What you need to know
- The Senate is holding an unlimited series of amendment votes on Donald Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill,” a 940-page tax and spending package.
- The bill, which narrowly passed the House and then the Senate, faces strong opposition due to concerns about its cost and impact.
- The Congressional Budget Office estimates the bill will add $3.3 trillion to the national debt and cause 11.8 million Americans to lose health coverage by 2034, with significant cuts to Medicaid.
- Democrats and some Republicans criticize the bill for benefiting billionaires while cutting essential services, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer vowing to introduce amendments to block provisions that increase costs for working families.
- Donald Trump has urged his party to pass the bill despite objections and has threatened Republicans who oppose it, while figures like Elon Musk have publicly condemned the legislation.
Oliver O’Connell30 June 2025 15:53
Thune, Johnson not at the White House after all
Despite assertions from White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt that the president held a meeting with the top two congressional leaders on Monday, the claim has been directly refuted by sources within Congress.
A spokesman for Senate Majority Leader John Thune confirmed the South Dakota Republican was not present at the White House on Monday, nor did he have any plans to attend. Similarly, Speaker Mike Johnson was also not at the executive mansion.
Thune is currently overseeing the “vote-a-rama” session in the Senate, a crucial stage before a final vote on Donald Trump’s signature tax and spending bill.
While no in-person meeting occurred, Ryan Wrasse, Thune’s spokesman, clarified on X: “Teams are obviously in close contact/coordination, as always, but we’re continuing to move through vote-a-rama in the Senate as we work to move this bill one step closer to the president’s desk.”
Oliver O’Connell30 June 2025 21:00
Elon Musk reiterates call for new political party, slamming Freedom Caucus
Elon Musk has reiterated his call for a new political party to form, while criticizing the Republican Freedom Caucus for supporting the Trump tax and spending bill, tagging Rep Andy Harris and Rep Chip Roy in a post on X.
“It is obvious with the insane spending of this bill, which increases the debt ceiling by a record FIVE TRILLION DOLLARS that we live in a one-party country – the PORKY PIG PARTY!!
“Time for a new political party that actually cares about the people.
“How can you call yourself the Freedom Caucus if you vote for a DEBT SLAVERY bill with the biggest debt ceiling increase in history?”
Oliver O’Connell30 June 2025 20:53
ICYMI: Elon Musk attacks ‘utterly insane’ megabill
Oliver O’Connell30 June 2025 20:52
Watch: Sen. Kelly says voters will feel motivated if they lose health insurance
Oliver O’Connell30 June 2025 20:45
‘Our fiscal house is basically on fire’
Gustaf Kilander reports from Washington, D.C.
Oliver O’Connell30 June 2025 20:36
Watch: White House asked about new tax on wind and solar projects
Oliver O’Connell30 June 2025 20:23
Republican Thom Tillis won’t ‘bow to anybody’ after Trump falling out
Tillis spoke to The Independent after delivering a speech on the Senate floor following his shock announcement that he would not seek re-election in the wake of Trump’s attacks.
Eric Garcia reports from Capitol Hill.
Oliver O’Connell30 June 2025 20:18
Watch: CNN analyst says Trump spending bill ‘one of the most unpopular pieces of legislation that I have ever seen’
Oliver O’Connell30 June 2025 20:10
‘You people are awful’
A heckler interrupted a Senate debate on President Trump’s “One Big, Beautiful Bill”, yelling out “you people are awful”.
Representatives were holding a heated debate Sunday night that discussed Trump’s megabill, which proposes tax cuts, new Medicaid requirements, and SALT tax deductions, in a bid to inject cash into Trump’s rigorous immigration agenda and revised military budget.
The unidentified interrupter burst onto the Senate floor just after 7 p.m., just as Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders had concluded his speech opposing the bill.
Madeline Sherratt reports.
Oliver O’Connell30 June 2025 20:00