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Reuters
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Breonna Taylor, EU's ‘nuclear option' and Golden Dome
Follow on Apple or Spotify. Listen on the Reuters app. A U.S. judge sentences an ex-police officer to 33 months for violating the civil rights of Breonna Taylor. A growing number of European Union countries are considering retaliation measures seen by many as a 'nuclear option' if the bloc cannot reach a trade deal with the U.S. And President Trump's Golden Dome project seeks a new partner after a feud with Elon Musk. Sign up for the Reuters Econ World newsletter here. Listen to the Reuters Econ World podcast here. Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement for information on our privacy and data protection practices. You may also visit to opt out of targeted advertising. Further Reading Trump releases Martin Luther King assassination files Iran says reimposing UN sanctions would complicate nuclear standoff Russian lawmakers say 'security threat' WhatsApp should prepare to leave Russia At least 27 dead, mostly children, in Bangladesh air force jet crash Ukraine needs at least $120 billion for defence next year, minister says Recommended Read: Once a beacon of hope, Tunisia's civil society struggles to survive.
Times
04-07-2025
- Business
- Times
‘Big beautiful' tax bill summary: what does it mean for Medicaid?
President Trump's flagship policy bill has spent months being debated and voted on in Congress. If it is finally passed it will herald trillions of dollars in tax cuts, hundreds of billions in extra funding for defence and border security, and sharp cuts to Medicaid. The package is set to cost a record $3.3 trillion over a decade, according to congressional forecasters, and contains almost $4.5 trillion in tax cuts. Trump has described it as 'one of the most consequential bills ever'. Some of his fellow Republicans, however, voiced concerns as it made its way through both chambers. Some argued the debt level would rise unsustainably and the bill needed bigger spending cuts. Others, eyeing competitive midterm races next year, pushed to ease cuts to Medicaid and food stamp programmes for fear of alienating key voters. Even some of those who have voted for it are not content. Josh Hawley, a senator from Missouri who had opposed its cuts to Medicaid but eventually supported the legislation, said he would spend two years fighting for the cuts to be reversed. These are the four key areas the bill covers: Trump has called the bill 'the biggest tax cut in the history of our country … bigger than any Ronald Reagan tax cut'. The centrepiece of the bill will extend Trump's 2017 cuts, which include a reduction in the marginal rate of income tax. These were the signature achievements of Trump's first term and were due to expire at the end of the year. Retaining them will cost about $4.5 trillion. They also include Trump's promise from the election campaign to abolish taxes on tips and overtime. The abolition is due to last until 2028. The bill boosts border security funding by about $175 billion. This includes nearly $47 billion for border wall construction, $30 billion for supporting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the agency that carries out deportation raids, and $45 billion on increasing detention capacity. There will also be a $100 minimum fee for asylum seekers. This fee had originally been $1,000 but was cut to $100 after the Senate parliamentarian, who advises on the chamber's rules, said it would be in breach of them. Defence will receive a big spending boost. When Trump signed an executive order establishing the Department of Government Efficiency, military spending was cordoned off from cuts. Now funding for the armed services will rise by $150 billion. When combined with the administration's proposed defence budget, the Pentagon's spending will top $1 trillion a year next year for the first time. In an attempt to offset the cost of extending Trump's tax cuts, the bill makes significant cuts to Medicaid and food stamps. The cuts to Medicaid amount to an estimated $1 trillion, according to the Congressional Budget Office, which has said almost 12 million people will lose their health insurance by 2034. The bill will also make a number of changes to the supplemental nutrition assistance programme, commonly known as Snap, which provides monthly food stamps to about 42 million low-income Americans. Work requirements have been tightened and states will be forced to contribute to the costs of the programme. Congressional forecasters estimate about three million recipients will lose their benefits. Most of the clean energy tax credits introduced by President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act will end, removing the incentives for wind, solar and other renewable energy projects. The bill will also phase out, by the end of this year, the $7,500 tax break for buyers of electric cars. They were originally due to last to the end of 2032. Trump has called spending on clean energy a 'green new scam', but the measures in the bill have not been uncontroversial among Republicans, given more than three quarters of the investment created by the Inflation Reduction Act was due to take place in Republican districts.
