Marco Rubio Reassures Gulf Allies Over U.S.-Iran Peace Deal 
Andy Burnham Emerges as Favorite After Keir Starmer Resigns 
U.S. Reviewing Potential F-35 Fighter Jet Sale to Turkey Amid S-400 Dispute 
NATO Chief Tries to Ease Trump Alliance Dispute 
Japan Signals Preference for Low Interest Rates as BOJ Policy Debate Intensifies 
Trump Requests $11 Billion More in Farm Aid as Rising Costs Pressure U.S. Farmers 
Bessent Says U.S. Must Strengthen Supply Chains and Economic Security 
US Mobilizes Aid After Powerful Earthquakes Devastate Venezuela 
Trump Orders DOJ Investigation Into Exxon, Chevron Over High Gas Prices 
Russia Signals Frustration Over Unfulfilled U.S. Commitments After Alaska Summit 
White House Seeks $1.4 Billion to Combat Growing Ebola Outbreak 
Lebanon Pushes Ahead With Israel Talks Despite Iran-U.S. Deal Impact 
Peru Election Dispute Deepens as Roberto Sanchez Rejects Runoff Results 
US Delivers $13M Autonomous Maritime Drones to Philippines 
ICC Judges Sue Trump Administration Over Sanctions, Calling Measures Unlawful 
DOJ Opens Investigation Into NYC Coffee Shop Over Anti-Goldman Social Media Post 
US Senate Approves War Powers Resolution Urging Trump to End Iran Military Action 
US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi this week has joined both Democratic and Republican lawmakers in calling for a ban of Russian oil and energy products from entering the US. Pelosi has urged House Democrats to support the ban.
Pelosi made the announcement through a memo Sunday night, the same day the White House released a statement regarding aid to Ukraine and also urging Congress to stop accepting Russian oil into the country. Pelosi said that the House of Representatives is exploring legislation that would further isolate Russia from the global economy. However, Pelosi also made clear that this legislation that Congress is set to pass will not affect global markets, despite the rising gas prices in the country.
“The House is currently exploring strong legislation that will further isolate Russia from the global economy,” said the memo. “Our bill would ban the import of Russian oil and energy products from the United States, repeal normal trade relations between Belarus and the United States, and take the first step to deny Russia access to the World Trade Organization. We would also empower the Executive to raise tariffs on Russian imports.”
Pelosi sent the memo to House Democrats following US President Joe Biden’s request for Congress to authorize $10 billion in humanitarian, military, and economic assistance for Ukraine. Congress will vote on the legislation, but with Biden’s stance that no US troops will be deployed to Ukraine.
In other related news, Pelosi has given her endorsement to Democratic California Rep. Karen Bass, who is running for mayor of Los Angeles, according to the Los Angeles Times. Bass is one of the frontrunners among candidates to succeed Mayor Eric Garcetti. Pelosi endorsed Bass in a video message.
“Karen fights to meet the kitchen table needs of Los Angeles families and of families across America,” said Pelosi. “What keeps you up at night is what keeps her up at night.”
Bass has also received the endorsements of her fellow Democratic colleagues in Congress, including Reps. Jimmy Gomez, Norma Torres, and Lou Correa. Recent polls have shown Bass in the lead despite a big portion of voters in Los Angeles who are undecided.
