CZECHIA: President Pavel To Invite Party Leaders For Coalition Talks Sunday

Reuters and Russian state-run Tass reporting comments from President Vladimir Putin at his meeting with Slovakian PM Robert Fico in Beijing, China. Putin says "Europe's claims that Russia allegedly plans to attack it are a provocation or complete incompetence," adding, "Russia was forced to defend its interests and people in Donbass, this is the essence of the conflict in Ukraine". 

• Putin claims that Russia "have never opposed Ukraine's European Union membership", but Ukrainian membership of NATO is "a different question" and "unnaceptable to Russia", adding "NATO tried to absorb almost the entire post-Soviet space, Russia was forced to react to this."
• Putin: "The Russian Federation has long tolerated attacks by the Ukrainian Armed Forces on its energy facilities, and now it has begun to respond seriously."
• The president adds that he discussed with Trump in Alaska options for ensuring Ukraine's security after the end of the conflict, and he is confident in the possibility of finding a consensus on the issue of ensuring Ukraine’s security.
• In a rare meeting with an EU head of gov't, Slovakian PM Robert Fico says that his gov't will vote against the European Council's adoption of the Repower EU plan, which implies abandoning fossil fuels from Russia by 2027. Fico says Slovakia remains interested in energy cooperation w/Russia on O&G.
• Such actions risk a significant pushback from Brussels and other EU member states, and will feature prominently in Fico's in-person talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in eastern Slovakia on Friday, 5 Sep. 

Bullet continued: On the legislative front, Republicans will continue work on a second reconciliation bill. With the GOP likely to lose control of the House in 2026, a second party-line package could be the final chance for Trump to enact durable policy change. 

• Reps. Ro Khanna (D-CA) and Thomas Massie (R-KY) are expected to trigger a bipartisan discharge petition today calling on the DOJ to release the so-called ‘Epstein files’. The issue has been a vulnerability for Trump, especially with the MAGA faction of his coalition, but stonewalling from the White House appears to have neutered the political fallout. Trump’s approval rating took an early hit but has since stabilised.
• Beyond Congress, the 'redistricting war' is expected to extend to Missouri this week, with the GOP-controlled state legislature looking to create an additional Republican House seat for 2026. Ohio, Florida, and Indiana could be next in line. Democrats have responded with their own gerrymandering efforts, but have less flexibility as blue states are more likely to have independent redistricting commissions. The NYT notes that the GOP could gain around five House seats in total from a nationwide effort.
• At some point this week, Trump is expected to deploy federal law enforcement officers, and maybe National Guard troops, to Chicago. Other Democrat-run cities, including Baltimore, Boston, San Francisco, and New York City, could also see similar treatment.
• During the recess, DOJ officials held talks with Republican staffers on a comprehensive crime package touted by Trump on social media. 

Congress is back in session today, with lawmakers facing a hectic September. The most pressing business is the September 30 government funding deadline. As there appears no viable track to passing the 12 appropriations bills required to avoid a government shutdown on October 1, a short-term funding patch is likely required. 

• Any short-term funding measure will need Democratic votes to clear the Senate filibuster. Trump’s bid to cancel appropriated funding via a ‘pocket rescission’ has scrambled the outlook. The implied probability of a shutdown is roughly 50%. As Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is under intense pressure to oppose Trump’s agenda, that assessment likely understates the risk.
• Federal Judge Jia Cobb is expecting additional filings today from the DOJ and Fed Governor Lisa Cook on a request to block her firing. Legal experts believe Cook will prevail, but if the case reaches the Supreme Court, it will set up a major test for the conservative-majority bench.   
• On Sept 4, the Senate Banking Committee will hold a nomination hearing for CEA Chair Stephen Miran to fill the Fed seat vacated by Adriana Kugler. Democrats will use the hearing to highlight Trump’s threat to the Fed’s independence, but there is little they can do to delay Miran’s confirmation unless four Republican Senators join with Democrats. The expectation is that Miran will be confirmed in time for the Fed's Sept. 16-17 meeting.
• At some point in the coming weeks, the Senate HELP Committee will hold a confirmation hearing for EJ Antoni, Trump’s pick to replace ousted Labor Statistics chief Erika McEntarfer at the BLS.