While promoting his “big, beautiful bill,” President Trump faced a significant setback in Congress as Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough struck down key provisions related to Medicaid and public benefits for undocumented immigrants. This decision forced Senate Republicans to revisit the bill and created division among GOP senators, some of whom called for MacDonough’s removal. Despite the challenges, the White House expressed optimism about the bill’s passage before July 4th, while House Republicans, particularly conservatives, threatened to reject the Senate’s version due to concerns over its impact on key priorities and the deficit. Furthermore, more measures in the legislation are still awaiting a ruling from the Parliamentarian, which could create more obstacles.
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Despite facing potential backlash, Mitch McConnell attempted to reassure fellow Republicans regarding the budget reconciliation bill, downplaying concerns about Medicaid cuts by suggesting voters would “get over it.” The proposed legislation, which cuts Medicaid, the health insurance program covering over 71 million people, and makes plans on the Affordable Care Act exchanges more expensive, could lead to millions losing health insurance coverage. The Senate’s version further exacerbates issues by limiting state taxation on healthcare providers, potentially causing a wave of rural hospital closures and endangering vulnerable populations. While some Republicans propose a “stabilization fund”, it is a fraction of the shortfall and is not a true solution.
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In response to Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s call for his impeachment regarding the bombing of Iran, former President Trump launched a lengthy attack on the congresswoman, calling her “dumb” and questioning her qualifications. He then went on to criticize her and other progressive women of color in the Democratic Party. Trump also challenged Ocasio-Cortez to take the same cognitive test he once completed. In addition, he suggested she focus on her own district rather than pursuing his impeachment, while referencing low poll numbers for Democrats.
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Democrats warn Mike Johnson: We won’t save you again. This statement, echoing across the political landscape, signifies a significant shift in the Democrats’ approach to working with Republicans. The previous willingness to compromise and avoid government shutdowns seems to be fading, replaced by a strategic calculation that letting certain consequences play out might be beneficial in the long run.
The previous instances of Democratic intervention, often portrayed as “saving” Republicans from self-inflicted political wounds, are now framed as mistakes. The argument is that repeatedly bailing out Republicans only reinforces their willingness to engage in risky political maneuvers without fear of real repercussions.… Continue reading
To expedite the confirmation process of other judicial nominees, a deal was struck between Senate Republicans and Democrats, resulting in the postponement of votes on four of President Biden’s appellate court nominees. This agreement allows for the swift confirmation of seven district court judges next week and six more in December, bringing Biden’s total confirmations closer to President Trump’s first-term total of 234. The four postponed nominees, including Adeel Abdullah Mangi, who would have been the first Muslim American appellate judge, lacked sufficient support for confirmation. Despite concerns from liberal groups, the deal prioritized a larger number of district court judge confirmations.
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Despite recent assurances to Ukrainian President Zelensky, there are growing indications that incoming President Trump’s Ukraine policy may prioritize peace over territorial restoration, potentially leading to a “take it or leave it” situation for Kyiv. While Trump’s spokesperson denied a senior Republican strategist’s claim that the president would focus on peace, Trump’s decision to exclude pro-Ukraine Secretary of State Pompeo from his administration and his prior skepticism towards Ukraine funding raise concerns. Furthermore, Elon Musk’s presence on the call with Zelensky and his past expressions of doubt regarding Ukraine’s chances against Russia, coupled with John Bolton’s prediction of a deal with Putin involving Ukrainian concessions, further reinforce this potential shift in US policy.
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Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, a vocal supporter of President-elect Donald Trump, has endorsed the idea of allowing presidents to influence Federal Reserve policy, reflecting a growing pressure campaign against the central bank’s independence. This follows President-elect Trump’s repeated calls during his campaign to have a say in Fed policy, a departure from the traditional practice of maintaining the Fed’s autonomy to focus solely on the economic health of the United States. Musk’s agreement with Senator Mike Lee’s call to “#EndtheFed” suggests a potential shift in the relationship between the White House and the Federal Reserve under the new administration, echoing the contentious relationship that existed during Trump’s first term.
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After Trump took the lead, election deniers went suddenly silent. It was almost as if a switch had been flipped, and the endless stream of accusations and conspiracy theories about the 2020 election vanished into thin air. Where were all the claims of widespread voter fraud, the demands for recounts, the threats of violence? Gone. Poof! Like a magician’s disappearing act, they had vanished without a trace.
But why? Why did the election deniers fall silent the moment their candidate, the one they had so fiercely defended, started to win? It seems that their objections to the election process weren’t about principles or facts.… Continue reading
The news of a potential Ukraine peace plan floated by a Republican strategist has sent ripples through the political landscape, with the Trump transition team distancing itself from the proposal. This move highlights the inherent uncertainty surrounding Trump’s approach to foreign policy, leaving many wondering about his true intentions and the potential impact on the ongoing conflict.
While the strategist’s plan, which appears to be centered around a potential partition of Ukraine, has been met with widespread criticism, it’s worth noting that this is not the first time a Trump-aligned figure has proposed an unconventional approach to international affairs. The strategist, often described as a “MAGA intellectual heavyweight,” seems to be advocating for a more aggressive stance, potentially sacrificing Ukraine’s sovereignty for what they perceive as a larger strategic advantage.… Continue reading
Despite publicly disavowing it, President-elect Trump’s re-election has emboldened his allies to openly embrace the extreme policy blueprint known as Project 2025. This document, authored by former Trump administration officials and published by the Heritage Foundation, outlines an authoritarian agenda that seeks to dismantle the federal government, replace career civil servants with Trump loyalists, and implement extreme policies on immigration, abortion, energy, and education. While some dismiss this celebration as online trolling, many of these figures are likely to hold positions of influence in the Trump administration, making Project 2025 a real threat to democratic norms and institutions.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood