Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Social Security Administration issues misleading email praising Trump's tax bill — The Social Security Administration (SSA), historically a nonpartisan agency, circulated an email on Thursday claiming Trump's reconciliation bill "eliminates federal income taxes on social security benefits for most beneficiaries." SSA Commissioner Frank Bisignano stated nearly 90% of beneficiaries would no longer pay federal income taxes on benefits. However, the bill does not eliminate such taxes; it provides only a temporary tax deduction of up to $6,000 (or $12,000 for married seniors), phasing out for higher incomes. Former SSA officials and Democratic lawmakers condemned the email as misleading partisan propaganda.

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• Trump uses antisemitic slur "shylocks" at Iowa rally — During his July 4 rally in Des Moines, President Trump referred to bankers who exploit clients as "shylocks," a term the Anti-Defamation League has identified as an antisemitic stereotype. When questioned by reporters afterward, Trump claimed he was unaware the word carried antisemitic connotations, stating "I've never heard it that way" and defining it only as referring to money lenders at high rates. Vice President Biden had apologized in 2014 for using the same term.

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• House advances Trump tax-and-spending bill through procedural votes — The House of Representatives advanced Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" through procedural votes on July 2–3, 2025, after Democratic minority leader Hakeem Jeffries delivered an 8-hour-44-minute floor speech opposing passage. The bill, which passed the Senate on July 1 with Vice President JD Vance casting a tie-breaking vote, includes $3.3 trillion in deficit spending through 2034, extends 2017 tax cuts, allocates $45 billion for ICE detention and $14 billion for deportation operations, imposes new Medicaid work requirements, and sunsets green-energy incentives. Speaker Mike Johnson secured final Republican holdouts to advance the measure toward a final House vote.
• House passes Trump tax-and-spending bill with permanent tax cuts, deportation funding, and safety-net cuts — The U.S. House of Representatives passed Trump's comprehensive tax-and-spending legislation on Thursday, following Senate passage on Tuesday with VP Vance's tie-breaking vote. The bill extends 2017 tax cuts permanently (benefiting high earners disproportionately), allocates $45bn for ICE detention and $14bn for deportation operations, funds $50bn+ for border fortifications, cuts Medicaid (affecting ~10.6m people) and SNAP (affecting ~8m people), phases out clean-energy tax credits, raises the debt ceiling by $5tn, and increases the deficit by $3.3tn through 2034. The bill now awaits Trump's signature.
• Trump budget bill passage with immigration enforcement expansion and social benefit cuts — The House passed Donald Trump's budget reconciliation bill on Thursday, July 3, 2025, with no Democratic support and only two Republican defections (Thomas Massie and Brian Fitzpatrick). The bill expands immigration enforcement funding to $170 billion (making ICE larger than the FBI, DEA, and Bureau of Prisons combined), cuts Medicaid expansion, reduces SNAP benefits, allows the tipped-worker tax break to sunset in three years while making billionaire tax cuts permanent, and removes subsidies under the Affordable Care Act. Democrats issued widespread condemnation, citing projected deaths and loss of healthcare access.
• Hakeem Jeffries delivers record-breaking House floor speech opposing Trump tax bill — Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries spoke for more than eight hours on the House floor beginning shortly before 5am on Thursday, July 3, 2025, breaking the previous record of 8 hours 32 minutes set by Kevin McCarthy in 2021. Using the "magic minute" tradition that allows House leaders unlimited speaking time after floor debate concludes, Jeffries opposed Trump's $4.5 trillion tax-and-spending bill, reading stories of Americans who would lose healthcare, food assistance, and other benefits. He characterized the legislation as a "crime scene" and "abomination" that will harm millions while benefiting billionaires.
• House passes Trump tax-and-spending bill with 218-214 vote — The US House of Representatives passed Donald Trump's sweeping tax-and-spending bill on Thursday with a narrow 218-214 vote after weeks of negotiations. The legislation extends 2017 tax cuts permanently, creates new exemptions for tips and overtime pay, allocates $170 billion to immigration enforcement and border wall construction, and cuts Medicaid and SNAP benefits. The Congressional Budget Office projects it will add $3.3 trillion to the national debt through 2034 and cost millions of people their healthcare and food assistance benefits.
• Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries delivered record-length floor speech opposing budget bill — Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-VA) delivered the longest floor speech in House history, lasting all night and into Thursday afternoon, opposing the budget bill. He criticized the bill's impact on the poor and sick, concluding with a statement about hypocrisy: "You got some people in this town who go to church and pray on Sunday, and then they come to Congress and prey on the American people."
• House Republicans adopted Senate budget bill without amendments after Trump summoned Freedom Caucus members to Oval Office — House Republicans voted to adopt the Senate's budget bill following a marathon debate session. Despite weeks of public complaints from Freedom Caucus members that the Senate version was "horrible" and promises to make significant changes, the House passed it unchanged. Trump summoned the dissenting Republicans to the Oval Office, where they received signed merchandise and photos; they emerged agreeing to support the bill. Only two Republicans voted against it: Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA). The bill adds nearly $4 trillion to the debt and cuts Medicaid, Medicare, and nutrition assistance.
• Congressional passage of budget legislation with expansions to law enforcement and detention infrastructure — The House of Representatives passed a budget bill described as containing provisions for expanded law enforcement capacity, detention facilities, and enforcement quotas. The legislation was characterized by commentators as regressive and dangerous. The bill reportedly allocates resources toward building what critics describe as a sophisticated law enforcement apparatus with detention infrastructure and enforcement mechanisms tied to quota systems. The passage occurred despite stated opposition from advocacy groups and public awareness campaigns.
• House passes "One Big Beautiful Bill"; Trump administration announces legislative victory — The White House issued a press release announcing that the House of Representatives passed legislation titled the "One Big Beautiful Bill," which the administration characterizes as delivering "the largest middle-class tax cut in history," border security measures, military funding, and other provisions. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated the bill represents "the biggest legislative win of President Trump's two terms" and that Trump "looks forward to signing" it into law. The release does not provide the bill's actual text, specific provisions, or legislative details.
• House and Senate pass Trump's tax-and-spending bill with narrow Republican majorities — Republicans passed a sweeping budget bill extending 2017 tax cuts, increasing the debt limit by $4 trillion, and adding work requirements to Medicaid and Snap. The House passed it 219–213 on Thursday after Speaker Johnson held the vote open for seven hours—the longest recorded—while Trump pressured holdouts via phone calls and social media. The Senate passed it 50–50 with Vice President Vance breaking the tie. The bill faced opposition from fiscal conservatives and moderates over deficit concerns and Medicaid cuts, resolved through targeted state benefits and executive order promises.

