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1 Vice President Casts Tie-Breaking Vote To Pass "One Big, Beautiful Bill" In The Senate
After a 24-hour marathon of amendment votes, the Senate passed President Trump’s huge tax-and-spending plan, nicknamed the “One Big, Beautiful Bill,” by a 51-50 margin. All Democrats and three Republicans voted no, so Vice President JD Vance broke the tie. The package now heads back to the House, which must approve the Senate changes before Trump can sign it, something he says he wants done by July 4th. The bill pours billions into border security, defense, and energy projects while extending deep tax cuts for families and businesses. To partly pay the tab, it slices Medicaid and food aid, moves up checks on eligibility, and caps some spending on safety-net programs. The Congressional Budget Office says the plan will add about $3.3 trillion to the deficit over ten years. Supporters call the mix of cuts and tax breaks a growth engine; critics warn poor Americans will lose care and food while the rich gain bigger write-offs. Passage came through the budget-reconciliation rules, which let the majority bypass a filibuster. Democrats slowed the process by forcing clerks to read the entire text of the bill over nearly sixteen hours, then tried and failed to tack on dozens of amendments. One near-unanimous vote stripped language that would have paused state AI rules; another to double a rural-hospital fund fell short. Senate leaders struggled all night to keep GOP holdouts aboard, finally winning over Lisa Murkowski with Alaska-friendly fixes while still losing Rand Paul, Susan Collins, and Thom Tillis. The House is expected to take up the revised bill later this week.
2 Jury Reaches Partial Verdict In Sean "Diddy" Combs Sex Trafficking Trial
The jury in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal sex-trafficking trial told the judge yesterday it has decided four of the five charges but is split on the biggest one…racketeering conspiracy. Jurors said some members “cannot be moved” on that count. Judge Arun Subramanian sent them home with orders to return at 9 a.m. today and keep talking. Combs, 55, sat with folded hands, eyes down, appearing to pray as the note was read. If jurors stay deadlocked, the court could declare a mistrial on the racketeering charge while still announcing verdicts on the other counts. The five-count indictment says Combs ran his music and fashion empire as a crime ring that forced women into days-long “freak-off” sex parties and paid hush money to keep them quiet. Over seven weeks, more than 30 witnesses, including singer Cassie Ventura, described drugs, violence, and payments meant to hide abuse. Prosecutors claim Combs used staff and money to arrange travel for prostitution and to threaten victims. The defense put on no witnesses and argued the women took part willingly, pointing to old text messages that called the events “fun.” Combs faces up to life in prison if found guilty on all counts. Jurors will keep weighing testimony and evidence until they can reach and explain a final answer on every charge.
3 President Trump Visits "Alligator Alcatraz," Wants More Facilities Like It In Other States
President Trump attended the opening Tuesday of Florida's new immigrant detention center called "Alligator Alcatraz" in the Everglades. Trump joined Gov. Ron DeSantis and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for the event, praising the facility and saying he wants to see more like it in other states. The facility can hold 500 people now and will expand to hold 3-thousand. It was built in just eight days and will cost an estimated $450 million per year to operate. The compound has rows of bunk beds in fenced areas under air-conditioned tents, plus a law library and recreation area. Immigration officials plan to hold people there for no more than 14 days before deporting them. The detention center has faced major criticism from Democrats, Native American leaders, and environmental groups. About 100 protesters showed up for the opening.