Wednesday morning news: July 1, 2026

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SCOTUS: Birthright citizenship » Mixed reaction on Capitol Hill to Tuesday’s Supreme Court ruling declaring that the children of illegal immigrants and tourists born in the United States are entitled to U.S. citizenship.

The 6-3 decision authored by Chief Justice John Roberts says President Trump violated the Fourteenth Amendment by ordering citizenship be restricted to the children of citizens or legal permanent residents.

The top Democrat in the House, Hakeem Jeffries:

JEFFRIES:  Donald Trump was endeavoring to violate the Constitution because he's a wannabe king, and I'm thankful that that effort has been struck down  

Most Republicans had a very different reaction. And some now want to pass a law defining birthright citizenship in the same way as Trump did in his executive order. House Speaker Mike Johnson:

JOHNSON: I'm sure there's gonna be lots of discussion about that. I will say I'm very disappointed in that outcome. Uh, I think it subjects the country to serious challenges going forward, and we'll have to deal with it as a Congress

In Tuesday’s ruling, Justice Kavanaugh voted with the majority. But he said while he found that Trump’s order violated federal law, it did not violate the Fourteenth Amendment.

Justice Thomas dissented, arguing that citizenship isn’t Constitutionally guaranteed to children born in the U.S. to parents who are not—to quote the Fourteenth Amendment—“subject to the jurisdiction thereof,” such as illegal immigrants. Justices Gorsuch and Alito also dissented.

SCOTUS: Girls sports, campaign finance » The high court also handed down two other decisions on Tuesday, including one upholding state laws that protect women’s sports. WORLD’s Harrison Watters reports from Washington.

HARRISON WATTERS: In the case West Virginia v. BPJ, the court upheld state laws that divide sports according to biological sex, saying they have an important interest in protecting women’s sports. While all nine justices agreed that the laws do not violate Title IX, the court’s three liberals dissented in part—saying legal scrutiny should have been higher for evaluating the constitutional rights of athletes who identify as transgender.

Outside the court, Maggie McKneely with Concerned Women for America says the ruling sends a message to twenty-seven states with similar laws.

MCKNEELY: This is saying that states are allowed to pass the laws. It's not saying states have to, it's not saying that every locality across the nation has to recognize biological sex. It's just saying that they can.

In another decision, the court ruled 6 to 3 that campaign finance rules limiting contributions by political parties violate the First Amendment.

Reporting for WORLD, I’m Harrison Watters, in Washington.

Iran talks » Two top U.S. envoys are in Qatar, working to keep the shaky Iran peace deal alive — but they're not talking to Iran directly.

Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met Tuesday with Qatari mediators in Doha, who are passing messages between Washington and Tehran. Iran sent its own team, but insists it won't sit down with the U.S. until the deal is carried out.

One sticking point: 6 billion dollars in frozen Iranian assets. The U.S. says not a cent moves until Iran meets its commitments.

Tom Kean Jr returns to Congress » It was the case of the missing congressman.

New Jersey Republican Tom Kean Jr. had been absent from work in the U.S. House for the past four months and missed more than 100 votes. But he finally returned on Tuesday.

Speaking from the House floor he explained why he's been MIA.

KEAN: Several months ago, due to health concerns, I entered the hospital for some testing. I did not believe that this would result in a long-term stay. I was given the diagnosis of depression.

Kean said that like others who receive a similar diagnosis, he thought he could simply muscle through it, but ultimately decided to seek treatment. He said that's a good thing:

KEAN: Because today I stand before you healthier, stronger, and excited to return to the work that I love.

House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar told reporters Tuesday that the voters will ultimately decide whether Kean's explanation is a good one.

AGUILAR: The fact that somebody hasn't shared with their constituents why they skipped work for four months is between him and his constituents. We've got some thoughts on it. It's not how I would do things.

Kean's last vote was on March 5th. He is currently running for a third term in a competitive district.

Venezuela update » Nearly a week after Venezuela's twin earthquakes, the crisis is shifting — from digging for survivors to keeping the living alive. WORLD’s Kristen Flavin has that story:

KRISTEN FLAVIN: Aid groups warn the country's battered hospitals are at the breaking point, and that disease could be next.

The official death toll has climbed past 1,700, with more than 5,000 hurt. And experts say the real toll is likely far higher — with tens of thousands more listed as missing.

Damaged hospitals are overwhelmed, some no longer working, and key doctors are missing. With thousands now homeless and crowded into unsanitary shelters, the World Health Organization warns of outbreaks of measles and waterborne illness.

Christian groups are pitching in. Samaritan's Purse has flown in a field hospital, and local churches are taking in survivors.

For WORLD, I’m Kristen Flavin.

I'm Kent Covington.

Straight ahead: Hunter Baker is standing by for Washington Wednesday. And later: An interpreter brings to life the Indispensable Man.

This is The World and Everything in It.

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