Senate to begin 'vote-a-rama' on GOP bill and two firefighters killed in ambush: Morning Rundown
The Senate will begin 'vote-a-rama' today on Donald Trump's agenda bill. Two firefighters were shot and killed as they responded to a brush fire in Idaho. Trump is expected to visit 'Alligator Alcatraz' detention facility tomorrow.
Here's what to know today.
Senate to begin 'vote-a-rama' today on Trump's agenda bill before final vote
The Senate will begin a process called 'vote-a-rama' today at 9 a.m. ET in which members can offer unlimited amendments to the sweeping domestic policy package for President Donald Trump's agenda. The Republican-led Senate advanced the bill Saturday night after a dramatic hourslong vote, moving it one step closer to passage.
Yesterday, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office published an analysis finding that the Senate bill would increase the national debt by $3.3 trillion over the next 10 years. And it projected that the legislation would lead to 11.8 million people losing their health insurance by 2034 if it is enacted.
It remains unclear whether the Senate, where Republicans have a 53-47 majority, will ultimately have the votes to pass the bill. The legislation would extend the tax cuts Trump signed into law in 2017 and slash taxes on tips and overtime pay. It includes a $150 billion boost to military spending this year, along with a surge of federal money to carry out Trump's mass deportations and immigration enforcement agenda. It would partly pay for that with cuts to Medicaid, SNAP and clean energy funding.
Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., announced that he would not run for re-election, one day after he drew Trump's ire for opposing the party's sweeping domestic policy package. The surprise decision opens a seat in battleground North Carolina that was already set to be one of the most hotly contested races of the 2026 midterms.
Suspected gunman found dead after fatal shooting of Idaho firefighters
Two firefighters were shot and killed as they responded to a brush fire near Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, authorities said. Another wounded firefighter was out of surgery and stable in the hospital late Sunday.
The fire appeared to have been set as part of an 'ambush,' and sheriff's deputies took active sniper fire, Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris said. A man whose body was found on Canfield Mountain next to a firearm is believed to have acted alone in firing at first responders, Norris said. Federal authorities contributed technology that helped track a cellphone signal leading to the suspect's body.
Authorities have not released the names of the victims or the shooter.
President Donald Trump is expected to attend the formal opening of a controversial immigration detention center in the Florida Everglades that state leaders have dubbed 'Alligator Alcatraz.' Two White House officials and a Florida official familiar with the travel confirmed to NBC News that Trump is 'likely' to be there.
Last weekend environmental groups sued to block the plan, arguing it could have devastating effects on the Everglades and hundreds of people also protested against construction of the facility, which is expected to have 5,000 immigrant detention beds. It is estimated to cost $450 million annually.
Debate over the 'Alligator Alcatraz' detention center is a personal one for members of Miccosukee and Seminole tribes — their homes and their ceremonial sites surround the detention center on three sides.
The director of the Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, was last seen walking towards Israeli tanks before he was taken into custody by soldiers laying siege to the complex. Before his detention, Abu Safiya, 51, was also the lead physician in Gaza for MedGlobal, a Chicago-based nonprofit that has partnered with local health care workers since 2018 and arranges volunteer medical missions to the enclave.
Five other members of MedGlobal's team have also been detained, and today, the organization called for the release of scores of health workers detained by Israel, including Abu Safiya. 'Israeli authorities have repeatedly and blatantly violated international humanitarian law in repeated detentions of and attacks on health care workers,' it said in a joint letter published today alongside several other organizations, including Human Rights Watch.
Their call for the 'immediate, unconditional release' of detained health workers came as concern is growing for the health of Abu Safiya, who has been detained for more than six months without charge, according to his colleagues, family and legal team.
Read All About It
An NBC News report found that organizers of several of the country's premier Pride celebrations lost an estimated $200,000 to $350,000 apiece in funding from corporate sponsors this year.
Canada has walked back on its digital services tax 'in anticipation' of a mutually beneficial comprehensive trade arrangement with the United States, Ottawa announced last night, just one day before the first tax payments were due.
The NBA is cooperating with a federal investigation into Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley, spokesman Mike Bass said in a statement.
Staff Pick: Board game entrepreneur fears Trump tariff turmoil
Dan Linden has spent tens of thousands of dollars of his life savings betting on a board game that's made in China. Under prior trading rules, the game, called Offshoots — think Jinga meets Kinex — would have been subject to no tariffs at all. But with Trump continually announcing new trade duties targeting Chinese goods, Linden fears for his entire livelihood, not just for the future of his dream product, since his day job is also in the industry. 'I'm not a millionaire or anything,' Linden said. 'These $10,000, $20,000, $30,000 tariff hits are going to take a significant chunk out of my own pocket.'
Linden's story is representative of thousands of other small business owners and entrepreneurs, who, unlike the multi-billion dollar firms they compete with, often have little recourse when it comes to shifting their supply chains or cost structures to respond to Trump's tariffs
— Rob Wile, business reporter
NBC Select: Online Shopping, Simplified
The key to saving on Fourth of July sales is to shop strategically, so NBC Select put together this guide with tips about what to buy and skip. Plus how July Fourth sales compare to Amazon Prime Day discounts.
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