A bipartisan group of US senators has jointly written to the Treasury Secretary, requesting that the upcoming GENIUS stablecoin act framework explicitly preserve states’ regulatory authority over stablecoin issuers. The senators warned that excessive federal concentration of regulatory power could stifle financial innovation at the state level.

Event Overview

According to CoinDesk, the bipartisan letter was initiated by members of the Senate Banking Committee and received support from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers. The letter emphasizes that states have a long history and extensive experience in financial services regulation, and the federal government should not completely replace state-level oversight in the stablecoin domain.

The GENIUS Act aims to establish a federal regulatory framework for dollar-backed stablecoins, providing legal certainty for the crypto industry. However, provisions regarding federal preemption have raised concerns among state regulators, who argue this could create a “regulatory vacuum.”

Editor: GoodInfo Global News Team

Editor: GoodInfo Global News Team

On May 1, 2026, the Trump administration announced that military operations against Iran have been formally “terminated” before the 60-day congressional authorization deadline set by the War Powers Act — triggering a fierce constitutional and legal debate. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testified before both chambers of Congress for a second consecutive day, defending the administration’s military strategy.

The Core Question: Has the 60-Day Clock Really “Stopped”?

Under the 1973 War Powers Resolution, the President cannot sustain unauthorized military operations for more than 60 days. During his testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Hegseth argued that the Iran ceasefire agreement effectively “paused” the 60-day clock, thereby redefining the legal status of the military campaign.

“With the ceasefire in effect, we are terminating hostilities. The 60-day clock has stopped,” Hegseth told senators. However, several Democratic senators strongly challenged this legal interpretation, arguing that the administration was using technical language to circumvent constitutional requirements.

Key Points from Congressional Grilling

During the two-day hearing, Hegseth faced intense scrutiny on several fronts:

1. Legal Definition of “Terminated”: How does the administration define the end of “hostilities”? Do sporadic engagements constitute an ongoing conflict?
2. Military Damage Assessment: CNN reported that repairing damaged US military bases will add billions to the total cost of the Iran war
3. Strategic Ambiguity: Republican senators expressed deference to Trump on the Iran question despite the 60-day deadline arriving
4. Iran’s Response: Tehran described the US siege of its ports as “intolerable,” signaling continued tensions

Partisan Divide

According to the Washington Post, Republican senators indicated they would defer to Trump’s authority on the Iran conflict even as the 60-day deadline passed. Democrats, meanwhile, pushed for a binding resolution to explicitly end unauthorized military action.

Axios noted that the Pentagon’s “pause” argument sets a dangerous precedent — future administrations could potentially use temporary ceasefires to bypass War Powers Act limitations. Legal scholars warned that such an approach undermines Congress’s constitutionally granted power to declare war.

What Comes Next

With the ceasefire in place, the Middle East enters a new phase of uncertainty. Iran’s response will determine whether the conflict has truly ended or merely entered a temporary truce. Whether Congress passes a binding resolution to constrain presidential military authority will be a defining question in the coming weeks.

Sources: Washington Post · Axios · CNN

On April 28, 2026, King Charles III delivered a speech at a joint session of the U.S. Congress, calling for enhanced cooperation between the United Kingdom and the United States to address increasingly pressing global challenges. The speech was a centerpiece of the King and Queen Camilla’s state visit to the United States, which is being held to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence.

Core Message

“The challenges we face are too great for any one nation to bear alone,” King Charles told lawmakers from both chambers of Congress. In his address, he emphasized the need for cooperation in areas including climate change, international security, and global public health, and called on both nations to continue upholding the rules-based international order.

The New York Times noted that Charles’s speech was carefully crafted to express steadfast support for the “special relationship” between the UK and US, while also signaling different positions from the Trump administration on certain global issues. Analysts suggested that this delicate balance reflects Britain’s cautious stance between maintaining traditional alliance ties and preserving diplomatic independence.

State Visit Itinerary

The state visit by King Charles III and Queen Camilla spans multiple locations, including Washington, D.C., New York City, and Virginia. Prior to the Congressional address, the royal couple met with President Trump and attended a White House state dinner.

USA Today reported that at the state dinner, both Melania Trump and Queen Camilla chose pink-toned gowns, becoming a focal point for media coverage. The New York Times also published a detailed feature on the state dinner menu.

Political Significance

The visit comes at a time when UK-US relations face multiple challenges. While the two countries maintain close ties in traditional security and trade areas, there are certain differences in their positions on climate change, international trade, and global governance.

The Guardian noted that Charles’s speech struck a balance between ceremonial humor and solemnity, but also contained subtle diplomatic undertones. His call for “stronger cooperation” was seen as a recalibration of the UK-US relationship in the current international context.

Reactions

Lawmakers from both parties in Congress gave broadly positive responses to Charles’s address. Several cross-party lawmakers stated after the speech that the UK-US partnership is essential for addressing 21st-century global challenges.

Analysts believe that the state visit is not only a celebration of America’s 250th anniversary of independence, but also an important diplomatic activity for both nations to reaffirm their bilateral relationship in a new era.

What’s Next

King Charles III and Queen Camilla will continue their visit in New York and Virginia. The trip is widely viewed as a significant milestone in UK-US relations in the new period.

Sources: NPR, The New York Times, The Guardian, USA Today

April 29, 2026 — King Charles III delivered a historic address to a joint session of the U.S. Congress, earning a standing ovation from lawmakers when he referenced “checks and balances” — a core constitutional concept widely interpreted as a subtle rebuttal to the expansion of executive power.

According to The Washington Post, King Charles praised the “irreplaceable and unbreakable” special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom, while also paying tribute to America’s 250th anniversary. However, his remarks on checks and balances became the most talked-about moment of the speech. Politico reported that when Charles invoked the concept, members of both parties rose to their feet in a rare show of bipartisan applause.

