NATIONAL NEWS

The Latest: July deadline for Trump’s tax and spending bill approaches

Jun 30, 2025, 4:46 AM

Members of civic groups stage a rally against U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs policy in Seoul...

Members of civic groups stage a rally against U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs policy in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, June 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
Credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS

(AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Monday could be a pivotal day for Senate Republicans, who are racing to meet President Donald Trump’s Fourth of July deadline to pass legislation that contains big tax breaks and spending cuts. The House is being called back to session for votes as soon as Wednesday, if the Senate can pass the bill.

Meanwhile, Trump says he is not planning to extend a 90-day pause on tariffs on most nations beyond July 9, when the negotiating period he set would expire.

Here’s the latest:

Senate Republicans in sprint on Trump’s big bill after weekend of setbacks

The Senate will try to sprint ahead on President Donald Trump’s big bill of tax breaks and spending cuts after a weekend of setbacks.

An all-night session to consider an endless stream of proposed amendments, called a vote-a-rama, was abruptly postponed.

It’s now scheduled to launch when the Senate gavels open Monday. With Democrats united against the Republican president’s legislation, the voting could take all day.

The day ahead could be pivotal for Republicans, who 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.

Trump suggests no extension on tariff pause

Speaking to Maria Bartiromo on Fox Business, Trump reiterated his desire to send “a very fair letter” to each country letting them know what their tariff rates will be.

The president said “I don’t think I’ll need to” extend the pause on higher tariffs, which are supposed to take effect on July 9.

He mused about what one of his letters could say. “Dear Mr. Japan, here’s the story, you’re going to pay a 25% tariff on your cars,” he said.

Congo’s top diplomat tells AP she trusts US to uphold its part of peace deal

Congo’s foreign minister dismisses skepticism about the Trump administration’s mediation role in a peace deal for her mineral-rich country, telling the Associated Press she is confident the U.S. will uphold its part of the deal.

Therese Kayikwamba Wagner spoke to the AP after signing a deal with her Rwanda counterpart to end decades of bloody fighting in eastern Congo. The Trump administration agreed to use its influence to honor the press both countries to honor the deal. In return, the U.S. hopes for improved American access to east Congo’s critical minerals.

Some Congolese are skeptical. They fear the U.S. will take the minerals without helping calm a conflict that has killed 6 million.

The United States “has been a reliable partner on many other issues that we have dealt with,” Wagner told the AP.

“So there is no doubt in this moment … when it comes to the credibility of the U.S as a partner, be it for a peace process where we have signed a very important agreement today or for investment from the U.S.,” she said.

National News

FILE - Bill Essayli, acting U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, speaks with repor...

Associated Press

Federal judge rules top US prosecutor in Los Angeles isn’t legally serving

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A federal judge ruled Tuesday that Republican Bill Essayli is not legally serving as the top U.S. prosecutor in Los Angeles. The ruling is the latest roadblock to the Trump administration’s effort to extend handpicked acting U.S. attorneys beyond the 120-day limit set by federal law. The strategy was designed to […]

5 hours ago

Tampa Bay Rays' Chandler Simpson celebrates during the 12th inning of Game 4 of baseball's World Se...

Associated Press

Rays stun Brewers with 2-run rally in 12th inning and force World Series Game 5 with 4-3 win

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Jonny DeLuca and pinch-hitter Ben Williamson singled home runs in a stunning 12th-inning rally, and the Tampa Bay Rays staved off World Series elimination with a 4-3 win over the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday night that forced Game 5. Cooper Pratt hit a tiebreaking home run off Ian Seymour in […]

5 hours ago

Ahnaleigh Wilson, 17, a track athlete who says she has competed against and placed behind transgend...

Associated Press

Republicans emphasize transgender ads, putting cultural issues over voters’ economic anxiety

NEW YORK (AP) — Republicans have spent an estimated $183 million on television ads focused on transgender-related attacks against Democrats in the final phase of this year’s midterm elections, betting that struggling GOP candidates can leverage the divisive cultural issue to overcome voters’ concerns about President Donald Trump’s leadership and the state of the economy. […]

6 hours ago

Students walk through Cornell University's campus, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026, in Ithaca, N.Y. (AP Pho...

Associated Press

Cornell faculty to begin voting on no-confidence resolution over handling of fraternity gang rape

Cornell University faculty will meet Wednesday to conclude debate and begin voting on a proposed no-confidence resolution in the university’s administration following widespread frustration over its response to a woman who reported she was gang raped at a campus fraternity house in 2024. The meeting comes after an Oct. 14 Faculty Senate meeting at which […]

6 hours ago

President Donald Trump tosses hats into the crowd as he arrives at a campaign rally at the Lubbock ...

Associated Press

Trump’s cure for Republicans’ midterm woes is more Trump. Will it work?

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump likes to play make-believe with his supporters. “Just close your eyes,” he tells them, “and pretend I’m on the ballot.” It’s a typically self-involved appeal from someone who has been the center of the nation’s political gravity for more than a decade. Now, he’s finishing the midterms with a […]

6 hours ago

Associated Press

Police arrest three in school shooting plot in Atlanta area

Three people, including two juveniles, have been arrested in connection with an alleged plot to carry out a shooting at a high school in metro Atlanta, authorities said Tuesday. The announcement of the alleged plot comes after a 16-year-old boy killed three children and a teacher in a shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in […]

9 hours ago

The Latest: July deadline for Trump’s tax and spending bill approaches