Wednesday, August 6, 2025
All civic learning topics for this day
Today's Topics
Peterson-KFF analysis shows insurers seeking 18% premium hikes
Insurers filed initial ACA Marketplace rate proposals seeking median 18% premium increases for 2026, more than double the 7% sought for 2025 according to Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker analysis. Over 24 million Americans enrolled with 92% receiving subsidies face these increases. Carriers built in 4-percentage-point premium boosts assuming enhanced tax credits expire at year-end. Insurers cite rising specialty drug costs, general medical inflation, and new tariffs on medical imports as key drivers while warning that failure to extend credits may spur market exits and weaken competition.
House Republicans join Democrats to subpoena Epstein files, defying Trump
House Oversight Chairman James Comer issued subpoenas August 6, 2025, demanding the complete Jeffrey Epstein files after a bipartisan subcommittee vote forced his hand. Three House Republicans—Nancy Mace, Scott Perry, and Brian Jack—joined Democrats to compel the Justice Department's cooperation, creating a rare breach of party loyalty. The subpoenas also target depositions from Bill and Hillary Clinton, multiple former attorneys general, and FBI directors spanning two decades.
Trump threatens federal takeover of DC while attacking judges by name
President Trump escalated threats to strip Washington DC of self-governance while naming specific federal judges in August 2025 Truth Social posts, calling them "radical leftist criminals" and threatening "consequences." Trump also announced plans to federalize DC police and fire Mayor Muriel Bowser, despite lacking constitutional authority. The attacks follow unfavorable court rulings on his executive orders, creating a constitutional crisis over separation of powers.