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Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
See the changes the Senate made on GOP tax and spend bill
The Senate made several substantive changes to the House version of the GOP spending bill that the White House has decreed to be a must-pass. The modifications created a bill that had just enough support to pass the Senate with a tie breaking vote by Vice President JD Vance. House leaders have said they are unhappy with the changes but will ultimately have to accept them if they want to meet the July 4 deadline set by President Donald Trump. Here are some of the changes the Senate made to the bill: Senate Republicans removed a provision in the House version of the bill that would have restricted judges' ability to hold people accountable for violating court orders. In recent months some judges have considered contempt rulings against the Trump administration for ignoring court orders that restricted the administration's actions. The legislation would bar judges from enforcing such contempt rulings if they didn't first order a bond, which is commonly set at zero or not ordered in cases when people are claiming the government did something unconstitutional. Democrats say it's an attempt to limit the power of the courts, while Republicans say it was an incentive to stop frivolous lawsuits by requiring plaintiffs to pay in. The Senate version allows mixed-status immigration status families to quality for the child tax credit for American citizen children. Currently, children with Social Security numbers, the vast majority of whom are American citizens or legal permanent residents, are eligible for the Child Tax Credit, even if their parents lack Social Security numbers, according to the Center for Migration Studies. The Senate version, requires at least one parent to have a Social Security number to qualify. The House version required both parents to have valid Social Security numbers to qualify, which would have kept millions of children from getting the benefit. The Center for Migration Studies estimated this would have impacted 4.5 million citizen and legal permanent resident children. Senate Republicans stripped out a provision in the House bill that would have blocked states from creating new regulations to shape how artificial intelligence is used or developed for the next 10 years. It would have also blocked dozens of states from enforcing AI regulations and oversight structures already in place. There is now no federal AI regulation to take the place of state policies, which are likely to vary across the country. Senators removed a portion of the bill qualifying sports and fitness expenses as qualified medical care, which would have allowed people to pay for them tax-free through a Health Savings Account. The benefit, worth $500 for an individual or $1,000 per couple, could not have been used at "a private club" owned by members, or a facility that offers golf, hunting, sailing or riding facilities. The health and fitness part of the business also couldn't be "incidental to its overall function and purpose." Senators also removed a provision that would have created a new income tax credit for some people who earned a Purple Heart – the decoration for service members who were wounded or killed in action. Purple Heart recipients who lost a portion of their Social Security disability benefits because they got a job could have also gotten a higher Earned Income Tax Credit to make up those lost Social Security benefits. The Senate also pulled out a change to the Pell Grant program, which provides federal aid to low-income students to attend colleges and universities. Right now, students are considered full time and qualify for the maximum amount of aid if they take 12 credits a semester. The House version of the bill would have changed that to 15 credits a semester, which the National College Attainment Network estimated would result in a nearly $1,500 cut in benefits for students who can't increase their courseload because of work or caretaking responsibilities. The Senate left the 12-credit requirement intact. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How did the Senate change the GOP tax and spend bill?
The Herald Scotland
03-07-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
How did the Senate change the GOP tax and spend bill?
