Following the House’s overwhelming vote on the Epstein Files Transparency Act, the Senate swiftly passed the legislation through unanimous consent. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer spearheaded the effort, aiming to compel the Justice Department to release the Epstein files. This quick passage, without amendments, came despite initial Republican resistance and concerns from House Speaker Mike Johnson about victim protection and potential release of sensitive information. The bill now heads to President Trump’s desk for signature, completing a legislative process marked by rapid shifts and procedural maneuvers.
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Amidst the focus on reopening the government, a little-noticed piece of legislation threatens to cripple the burgeoning $26 billion hemp industry. The regulation, with a limit of 0.4 milligrams of THC per container, effectively bans THC-infused drinks and edibles, impacting over 95% of hemp products. Industry leaders like John Peterson and Ken Meyer express concern over the potentially devastating consequences, including complications for the grain, fiber, and non-cannabinoid sectors, urging for more thoughtful regulation instead of an outright ban. The House of Representatives recently voted to pass the regulation.
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SF Dem authoring legislation to ‘shut this ski mask s**t down’ after masked agents crash Newsom speech. It’s pretty clear what’s happening: a Democratic lawmaker in San Francisco is stepping up, taking a stand after a bunch of masked agents disrupted a speech by Governor Newsom. The proposed legislation is aimed at cracking down on the use of masks by law enforcement, a direct response to the incident and a broader concern about intimidation tactics.
This whole situation has really fired people up, and for good reason. Seeing these masked individuals, particularly those associated with agencies like ICE, acting in this way is seen by many as a naked attempt to intimidate and a blatant abuse of power.… Continue reading
Sen. Bernie Sanders announced plans to introduce legislation to counteract the Trump administration’s cuts to Social Security, which impacted staffing and accessibility. The proposed bill, “Keep Billionaires Out of Social Security Act,” aims to prevent office closures without congressional approval, maintain staffing levels, and increase funding. Furthermore, the bill seeks to expand Social Security benefits by removing the income cap on taxable income, ensuring that the wealthy contribute their fair share. This is intended to extend the life of Social Security and benefit the millions of Americans who rely on it.
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A recent Wall Street Journal poll reveals that over half of registered voters oppose Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill.” The bill’s unpopularity stems from provisions that include substantial tax breaks for the wealthy, cuts to Medicaid funding, and increased spending on immigration enforcement and the fossil fuel industry. The poll showed that Democrats and Independents largely oppose the bill, and most respondents believe the legislation benefits the wealthy while harming the poor, working class, and the U.S. economy. Despite the negative perception, Republicans are blaming the bill’s unpopularity on Democrats.
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Obama urges the public to call on representatives to vote against Trump’s proposed “megabill”, a massive piece of legislation that has drawn significant criticism. This call to action comes as the bill faces scrutiny for its wide-ranging impacts, prompting a sense of urgency to sway lawmakers’ decisions.
The bill’s core proposal involves substantial tax cuts, especially for the wealthy and corporations. These tax cuts, if enacted, would permanently extend the tax breaks introduced in 2017, policies that critics argue primarily benefit the upper echelons of society. Additionally, the bill seeks to repeal clean energy tax credits established during the Biden administration, raising concerns about environmental initiatives.… Continue reading
During a Wednesday press conference, Democratic lawmakers, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and House Minority Whip Katherine Clark, publicly criticized Republican representatives who supported the “one big, beautiful” tax and spending bill. They specifically targeted Republicans in swing districts, listing how many constituents would lose access to healthcare and food assistance as a result of the legislation. The Democrats highlighted specific examples, such as Rep. Rob Bresnahan, Rep. Scott Perry, Rep. David Valadao, and Rep. Young Kim, to exemplify the impact on their constituents. The bill passed through the Senate with a tie-breaking vote and is now being reviewed by the House.
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After intense negotiations, the Senate narrowly passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, with the final version totaling 887 pages. Senator Murkowski secured key provisions, including waivers for SNAP cost-sharing that favored Alaska and tax breaks for Alaskan fishing interests, despite failed attempts to include Medicaid provisions. The bill’s passage involved a “wraparound” amendment, which eliminated certain taxes and also doubled the rural hospital fund to $50 billion, while also phasing out solar and wind tax credits. The bill faces challenges in the House, where concerns exist among both conservative and moderate members regarding its financial implications.
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House GOP fumes over Senate megabill: ‘How did it get so much f‑‑‑ing worse?’ The frustration, you see, is palpable. The reaction is a mix of disbelief and a healthy dose of… well, let’s just say strong language. The common thread here is a profound sense of disappointment, bordering on betrayal. The question echoing through the ranks seems to be: how could this bill, this supposed solution, have become such a mess?
House GOP fumes over Senate megabill: ‘How did it get so much f‑‑‑ing worse?’ This is not a new tune, mind you. It’s the same song and dance we’ve seen many times.… Continue reading
Senate rulekeeper deals blows to revised ‘Big, beautiful bill’ – well, that’s a headline that certainly sets the stage, doesn’t it? It seems the meticulously crafted – or perhaps, the hastily assembled – plans for this “Big, beautiful bill” are hitting some unexpected turbulence. The Senate’s rulekeeper, the Parliamentarian, is wielding their power and striking down provisions that don’t quite align with the established rules of the game. It’s a fascinating – and often frustrating – process to watch unfold.
The core of the issue seems to be with provisions specifically added to benefit Alaska and Hawaii, particularly concerning Medicaid payments.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood