And now, a message from Google. The spirit of innovation is deeply ingrained in America,

and Google is helping Americans innovate in ways both big and small. Central Texas Regional Mobility

Authority is using Google AI to create smarter tolling systems and improve traffic flow for Texans.

This is a new era of American Innovation. Find out more at G.co slash American Innovation. Good morning. I'm Jake Sherman and welcome to The Daily Punch, brought to you by Punch Bowl News.

It is Tuesday, August 13th, 2024. Let's get into the mix. Here are your Washington headlines of the day.

Number one, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee's paralysis worsens. Number two, Bill

Basquell was back in the hospital. What that means for Congress? And number three,

Richie Torres wants to enhance Secret Service security measures. Let's get into it.

Top of Punch Bowl news this morning. This is one of those fights that you might not see in the

front of your vision, I guess,

that's a phrase, but you need to pay attention to it. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee is at a

standstill with no end in sight to a partisan dispute that's putting Democrats in a bind. One of the

Senate's most storied committees

has not been able to take up vital nominations and legislation for nearly four months

amid a Republican effort to force the panel to consider an Israel-related measure.

The committee's dysfunction started in June. It stems from the Republicans' demand that the panel

vote on a House Republican

bill to sanction the International Criminal Court. Democrats want to pursue a different bill.

And remember, the House Republicans passed a bill to sanction the ICC in the wake of its

decision to pursue charges against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Since then, the nominees for critical ambassadorships have piled up with the committee

unable to send legislation to the floor or nominations to the floor for confirmation.

...