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• FCC suspends prison phone price caps, blocking enforcement of 2024 rule — FCC Chairman Brendan Carr announced Monday that the FCC will no longer enforce a 2024 rule capping in-state prison phone calls at $0.06–$0.07 per minute. The suspension applies until April 1, 2027, during which the FCC will consider permanent changes. The 2024 rule, which reduced call costs from as much as $11.35 to $0.90 for a 15-minute call, was mandated by the Martha Wright-Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Act of 2022. FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez objected, stating the suspension violates the statute and Congress's directive. The rule also banned kickbacks to prison operators; those remain suspended.
• FCC cites corporate claims rather than evidence in justifying suspension of prison phone price caps — In the order suspending the 2024 price-cap rule, the FCC explicitly cited "financial burdens" on prison operators and claimed that without commissions or high prices, many facilities would stop allowing incarcerated people to make phone calls. According to Popular Information's reporting, this conclusion is "largely based on claims made to the FCC by the corporations profiting from the existing system," rather than independent evidence or analysis.
• FCC postponed prison phone rate reduction rules for two years — FCC Chairman Brendon Carr announced the agency would postpone rules passed unanimously in 2024 to reduce prison and jail phone rates for two years. FCC Commissioner Anna M. Gomez said the postponement was "shielding a broken system that inflates costs and rewards kickbacks to correctional facilities at the expense of incarcerated individuals and their loved ones." The delay blocks consumer protections.
• GEO Group and CoreCivic donated to Trump campaign and inauguration while benefiting from FCC suspension — During the 2024 campaign, GEO Group's PAC made the maximum contribution to Trump's campaign; CEO Brian Evans and board chairman George Zoley each donated $11,600 to Trump Save America Joint Fundraising Committee. GEO Acquisition II, a GEO Group subsidiary, donated $1 million to Make America Great Again PAC. After Trump's election, GEO Group and CoreCivic each donated $500,000 to Trump's inauguration committee. Both Tom Homan (Trump's border czar) and Attorney General Pam Bondi have received payments from GEO Group—Homan as a consultant in 2023–2024, Bondi as a lobbyist in 2019.