CBS News
03-07-2025
- Business
- CBS News
House passes "big, beautiful bill," sending it to Trump's desk in 218-214 vote
Washington — The House on Thursday passed the signature piece of legislation of President Trump's second term, approving a massive bill that includes trillions of dollars in tax and spending cuts while ramping up funding for defense and the administration's immigration agenda. The lower chamber voted 218 to 214 to approve the measure, with two Republicans — Reps. Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania — joining all Democrats in opposing the bill. The Senate passed the legislation, dubbed the "big, beautiful bill," earlier this week. The House vote tees up President Trump to sign the bill as early as Friday, coinciding with the July 4 holiday. The vote came after a marathon overnight session that saw GOP leaders overcome internal opposition to advance the bill, paving the way for final passage. Republican members who balked at many of the changes the Senate made to the legislation eventually relented and voted to pass it. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries tried to delay the inevitable by speaking on the floor for 8 hours and 44 minutes, setting the record for the longest House speech in U.S. history. He called out Republicans for the bill's deep cuts to Medicaid and food assistance programs, highlighting the Americans who he said would suffer because of the bill. Before the vote, Speaker Mike Johnson said the bill will "make this country stronger, safer and more prosperous than ever before, and every American is going to benefit from that." "We've had spirited debate, we've had months of deliberation, and now we are finally ready to fulfill our promise to the American people," Johnson said. "That's what we are doing today." The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates the bill would add $3.4 trillion to federal deficits over the next 10 years and leave millions without health insurance, due to the cuts to Medicaid and programs under the Affordable Care Act. It would also dramatically increase funding for immigration enforcement, a key priority for Republicans and the president. GOP opposition melts away House members vote on President Trump's tax bill at the Capitol on July 3, 2025. ALEX WROBLEWSKI/AFP via Getty Images The final vote came after House GOP leadership scrambled Wednesday and into the wee hours Thursday to shore up support for the measure ahead of a key procedural vote. Although Johnson spent weeks pleading with his Senate counterparts not to make any major changes to the version of the bill that passed the lower chamber by a single vote in May, the Senate made a number of tweaks that irked House members on a number of fronts — from its cuts to Medicaid to its impact on the deficit. Johnson acknowledged that the Senate bill's changes "went a little further than many of us would've preferred," though he repeatedly urged that the final product was largely what the House had signed off on in May. The Senate-passed bill includes steeper Medicaid cuts, a higher increase in the debt limit and changes to the House bill's green energy policies and the state and local tax deduction. Other controversial provisions that faced pushback in both chambers, including the sale of public lands in nearly a dozen states, a 10-year moratorium on states regulating artificial intelligence and an excise tax on the renewable energy industry, were stripped from the Senate bill before heading back to the House. Potential holdouts, including moderates and members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, met with Mr. Trump on Wednesday as the White House pressured House Republicans to vote for the bill. The vote on the key procedural hurdle began around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday and didn't wrap up until about 3:20 a.m. Thursday. Five House Republicans initially voted no on the vote setting the rules for debate on the measure, which would have been enough to tank the vote. But the vote remained open as GOP leaders worked to shore up support, allowing lawmakers to change from no to yes. Johnson told reporters that Mr. Trump was "directly engaged" with skeptical members to get them onboard. "Members wanted to hear certain assurances from him about what's ahead, what the future will entail, and what we're going to do next, and all of that," Johnson said. "And he was very, very helpful in that process." Mr. Trump ramped up the pressure over Truth Social as a handful of Republican holdouts didn't appear to be budging, declaring: "FOR REPUBLICANS, THIS SHOULD BE AN EASY YES VOTE. RIDICULOUS!!!" "What are the Republicans waiting for??? What are you trying to prove??? MAGA IS NOT HAPPY, AND IT'S COSTING YOU VOTES!!!" Mr. Trump wrote shortly after midnight. The House ultimately voted 219 to 213 to advance the bill in a key victory for Republican leaders, who won the support of about a dozen GOP opponents to the rule. And when the vote finally came to an end, Fitzpatrick was the sole Republican opposed. He would also vote against final passage. Johnson told reporters that the breakthrough came amid help from the president, along with lengthy listening sessions with the bill's opponents, "making sure that their concerns were addressed." "A lot of people had to take the time to thoroughly go through the Senate's changes to our bill and that's fine," Johnson said. "That was necessary to get them to yes." , and contributed to this report.
