Here is what is trending in politics around Georgia and across the nation on Monday.
1. Kushner to appear before Senate on Monday
Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law, will appear before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence on Monday. Senators will be asking Kushner, one of Trump's top aides, about Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election. Kushner will talk to members of the House Intelligence Committee on Tuesday. Early Monday, Kushner released an 11-page statement confirming four contacts with Russians during the presidential campaign or after the election. He described the meetings as insignificant.
2. President will support Russian sanctions bill
The White House has signaled it will support a bill that would require the president to seek permission from Congress before easing or lifting sanctions on Russia. The bill, which could reach the president's desk before Congress adjourns for its August break, includes enhanced sanctions against Russia for meddling in the 2016 U.S. election and for its military action in the Ukraine and Syria.
3. John Lewis marches at Comic-con
Georgia Rep. John Lewis led a march in San Diego on Sunday through the annual Comic-con convention. Lewis was at the convention to talk about his trilogy of graphic novels called "March." The first book of the trilogy was first published in 2013. The trilogy is the story of Lewis' life and work in the civil rights movement. The third book in the trilogy received an award on Friday.
4. Lewis to back Abrams
Lewis announced on Monday that he is endorsing Stacey Abrams in the Georgia governor's race. If Abrams were to win the 2018 election, she would be the nation's first female African-American governor.
5. What will dropping the federal deduction on state and local taxes do to Georgia taxpayers
After a possible vote on health care reform on Tuesday, Congress is expected to tackle tax reform. One idea floated in the process of reforming the tax code in the United States is to eliminate the federal deduction for state and local taxes people can take on their tax returns. Dropping the popular deduction – nearly 44 million people claimed it on their taxes in 2014 – is one of several measures that could be considered in the Senate bill. In 2014, the average deduction for state and local taxes claimed by Georgia taxpayers was $8,696.
6. Trump will hold press conference on health care on Monday
According to the White House, President Trump will speak to the press Monday about the health care bill. Trump has said he expects to see a bill that will repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act before members of Congress leave for their August recess. In Georgia, an estimated 1 million fewer would be covered under the Senate bill. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says he will try this week for a procedural vote that will bring the bill to the Senate floor.
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• Latest health bill estimates: up to 1 million fewer Georgians covered
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