Senate Republicans move toward passing Trump spending bill
Senate Republicans moved toward passing a massive spending bill backed by President Trump during their marathon session on Saturday. NBC News' Ryan Nobles reports from Capitol Hill.
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The Herald Scotland
33 minutes ago
- The Herald Scotland
Could Michelle Obama be the voice Democrats need right now?
"I feel like at 60, this is the first time where all my decisions are for me," Obama said on her June 19 episode with radio show host Angie Martinez. With her daughters Sasha and Malia launched in their own young adult lives, "this is a period of freedom." Each week, Obama and Robinson are joined by celebrities like comedians Damon and Marlon Wayans, producer Issa Rae or actress Keke Palmer - with just a glint of politics. It's her space to talk with friends. References to her husband, former President Barack Obama, or the eight years they spent raising young children in the White House are matters of fact, but the political wildfire of the second Trump administration is barely noted, except as a launching point to talk about how people are impacted by Trump's new policies. As recently as last July, an Ipsos poll revealed that only Michelle Obama stood a chance of besting Donald Trump in the presidential election. Even before leaving the White House in early 2017, a corner of the Democratic Party clamored for her to run. She has repeatedly slammed the door on that. But as Democrats search for a liberal counter to the right-wing media ecosystem that helped Trump win back the White House by reaching millions who don't pay attention to mainstream media, the online show of a relatable and popular Democrat could be what they are looking for. Regardless of what Democrats want her podcast to be, Michelle Obama has demonstrated she'll do her show her way. For now, she's using a platform that reflects the former first lady's larger, and perhaps more effective, cultural strategy that mirrors how Black women voters - part of the party's loyalist base - are coping after former Vice President Kamala Harris' loss in the 2024 election, said Democratic strategist Nina Smith. "So this is the best way that she can create space and show the multi-dimensional nature of Black women: our thinking; how we engage friends; how we engage with people across racial lines; how we engage with our siblings; and the fullness of us, while also allowing her to speak to the issues of the moment," Smith said. IMO (short for "in my opinion"), is largely devoid of juicy gossip, let alone talk about any current or former White House occupants. The Father's Day episode, which featured Bruce Springsteen and watched by roughly 216,000 viewers on YouTube, came just days after Trump berated the rock music icon for calling the administration "corrupt, incompetent and treasonous." While Trump's name never came up, they both chuckled when Michelle Obama made a joke about some people being president who need therapy. Instead, they talked about going to therapy, building relationships with absentee parents and being present for their children during formative years "I realized that parenting is pennies in the bank," Springsteen said. "It's that time when you were working and you didn't want to stop, but you did. That made a huge difference to me. I always felt that if I had failed with my kids I would have failed tremendously at life." More: Pop stars, massive crowds and history: How the Obama and Harris campaigns compare Michelle Obama responded with a story from her childhood about what it meant when her father, who worked long hours as a city worker in Chicago, turned his full attention to her and her brother. "When he was present he was present in very small but meaningful ways," she said. 'She hates politics' Michelle Obama, a corporate lawyer specializing in marketing and intellectual property law, was carried into the national spotlight when a skinny senator with a Muslim middle name beat the old guards in both parties with a message of a new America founded upon hope. For most of that time she had to be more mindful of her husband's agenda and image. Since Trump took office, she's been openly critical of him, but on her terms, such as at the 2024 Democratic National Convention in her hometown of Chicago, rather than on her podcast. Speaking up and what she considers the right moment will likely continue, said Democratic strategist Lynda Tran. "I would not be surprised to see her using her voice to rally Democrats in the future assuming the appropriate venues and strategic value. And I would expect an overwhelmingly positive response from Democrats when she does," Tran, who worked in the Obama administration, told USA TODAY. But her participation in politics might be through raising money and giving speeches, rather than a central role in the party's future. Her focus in the last few years has been on outside projects, her family and now the new podcast she co-hosts with her brother. Demands to do more from either Barack or Michelle Obama are often met with scoffs by longtime supporters, such as Natalie Graves, a clinical social worker who was at Chicago's Grant Park when the couple took the victory stage in November 2008. More: Obama warns Trump administration has 'weak commitment' to democracy in Connecticut speech "My first response is an eye roll," Graves, a 55-year-old registered Democrat, said of ongoing efforts to recruit the former first lady to run for president. "If a person says that they don't want to run, what are we talking about? They're ignoring the fact that she has made it very clear that she hates politics." 