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• Senate Republicans advance Trump's tax-and-spending bill through vote-a-rama process — Senate Republicans continued debate on Trump's "one big, beautiful bill," a massive tax-and-spending measure combining tax cuts, tip deductions, and immigration enforcement funding offset by cuts to Medicaid, food stamps, and green energy programs. The chamber extended the "vote-a-rama" amendment process into a second day. Early Tuesday, senators voted 99–1 to strike an AI regulation ban. The bill faces uncertain passage with at least two Republican defections (Tillis, Paul) already committed against it, leaving no margin for error.
• Senate Republicans pass Trump's sweeping policy bill with Vice President tie-breaker — On July 1, 2025, the Senate passed Trump's major legislative package by a narrow margin, with Vice President JD Vance breaking a tie. The bill includes tens of billions for mass deportations and border walls, tax-cut extensions, and cuts to Medicaid and SNAP. Moderate Republicans initially resisted, particularly over Medicaid reductions affecting poor and disabled Americans and rural hospitals. Senate leadership negotiated targeted provisions—including $50 billion for rural hospitals and tax deductions for Native Alaskan whalers—to secure passage. The CBO estimates the bill will increase the uninsured population by 11.8 million by 2034 and add $3.3 trillion to the deficit through 2034.
• Senate Republicans pass Trump's tax and spending bill with vice-presidential tiebreaker — The Republican-controlled Senate passed a major tax and spending bill demanded by Donald Trump on Tuesday, with Vice President JD Vance breaking a 50-50 tie after three Republicans joined all Democrats in opposition. The legislation extends tax cuts from Trump's first term, funds mass deportation operations ($45bn for ICE detention, $14bn for deportation operations), allocates over $50bn for border fortifications, imposes new work requirements on Medicaid enrollees, and limits provider taxes states use to fund Medicaid. The Congressional Budget Office estimates it will add $3.3 trillion to the deficit through 2034. The bill now goes to the House, where passage remains uncertain due to factional divisions among Republicans.
• Senate passed budget reconciliation bill with Vice President Vance's tiebreaking vote — The Senate voted 50–50 on a budget reconciliation bill, with all Democrats and Independents voting no, joined by three Republicans (Susan Collins, Rand Paul, Thom Tillis). Vice President J.D. Vance cast the deciding vote to pass the measure. The bill cuts taxes for the wealthy and corporations while slashing Medicaid and food security programs for low-income Americans. It allocates $170.7 billion to immigration enforcement, including $51.6 billion for border wall construction, $45 billion for ICE detention facilities, and $29.9 billion for ICE enforcement operations.
• Senate passed budget reconciliation bill 51-50 with VP Vance breaking tie — The Senate passed a major budget reconciliation bill on July 1, 2025, by a vote of 51-50, with Vice President JD Vance casting the deciding vote. Three Republicans—Susan Collins, Rand Paul, and Thom Tillis—voted against it. The bill must return to the House for reconciliation due to significant Senate amendments. The legislation includes major tax cuts, safety-net reductions targeting Medicaid and food stamps, clean energy subsidy cuts, and raises the debt ceiling by approximately $5 trillion, adding an estimated $3 trillion to the deficit.
• Senate passes Trump budget bill with 50-50 vote plus VP tiebreaker — The Senate voted 50-50 on Trump's budget bill, with the Vice President casting the tiebreaking vote to pass it. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) characterized the legislation as corrupt and crooked, noting it was drafted in closed sessions, released at midnight, contained inflated figures, and provided substantial tax benefits to wealthy Republican donors while cutting social programs. The bill now moves to the House for consideration.
• Republican-controlled Senate passed Trump's Big Beautiful Bill with tie-breaking vote — The Republican-controlled Senate narrowly passed Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" with a tie-breaking vote from Vice President JD Vance, sending it back to the House for another vote. The bill includes the biggest Medicaid and SNAP cuts in history, makes ICE the highest-funded federal law enforcement agency, and adds at least $3.3 trillion to the national debt over the next decade.

