The “Big Beautiful Bill” is moving closer to becoming law as the Senate takes significant steps toward final approval. This legislation, a key part of President Donald Trump’s agenda, aims to make his tax cuts permanent, eliminate taxes on tips and overtime pay, boost funding for border security, and cut federal benefits for undocumented immigrants. The House passed its version of the bill in May, but the Senate has been debating it for weeks, facing divisions among Republicans over issues like Medicaid cuts and deficit spending.
This weekend, the Senate voted 51-49 to advance the bill, overcoming a major procedural hurdle. GOP leaders hope to hold a final vote as soon as Monday, but Democrats are trying to slow things down. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has invoked a rule requiring clerks to read the entire 940-page bill aloud, which delayed the process by about 15 hours. Democrats plan to introduce amendments related to tax cuts for the wealthy and protections for Medicaid and food stamps, even though they expect these measures to fail. Their goal is to force Republicans to take a stand on these issues ahead of the midterm elections.
Meanwhile, Trump announced a trade deal with China that will allow the export of rare earth minerals to the U.S. in exchange for easing some tariffs. However, negotiations with Canada have soured, with Trump terminating discussions after Canada proposed a new digital tax that he claims would harm American tech companies.
In another significant development, the Supreme Court ruled in a case known as Trump vs. Casa, limiting the power of lower courts to issue nationwide injunctions. In a 6-3 decision, the Court stated that lower federal courts typically do not have the authority to block federal policies across the entire country. This ruling could have major implications for Trump’s administration, as over 100 such injunctions have been issued against it, many from judges appointed by Democrats.
Additionally, the federal government is taking a firmer stance on gender issues. The Trump administration has shifted its focus from celebrating Pride Month to honoring Title IX, the law that prohibits sex discrimination in education. In a move applauded by advocates for women’s sports, the NCAA has updated its policy to allow only biological females to compete in women’s sports.
Public opinion on these issues is changing. Olympic gymnast Simone Biles recently faced backlash after criticizing swimmer Riley Gaines for her efforts to keep trans-identifying males out of women’s sports. Biles later apologized for her comments. Even in traditionally liberal areas, there is increasing pressure to protect women’s sports. For example, California has been found in violation of Title IX for allowing males to compete in girls’ sports, and the state has ten days to address these violations.
As the “Big Beautiful Bill” moves through Congress and the Supreme Court reshapes judicial authority, these developments reflect a significant shift in the political landscape, particularly regarding Trump’s policies and the ongoing debates about gender and sports.