He’s a great gentleman,” Trump said as he left for Virginia in the morning. “In fact, they say the ‘Trump of Brazil.’ I like that. That’s a compliment.

“And, by the way, I think he’s doing a great job,” Trump added. “It’s a tough job, but I think your president is doing a fantastic job. He’s a wonderful man with a wonderful family.”

Sen. Kamala HarrisKamala Devi HarrisO’Rourke predicts Democrats ‘can win Texas’ away from Trump in 2020 CNN roasted over debate production, format: ‘A disservice to serious people’ The Hill’s Morning Report – Progressives, centrists clash in lively Democratic debate MORE (D-Calif.) took flak over her health care plan from former Vice President Joe BidenJoe BidenO’Rourke predicts Democrats ‘can win Texas’ away from Trump in 2020 CNN roasted over debate production, format: ‘A disservice to serious people’ The Hill’s Morning Report – Progressives, centrists clash in lively Democratic debate MORE as well as Rep. Tulsi GabbardTulsi GabbardThe Hill’s Morning Report – Progressives, centrists clash in lively Democratic debate Military service can help Gabbard and Buttigieg with undecided Democratic voters The Hill’s Morning Report – Trump’s new target: Elijah Cummings MORE (D-Hawaii) and Sen. Michael BennetMichael Farrand BennetThe Hill’s Morning Report – Progressives, centrists clash in lively Democratic debate Racked by schism, Democrats yearn for Obama The Hill’s Morning Report – Trump’s new target: Elijah Cummings MORE (D-Colo.) during the second Democratic presidential debate Wednesday.

Harris’s plan calls for a transition to expand coverage into “Medicare for All” over 10 years by keeping a limited role for private insurance, similar to current Medicare Advantage plans. Her plan has been slammed by moderates like Biden and Bennet, as well as supporters of Medicare for All.

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Gabbard took a swipe at Harris, who said her plan was endorsed by former Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebeilus, who helped the Affordable Care Act become law under former President Obama.

Gabbard said that Sebelius works for a Medicare Advantage company and accused Harris of having insurance companies write her plan.

“If we’re seeking to reform our health system, we need to shut off Big Insurance and Big Pharma,” Gabbard said. 

Bennet also attacked Harris over her plan’s phasing out of private insurance, saying it would ban an entire industry.

Harris kept her attacks focused on Biden, who has been the mot vocal critic of her plan since it was released Monday. 

Biden focused on the costs and repeatedly said his health plan would cost far less than the Medicare for All supported by Harris. 

“My plan costs $750 billion, not $30 trillion,” Biden said. 

A Democratic senator is working to block a Trump nominee from serving as the top lawyer for the Department of the Interior and calling for an investigation after the nominee appeared to lie to lawmakers during his confirmation hearing about the department’s public records policy.

Sen. Ron WydenRonald (Ron) Lee WydenDem senator vows to fight Trump Interior nominee after requesting perjury investigation Democrats raise questions about how Ratcliffe would approach election security On The Money: Fed poised to give Trump boost with rate cut | Parties unable to reach deal in Trump tax return lawsuit | New York opens investigation into Capital One data breach MORE (D-Ore.) is requesting a Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation into Daniel Jorjani, currently the top lawyer at Interior who was nominated to officially take over as solicitor for the department. 

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“Attempts by political appointees at the Interior Department to delay, stonewall and otherwise inhibit public and Congressional oversight are totally unacceptable,” Wyden said in a statement. “I cannot allow Mr. Jorjani’s nomination to proceed. I will object to any unanimous consent agreement to consider his nomination.” 

Jorjani’s confirmation hearing was already a notable one, given that he was already connected to numerous issues being internally investigated by the Interior’s Office of the Inspector General.

The man nominated to lead that office, Mark Greenblatt, testified alongside Jorjani that day. 

But during the hearing, senators became annoyed by Jorjani’s responses to their questions, particularly those that inquired about a new policy at Interior that allows political appointees to review public records requested through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

Jorjani told lawmakers, “I myself don’t review FOIAs or make determinations.”

That comment has already spurred a request for an investigation from one environmental group, but Wyden’s letters asked both the Interior’s watchdog and the DOJ to investigate. They argue that cannot be true given Jorjani’s role overseeing FOIAs for the department. 