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• National Park Service flagged exhibits on climate change, slavery, and Native American imprisonment as non-compliant — By July 2025, National Park Service teams were attempting to interpret Burgum's vague directive not to "inappropriately disparage Americans" and began flagging exhibits deemed problematic. Flagged exhibits included displays on sea level rise due to climate change at Cape Hatteras National Seashore in North Carolina, information on human enslavement at Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia, and exhibits on the imprisonment of Seminoles, Cheyennes, Araphaos, Kiowas, Comanches, Caddos, and Apaches at the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument in Florida.

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• Paramount settled Trump lawsuit for $16 million — Paramount announced it will settle Trump's lawsuit related to the 2024 '60 Minutes' interview with Kamala Harris for $16 million. A portion of the funds will pay for Trump's fees and costs, and the remainder will be donated to his future presidential library. The settlement did not include an apology but included a provision requiring release of future '60 Minutes' interview transcripts. The settlement represents a major payment to Trump from a media company.
• CBS ends Stephen Colbert's late-night show — CBS announced in July that it would end Stephen Colbert's late-night show in May 2026. Colbert is an outspoken Trump critic who had criticized Paramount for settling with Trump days before the announcement, calling it a "big fat bribe." CBS attributed the cancellation to financial reasons and stated it was unrelated to the show's content. Trump celebrated the decision on Truth Social, writing "I absolutely love that Colbert got fired."
• Paramount settles Trump lawsuit; CBS News hires Trump loyalist ombudsman — In July 2025, CBS News' parent company Paramount paid $16 million to settle a lawsuit filed by President Trump, described in the article as "frivolous." In September 2025, CBS News hired a Trump loyalist to serve as ombudsman, tasked with reviewing news coverage for alleged "bias." These moves signal a shift in editorial direction at a historically fact-based news organization.
• Paramount settles Trump defamation lawsuit over CBS News 60 Minutes interview — Paramount agreed to a $16 million settlement with Trump after he sued CBS News over a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris that aired in October 2024. Trump claimed the interview was edited to make Harris look better and constituted "election interference," though editing interviews for clarity and length is standard journalistic practice. The settlement occurred as part of Paramount's broader effort to secure Trump administration approval for its merger with Skydance.

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• White House Press Secretary called Mamdani a communist and made baseless accusations — White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called Zohran Mamdani a "communist" and baselessly claimed he "pedals antisemitism, praises pro-Hamas groups, [and] wants Israel abolished." The statement made unsubstantiated accusations against a Democratic mayoral candidate without evidence. Mamdani is a Muslim immigrant and progressive candidate.

