Live updates: Trump set for primetime address; US hits Iran for sixth day

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President Trump will deliver a primetime speech on Thursday, and while he hasn’t specified the topic, there are plenty of issues swirling that he could address.

He has teased “big news,” telling reporters earlier this week the speech will be about voting machines and election integrity, among other topics. It comes at a time when he is under considerable pressure, with low approval ratings, the war in Iran, and recent shootings involving ICE agents.

At the White House, press secretary Karoline Leavitt will hold her first briefing since returning from maternity leave, at 1 p.m. EDT.

The U.S. expanded its strikes within Iran early Thursday, hitting targets in the northern part of the Islamic Republic. Tehran hit U.S. allies again. It marked the sixth day of attacks. Trump’s return to a U.S. military blockade on Iranian ports this week marked another dead end in his bid to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz. And he faces big risks if the U.S. returns to all-out war.

The House Budget Committee on Thursday morning will start its markup of the $95 billion budget reconciliation bill. Released Wednesday, the framework outlines $73 billion for defense and intelligence funding, $12 billion for agriculture aid, and $10 billion for a fund to encourage Trump-backed voting restrictions.

The Senate will continue examining the nomination of Todd Blanche as attorney general by hearing witness testimony. Senate panels will also hold confirmation hearings on the nominations of David Cummins as administrator of the Transportation Security Administration and Keith Sonderling as the secretary of Labor.

As Maine Democrats look to make a decision on their candidate to face Sen. Susan Collins (R), there is a debate at 7 p.m. EDT, with nine candidates looking to stand out to voters and to replac Graham Platner. Dan Kleban, brewer of Lunch IPA, is one of the Mainers ready to take the stage. Read more about him here.

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