'Served their time' The former first lady firmly shut the door on running for president in March, saying her daughters, who are both in their 20s, had "served their time" in the limelight and should get to be private young adults. "I wanted them to have the freedom of not having the eyes of the world on them. So when people ask me would I ever run, the answer is no," Obama said on Kyle Kelcie's "Not Gonna Lie" podcast. "If you ask me that, then you have absolutely no idea the sacrifice your kids make when your parents are in that role." Democrats are casting about for trusted voices to better connect with different voters and help create a left-wing media ecosystem to match that of the right. Some liberal strategists are asking donors to contribute to finding voices and influencers on the left to counter people like Steve Bannon and Joe Rogan who helped propel Trump to office, the New York Times reported last month. Democrats statistically have more trust in mainstream media than Republicans, said Texas Christian University political science professor Adam Schiffer. The Democratic brain trust is asking "who is the Democratic Joe Rogan?" he said, but "it's not necessarily clear that there could be one because Democrats don't necessarily find that gratifying and entertaining." More: Town halls, f-bombs and Elon Musk: How Democrats are waging a new messaging war Younger people have a radically different media consumption than their parents, Schiffer said, and it "could become a critical problem for Democrats" if they don't figure out how to get in front of them. No matter how popular, a former first lady in her sixties might not be the best emissary to young people, he said. Influencers played a large role in Harris' abridged presidential campaign last summer and fall, but they couldn't compete with a Republican online juggernaut that has been building for over a decade. And not everyone is an "IMO" fan. Some are calling out the former first lady's complaints about living in the White House. For example, former Fox News host Megyn Kelly mocked the podcast in a June 26 video posted to X, later saying Michelle Obama was "trashing her children and husband again." When Michelle Obama does talk about politics in her podcast, it mostly orbits around the future for Americans in her daughters' generation and how political decisions impact ordinary people. She's often echoing the kind of kitchen table politicking that only voters in swing states get to hear about every four years from presidential candidates. "I'm talking to so many young people who are deathly afraid of their futures in this climate," she said in the May 21 episode. "They're not just worried about jobs, they're worried about being able to become the next entrepreneur, they're wondering whether, you know, they'll have healthcare and housing [and] whether they'll be able to pay off their student loans." In that episode, Obama and her brother spoke with Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky about the future of businesses under the Trump' administration's new tariffs. They talked about how the taxes on goods brought into the country are being passed on to consumers and hindering the ability of younger Americans trying to make it to reach their goals in the current economy. More: Will TikTok be banned? Donald Trump says he has a 'warm spot' for app as it faces January deadline "I mean, some people can hold on, but other people are not only losing their businesses, but they're losing their homes in the process," she said. "It's kind of scary." Michelle Obama did use the podcast to defend her decision not to attend Trump's January inauguration, which sparked rounds of criticism and speculation about her marriage. She insisted she was simply "making the choice that was right" for her. "Whatever the backlash was, I had to sit in it and own it. But I didn't regret it, you know? It's my life now, and I can say that, now," the mom of two said on a June 26 NPR podcast. Dems in a ditch Michelle Obama's show also arrives at a time when the Democratic brand remains in the ditch with progressive voters. About one-third of Democrats said they are optimistic about their party's future, a May poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found. Though several Democrats are starting to make moves toward 2028, liberals have struggled with the lack of a main character to match Trump's political moxie the way then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi did in his first term. Lately, Democratic officeholders have clashed with federal agents at press conferences, immigration hearings and ICE facilities, creating viral moments that have been cheered by mainstream and more left-leaning progressives. More: Vance defends using military to quell protests, refers to Sen. Alex Padilla as 'Jose' Such actions have never been in either of the Obamas' style, and some Black political activists and artists have been emphasizing the need for "self-care" over political action in the aftermath of the 2024 election. "It's important for her to stay within the public space, so it's good that she wants to be active. She endorses candidates and stuff of that nature. I have no problem with that," said Steven Uzoukwu, a 33, a cybersecurity analyst from Baltimore, Maryland. "I just think we shouldn't rely on the Obamas to save America."
