Axios

The CEOs of Meta, Alphabet, TikTok and Snap have been invited back to Capitol Hill for a broad oversight hearing in June, Axios has learned.

• Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley is planning a June 23 hearing titled "Examining Tech Industry Practices and the Implications for Users and Families: Is This Social Media's Big Tobacco Moment?" per committee spokesperson Hannah Akey.

Three major conflicts are shaping America's AI race against China in real time, with changing global dynamics shifting the terms week by week:

• The race with China on advancing AI models
• Conflicting federal vs. state laws in the U.S.
• European AI policy

Why it matters: All three factors are fraught with politics and delicate dynamics, and all will help determine whether the U.S. continues to lead the world in advanced AI.

Senate Republicans are looking for an off-ramp on an issue that divides their leadership team: year-round ethanol sales.

• "We are probably going to have to make a tweak on the small refinery exemption, which we're working on," Sen. John Hoeven (R-N.D.) told Axios.

Why it matters: Public splits between Senate GOP leaders are rare. But few issues fracture Republicans like ethanol.

A new political thriller is mulling what would happen if the United States had a 17-year-old as president.

The big picture: The premise is meant to challenge young Americans to run for office, taking control away from aging politicians and giving it to those who will live with the government's decisions for decades to come.

Parents across the U.S. and abroad are joining efforts to delay smartphone use and reduce children's screen time.

Why it matters: Concerns about smartphones' effects on children are fueling broader efforts around offline socialization, digital wellbeing and screen-free childhood initiatives.

The House Ethics Committee said it is investigating Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-N.C.) over allegations of sexual harassment and creating a "hostile work environment" in a statement Thursday.

Why it matters: Axios has reported that Edwards engaged in inappropriate conduct towards two female staffers in their 20s, including one who later complained about his behavior and feared retaliation. That probe was prompted in part by Edwards' conduct toward female staffers.

U.S. Chief District Judge Chip Campbell on Thursday rejected Tennessee Democrats' request for a temporary restraining order to stop the state from implementing a new U.S. House map that favors Republicans.

Why it matters: The legal challenges to the new map will press on, but Campbell's ruling is a critical setback for opponents.

Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.) has told allies in her district that she plans to run for reelection despite her nearly month-long absence from the Hill, Axios has learned.

Why it matters: There had been rumors that the 83-year-old from Miami was considering retirement as she convalesced following what sources described as major eye surgery.

Trump allies want to smash the Guinness World Record for the world's biggest fireworks show, planning over 30 minutes of pyrotechnics in D.C. this July 4.

Why it matters: The supersized spectacle for America's 250th birthday is the latest Trump touch on D.C., including a never-before-seen UFC cage fight on the White House lawn next month — putting Washington on its highest-ever July 4 security footing.

Attorneys for Elon Musk wrapped up their case against OpenAI on Thursday, asserting in closing arguments that they've proven the AI giant misused the millions of dollars Musk donated and violated their duty to uphold OpenAI's founding ethos.

The other side: OpenAI lawyers countered that Musk's $38 million donations in the early days of OpenAI didn't have specific strings attached and that the organization has continued to pursue its mission, albeit with various changes in structure.

• OpenAI and Microsoft are also claiming that the lawsuit was filed too late and that Musk's own misconduct should prevent him from prevailing.

Why it matters: Musk wants CEO Sam Altman ousted as CEO and removed from OpenAI's board, as well as billions of dollars in damages, though he says he would donate any winnings back to OpenAI's nonprofit arm.