The Independent noted that Charles’s comments triggered an immediate and strong reaction within Congress, with multiple lawmakers sharing clips on social media right after the address. Analysts suggest that, against the backdrop of the Trump administration’s continued expansion of executive authority and ongoing constitutional controversies, Charles’s statement carries particular political significance.

Charles III is the first British monarch to address the U.S. Congress in nearly 25 years. President Trump hosted a lavish state dinner at the White House in his honor, celebrating the enduring friendship of the Anglo-American alliance. The New York Times reported that Trump repeatedly emphasized the historical bonds and shared values between the two nations during the dinner.

However, Charles’s emphasis on checks and balances formed a subtle contrast with the Trump administration’s governing style. Asia Times analysis pointed out that Charles skillfully used the framework of diplomatic protocol to express his commitment to constitutional principles — a含蓄 approach that avoided direct offense while delivering a clear political signal.

The state visit comes at a time of heightened political divisions within the United States. Several constitutional scholars have noted that Charles’s speech serves as a timely reminder to reexamine the importance of checks and balances in the American constitutional system, a topic that appears particularly urgent in the current political climate.

Source: The Washington Post | Politico | The Independent

As the transatlantic alliance faces dual tests from the Iran war and trade divisions, King Charles III addressed a joint session of Congress on April 28, becoming the first British monarch to do so in 250 years.

On April 28, 2026, King Charles III of the United Kingdom completed the centerpiece of his state visit to the United States — delivering a historic address to a joint session of Congress. This marks the first time in American history that a reigning British monarch has been invited to speak before the U.S. legislature, serving as a powerful symbol of the enduring “special relationship” between the two nations.

White House Meeting: Gift Exchange and Closed-Door Talks

Before the congressional address, King Charles and Queen Camilla arrived at the White House for a closed-door meeting with President Trump and First Lady Melania. The two sides exchanged symbolic gifts: Buckingham Palace presented an ornate brooch and silver tea set, while Trump offered distinctly American commemorative items.

According to White House officials, the leaders discussed the Iran situation, NATO unity, and bilateral trade. With the Iran war ongoing and NATO allies deeply divided over military participation, Britain’s position as one of America’s most steadfast allies carries particular significance.

Congressional Address: Unity Across Divides

In his address to Congress, King Charles emphasized the necessity of Anglo-American solidarity in the face of shared values, democratic institutions, and global security challenges. He reviewed the history of cooperation from World War II through the Cold War, from counterterrorism to today’s global crises, calling on both nations to “stand together in the most difficult of times.”

Notably, the King’s speech avoided direct commentary on sensitive controversies such as the Iran war, instead focusing on cultural bonds, technological innovation cooperation, and shared challenges like climate change.

Historical Context and Political Significance

A British monarch addressing the U.S. Congress carries profound historical symbolism. The last time a member of the British royal family delivered a significant speech in a similar setting was Queen Elizabeth II’s visit during America’s bicentennial in 1976. A reigning monarch speaking before a joint session of Congress is unprecedented in American history.

The visit comes at a time when the UK-US relationship faces multiple challenges:

• The Iran War: NATO allies are deeply divided over participation in military operations
• Trade Tensions: Trump administration tariff policies toward European allies have caused friction
• Security Cooperation: Transatlantic intelligence and military partnerships require ongoing reinforcement

Prince Harry’s Absence

Notably, King Charles’s son, Prince Harry, did not accompany the visit. Harry’s relationship with the royal family has been strained since he stepped back from royal duties, and his absence is seen as a continuation of that rift.

Security Upgrades

Following the April 26 White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting, security arrangements for King Charles’s visit were comprehensively upgraded. The Secret Service worked closely with British royal protection teams to ensure the King’s safety throughout the visit.

Sources: CBS News | CNN | The New York Times

King Charles III addressed a joint session of the US Congress on April 28 in Washington, D.C., delivering a rare speech granted to only four British monarchs in history. The address comes at a time of significant strain in the UK-US “special relationship,” driven by tensions between the Trump administration and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer over the ongoing Iran conflict.

Diplomatic Tensions at a Critical Juncture

The King’s state visit has been widely viewed as a diplomatic effort to repair and reinforce the Anglo-American partnership. Fox News noted the question of whether King Charles could “save the ever-fracturing ‘special relationship’” after Trump’s anger at Starmer over Iran-related policy disagreements.

According to CNN’s live coverage, the King is expected to emphasize that the UK and US “always find ways to come together” despite political differences. Upon arriving in Washington, Charles remarked: “Britain and America have always been able to stand shoulder to shoulder at critical moments — a bond that transcends party lines and political divisions.”

Visit Highlights and Diplomatic Signals

King Charles and Queen Camilla arrived in the United States on April 27, with their first day including a White House garden party and a meeting with President Trump. BBC reported that the King was welcomed at the White House before holding private talks with the President.

One notable absence from the King’s itinerary is Prince Harry. The New York Times highlighted that Harry’s exclusion underscores both the complexities within the Royal Family and the political calculus involved in state diplomacy.

Historical Context

This is King Charles III’s first state visit to the United States since his coronation in 2023. His mother, Queen Elizabeth II, previously addressed Congress in 1957 and 1991. In the current geopolitical climate, the content and tone of Charles’s speech are expected to carry significant weight for the future trajectory of UK-US relations.

Analysts suggest the King will likely emphasize shared interests in security, trade, and global governance while carefully avoiding direct commentary on sensitive issues such as the Iran war, in keeping with the monarchy’s tradition of political neutrality. The speech represents a unique opportunity for soft diplomacy at a time when formal channels between the two governments face friction.

Sources: BBC | CNN | Politico | The New York Times