The House narrowly passed President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” by a 215-214 vote, a closer margin than initially appeared due to last-minute voting and the absence of Representative Andrew Garbarino, who reportedly overslept. The bill, including tax cuts and increased defense spending, faced criticism from some conservatives for insufficient debt reduction. Two other Republicans voted against the bill, and one voted present, while the Democrats were down one member due to a death. The legislation now proceeds to the Senate for consideration.
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The World Travel and Tourism Council projects a $12.5 billion (7%) decrease in international visitor spending in the U.S. in 2025. This decline, impacting the world’s largest travel and tourism economy, is attributed to factors including unfavorable exchange rates, stricter border policies implemented under the Trump administration, and increased apprehension among international travelers regarding border crossings. Consequently, the U.S. is experiencing a unique downturn in international tourism compared to other countries actively promoting tourism. This drop follows a significant decrease in 2024 and represents a 22% decline from the 2019 peak.
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