Here are some of the changes the Senate made to the bill: Not making it easier to ignore court rulings Senate Republicans removed a provision in the House version of the bill that would have restricted judges' ability to hold people accountable for violating court orders. In recent months some judges have considered contempt rulings against the Trump administration for ignoring court orders that restricted the administration's actions. The legislation would bar judges from enforcing such contempt rulings if they didn't first order a bond, which is commonly set at zero or not ordered in cases when people are claiming the government did something unconstitutional. Democrats say it's an attempt to limit the power of the courts, while Republicans say it was an incentive to stop frivolous lawsuits by requiring plaintiffs to pay in. Who is eligible for the child tax credit? The Senate version allows mixed-status immigration status families to quality for the child tax credit for American citizen children. Currently, children with Social Security numbers, the vast majority of whom are American citizens or legal permanent residents, are eligible for the Child Tax Credit, even if their parents lack Social Security numbers, according to the Center for Migration Studies. The Senate version, requires at least one parent to have a Social Security number to qualify. The House version required both parents to have valid Social Security numbers to qualify, which would have kept millions of children from getting the benefit. The Center for Migration Studies estimated this would have impacted 4.5 million citizen and legal permanent resident children. A ban on regulating AI Senate Republicans stripped out a provision in the House bill that would have blocked states from creating new regulations to shape how artificial intelligence is used or developed for the next 10 years. It would have also blocked dozens of states from enforcing AI regulations and oversight structures already in place. There is now no federal AI regulation to take the place of state policies, which are likely to vary across the country. Tax-free gym memberships Senators removed a portion of the bill qualifying sports and fitness expenses as qualified medical care, which would have allowed people to pay for them tax-free through a Health Savings Account. The benefit, worth $500 for an individual or $1,000 per couple, could not have been used at "a private club" owned by members, or a facility that offers golf, hunting, sailing or riding facilities. The health and fitness part of the business also couldn't be "incidental to its overall function and purpose." Purple Heart benefits Senators also removed a provision that would have created a new income tax credit for some people who earned a Purple Heart - the decoration for service members who were wounded or killed in action. Purple Heart recipients who lost a portion of their Social Security disability benefits because they got a job could have also gotten a higher Earned Income Tax Credit to make up those lost Social Security benefits. Pell grants The Senate also pulled out a change to the Pell Grant program, which provides federal aid to low-income students to attend colleges and universities. Right now, students are considered full time and qualify for the maximum amount of aid if they take 12 credits a semester. The House version of the bill would have changed that to 15 credits a semester, which the National College Attainment Network estimated would result in a nearly $1,500 cut in benefits for students who can't increase their courseload because of work or caretaking responsibilities. The Senate left the 12-credit requirement intact.
USA Today
02-07-2025
- Business
- USA Today
See the changes the Senate made on GOP tax and spend bill
How did the Senate change the GOP tax and spend bill? The Senate made several substantive changes to the House version of the GOP spending bill that the White House has decreed to be a must-pass. The modifications created a bill that had just enough support to pass the Senate with a tie breaking vote by Vice President JD Vance. House leaders have said they are unhappy with the changes but will ultimately have to accept them if they want to meet the July 4 deadline set by President Donald Trump. Here are some of the changes the Senate made to the bill: Not making it easier to ignore court rulings Senate Republicans removed a provision in the House version of the bill that would have restricted judges' ability to hold people accountable for violating court orders. In recent months some judges have considered contempt rulings against the Trump administration for ignoring court orders that restricted the administration's actions. The legislation would bar judges from enforcing such contempt rulings if they didn't first order a bond, which is commonly set at zero or not ordered in cases when people are claiming the government did something unconstitutional. Democrats say it's an attempt to limit the power of the courts, while Republicans say it was an incentive to stop frivolous lawsuits by requiring plaintiffs to pay in. Who is eligible for the child tax credit? The Senate version allows mixed-status immigration status families to quality for the child tax credit for American citizen children. Currently, children with Social Security numbers, the vast majority of whom are American citizens or legal permanent residents, are eligible for the Child Tax Credit, even if their parents lack Social Security numbers, according to the Center for Migration Studies. The Senate version, requires at least one parent to have a Social Security number to qualify. The House version required both parents to have valid Social Security numbers to qualify, which would have kept millions of children from getting the benefit. The Center for Migration Studies estimated this would have impacted 4.5 million citizen and legal permanent resident children. A ban on regulating AI Senate Republicans stripped out a provision in the House bill that would have blocked states from creating new regulations to shape how artificial intelligence is used or developed for the next 10 years. It would have also blocked dozens of states from enforcing AI regulations and oversight structures already in place. There is now no federal AI regulation to take the place of state policies, which are likely to vary across the country. Tax-free gym memberships Senators removed a portion of the bill qualifying sports and fitness expenses as qualified medical care, which would have allowed people to pay for them tax-free through a Health Savings Account. The benefit, worth $500 for an individual or $1,000 per couple, could not have been used at "a private club" owned by members, or a facility that offers golf, hunting, sailing or riding facilities. The health and fitness part of the business also couldn't be "incidental to its overall function and purpose." Purple Heart benefits Senators also removed a provision that would have created a new income tax credit for some people who earned a Purple Heart – the decoration for service members who were wounded or killed in action. Purple Heart recipients who lost a portion of their Social Security disability benefits because they got a job could have also gotten a higher Earned Income Tax Credit to make up those lost Social Security benefits. Pell grants The Senate also pulled out a change to the Pell Grant program, which provides federal aid to low-income students to attend colleges and universities. Right now, students are considered full time and qualify for the maximum amount of aid if they take 12 credits a semester. The House version of the bill would have changed that to 15 credits a semester, which the National College Attainment Network estimated would result in a nearly $1,500 cut in benefits for students who can't increase their courseload because of work or caretaking responsibilities. The Senate left the 12-credit requirement intact.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
ICE raids at California farms condemned by unions, advocates
(NewsNation) — As the Trump administration continues its crackdown on immigrants who entered the United States illegally, immigration enforcement operations targeting workplaces have expanded to fruit and vegetable farms in several regions of California. Unions representing farmworkers report that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have conducted enforcement raids at farms throughout the state, targeting migrant workers who studies show have become the lifeblood of the nation's farming industry, which contributed more than $1 trillion to the U.S. gross domestic product in 2020. Farmworker union officials have called on President Donald Trump to intervene and halt farm raids immediately. However, Trump blamed the Biden administration's stance on immigration for infiltrating industries like farming with lawbreakers. Trump: Deportations are hurting farmers, 'changes are coming' Trump wrote on Truth Social that the nation's 'great farmers' and those working in the hotel and hospitality industry are now complaining about his administration's 'very aggressive policy on immigration' that is causing farms and hotels alike to lose 'very good and longtime workers.' 'This is not good,' Trump wrote. 'We must protect our Farmers but get the CRIMINALS OUT OF THE USA. Changes are coming!' The Department of Homeland Security has not confirmed that workplace immigration enforcement operations have specifically targeted California farms but acknowledged that such operations are ongoing. A DHS spokesperson told NewsNation that workplace enforcement efforts are meant to protect workers from exploitation and human trafficking. The agency said that many times, workers are trafficked into the U.S. and forced to work in unsafe conditions and are exploited by employers. 'These operations not only protect American workers but also illegal aliens,' the spokesperson said. 'President Trump will not allow criminals to abuse and exploit workers for profit.' The Center for Migration Studies reports that 86% of agricultural workers in the United States are foreign-born and that 45% of all migrant workers, roughly 283,000, are in the U.S. illegally. However, a large number of foreign-born farmworkers enter the U.S. under the H-2A Temporary Agricultural Worker Program, which allows immigrants to remain in the United States for up to eight months to help meet the labor needs of farms. The number of migrants here through that program more than doubled between 2010 and 2019, the Center for Migration Studies reported, jumping from 79,000 requests in 2010 to 258,000 in 2019. Democratic governors defend sanctuary policies before Congress One-third of the nation's farmworkers are located in California, according to the California Farm Bureau, which issued a statement of support for farm employees in the wake of reports of increased farm enforcement missions being conducted. The New York Times, citing federal data, reported that the Central Valley of California produces 25% of the nation's food supply, which is worth approximately $17 billion annually. Those production levels led the state farm bureau to surmise that without farmworkers, much of the operations involved in planting, cultivating and harvesting crops would not take place. But again, research conducted by the University of California, Merced shows that about half of California's 255,700 farmworkers are in the U.S. illegally. But to farm bureau officials, the immigration status of farmworkers does not limit their value to the state's farming landscape. 'Farm employees are not just workers—they are partners in this industry,' Bryan Little, the senior director of policy advocacy at the state farm bureau, said. 'They are people with families, dreams, and an incredible work ethic that keeps food on tables across America. We understand the uncertainty some might feel right now, and we want to be absolutely clear: California's farmers stand with you.' The United Farm Workers Union reports it is aware of multiple immigration enforcement operations targeting farmworkers in California this week alone. The union called efforts to 'terrorize and separate' farmworker communities an attack on California and a dangerous waste of resources. In one case, video footage published by a local ABC affiliate showed federal agents chasing migrant workers through a field during a workforce immigration enforcement raid in which dozens of workers were detained by federal agents. The organization also called on Trump to halt farm raids immediately and urged California lawmakers to act and seek transparency in the enforcement operations underway. It also called out Trump for characterizing many agricultural workers as those who have been charged or convicted of committing crimes. The raids are taking place as California and immigration have remained in the spotlight amid anti-ICE protests taking place in Los Angeles. However, union officials remain committed to protecting migrant workers in agriculture. ICE agents' locations in Los Angeles being outed by protesters 'These workers who feed us are not criminals,' the union said in a statement on Thursday in response to Trump's Truth Social post. 'Most have been here for decades. We need to protect the workers here from being hunted down in the fields. If President Trump is in charge, these raids against farms will stop immediately.' Last month, U.S. Reps. Dan Newhouse, R-Wash., and Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., reintroduced the bipartisan Farm Workforce Modernization Act that is designed to reform the H-2A visa program, which would assist migrant workers in being more easily able to obtain visas to help fill agricultural jobs in the U.S. Yet as immigration crackdowns continue, advocates for the immigrant community said there are not enough resources for migrants to protect themselves from being targeted by federal agencies like ICE and Homeland Security. Kathleen Bush-Joseph, a policy analyst with the Migration Policy Institute, said that even though many immigrants are attempting to follow proper channels to work in the U.S., including in agricultural roles, they are fearful about ongoing federal immigration enforcement efforts. She said the needs of migrants requiring legal assistance with work authorization and visas far outweigh the resources being made available to them. 'I think this reflects the larger picture where Trump's moves not only affect only the unauthorized immigrant population but also people who do have visas, who are green-card holders, and we've seen reports of U.S. citizens being arrested,' she told NewsNation. 'So just the way that the system is set up doesn't address employers' needs, so they've turned to unauthorized immigrants, some of which is leading to some of these difficult situations.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Boston Globe
02-06-2025
- Politics
- Boston Globe
Colorado suspect's uncertain immigration status highlights visa ‘overstays'
Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up In fiscal year 2023, the government estimated there were about 400,000 such overstays, according to an official report issued by the Department of Homeland Security. That year, about 2,400 Egyptians in the United States had overstayed their visas, or about 4% of all arrivals from that country, the report said. Advertisement But overall, the numbers are significant, even if President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress tend to talk up migrants who cross the southwestern border to enter the United States or present themselves to border agents and request asylum. Advertisement More than 40% of the immigrants without permanent legal status flew into the country with a visa, passed inspection at the airport and then stayed unlawfully, according to estimates by the Center for Migration Studies, a nonpartisan think tank. 'Scholars have long recognized that visa overstays constitute a significant share of the undocumented population,' said Stephen Yale-Loehr, an immigration scholar at Cornell Law School. 'This segment has not received nearly as much attention as people entering illegally across the U.S.-Mexico border because they are simply not as visible,' he said. Identifying and tracking so-called visa overstays is extremely difficult, and they have not historically been a priority for enforcement. Visas issued to a wide range of foreigners, from camp counselors to tourists and business travelers, can result in overstays. Students who enter the United States for a summer program should leave when that program ends, change to another immigration status, or pursue another program of study to maintain their lawful presence. But in the past if they stayed beyond the time permitted, they would most likely not be detained unless they had committed a crime or were in police custody. This article originally appeared in .
