Happy Friday! This weekend seems perfect for some TV time. Squid Game’s final season is available on Netflix, and that show’s “bear” is back with new episodes. Oh, and it’s been exactly a year since the notable Biden-Trump debate.
Today’s Supreme Court recap:
- The President applauds efforts to limit judicial power.
- Trump celebrates a victory regarding birthright citizenship.
- Courts uphold parental opt-out for LGBTQ books.
- Support for the Porn Site Age Verification Act is evident.
🚨 Supreme Court
Major rulings today:
As the term wraps up, the Supreme Court has made significant rulings, starting with a major decision this morning.
1 – Birthright Citizenship:
President Trump’s administration celebrated a victory from the Supreme Court, which allows limiting birthright citizenship in some areas, at least temporarily. The high court’s ruling restricts federal judges from issuing national injunctions against Trump’s policies, which has led to some excitement within the White House.
The decision came through a 6-3 vote, aligning with ideological lines. Liberal justices expressed strong dissent to this conservative ruling.
However, the court did not address the broader constitutional question regarding Trump’s executive order, but rather focused on the jurisdiction of federal judges blocking it nationwide. Those judges were deemed to have overstepped their powers. Yet, the administration must wait 30 days before acting on citizenship denials.
This issue might not be entirely resolved since challenges to the constitutionality of restricting birthright citizenship are still pending.
Trump’s reaction: He hailed it as a “giant victory” in a social media post and held a press conference to commend what he referred to as a “monolithic” ruling, mentioning specific justices by name.
He remarked, “It was designed for children of slaves, not for those trying to exploit the system.” Attorney General Pam Bondy reiterated that the judges had attempted to diminish executive powers and noted that active liberal judges used injunctions to prevent much of Trump’s agenda.
Background: Trump has issued an executive order that restricts citizenship for children born in the U.S. to parents without permanent legal status.
2 – LGBTQ+ Book Opt-Out:
The Supreme Court sided with religious parents, permitting them in Maryland to withdraw their children from discussions on LGBTQ-related topics in elementary schools.
3 – Porn Site Age Verification:
The Court ruled in favor of Texas’s Porn Site Age Verification Act, which mandates pornographic websites to verify user age. This law, supported by a 6-3 decision along ideological lines, could set a precedent for similar regulations in other states.
4 – Obamacare Preventive Care:
The Court sided with the Trump administration, enabling health and welfare secretaries to appoint and dismiss members of the Obamacare Task Force.
5 – Federal Internet Grants:
A multi-billion dollar federal initiative aimed at delivering internet access to rural and underserved populations was upheld by the Court, with a 6-3 vote.
❌ – Racial Rezoning:
The Supreme Court has decided not to take control of a case regarding Louisiana’s congressional map, which includes two majority black districts and whether this constitutes unconstitutional racial gerrymandering.
📸 Cloudy and humid conditions surround the Supreme Court today.
At Capitol Hill
A quiet Friday on the Hill:
Republicans are adjusting their timelines concerning Trump’s legislative agenda, even as tensions arise among senators.
Current sentiment: Despite various challenges, Trump is pushing the GOP to meet deadlines. Senate Majority Leader seems determined with multiple contingency plans.
When asked about Congress’s actions, Trump commented on their complexity, noting they agree and disagree on different issues.
Is the July 4th deadline still in play? Technically, it could be, but it’s complicated.
A recent setback was the block on Medicaid cuts, previously crucial for funding the remaining bills. Without these savings, Republicans might have to revise their financial strategies.
Speaker remarks: Mike Johnson indicated the House might need to alter the Senate bill, leading to more back-and-forth. It’s a bit like a game of hot potato!
Tidbit: Treasury Secretary attended a Senate GOP lunch today.
➤ Adjustments keep coming:
Senator MacDonough recently rejected parts of the “big and beautiful bill,” opposing exemptions for certain religious universities and deregulation efforts regarding gun silencers.
➤ Meanwhile, in the House:
A briefing took place this morning about the U.S. strike on Iran, involving Secretary of Defense and other key officials.
Upcoming Events
The House and Senate are in session today. The President is in Washington.
3pm: Trump meets with foreign ministers from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda.
6pm: Senators vote on Tim Kane’s resolution concerning Iran.
Sunday: Some Senators will appear on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”
Internet Topics
🎂 Celebrate National Ice Cream Cake Day! It’s a great weekend to try making a homemade version.
🍕 “Could busy pizza shops actually forecast U.S. airstrikes in Iran?” Some social media accounts are looking into this intriguing question.
🐾 Steve Burns, the original host of “Blue’s Clues,” has debuted a podcast aimed at adults.
🍦 Concerned about food additives? An article discusses emulsifiers in food and their potential impact on health.
👋 Finally…
Here’s a quirky video of a bird ingeniously gathering nest materials. It’s a delightful note to end the week on!