The Independent
03-07-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Trump bill latest: Breakthrough as ‘Big, Beautiful Bill' set for floor vote after president rants ‘MAGA is not happy'
President Donald Trump 's 'Big, Beautiful Bill' has passed a key procedural hurdle after a long night of haggling with Republicans, setting the stage for a floor vote in the House of Representatives on Thursday morning. Earlier, Trump took to Truth Social to express his frustration, telling his party: 'Largest Tax Cuts in History and a Booming Economy vs. Biggest Tax Increase in History, and a Failed Economy. What are the Republicans waiting for??? What are you trying to prove??? MAGA IS NOT HAPPY, AND IT'S COSTING YOU VOTES!!!' Trump's bill aims to increase funding for defense and border security at the expense of welfare programs while increasing the national debt and has divided the GOP, whose narrow majority in the House permits only a handful of rebellions. On Wednesday, a crisis meeting took place at the White House aimed at convincing members of the House Freedom Caucus to get on board. The House passed an earlier draft in May but it has since been drastically revised in the Senate, which required a tie-breaking vote from Vice President JD Vance to force through on Tuesday. Trump has set a loose deadline of July 4 to sign the bill, which his party has claimed leaves it too little time. Pinned What you need to know... President Donald Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill' is back in the House of Representatives for further consideration after narrowly passing the Senate on Tuesday. The Senate vote required a tie-breaking intervention from Vice President JD Vance after three Republican senators opposed the legislation, resulting in a 50-50 split. Trump's extensive tax and spending bill is designed to boost defense and border security funding at the expense of welfare programs – and is forecast to add $3.3trn to the U.S. national debt. The president has expressed a desire for the bill to be signed into law by Friday July 4 to mark Independence Day, a deadline even Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has complained places too much artificial pressure on lawmakers. The House previously passed an earlier draft of the bill in May but it has since undergone major changes, leaving Republicans reluctant to fall in line and back it again in its present form. After a long night of haggling with the holdouts, the bill has now passed a key procedural vote, paving the way for a floor vote on Thursday morning. Joe Sommerlad3 July 2025 08:55 Breaking: 'Big, Beautiful Bill' clears procedural hurdle in the House The rule vote has finally passed after a long night of haggling, meaning the president's agenda can finally come to the House floor for a vote. We're now looking at an 8am ET (1pm GMT) start time for that to happen. Speaker Johnson believes he has the votes to get the bill passed. Joe Sommerlad3 July 2025 08:35 AOC blasts Trump's bill as 'a deal with the devil' as she gives emotional floor speech trying to stop its passage New York Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez slammed President Donald Trump's domestic megabill as a 'deal with the devil' in an emotional speech on the House floor. The House of Representatives returned to business on Wednesday to take up the Senate's version of Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill.' In her speech, Ocasio-Cortez referred to one of Trump's top campaign promises included in the legislation, no taxes on tips, as a 'scam' as she referenced her own past work as a bartender. 'On this point of tax on tips, as one of the only people in this body who has lived off of tips, I want to tell you a little bit about the scam of that text, a little bit of the fine print there,' said Ocasio-Cortez, before going on to note that the provision has a limit of $25,000 per year. The legislation doesn't include the tax break for those earning more than $150,000 a year. The congresswoman argued that the bill would be 'jacking up' taxes for lower-income Americans. The legislation extends tax cuts initially passed in 2017 during Trump's first stint in the White House. AOC blasts Trump's bill as 'a deal with the devil' Progressive congresswoman says legislation 'militarizes our entire economy and it strips away healthcare and basic dignity of the American people' Maroosha Muzaffar3 July 2025 08:30 Trump wants to use bill-signing as a photo-op for 4 July, Seth Magaziner says With the fate of Trump's sweeping tax and spending bill still in limbo, Democrats used procedural tactics to voice their opposition and slow down its path to a final vote in the House. Democratic Representative Seth Magaziner criticised Republicans for backing a harmful bill, accusing them of abandoning their principles to satisfy Trump's desire for a symbolic 4 July signing moment. He told The New York Times: 'When we say the Republican Party has turned into a cult, this is what we mean. Our Republican colleagues are pushing a bill that would throw their constituents under the bus, a bill that flies in the face of everything they claim to stand for, all because Donald Trump wants a bill-signing photo-op by the Fourth of July.' Maroosha Muzaffar3 July 2025 08:00 House split 217-207 against moving bill forward as vote rolls on The House is currently voting on whether to advance Trump's bill, and the count stands at 217 against and 207 in favour — with five Republicans opposing it. Speaker Mike Johnson can only afford to lose three GOP votes, so he must convince some holdouts to switch. Eight Republicans still haven't voted, and members can change their vote until the session ends. Maroosha Muzaffar3 July 2025 07:30 Trump says 'MAGA not happy' as Republicans delay vote on bill Donald Trump took to social media to express frustration over the delay in passing his "Big, Beautiful Bill", urging Republicans to act quickly. 