The Vatican has returned 62 artifacts to Indigenous peoples from Canada, including an Inuit kayak, as part of its efforts to address the Catholic Church’s role in suppressing Indigenous culture. These items, previously held in the Vatican Museum’s ethnographic collection, were given to the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops for distribution to individual Indigenous communities. The return of these artifacts follows Pope Francis’s 2022 meeting with Indigenous leaders and his support for the repatriation of items, and comes 100 years after the items were first exhibited in Rome. This act is seen as a significant step toward reconciliation, with the artifacts expected to be taken to the Canadian Museum of History for identification and proper handling.
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The budget reconciliation bill, signed into law despite widespread disapproval, embodies the dysfunction of American politics. Though the bill is predicted to dramatically increase the deficit and negatively impact millions, Republicans largely failed to mount any effective opposition. Several Republicans voted in favor of the bill, in exchange for specific benefits for their state, despite the detrimental impact of the bill. The bill’s passage will result in devastating cuts to Medicaid and SNAP, alongside slashed funding for education and green energy initiatives, while also granting tax cuts to the wealthy and increasing funding for ICE. Despite the widespread harm it will cause, Republicans have supported the bill, seemingly prioritizing loyalty to Trump over their constituents’ well-being.
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The Yoorrook Justice Commission, Australia’s first formal “truth-telling” inquiry, concluded that the British committed genocide against Indigenous Australians, leading to a drastic population decline in the early 1830s. The commission’s comprehensive report, which stemmed from years of testimony, detailed systemic injustices including mass killings, disease, and cultural erasure, resulting in 100 recommendations for “redress.” While the report’s findings were strongly supported by some, three of the five commissioners disagreed with key findings. Victoria’s Labor government responded by stating they would carefully consider the report, while community leaders continue to seek reconciliation through acknowledging the past.
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The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBB), a 940-page budget reconciliation bill, proposes $3.8 trillion in tax cuts and spending that could add $4.5 trillion to the national debt. Senate Democrats, led by Chuck Schumer, are delaying the bill’s passage by requiring it to be read aloud in its entirety, a process estimated to take at least 15 hours. This move aims to highlight the bill’s contents, which include tax breaks for billionaires, potential cuts to healthcare and food assistance, and giveaways to fossil fuel companies. Some Republicans, including Marjorie Taylor Greene, have admitted to not fully understanding the bill’s contents before voting on it, further intensifying the debate surrounding its weighty consequences.
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Amidst the debate on the Republican budget reconciliation package, Senator Mike Lee has reintroduced a proposal to sell off public lands, despite previous blocks from the Senate Parliamentarian. Critics like Senator Ron Wyden and the Sierra Club argue that this move, which could be voted on as early as Saturday, aims to benefit the wealthy at the expense of public lands. Although Lee’s amended proposal narrows the scope, reducing the acreage for sale, it is still facing strong opposition from Democrats, environmental groups, and even some Republicans who view it as a “poison pill.” The proposed legislation includes new fees for renewable energy projects and reduced royalty rates for fossil fuels.
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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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Senate Republicans’ proposed tax bill included a provision requiring exorbitant bonds for emergency court orders against the federal government, effectively barring most lawsuits challenging administration actions. The Senate parliamentarian ruled this provision violated budget reconciliation rules, deeming it unrelated to budget matters. This decision, coupled with unified Democratic opposition, virtually ensures the provision’s removal from the bill. Republicans’ attempts to justify the provision, claiming a lack of constitutional or statutory authority for national injunctions, were refuted. The ensuing debate highlights a clash over the balance between executive power and judicial oversight.
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Trump’s “big, beautiful bill,” initially lauded by its proponents, is currently facing significant headwinds in the Senate, with Republican senators expressing a range of objections. The bill’s controversial elements, particularly a clause restricting the power of federal courts to enforce contempt citations, are drawing considerable criticism. This section, retroactively applied and seemingly designed to limit judicial oversight of government actions, is a major point of contention. The concern is that this provision effectively weakens the judiciary’s ability to hold government officials accountable, a power considered crucial for upholding the rule of law.
The bill’s characterization as “big and beautiful” is being challenged by many who view it as a regressive tax policy disproportionately impacting low-income individuals while providing significant tax breaks to the wealthy.… Continue reading
House Speaker Mike Johnson faces a critical challenge as moderate Republicans threaten to block a budget reconciliation bill containing significant Medicaid cuts, while the House Freedom Caucus demands deeper reductions. This internal conflict jeopardizes the already fragile GOP House majority, particularly given concerns about the 2026 midterms. The dissent highlights growing anxieties within the party regarding its focus on economic policy, with disagreements on the impact of Trump-era tariffs further fueling divisions. The situation is complicated by President Trump’s unexpected withdrawal of a key nomination, underscoring the high stakes involved.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood