US Daily Brief - July 16, 2026

1. Attorney General Candidate Faces Tough Questions at Senate Hearing

A new candidate for U.S. Attorney General faced many questions during a recent Senate hearing. Lawmakers asked about his connections to a fund at the Department of Justice and new information in the Epstein case. This hearing is very important because the Attorney General leads the Justice Department and influences major legal decisions. The candidate must show he is honest and ready to handle big responsibilities. These questions show that senators want to keep a close eye on important officials. If confirmed, he will face many challenges ahead in his job. This hearing will also affect public trust in the government.

영어 표현 학습

• keep a close eye on — 주의 깊게 지켜보다
  The senator said they will keep a close eye on the candidate's actions.
• face tough questions — 힘든 질문을 받다
  During the meeting, the witness had to face tough questions from the committee.
• lead the department — 부서를 이끌다
  The new manager will lead the department to improve its performance.

Source: CBS News

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2. Harvard Professors Speak Out on Immigrants’ Constitutional Rights

At Harvard University, professors discussed important ideas about immigration policy. They said that noncitizens also have constitutional rights in the U.S. This means that people who are not U.S. citizens still deserve certain legal protections. This topic is very important because immigration rules affect millions of people. The professors want to change the way the government treats immigrants, especially in courts. Their work may help make policies fairer and protect human rights better. This discussion is part of a bigger debate about immigration in America today.

영어 표현 학습

• noncitizens also have constitutional rights — 비시민권자도 헌법적 권리가 있다
  The lawyer reminded the judge that noncitizens also have constitutional rights.
• immigration policy — 이민 정책
  The government is reviewing its immigration policy to improve border security.
• legal protections — 법적 보호
  Everyone deserves legal protections regardless of their background.

Source: Harvard Kennedy School

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3. Millions Locked Out Despite Job Market Improvement

The U.S. job market is getting better, but about two million workers are still locked out. This means they cannot find jobs even though there are many openings. Experts say there is a hiring gap because some workers do not have the skills companies want. Also, some businesses are slowing down their hiring even with openings available. This situation worries many people who want to work but face challenges. The government and companies may need to find new ways to train workers. Fixing this problem is important for the economy to grow stronger.

영어 표현 학습

• locked out — 제외되다, 배제되다
  Many job seekers feel locked out of the current job market.
• hiring gap — 채용 격차
  There is a big hiring gap between available jobs and qualified workers.
• job market improvement — 고용 시장 개선
  The recent job market improvement has helped reduce unemployment.

Source: Wall Street Journal

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4. U.S. Tech Companies Feel Pressure as China Advances in AI

American tech companies are starting to sweat bullets as China catches up quickly in artificial intelligence (AI). This means U.S. companies feel nervous and worried about losing their lead. China has made strong progress in AI research and development. The competition is important because AI will change many parts of life and business. Experts say that the U.S. must keep investing in technology to stay ahead. This race between countries shows how technology affects global power. Many people watch this story closely because it will shape the future of innovation.

영어 표현 학습

• sweat bullets — 매우 긴장하다, 초조해하다
  Tech leaders are sweating bullets over the new competition from abroad.
• catch up — 따라잡다
  China is trying to catch up with the U.S. in advanced technology.
• artificial intelligence (AI) — 인공지능
  Artificial intelligence is changing how we work and live.

Source: Futurism

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Today's Vocabulary Recap