Senate Republican calls July 4 ‘false deadline' for megabill
Sen. John Curtis (R-Utah), a moderate Republican, called July 4 a 'false deadline' for Republicans to pass their megabill and said it's more important for the Senate to get it done 'right' than fast.
In an interview at Politico's Energy Summit in Washington on Tuesday, Curtis said he's confident the bill would eventually pass.
But, he added, 'I can't tell you what it's going to look like or when it's going to pass.'
He signaled a lightly less optimistic note on whether it would pass by the GOP's self-imposed July 4 deadline.
'Well, let me just say, I think a lot of us would be surprised if it passed by July 4,' Curtis said.
'I think that's a false deadline,' he added. 'I don't think that we need to put a specific deadline on it. Let's get it right.'
Other GOP senators have also publicly and privately voiced doubts about meeting the July 4 deadline that Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) is shooting for as Senate Republicans remain divided on a number of hot-button issues.
On Monday, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said he thinks the deadline is still realistic.
'We certainly hope, I believe, we can still meet that,' Johnson said. 'It's up to the Senate, the bill's in the Senate's hands now. But I spoke with Leader Thune as recently as last night, he's feeling very optimistic.'
At Tuesday's summit, Curtis said he thinks the House-passed version unfairly rolls back some of the energy tax credits in Biden-era Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). He said some of those tax credits 'have run their life cycle' but it's important to 'be thoughtful in how we phase them out.'
'Banks, investors have invested billions of dollars based on the rules of the road, and you have employees who have set careers based on these things,' Curtis said.
'Let's not destroy careers and things like that,' he added. 'Let's give people a chance to adjust. So in the case of those that it's time to phase them out, I think how we phase them out matters.'
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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Chicago Tribune
41 minutes ago
- Chicago Tribune
Thousands attend No Kings events in Lake County
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Newsweek
an hour ago
- Newsweek
Army's 250th Anniversary Parade in Pictures
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President Donald Trump attends a military parade commemorating the Army's 250th anniversary, coinciding with his 79th birthday, Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Washington. President Donald Trump attends a military parade commemorating the Army's 250th anniversary, coinciding with his 79th birthday, Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Washington. AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson Vietnam-era helicopters buzzed the parade route in tribute to the "Helicopter War." The Huey, Cobra, and Loach were among those that soared over the capital. Soldiers from the Army 82nd Airborne Division, dressed in World War I era uniforms, march past the reviewing stand and President Donald Trump during a military parade commemorating the Army's 250th anniversary, coinciding with his... Soldiers from the Army 82nd Airborne Division, dressed in World War I era uniforms, march past the reviewing stand and President Donald Trump during a military parade commemorating the Army's 250th anniversary, coinciding with his 79th birthday, Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Washington. More AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson As the armored columns passed, the U.S. Army's Golden Knights parachute team glided toward the Ellipse, trailing red smoke. Their appearance was moved up because of the weather. Members of the U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights make their landing during an event to honor the Army's 250th anniversary, coinciding with President Donald Trump's 79th birthday, Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Washington. Members of the U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights make their landing during an event to honor the Army's 250th anniversary, coinciding with President Donald Trump's 79th birthday, Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Washington. AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein Trump then administered the oath of enlistment to 250 new and reenlisting soldiers as the crowd looked on. Vendors outside sold Army memorabilia and Trump-themed merchandise, including MAGA hats and novelty dolls. Inside the festival area, celebrity chefs Robert Irvine and Andre Rush mingled with troops. Though protests were reported in other parts of Washington and across the country, the parade route remained tightly secured. The National Mall was heavily policed, and streets were reinforced to handle the 60-ton tanks. What People Are Saying U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, speaking before the House Armed Services Committee: "I believe very specifically that telling that story will directly lead to a recruiting boom that will fill up our pipeline for the coming years." Senator Bernie Sanders, on X, formerly Twitter: "We all like to enjoy a nice birthday party. But most of us don't celebrate with a $45 million taxpayer-funded military parade. What Happens Next The parade, according to senior defense officials, is estimated to have cost between $25 million and $45 million — a figure that includes logistics, security, transportation of heavy equipment, and air operations. That total makes it one of the most expensive single-day ceremonial military events in U.S. history.
Politico
an hour ago
- Politico
Klobuchar dined with Minnesota lawmaker just hours before she was killed
On Friday night, Sen. Amy Klobuchar was having dinner in her home state at an event with Melissa Hortman, the former speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives who served as a lawmaker for almost 20 years. Hours later, she was mourning the loss of a friend whom the Democratic senator had known for decades. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz called Klobuchar at 5 a.m. Saturday to deliver the gut-wrenching news, Klobuchar told POLITICO in an interview. 'I wish everyone had known her like we knew her,' Klobuchar said. 'I was there when she was doorknocking in the beginning. … I was in county office and she was seeking the legislative office.' Hortman, 55, and her husband, Mark, were shot and killed in their Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, home early Saturday, in what authorities are saying was a politically motivated killing. The same suspect is believed to have also shot and wounded state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife. Authorities are continuing to search for the suspect, 57-year-old Vance Boelter. In the early 2000s, Klobuchar recalled, Hortman was balancing not only serving as an elected official, but also leading a girl scout troop and teaching Sunday school at a local Catholic church. 'That ability to manage with two kids led her to do a really good job managing legislators,' Klobuchar said. When Hortman was first elected in 2004 to Minnesota's House of Representatives, Klobuchar was five years into her role as County Attorney of Hennepin County — both on the outskirts of Minneapolis. 'She was pretty no nonsense,' the senator said. 'But in a kind way, with a lot of humor.' Klobuchar mentioned one detail that particularly stood out to her: On her third day as speaker, Hortman turned off the mute button her predecessor used to prevent legislators from speaking — she didn't need it. 'She's like 'I don't need that. I can use the gavel,'' Klobuchar said. 'She was just such a skilled legislator at bringing people together.' Hortman's killing only adds on to the growing amount of political violence and harsh rhetoric encapsulating American politics. 'There have been more and more people in politics who just throw gas on the fire,' Klobuchar said of the increase in divisive politics. But these acts shouldn't dissuade people from seeking office, the senator said. 'We need more good people to run,' she said. 'I hope good people still run or our democracy won't stand.'