The Herald Scotland
34 minutes ago
- The Herald Scotland
Medicaid cuts, SNAP reforms: What's in the Senate tax bill
Supporters are emphasizing the chief engine of the Senate's proposal - extending Trump's 2017 tax cuts - and significant boosts to military and border security spending. They are also proceeding despite needing to remove sections of their bill that didn't meet the Senate's unique rules that would have repealed student loan relief and environmental regulations, restricting federal judges' powers and the Trump administration's efforts to bulk up immigration enforcement. More: Could Trump fail on tax bill? Why going 'big' doesn't always work out as planned "If you like higher taxes, open borders, a weak military and unchecked government spending, this bill is your nightmare," Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, chairman of the Budget Committee, said in a statement. Graham's team did have to make several adjustments in recent days. Certain Medicaid-related proposals were also left on the Senate cutting room floor. But other reforms - including new work requirements for able-bodied Americans - survived a complex review process and are now on deck for approval in the upper chamber. The Trump administration "strongly supports" the Senate version of the bill, in a White House Office of Management and Budget statement June 28. "President Trump is committed to keeping his promises, and failure to pass this bill would be the ultimate betrayal," the statement said. Democrats are not on board with the legislation that Trump and Republicans have dubbed the "big, beautiful bill." Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut, said the president's legislative agenda looks more like a "big, ugly betrayal" because it gives tax breaks to wealthier Americans while cutting services to low-income people. "I am dedicated and determined to fight these kinds of changes that really impact adversely everybody in Connecticut and the country," Blumenthal said in a June 27 video posted to X. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-South Dakota, has been working behind the scenes to whip his members into a consensus. He's got support from Trump, who has spent days putting public pressure on any GOP senators considering defection. But it's still far from clear if Thune and Trump will be successful. Here's a closer look at what's in the Senate bill as the weekend floor debate gets underway. Medicaid and SNAP Medicaid, which provides health insurance to more than 71 million low-income Americans, has been a regular point of contention for both chambers grappling with the legislation. After the House narrowly approved big changes to the program that would save at least $625 billion - and potentially cause 7.6 million Americans over the next 10 years to lose their health insurance - the Senate sought even deeper cuts. Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough axed a handful of changes from the Senate bill, including prohibiting coverage for non-citizens and barring funds for gender-affirming care. The upper chamber's legislation maintains new work requirements and increased eligibility checks. The Senate plan seeks to force able-bodied adults to work 80 hours per month until age 65 to qualify for benefits, but it does include exemptions for parents or guardians of children under 14 and those with disabilities. Reforms to SNAP, another federal aid program long known as "food stamps," were sifted through the Senate's review process. MacDonough initially rejected Senate Republicans' attempt to push costs onto states. But the parliamentarian gave them the go ahead after Senate Republicans did some tweaking to the language that included giving states more time before they start paying. The latest version would also give Alaska and Hawaii temporary exemption from the cost-sharing and able-bodied requirements for up to two years, if the Agriculture secretary finds the two states are making a "good faith effort" to comply with the requirements. Many view the offer as a way to keep Alaska's two GOP senators, particularly Sen. Lisa Murkowski, in support of the overall bill. Extending Trump's 2017 tax cuts The heart of the legislation is an extension of the big tax cuts that Trump passed in 2017, which are set to expire on Dec. 31, 2025. The highest earner would continue to be taxed at a 37% rate under the bill, instead of 39.6% if the tax cuts expired. For individuals making between $9,525 and $38,700, they would continue to be taxed at 12%, instead of the 15% rate that would kick in if the legislation doesn't pass. More: How much will Trump's tax bill save you? Gains could vary by income. The 2017 law made other big changes to tax policy that will remain in place under the Senate bill, including doubling the child tax credit from $1,000 to $2,000 and nearly doubling the standard deduction. Other provisions in the 2017 tax law that affect both individuals and businesses will remain. "This bill prevents an over-$4 trillion tax hike and makes the successful 2017 Trump tax cuts permanent, enabling families and businesses to save and plan for the future," Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, said in unveiling the bill language. No taxes on tips, overtime Addressing one of Trump's most high-profile 2024 campaign promises, tipped employees like waiters and hairstylists would be able to claim a new tax deduction for tips through 2028, as could workers who are paid overtime wages. More: Americans are tired of tipping. Experts say no tax on tips could make things worse. The Senate kept this measure from the House version of the bill, but added on a $25,000 per year cap for the deduction and weakened the tax break for individuals whose income is above $150,000 or married couples making more than $300,000 combined. $5 trillion debt limit increase The Senate version looks to raise the nation's debt limit by $5 trillion, which is expected to aggravate fiscal hawks who were already concerned about the House bill, which projections say would raise that limit by $4 trillion. Including the language in this overall bill would give the