MJL Morning Briefing — Thu, Aug 20

        August 20, 2026

MJL Morning Briefing — Thu, Aug 20

MJL Morning Briefing
From Matt Leonard · Thursday, August 20, 2026
TOP STORY
⚡Johnson bullish on House majority as PA data-center anxiety spreads
Speaker Mike Johnson told Punchbowl in Center Valley, Pa., he expects to grow the House GOP majority "substantially" 75 days out, as data-center opposition dominates four Pennsylvania swing districts.
Punchbowl News
National Politics
Johnson to floor Senate-passed CR when House returns from recess
Johnson said he will bring up the Senate-passed continuing resolution funding federal agencies through Dec. 11 "as soon as" the House returns, predicting it "will probably pass early."
Punchbowl News
James Braid leaving White House legislative affairs in September
James Braid, Trump's longest-serving legislative affairs director, will exit the administration in September after shepherding the One Big Beautiful Bill, the GENIUS Act and a rescissions package.
Punchbowl News
PA & NJ Politics
⚡Bresnahan bill would give localities power to deny data-center projects
Rep. Rob Bresnahan (R-Pa.) is pushing legislation to boost local communities' authority to reject data centers and set new rules addressing utility costs, environmental impacts and union labor.
Punchbowl News
PA Green Party sues to keep its own candidate off the November ballot
The state Green Party and local Democrats filed separate suits against candidate Tupone, accusing him of unlawful ballot access and acting as a spoiler; he is represented by GOP election lawyer Wally Zimolong.
Punchbowl News / Capital-Star
On the Floor — Next Session
HB 1667 — An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in sales and use tax, further providing for exclusions from tax; in corporate net income tax, further providing for…
House · Bill On Concurrence (keywords: data center, data centers)
PA General Assembly
SB 1345 — An Act amending the act of July 31, 1968 (P.L.805, No.247), known as the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, in zoning, providing for optional temporary moratorium on acceptance or consideration of new…
Senate · Third Consideration (keywords: data center, data centers)
PA General Assembly
Energy Industry
Solar surge makes Midwest the largest U.S. grid for electric supply
A burst of new solar capacity pushed the Midwest grid to the top spot for U.S. electric supply, Bloomberg reported Aug. 19; PJM's real-time RTO price was $35.25/MWh against 107,780 MW of load Thursday morning.
Utility Dive / Bloomberg
Pittsburgh Sports
Back-to-back ninth-inning homers lift Pirates past Tigers, 4-3
Rafael Flores and Brandon Lowe hit consecutive ninth-inning solo home runs Wednesday at PNC Park to beat Detroit 4-3, capping a second straight series win for the Pirates.
DK Pittsburgh Sports
Penguins offseason reviewed: Lucius dealt to Anaheim
A DK Pittsburgh Sports review of the Penguins' summer roster moves, published Thursday, lists the Lucius trade to the Ducks alongside goaltending decisions and prospect contract matters.
DK Pittsburgh Sports
Market Snapshot
PJM West Hub (RT) $36.12/MWh
PJM AEP-Dayton (RT) $34.49/MWh
PJM Capacity 28/29 $325.00/MW-day
Henry Hub $2.82/MMBtu +1.8%
WTI Crude $86.66/bbl +2.7%
As of Aug 20, 9:56 a.m. EPT (PJM RT)
Curated by Matt Leonard. Numbers from real endpoints only.
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