Friday morning news - July 4, 2025

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Big beautiful bill » President Trump today will sign into law the legislation he has long referred to as the “one big beautiful bill.”

House Republicans sent it to his desk with this vote on Thursday:

AUDIO (vote count):  On this vote, the yays are two 18. The nays are two 14. The motion is adopted.

The bill will address a number of the president’s top priorities.

The president helped to persuade several Republican holdouts to push the bill across the finish line.

Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries delayed the vote, with an hourslong marathon speech, holding the House floor for eight-and-a-half hours.

JEFFRIES:  Every single one of my house Republican colleagues have the opportunity now in this chamber, not the other chamber. In this chamber … to join us as Democrats and stand up for what is right.

It was the longest speech of its kind in the history of the House.

Big beautiful bill-2 » But it only delayed the inevitable. Republicans had the votes to pass it. And Speaker Mike Johnson says Americans will be better off for it. He said they’re doubling down on the economic policies of President Trump’s first term.

JOHNSON:  We did tax cuts and regulatory reform, and that brought about a resurgence of the US economy. That's about, that's what's gonna happen here. It's about to happen on steroids.

The bill will extend 2017 tax cuts and GOP Congresswoman Lisa McClain adds:

MCCLAIN:  No taxes on tip. No taxes on overtime. Tax relief to seniors Enhanced childcare tax credits. Elimination of the death tax. More ICE agents we're finishing the border wall and funding the Golden Dome.

The Golden Dome is a proposed missile defense system for the US homeland.

Democrats argue that the bill's passage is terrible news for Americans.

Congressman Joe Morelle:

MORELLE: The  driving force behind this entire legislative effort has been to grant handouts to those same billionaires and special interests, all at the expense of hardworking families.

Democrats deride the bill as tax breaks for the wealthy. And they object to new work requirements for Medicaid and food-stamp recipients. They say millions will lose healthcare as a result of the bill.

Trump-Putin call » President Trump and Russia’s Vladimir Putin spoke by phone Thursday for around an hour. The White House says they discussed Iran, Syria, possible energy cooperation, and of course, the war in Ukraine.

The Kremlin says Trump pressed for a swift end to the war. But Putin said Russia was ready to negotiate—but would not back down on core objectives in Ukraine, including NATO and territorial claims.

State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce says the US remains committed to helping negotiate a ceasefire:

BRUCE: We've also stated as has Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, that this now belongs in the hands of the parties. Mm. They must have that conversation and come to these decisions themselves.

She said the United States continues to show support for Ukraine.

The call comes after the Pentagon paused the shipment of some weapons to Ukraine over concerns about stockpiles running low for domestic defense.

Israel latest » In the Middle East, all eyes are on Gaza where Hamas is reviewing a 60-day ceasefire proposal from the US to halt the war with Israel at least temporarily.

Israeli government spokesman David Mencer says Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants to end the war in Gaza permanently, but first all of the Israeli hostages must be released, and Hamas must be defeated.

MENCER: The obstacle, as ever, lies with Hamas but we are working through various means to overcome that.

Hamas is believed to hold around 20 living hostages and remains of dozens of deceased captives.

Under the proposal, Hamas would free 10 of the living hostages and transfer the remains of 18 of the dead.

Humanitarian aid would ramp up in Gaza, with the UN and the Red Crescent. And Israel would begin partial pullbacks of its troops from the Gaza Strip.

The proposal also calls for talks to begin immediately on a full and permanent ceasefire.

SCOTUS to hear trans athlete case » The U.S. Supreme Court will take up two cases testing whether male athletes who identify as female can compete in women’s sports. WORLD’s Benjamin Eicher has more.

BENJAMIN EICHER: Justices agreed Thursday to hear challenges from Idaho and West Virginia. Idaho’s law bars boys from joining women’s teams at state-funded schools. It was challenged by Lindsay Hecox, a man who identifies as a woman who wanted to play on after he was kept off Boise State’s women’s track team.

West Virginia’s law faced a lawsuit from an eighth-grade boy who wants to run on a girls’ team.

TheBoth cases argue the laws violate the 14th Amendment and Title IX protections.

Supporters say letting males compete is unfair and takes scholarships from women.

The Supreme Court is expected to hear arguments this fall and issue a ruling next year.

For WORLD, I’m Benjamin Eicher.

Jobs numbers » The U.S. job market delivered more surprising growth.

The economy added 147,000 jobs in June. That was an increase of only a few thousand from May. But, it soundly beat expectations of 118,000, which is what economists had forecasted.

Analysts say the jobs report may not be quite as strong as it appears at first glance. Private companies, for instance, hired just 74,000 workers last month. That’s only about half the 137,000 they hired last month

But overall, most experts say the economy remains solid.

I'm Kent Covington.

Straight ahead: John Stonestreet reflects on patriotism during Culture Friday. Plus, Ask the Editor with Les Sillars.

This is The World and Everything in It.

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