Politics Summary

In a significant political development, President Trump has ordered a "total and complete blockade" on all sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela, intensifying the pressure on President Nicolas Maduro's government.

This announcement reflects a strategic escalation in military operations aimed at addressing the ongoing crisis in Venezuela, although the economic impacts of this blockade remain unclear. Additionally, in Congress, a notable failure occurred when the House did not vote on an extension of the health care tax credit, which has sparked frustration among moderate Republicans, illustrating the ongoing gridlock within the party on key policy issues.