Wyden, who pressed Jorjani for details on how the review process for political appointees works, say documents from the department show political appointees were given power “well beyond the written policy Mr. Jorjani cited.” 

Interior said they believed Jorjani would still be confirmed.

“Dan Jorjani has a solid record of honorably serving the American people,” spokeswoman Molly Block said in a statement to The Hill. “The U.S. Department of the Interior is the only Department who has never had a Senate confirmed lawyer under the Trump Administration. Given this fact, we’re confident the Senate will prioritize the confirmation of this highly qualified individual who has been leading transparency efforts at the Department when they return in September.” 

Jorjani is not just in hot water for his comments at the hearing but also for written responses he sent afterward, which repeatedly directed Wyden to get in touch with Interior’s congressional liaison for more information. 

“I cannot a recall a nominee ever coming through this committee and responding to my requests for information by telling me to go ask somebody else,” Wyden said the day Jorjani was voted out of the Senate Natural Resources Committee. 

All Democrats on the committee voted against Jorjani’s nomination.

“The solicitor must uphold the law above all else about, above party politics and ideology. That was not the sense I got,” about Jorjani, ranking member Joe ManchinJoseph (Joe) ManchinDem senator vows to fight Trump Interior nominee after requesting perjury investigation Senate braces for brawl over Trump’s spy chief Congress kicks bipartisan energy innovation into higher gear MORE (D-W.Va.) told the committee. He also said Wyden’s questions “lacked the response it deserved” from Jorjani.

Updated 1:19 p.m.

The Senate confirmed 13 of President TrumpDonald John TrumpHouse Oversight Committee requests documents from CBP Facebook groups Young Turks host says Marianne Williamson proved why she ‘deserves’ to be on debate stage White House calls trade talks with China ‘constructive’ MORE‘s judicial picks this week, helping clear the deck ahead of the five-week August recess. 

The nominees were split up throughout the week with four confirmation votes taking place on Tuesday and nine on Wednesday, three of which were by voice votes. 

“For too long fairly uncontroversial judicial nominees just like these have been held up and delayed by our Democratic colleagues even when the vacancy qualifies as a judicial emergency. Uncontroversial district judges used to be confirmed promptly in big groups by voice vote,” Majority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellOcasio-Cortez pushes back on McConnell’s claim of ‘modern-day McCarthyism’ The Hill’s Morning Report – Progressives, centrists clash in lively Democratic debate Senate braces for brawl over Trump’s spy chief MORE (R-Ky.) said from the Senate floor ahead of the votes on Wednesday. 

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Republicans have placed a premium on confirming Trump’s judicial picks, arguing that they are the best shot at having a long-term impact on the direction of the country. Republicans have confirmed more than 100 court picks for Trump since 2017, including two Supreme Court justices and a record number of appeals court judges. 

The confirmation of 13 nominees is down from the 19 judges Senate Republicans had planned to confirm before leaving Washington until September. The other judges are expected to get a vote once the Senate returns in September. 

In addition to judicial picks, the Senate also confirmed other nominations including Kelly Craft to be the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.

Democrats came under intense fire from progressive activists last year when they agreed to speed up votes on Trump’s judicial picks ahead of breaks in August and October. Democrats argued at the time that the nominees were going to get confirmed anyway and speeding up votes allowed vulnerable incumbents more time on the campaign trail. 

Kristine Lucius, executive vice president for policy and government affairs at The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, urged Democrats to force each of the nominations to have roll call votes this week.  

“Senators must put an end to this blatant disrespect to our judicial system, traditions, and democracy. They must demand that each nomination receives a roll call vote, so the public knows where their senators stand,” she said. 

Christopher Kang, the chief counsel for We Demand Justice, knocked Democrats for allowing a judicial nominee who wouldn’t say if Brown v. Board of Education was correctly decided to be approved by a voice vote. 

“Yesterday, the Senate confirmed one of these lifetime judicial picks who wouldn’t say #BrownvBoard was correctly decided 87-1. …Today, Democrats let another be confirmed by voice vote–not even bothering to insist on a roll-call vote. Where is the floor?,” he tweeted. 

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