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In the news today: Donald Trump's 900-page tax and spending cut bill will soon become law; the Supreme Court clears the way for deportations to South Sudan; and how Ukraine can cope with the U.S. pause on weapons shipments. Also, a look at famous and brief band reunions. |
Republican members of Congress shake hands with Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, Thursday, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
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A look at Trump's big bill that passed Congress and will soon become law
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Republicans muscled President Donald Trump's 900-page tax and spending cut bill through the House on Thursday, the final step necessary to get it to his desk by the GOP's self-imposed deadline of July 4th. Read more. |
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- The legislation contains about $4.5 trillion in tax cuts, with scores of them being business-related. This includes allowing businesses to immediately write off 100% of the cost of equipment and research. Proponents say this will boost economic growth. The bill also would temporarily add new tax deductions on tip, overtime and auto loans.
Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program face deep cuts to fund the bill's tax breaks and spending. To help partly offset the lost tax revenue and new spending, The Congressional Budget Office estimates 11.8 million more Americans would become uninsured by 2034 and 3 million more would not qualify for SNAP benefits, also known as food stamps.
- A number of extra provisions reflect other GOP priorities. The bill creates a new children's savings program, called Trump Accounts, with a potential $1,000 deposit from the Treasury. The Senate also provided $40 million to establish Trump's long-sought "National Garden of American Heroes."
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Supreme Court clears the way for deportation to South Sudan of several immigrants with no ties there
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The Supreme Court on Thursday cleared the way for the deportation of several immigrants who were put on a flight in May bound for war-ravaged South Sudan. The push comes during a sweeping immigration crackdown by the Trump administration. Read more. |
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The decision comes after the court's conservative majority found immigration officials can quickly deport people to third countries, making clear that the South Sudan flight could complete the trip, weeks after it was detoured to a naval base in Djibouti. The majority halted an order allowing immigrants to challenge any removals to countries outside their homeland where they could be in danger.
It also reverses findings from federal Judge Brian Murphy, who said his order on those migrants still stands even after the high court lifted his broader decision. The Supreme Court majority said their June 23 decision completely halted Murphy's ruling and rendered his decision on the South Sudan flight "unenforceable."
- Liberal justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented, saying the ruling gives the government special treatment. "Other litigants must follow the rules, but the administration has the Supreme Court on speed dial," Sotomayor wrote. Justice Elena Kagan wrote that while she disagreed with the original order, it does countermand Murphy's South Sudan flight findings.
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Ukraine's options following US pause on crucial battlefield weapons
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The decision by the United States to pause some weapons shipments to Ukraine has come at a tough time for Kyiv. The Trump administration has been disengaging while there is no end in sight to the war despite recent direct peace talks. Russia's bigger army is also making a concerted push on parts of front line and is intensifying long-range drone and missile attacks. Read more. |
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As Kyiv remains concerned about how much military support its allies can supply and how quickly, Ukraine has raced to build up its domestic defense industry. But some high-tech U.S. weapons are irreplaceable. They include Patriot air defense missiles, at a cost of $4 million each, which are needed to fend off Russia's frequent ballistic missile attacks. That vital system is included in the pause and many cities in Ukraine, including Kyiv, could become increasingly vulnerable.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been enlisting more European assistance for his country's arms manufacturing plans. European countries don't have the production levels, military stockpiles or the technology to pick up all the slack left by the U.S. pause, but Zelenskyy is recruiting them for ambitious joint investment projects.
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Liam Gallagher performs at the Reading Music Festival, England on Aug. 2021, and Noel Gallagher performs at the Glastonbury Festival, England, on June 2022. (AP Photo)
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Ahead of Oasis' tour, a look at famous and brief band reunions
"Don't Look Back in Anger" is good advice for the Britpop band Oasis, who launch their surprising reunion tour this week in Cardiff, Wales. Led by brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher, the reunion marks the end of the siblings' long feud, one that led to Oasis disbanding in 2009. Whether they're in it for the long haul or will call it quits sooner, here's a look at a few other very famous – but very brief – band reunions. |
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