Supporting reports

• Reconciliation bill cuts SNAP nutrition assistance by $186 billion — Trump's reconciliation megabill slashes Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding by $186 billion, primarily by shifting financial responsibility from the federal government to states. The bill reduces federal contribution for administrative costs to 25% and requires states to pay a portion of benefit costs based on their benefit error rate. It also imposes work requirements on individuals with children aged 14 or older and those between ages 50–64. SNAP currently serves 22.5 million households with an average monthly benefit of $353.
• Reconciliation bill includes $930 billion in Medicaid cuts — Trump's reconciliation megabill cuts Medicaid funding by $930 billion through two mechanisms: imposing strict work requirements on most adults without children or with children 15 or older, and severely restricting taxes states can charge healthcare providers. The provider tax restriction would cost rural hospitals $119 billion over ten years despite a $25 billion rural hospital fund. Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) secured an additional amendment to further cut Medicaid spending for states that expanded coverage under the Affordable Care Act. Approximately 71 million people rely on Medicaid, with rural communities particularly vulnerable.
• Reconciliation bill projected to increase uninsured population by 11.8 million — The Congressional Budget Office analysis estimates Trump's reconciliation megabill would increase the number of uninsured Americans by 11.8 million by 2034. An additional 4.2 million people will lose health insurance when enhanced premium credits under the Affordable Care Act expire. The bill also makes it harder for people to enroll in ACA marketplaces. Larry Levitt of the Kaiser Family Foundation characterized the bill as "the biggest rollback in federal support for health care ever."
• Senate bill cuts $930 billion from Medicaid — The revised Senate budget reconciliation bill proposes cuts of $930 billion from Medicaid, which is more than the House version. This measure is expected to result in 11.8 million Americans losing their health insurance, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Major health systems in Louisiana have warned that these cuts would have devastating effects on healthcare access in the state.
• Senate Republicans advance budget reconciliation bill cutting social safety net and increasing taxes on wealthy — Senate Republicans moved forward with a budget reconciliation bill that cuts healthcare for 16 million people, reduces nutrition benefits for children by the largest amount in U.S. history, provides tax breaks to wealthy individuals and corporations, and is projected to increase the national debt by $3.3 trillion over ten years. Democratic senators offered amendments to reduce corporate tax cuts and protect healthcare and food assistance, but none passed. The bill represents a shift in government spending priorities away from social safety net protections established during the New Deal era.
• Trump administration cuts $186 billion from SNAP in One Big Beautiful Bill Act — In July 2025, Republicans passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which cut approximately $186 billion from SNAP programs. This reduction significantly diminished the program's capacity to serve beneficiaries and preceded the current shutdown crisis by several months.
• Republicans cut approximately $1 trillion in Medicaid funding over ten years — In the July 2025 budget reconciliation bill, Republicans implemented cuts of approximately $1 trillion in Medicaid funding over the next ten years. These cuts, combined with the work requirement, are projected to force up to 15 million people to lose Medicaid coverage, with implementation deliberately delayed until after the 2026 midterm elections to avoid immediate political consequences.
• Republicans implemented work requirement on Medicaid enrollees in budget reconciliation bill — In the July 2025 budget reconciliation bill, Republicans placed a "work requirement" on Medicaid enrollees, requiring them to prove they have a job or a valid exemption. The requirement functions as a "paperwork requirement" that will disqualify people legally entitled to Medicaid coverage who fail to file the correct documentation, with estimates suggesting up to 15 million people are at risk of losing coverage.
• Republicans refused to extend ACA marketplace subsidies in budget reconciliation bill — In the July 2025 budget reconciliation bill, Republicans refused to extend subsidies that enabled people to afford healthcare insurance in the Affordable Care Act marketplaces. This decision directly reversed a key mechanism that had expanded affordable health coverage to millions of Americans, forcing healthier individuals out of insurance pools and driving up premiums for those remaining.

