Thursday morning news: June 1, 2023

AUDIO: Yeas are 314. The nays 117. The bill is passed.

Debt limit » Lawmakers in the House approving a bill last night to raise the nation’s debt ceiling and avoid a default on U.S. debts.

The bill also trims overspending in Washington, though not nearly as much as many House conservatives wanted.

GOP Senator John Thune said while the bill isn’t perfect.

JOHN THUNE: I give great credit to Speaker McCarthy and the House leadership for at least being able to move something. Where we started at zero. I mean, President Biden wanted a clean debt limit increase with zero spending reforms. We got a trillion and a half in spending reform.

But Republican Congressman Andy Harris said he’s not convinced.

ANDY HARRIS: It’s a hollow deal. There really is no real spending cuts. There are promises, but we’ve heard promises in the past about cutting spending. And it’ll add trillions of dollars to the federal debt, which we honestly just can’t afford.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer vowed to move fast on the bill in hopes of sending it to President Biden’s desk as quickly as possible.

Wray contempt » The chairman of the House Oversight Committee is set to hold FBI Director Christopher Wray in contempt of Congress.

Chairman James Comer reacted Wednesday after Wray defied a subpoena, refusing to hand over a form that Comer believes details the accusations of an FBI whistleblower.

JAMES COMER: This 1023 form is not classified. There is no reason for them not to work with us on this investigation.

The form reportedly details an alleged bribery scheme involving President Biden and a foreign national during his time as vice president.

The FBI said it offered to give the Oversight committee access to information it seeks quoting here—“in a format and setting that maintains confidentiality and protects important security interests of FBI investigations.”

OK supreme court abortion » The Oklahoma Supreme Court says two pro-life laws are unconstitutional. WORLD’s Josh Schumacher has more.

JOSH SCHUMACHER: The court ruled 6-3 yesterday to strike down two laws that protected all babies from abortion unless the mother was experiencing a medical emergency. State lawmakers passed both measures last year.

Some doctors complained the laws did not clearly define what constituted a medical emergency.

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt criticized yesterday’s ruling, saying it was politically motivated.

A pro-life law adopted in 1910 remains in effect. That law makes it a felony to perform an abortion or help a woman obtain the procedure unless it is necessary to save her life.

For WORLD, I’m Josh Schumacher.

Ukraine/Russia » President Biden has approved another $300 million dollars in military aid to Ukraine, including ammunition for air defenses.

White House National Security Spokesman John Kirby:

JOHN KIRBY: In just this here month of May, Russia has launched 17 different air assaults against Kyiv, harming civilians, devastating civilian areas, hitting civilian infrastructure. In response, the United States is going to continue to support Ukraine, help give them the things that they need to better defend themselves.

Meanwhile, the Prime Ministers of the Netherlands and Poland told reporters at the Hague yesterday that they are taking part in the initiative to supply Ukraine with American-made F-16s and to train Ukrainian fighter pilots to fly them.

Dodgers pitcher speaks out » Some Major League Baseball players are speaking out about a decision by the Los Angeles Dodgers to give a “community hero” award to a controversial LGBT group. WORLD’s Mary Muncy has more.

MARY MUNCY: The Dodgers are honoring a group called “The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence” at an upcoming Pride event. The group stages drag performances mocking Catholics and Christians in general. Its displays have included a sexualized parody of the crucifixion of Jesus.

Dodgers pitcher Blake Treinin released a statement saying he’s “disappointed” in the team’s decision that “displays hate and mockery” of Christians.

Treinen quoted Galatians 6:7, “Do not be deceived, God cannot be mocked; a man will reap what he sows.”

Fellow Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw and Washington Nationals pitcher Trevor Williams expressed their disappointment, as well.

The MLB players union has been in touch with the league to voice concerns over teams pushing social and political issues.

For WORLD, I’m Mary Muncy.

Bud Light / Target » The financial freefall continues at the company that makes Bud Light following its partnership with a transgender social media star.

Anheuser-Busch is now entering bear territory with its shares down more than 20% since the customer backlash began two months ago.

Meantime, Target has lost $12 billion dollars in market value over the past couple of weeks amid a boycott over its LGBT activism.

It’s on track for its biggest market losing streak in 23 years.

I'm Kent Covington.

Straight ahead: the end game for the debt ceiling drama. Plus, the double life of a biplane pilot.

This is The World and Everything in It.

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