July 2010 Current Events: U.S. News

Updated August 5, 2020 | Infoplease Staff

World News | Business News | Disasters & Science News

Here are the key events in United States news for the month of July 2010.

• Justice Department Files Lawsuit Against Arizona for Immigration Law (July 6): The United States Justice Department files a lawsuit against the state of Arizona in protest of its new immigration law, which allows law enforcement professionals to question suspected illegal immigrants of their immigration status. The U.S. government claims that immigration is a federal issue, not to be enforced by state governments, due to the possibility that their laws would interfere with federal cases and issues. (July 28): A federal judge blocks key sections of the Arizona immigration law, including law enforcement's ability to request legal documentation of U.S. citizenship from suspected illegal immigrants, and the requirement for immigrants to carry papers at all times. A less controversial version of the immigration enforcement law will still pass.
• Congress Passes Landmark Financial Regulation Bill (July 15): Congress approves a landmark financial regulation bill, strongly supported by President Obama and by and large the Democratic Party. The bill increases the number of companies that will be regulated by government oversight, a panel to watch for risks in the financial system, and a consumer protection agency. Some Democrats and critics argue that the bill is not tough enough; Republicans claim it gives the government too much power in the business sector. Obama is expected to sign the bill into law immediately.
• House Investigative Panel Believes Rangel Should Face Ethics Trial (July 22): A Congressional investigation panel claims that New York Representative Charles Rangel (Dem.) violated ethics rules and should be tried by the House Ethics Committee. Rangel is accused of illegally using four rent-controlled apartments in Manhattan for business purposes, accepted an improper donation, and failed to pay taxes on a home in the Dominican Republic. Rangel maintains his innocence in these charges; if he does not reach a settlement with the committee, he will be the first member of Congress to be tried by the House Ethics Committee since 2002, when Rep. James Traficant Jr. was expelled on corruption charges.