Welcome to The Daily Politic Briefing! Good morning and thank you for joining us on this edition of The Daily Politic Briefing, where we bring you the most significant political developments shaping Washington and beyond. Today, we have a packed show covering crucial legislation, high-profile investigations, and political maneuvering that will impact Americans across the country. Today's Headlines In today's briefing, we'll examine the growing momentum behind a congressional stock trading ban, new efforts to release the complete Epstein files, tensions over Trump administration nominations, potential changes at the Federal Reserve, healthcare affordability concerns, TSA facial recognition technology debates, and a record-breaking Senate campaign launch in North Carolina. Congressional Stock Trading Ban Gains Traction Speaker Mike Johnson is facing mounting pressure from within his own party over legislation to ban stock trading by members of Congress. Representative Anna Paulina Luna is planning to file a discharge petition to force a floor vote on the issue, putting Johnson in a difficult position. While he personally supports restricting stock trading, allowing a vote could trigger backlash from fellow Republicans who oppose such limitations. For a discharge petition to succeed, Luna needs 218 signatures, meaning she'll need bipartisan support. Meanwhile, multiple approaches are being considered, including Representative Tim Burchett's bill and a bipartisan compromise being developed by Representatives Chip Roy and Seth Magaziner. The Senate is also moving on this issue, with the Homeland Security Committee marking up its own stock trading restrictions today. The emerging bipartisan bill would apply to Congress only, not extending to the president and vice president, with enforcement handled by the legislative branch rather than the Department of Justice. Democrats Push for "Full Epstein Files" Release Shifting to another matter of public transparency, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and fellow Democrats are launching a new effort to obtain the "full Epstein files." Senator Ruben Gallego indicates Democrats have been discussing potentially forcing votes on Epstein-related amendments during floor consideration of the government funding package this week. Like the stock trading ban, this issue puts Speaker Johnson at odds with rank-and-file Republicans who want to challenge what they see as elite corruption. The push for transparency around the Epstein case continues to draw attention from both sides of the aisle. Senate Rules Showdown Over Trump Nominees In the Senate, Majority Leader John Thune is threatening to rewrite the chamber's rulebook if Democrats don't agree to expedite President Trump's nominees before the August recess. Republicans could revisit steps they took in 2019 to shorten debate time between nominees. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer faces internal pressure, with Senator Cory Booker reportedly criticizing fellow Democrats for not having enough "backbone" to buck Trump. The tension within the Democratic caucus reflects broader questions about how forcefully to oppose the incoming administration's appointments. Federal Reserve Leadership in Question Senator Thom Tillis is signaling potential conflict with President Trump over replacing Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, whose term ends next year. Tillis emphasizes the need for an independent Fed chair, stating, "I don't know a time in modern history where the president wasn't annoyed with a Fed chair. That's the sort of tension and the whole reason why it obviates the need for independence." Fed board member Christopher Waller is reportedly being considered as Powell's replacement, highlighting the ongoing debate about monetary policy independence under the new administration. Affordable Care Act Tax Credits at Risk Democrats are pressing Republicans to extend tax credits for Affordable Care Act insurance premiums set to