Republicans have set a July 4 deadline to pass their domestic policy bill, with President Trump advocating for its passage at a recent White House event, describing it as “the ultimate codification of our agenda.” However, the legislation is facing obstacles after the Senate parliamentarian ruled that several key provisions cannot be included in their current form. Republicans are utilizing a special process to shield the bill from a Democratic filibuster in hopes of passing it by the deadline.
In other developments, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Gen. Dan Caine provided details regarding U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, but did not offer new assessments about the status of Iran’s nuclear program, nor did they support Trump’s claim that the strikes had “obliterated” their targets.
The Trump administration has indicated plans to deport Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia again, after he was recently brought back from a wrongful deportation to face criminal charges in the U.S. The administration's assertion raised questions about the seriousness of the charges against him.
Senate Republicans are moving forward with a plan to cut federal food assistance, specifically targeting the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (S.N.A.P.), to help fund their tax cuts. Economists have indicated that the proposed legislation would benefit the wealthy while reducing aid for low-income Americans. The changes could result in millions losing access to food assistance, with estimates suggesting that 1.3 million Americans could be affected.
The House Judiciary Committee has subpoenaed Harvard University as part of an investigation into potential collusion among Ivy League schools regarding tuition pricing. Harvard has contested the subpoena, claiming it is unwarranted, while the university faces multiple investigations from federal agencies.
In a separate issue, right-wing Republicans have launched racially charged attacks against Zohran Mamdani, the presumptive Democratic nominee for New York City mayor, following his electoral success. These comments have drawn condemnation from Democrats, highlighting the increasing prevalence of racist language in political discourse.
Senators have expressed division over the effectiveness of the Iran strikes after a classified briefing, with Republicans praising the operation while Democrats raised concerns regarding its success and implications for U.S. foreign policy.
Additionally, Kenneth Chesebro, a lawyer involved in a scheme to use fraudulent electors to overturn the 2020 presidential election results, has been disbarred in New York. The decision follows his guilty plea in a related criminal case.
The Trump administration has instructed Congress to remove a provision from their tax bill that would have imposed a “revenge tax” on international companies, amidst pressure from business groups concerned about its potential impact on foreign investment.
Lastly, the Justice Department is investigating the University of California’s hiring practices, questioning whether its diversity initiatives violate civil rights laws. This investigation follows previous actions against California’s education system by the Trump administration.