'Largest Tax Cuts in History and a Booming Economy vs. Biggest Tax Increase in History, and a Failed Economy,' Trump said. 'What are the Republicans waiting for???' 'What are you trying to prove??? MAGA IS NOT HAPPY, AND IT'S COSTING YOU VOTES!!!' Maroosha Muzaffar3 July 2025 07:00 Speaker Mike Johnson to keep open key vote on Trump's bill for 'as long as it takes' House speaker Mike Johnson is keeping a key procedural vote on Donald Trump's agenda bill open indefinitely as he and GOP leaders try to secure enough support. Mr Johnson told Fox News he's committed to answering members' questions and ensuring full attendance. 'I'll keep it open as long as it takes to make sure we've got everybody here and accounted for and all the questions answered,' he said. 'I made that commitment to my members.' Maroosha Muzaffar3 July 2025 06:30 Democrats rail against Medicaid cuts in Trump's bill Several prominent Democrats have railed against Medicaid cuts included in President Donald Trump's tax and spending bill on X on Wednesday. Senator Elizabeth Warren wrote: 'You could be on Medicaid right now, and not even know it — that's because it's called something different in every state. So when House Republicans talk Medicaid cuts, they could be going after YOUR care. Call your representative today.' Governor Josh Shapiro wrote: 'As I have made clear, the bill Congressional Republicans are rushing to pass would have devastating impacts on Pennsylvania. 'To our members of Congress considering voting for this bill: if you do, you are doing so knowing the consequences it will have across Pennsylvania and in your districts. Pennsylvanians will lose Medicaid and food assistance through SNAP in your districts if this bill is passed.' Former President Barack Obama wrote: 'More than 16 million Americans are at risk of losing their health care because Republicans in Congress are rushing to pass a bill that would cut federal funding for Medicaid and weaken the Affordable Care Act. 'If the House passes this bill, it will increase costs and hurt working class families for generations to come. Call your representative today and tell them to vote no on this bill.' Rachel Dobkin3 July 2025 06:00 Charlie Kirk sends simple message to House Republicans Charlie Kirk, founder of conservative group Turning Point USA, told House Republicans on X Wednesday night, 'Pass the bill.' Kirk was referring to President Donald Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' that extends his 2017 tax cuts while making cuts to Medicaid. Rachel Dobkin3 July 2025 05:45 White House press secretary sends message to "no" votes on Trump's bill White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Wednesday night anyone who votes against President Donald Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' is voting against no taxes on tips, overtime and social security.
New York Times
02-07-2025
- Politics
- New York Times
Johnson Faces G.O.P. Resistance to Quick Final Vote on Trump Policy Bill
Speaker Mike Johnson labored on Wednesday to overcome resistance in his own ranks to bringing up President Trump's marquee domestic policy for a final vote in the House, as Republicans dismayed by Senate changes threatened to derail it. The House was marching toward a test vote that would allow the bill to come to the floor for debate, but several conservative Republicans raised objections, suggesting that Mr. Johnson might lack the votes to move forward. Facing tight margins in the House, he can only afford a small handful of defections on the measure, which would slash taxes by a total of $4.5 trillion, increase funding for defense and border security, and cut nearly $1 trillion from Medicaid with more reductions to food assistance for the poor. As of midday, at least two Republicans had said they planned to vote against the procedural measure. While Mr. Trump huddled with holdouts at the White House and Democrats and Republicans lawmakers battled over the merits of the bill on the House floor, Mr. Johnson and his leadership team projected confidence. Top Republicans insisted they could push the legislation across the finish line ahead of Mr. Trump's July 4 deadline, especially given their previous success corralling disparate factions of Republicans to help secure initial passage of the bill in May. 'We're going to pass this,' Representative Tom Emmer of Minnesota, the No. 3 House Republican, said. 'It's just a matter of when.' Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
