US Senate Considers Amendments to Significant Legislative Proposal
Good morning and welcome to our ongoing coverage of US politics during the current administration.
The US Senate is conducting an extended voting session on a comprehensive budget measure central to the president’s policy goals, which includes extensive tax adjustments and reductions to healthcare and nutrition programs if approved.
Lawmakers have gathered at the Capitol for an extended amendment process, where changes to the bill will be proposed over many hours.
Critics argue that the proposed tax measures would primarily favor higher-income individuals while reducing support for lower-income populations.
The legislation, formally titled the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, is projected to increase the national deficit by approximately $3.3 trillion over the next ten years. Supporters of the bill aim to meet a self-imposed deadline of July 4 for its passage.
Despite holding a majority in both chambers of Congress, divisions exist within the party over the extent of reductions to assistance programs intended to offset tax-related provisions.
It is now early morning in Washington, with voting ongoing for over 16 hours. A final decision is expected within the next few hours.
Additional Developments:
- Business executive Elon Musk, who contributed significant funds to the president’s campaign, announced plans to establish a new political organization named the “America Party” and support candidates opposing the bill in future elections.
- The Senate determined that a provision restricting federal healthcare funding to certain organizations could remain in the legislation.
- The administration reversed sanctions on Syria and issued updated policy guidance toward Cuba.
- Legal action was initiated against Los Angeles regarding its stance on cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, escalating tensions over immigration policies in the city.
- A federal inquiry concluded that Harvard University failed to comply with civil rights protections concerning its treatment of specific student groups, potentially endangering its federal funding.
- The president will meet with Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on July 7.
- The president reiterated calls for the Federal Reserve to reduce interest rates in a letter to its chair.
A federal agency has compiled a centralized database integrating citizenship records from multiple government sources for the first time.
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