Supporting reports

• Congressional Republicans struggle to pass Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill" budget legislation — Trump's signature "One Big Beautiful Bill" budget plan faces tortured progress in Congress as House and Senate Republicans haggle over its contents ahead of a 4 July deadline. The legislation threatens to slash the social safety net, including cuts to Medicaid healthcare for more than 16 million people, and would raise costs for families on rent, groceries, and prescription drugs while funding tax cuts for wealthy Americans. Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren and policy experts characterized it as "Robin Hood-in-reverse" legislation that harms working-class voters.
• Senate Republicans advance Trump tax-and-spending bill through procedural vote — The Republican-controlled US Senate voted 51–49 on Saturday to open debate on Trump's sweeping tax-cut and spending bill, clearing a key procedural hurdle. The measure extends 2017 tax cuts, adds new tax breaks including no taxes on tips, and commits $350 billion to national security and border enforcement. Democrats forced the 940-page bill to be read aloud and secured the right to propose unlimited amendments. The bill still requires final passage and House approval before reaching Trump's desk by the Fourth of July deadline.
• Democrats demanded full reading of budget reconciliation bill on Senate floor — After Senate Republicans released the revised 940-page budget reconciliation bill late Friday night and attempted to call a vote the same evening, Democrats demanded that the entire bill be read on the Senate floor. The demand reflected Democratic objections to the compressed timeline and lack of transparency in the legislative process.
• Senate voted to advance budget reconciliation bill — Fifty-one senators voted to advance the budget reconciliation bill, with forty-nine opposing. Republicans Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Rand Paul of Kentucky voted with Democrats to oppose the measure. Tillis had previously stated he could not support the bill's Medicaid cuts. Following the vote, Trump announced he would support a primary challenger to Tillis, stating he would be "looking for someone who will properly represent the Great People of North Carolina."
• Ron Johnson and Lisa Murkowski flipped votes to pass reconciliation bill — Senators Ron Johnson (R-WI) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) reversed their positions at the last minute to advance the budget reconciliation bill. Johnson sought deeper spending cuts; Murkowski negotiated special exemptions for Alaska from work requirements on SNAP and secured additional Medicaid and tax provisions benefiting the state. The Senate parliamentarian subsequently overruled several of Murkowski's negotiated provisions as violating the Byrd rule.
• Senate advanced budget reconciliation bill to floor debate with 51-49 vote — The Senate voted 51-49 to advance the budget reconciliation bill to the floor for debate, which began that evening. Republicans Thom Tillis (NC) and Rand Paul (KY) voted against it alongside Democrats. Trump subsequently attacked Tillis on Truth Social and announced he would back a primary challenger against him. Tillis responded by announcing he would not seek reelection, citing the need for independent thinking and freedom from campaign fundraising.
• Senate Republicans advance 940-page reconciliation bill with procedural vote — On June 28, 2025, the Senate voted 51–49 to end debate on Trump's reconciliation megabill, with Republican Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Rand Paul (R-KY) joining all Democrats in opposition. Senate Republican leaders held the vote open for hours to pressure holdouts. The 940-page bill includes $930 billion in Medicaid cuts, $186 billion in SNAP reductions, $172 billion for immigration enforcement, $158 billion in new defense spending, and extends Trump's 2017 tax cuts. The bill is scheduled for a final Senate vote on Monday, June 30, with Republicans operating under thin margins in the House.
• Republicans released a new version of the omnibus budget reconciliation bill — Republicans released a revised version of the omnibus budget reconciliation bill just before midnight, which has faced significant Democratic challenges. The new measure removes some controversial provisions but retains its original structure, including the extension of tax cuts for wealthy Americans. The Senate voted 51-49 to advance the bill, with two Republicans joining Democrats in opposition. The bill includes substantial cuts to Medicaid and additional funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
• Senate Minority Leader initiates full bill reading to slow passage — Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) forced a full reading of the 940-page budget reconciliation bill in the Senate to slow its passage. The procedural tactic delayed the measure and set the stage for a "vote-a-rama" in which Democratic senators will force Republicans to vote on controversial amendments.
• Senate votes to advance the budget reconciliation bill — The Senate voted 51-49 to advance the revised budget reconciliation bill, with two Republican senators, Thom Tillis and Rand Paul, voting with Democrats against the bill. This vote indicates significant division within the Republican Party regarding the proposed cuts to Medicaid.
• Senate opens debate on Trump's $3.3 trillion deficit bill with forced full reading — The US Senate began formal debate on Donald Trump's comprehensive domestic policy bill on Sunday, June 30, after Democrats forced clerks to read the entire 940-page legislation aloud. The bill combines tax cuts, immigration enforcement spending, and healthcare/nutrition assistance reductions. The Congressional Budget Office estimated the Senate version would increase the deficit by $3.3 trillion over ten years—nearly $1 trillion more than the House version—and cause 11.8 million Americans to lose health insurance. Republicans advanced the bill 51-49 in a procedural vote Saturday after hours of negotiations with holdouts.
• Senate to Vote on Budget Bill Amendments — The Senate is set to begin voting on amendments to the Republicans' budget reconciliation bill in a process known as a "vote-a-rama," where Democratic senators will challenge Republicans on controversial issues.