federal government the OK to pay for programs that Congress has already authorized. Billions for U.S. military and 'Golden Dome' defense One area Republicans didn't spare an expense is defense spending, which some MAGA allies had suggested was "too much" in the lead up to the legislation's unveiling. More: Trump pushes $175 billion 'Golden Dome' missile defense plan The proposal injects roughly $150 billion into the military, including $9 billion for service members quality of life such as housing, healthcare, childcare and education. Another $1 billion is earmarked for border security, which Republican committee members have said will help carry out the president's immigration and "counter-drug enforcement" plans. One of the larger expenditures is $25 billion allotted for an initial investment in a "Golden Dome" missile defense shield that Trump promised will be fully operational by the end of his term in 2029. Green energy roll-backs A handful of moderate senators had pushed for a gentler approach to rolling back green energy tax credits passed under former President Joe Biden. The Senate's proposal heeds their call, slowing the phase-out of multiple clean energy provisions that the House had sought to eliminate more quickly. Billions for the border, deportations The Senate held onto the massive increase in funding for the Department of Homeland Security, increasing the department's budget by roughly $150 billion - which would more than double its current funding. The bill authorizes $45 billion for new immigration detention centers. Under the DHS umbrella, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement already operates more than 160 detention centers around the country. Many are full, as the Trump administration ramps up arrests of immigrants. Another $27 billion would go to fund the administration's mass deportation campaign, including to pay for 10,000 more deportation agents. ICE currently has about 6,000 deportation agents. At that funding level, the current administration "will be poised to dramatically expand community arrests and expand cooperation with state and local law enforcement agencies," according to an analysis by the American Immigration Council, which advocates for immigrant rights. The Trump administration's border czar, Tom Homan, said without additional money, "it's going to be a hard road" to achieve the president's goal of deporting 1 million immigrants this year. "We have a lot of people to look for, a lot of people to arrest, a lot of national security threats we know are in this country," Homan said during a White House press conference June 26. "We need to find them. We need more money to do that. We need more agents to do that."
The Herald Scotland
34 minutes ago
- The Herald Scotland
Senate set to tackle Trump megabill but vote uncertain: Live updates
"We'll find out," Thune said of the final vote anticipated June 29. If successful, the House would have to vote on the Senate changes in order to reach Trump's desk by his self-imposed deadline of July 4. The Senate has trimmed the House version from about 1,100 pages to 940 - and still faces votes on what are expected to be dozens of amendments. The success of Trump's domestic agenda for tax cuts and border security hangs in the balance. Republican approval of the spending blueprint would allow a majority of the 100-member Senate to approve all of Trump's priorities included in it through legislation later in the year, rather than needing 60 votes to overcome a filibuster for each measure. Here's what we know about the legislative package: What is in the bill? The largest provisions in the legislation would extend expiring tax cuts and create a few new ones, and a dramatic increasing in spending on border security. The heart of the legislation would extend Trump's 2017 tax cuts which are set to expire at end of the year. Republicans have said defeat of the measure would lead to a $4 trillion tax hike over the next decade. New tax deductions Trump campaigned on would apply to tips for employees such as waiters through 2028 and for overtime pay. The Senate capped the deduction at $25,000 and weakened the break for individuals with income above $150,000. For border security, the bill would increase funding about $150 billion for the Department of Homeland Security. The bill authorizes $45 billion for new detention centers as Trump ramps up arrests and $27 billion for a mass deportation campaign. A crucial provision would increase the amount the country can borrow by $5 trillion. The country's debt is already approaching $37 trillion and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has warned the current limit on borrowing will be reached in August. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, a Republican holdout on the bill, said he wouldn't vote for the bill unless the debt limit gets a separate vote. But Republican leaders want to keep the unpopular vote within the overall package. -Bart Jansen What's not in the Senate version of the bill? Republican support in the Senate waned after Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough ruled several significant provisions would have to be removed to avoid a filibuster. Republicans removed provisions to curb environmental regulations; restrict federal judges' powers; bulk up immigration enforcement; and cut funding from a consumer protection agency. MacDonough also ruled against provisions that aimed to reduce Medicaid spending on health care programs for undocumented immigrants. -Bart Jansen What does Trump say about the Senate version of the bill? The Trump administration "strongly supports" the Senate version of the bill, in a White House Office of Management and Budget statement June 28. The statement isn't intended to favor the Senate version over the House version on any particular provision, but to signal Trump would sign it if approved by Congress. The two-page statement highlighted provisions for tax cuts, border security, energy and defense. "President Trump is committed to keeping his promises, and failure to pass this bill would be the ultimate betrayal," the statement said. -Bart Jansen
