The U.S.-Iran conflict escalated as the American military retaliated late Wednesday, July 29, 2026, after surprise strikes by Tehran the previous day. The U.S. launched a “heavy” barrage lasting two hours targeting several Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) sites.

Amid these tensions, a major event on Capitol Hill scheduled for Thursday morning, July 30, 2026, was canceled. Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) announced that the panel would not vote on Todd Blanche’s nomination for attorney general, citing ongoing efforts to secure sufficient support.

Separately, the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions convened to consider nominations including Erica Schwartz for director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Keith Sonderling for secretary of Labor, and Sean Kaufman as assistant secretary for preparedness and response in Health and Human Services.

President Trump greeted his summer 2026 interns on the morning of July 30 and planned two policy meetings followed by an announcement at 1:30 p.m.

Sources