Supporting reports

• Democrats challenged Republican accounting gimmick on tax cuts — Senate Democrats, led by Chuck Schumer, challenged Republicans' use of a "current policy baseline" accounting method that treats $3.8 trillion of Trump tax cut extensions as costing zero dollars. Democrats argue the method violates Senate reconciliation rules. Republicans cannot meet their $1.5 trillion deficit reduction target if they count the full ten-year cost of extending Trump's tax cuts, making the alternate baseline essential to the bill's viability.
• Senate adopts "current policy baseline" accounting method for tax cuts — The Senate voted 53-47 to adopt a "current policy baseline" that treats $3.8 trillion in Trump tax cut extensions as costing zero dollars for budget reconciliation purposes. All Republicans voted yes. This marks the first time this accounting method has been used in a filibuster-proof reconciliation process to meet budget targets, establishing a precedent that could allow future majorities to pass massive permanent programs by scheduling expiration dates and declaring extensions cost-free.
• White House disputes Congressional Budget Office deficit projections — The Trump White House issued statements on its official website claiming the One Big Beautiful Bill would reduce deficits by over $2 trillion through economic growth and waste reduction, while dismissing the Congressional Budget Office as having "a terrible record" with predictions and lacking credibility. The White House asserted the bill would "unleash our economy" and prevent "the largest tax hike in history."

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• US Supreme Court affirms health secretary's direct oversight of preventive services taskforce — The US Supreme Court ruled in Kennedy v Braidwood Management that the preventive services taskforce—an expert panel convened under the Affordable Care Act—operates under direct oversight of the health secretary. The 6-vote majority opinion, written by Justice Brett Kavanaugh, held that presidential and Senate accountability provides sufficient constitutional safeguard. The decision comes hours after RFK Jr's handpicked vaccine advisory panel (ACIP) recommended against thimerosal-containing vaccines, contradicting scientific consensus. Health law experts warn the ruling enables politicization of medical recommendations affecting insurance coverage for treatments ranging from statins to HIV prevention drugs.
• US Supreme Court upholds Affordable Care Act preventive services provision while affirming health secretary's removal and override powers — The US Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in Kennedy v Braidwood Management, Inc that the Affordable Care Act's requirement for private insurers to cover preventive health services without cost is constitutional. The decision affirmed the constitutionality of the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), a 16-member expert panel determining which evidence-based preventive services must be covered. However, the court also held that the health secretary may remove task force members at will and review their recommendations before implementation. The ruling centered on whether PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV) coverage violated religious beliefs, with plaintiffs represented by the architect of Texas's abortion bounty-hunter law.

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• Trump contradicted intelligence on Iran nuclear program — Trump continued to insist on Fox that Iran's nuclear program was completely obliterated, stating: "The bomb what through it like it was absolute butter." When a host noted reports that Iran moved 800 pounds of enriched uranium, Trump denied it: "They didn't move anything." Simultaneously, Senator Lindsey Graham stated on ABC that "The 900 pounds of uranium? It's still out there," contradicting Trump's claims.