By LISA MASCARO, KEVIN FREKING and JOEY CAPPELLETTI Associated Press
Senators are hunkering down to consider proposed amendments to President Donald Trump's big bill of tax breaks and spending cuts. The grind is expected to take all day Monday in what's called a vote-a-rama and could churn into the night. Senate Majority Leader John Thune acknowledges final action could slip. The White House says it's counting on Republican lawmakers to "get the job done." With Democrats united against the Republican president's legislation, they are proposing dozens of changes, all likely to fail. Republicans are racing to meet Trump's Fourth of July deadline to pass the bill. The House is being called back to session for votes as soon as Wednesday, if the Senate can pass the bill.
Elon Musk is leaving his government role as a top adviser to President Donald Trump after spearheading efforts to reduce and overhaul the federal bureaucracy. The billionaire entrepreneur posted Wednesday about his decision on X, his social media website. "As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President @realDonaldTrump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending," he wrote. A White House official, who requested anonymity to talk about the change, confirmed that Musk was leaving. Musk's departure comes one day after he criticized the centerpiece of Trump's legislative agenda, saying he was "disappointed" by what the president calls his "big beautiful bill."
By LISA MASCARO and KEVIN FREKING Associated Press
Tax breaks tallying more than $5 trillion. But also sizable reductions in Medicaid health care, food stamps for older Americans and green energy strategies to fight climate change. Those are all up for debate Tuesday as the House Republicans launch marathon public hearings on President Donald Trump's "big, beautiful bill." It's a long day and night ahead. Republicans are working to push Trump's signature legislative package through a gauntlet of committee hearings over mounting opposition from Democrats, advocacy groups and even some wary Republicans themselves. The first hearing was disrupted by protesters shouting against health care cuts. House Speaker Mike Johnson hopes to send the Senate the bill by Memorial Day.
President Joe Biden is making a rare jump into the 2024 battleground political fray since ending his reelection bid. He'll campaign on Tuesday in Pennsylvania for a close ally and visit Wisconsin to spotlight a signature legislative achievement. But as Biden makes a quick swing through the key states, two Democratic senators locked in competitive reelection battles are taking markedly different approaches to the outgoing president. Biden was fully embraced by Sen. Bob Casey when he participated in an evening campaign fundraiser in Philadelphia with Pennsylvania's senior senator. But in Milwaukee, where Biden spotlighted his administration's efforts to replace the nation's toxic lead pipes, incumbent Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin was conspicuously absent.
