Trump Lifts Syria Sanctions; Senate Debates Tax Cuts and Spending Bill
Key Takeaways
- Trump lifted Syria sanctions aiming for stability after Assad regime, following Saudi, Turkey appeals.
- Senate debates Trump's $4.5T tax cut bill, potentially adding $3.3T to debt.
- Obama, Bush, Bono slam USAID dismantling, warn of 14M deaths by 2030.
- Supreme Court orders reconsideration of transgender rights rulings in multiple states.
- California weakens CEQA to boost housing development, aiming for 2.5M homes by 2030.
Top Stories
Trump lifts Syria sanctions, seeks stability and economic revival.
On July 1, 2025, President Trump lifted sanctions on Syria via executive order, aiming to foster stability and economic recovery after the Assad regime. The move follows appeals from Saudi Arabia and Turkey and terminates the 'national emergency' in place since 2004, though sanctions on specific individuals remain.
Senate debates Trump's bill: tax cuts, spending, debt concerns.
On July 1, 2025, the US Senate debated President Trump's 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act,' a $4.5 trillion tax cut and $1.2 trillion cut to Medicaid and food stamps package, potentially adding $3.3 trillion to the federal debt and causing millions to lose health insurance.
Obama, Bush, Bono slam USAID dismantling, warn of deaths.
On June 30, 2025, former Presidents Obama and Bush, along with Bono, criticized the Trump administration's dismantling of USAID, warning it could lead to 14 million additional deaths by 2030 due to cuts in foreign aid.
Supreme Court orders reconsideration of transgender rights rulings.
On June 30, 2025, the US Supreme Court ordered reconsideration of rulings supporting transgender people in Idaho, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and West Virginia, following a June 18 ruling allowing states to ban gender-affirming care for minors.
California weakens CEQA to boost housing development, combat shortage.
California Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation reforming CEQA to ease housing development and address the housing shortage, aiming to build 2.5 million homes by 2030 by exempting new housing in urban infill areas from CEQA.
Election Watch
Musk to back Massie against Trump's candidate in 2026 election.
Elon Musk indicated he will donate to Rep. Thomas Massie's 2026 re-election campaign, opposing Donald Trump's endorsed candidate, Kentucky state Senator Aaron Reed, after Massie frequently voted against Trump’s legislative priorities.
Dusty Johnson announces candidacy for South Dakota governor.
On June 30, 2025, U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) announced his candidacy for South Dakota governor, citing priorities such as cutting property taxes and combating drugs and addiction.
Global Stage
Iranian hackers threaten to leak emails from Trump associates.
Iranian-linked hackers, the Robert Group, threatened to release 100 gigabytes of emails stolen from Donald Trump's circle, including Susie Wiles and Roger Stone, planning to sell or publish the information.
G7 urges Iran to resume full cooperation with IAEA.
The G7, including the EU, urged Iran to urgently resume full cooperation with the IAEA, condemning calls in Iran for the arrest and execution of IAEA Director General Grossi and expressing concern about Iranian nuclear activities.
Israel supports Gaza ceasefire plan for hostage release, aid.
On June 30, 2025, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar supports a temporary ceasefire in Gaza, following U.S. envoy Steve Wikoff's plan, to address the humanitarian situation and facilitate hostage release.
Iran delays nuclear talks with U.S., citing need for assurances.
On July 1, 2025, Iran, through Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, delayed the resumption of nuclear talks with the U.S., citing the need for assurances against further attacks and expressing wariness of U.S. actions.
US warns countries, including Japan, of high tariffs if talks fail.
The U.S. warned countries, including Japan, of high tariffs if trade negotiations don't conclude by the deadline, with potential 25% tariffs on Japanese cars if agreements aren't reached.
Lawmaking Today
Senate removes provision restricting states from regulating AI.
The U.S. Senate voted 99-1 to remove a provision from a tax bill that would have prevented states from regulating AI, allowing states to regulate AI without restrictions.
Local Front
Wisconsin budget deal cuts taxes, boosts university funding.
On July 1, 2025, Wisconsin reached a budget deal that cuts income taxes by $1.3 billion, primarily for the middle class, and increases funding for the Universities of Wisconsin by $256 million over two years.
Policy Insights
'Alligator Alcatraz' immigrant detention center opens in Florida.
On July 1, 2025, a new immigrant detention center, nicknamed 'Alligator Alcatraz', opened in the Florida Everglades, costing $450 million annually and housing up to 5,000 people as part of deportation efforts.
Trump administration withholds $6.8B in federal education funding.
On June 30, 2025, the Trump administration withheld nearly $6.8 billion in federal education funding, including at least $811 million from California, impacting programs like teacher training and support for English learners.
EPA employees protest Trump policies, citing danger to public health.
In June/July 2025, over 200 current and former EPA employees protested the Trump administration's policies, accusing EPA head Lee Zeldin of promoting dangerous policies that undermine the EPA's core mission and endanger public health.
Trump criticizes Fed Chair Powell, suggests 1% interest rates.
Former President Donald Trump has criticized Fed Chair Jerome Powell for maintaining high interest rates, suggesting they should be at 1% and expressing dissatisfaction with the Fed's policies.
Supreme Court
Supreme Court to review limits on political party spending.
The U.S. Supreme Court will review limits on political party spending in coordination with congressional candidates in the case National Republican Senatorial Committee v. Federal Election Commission, potentially impacting campaign spending significantly.
Supreme Court limits nationwide injunctions against Trump's policies.
The Supreme Court's ruling on birthright citizenship limits nationwide injunctions against Trump's policies, instructing lower courts to narrow injunctions to provide complete relief only to suing parties, potentially allowing President Trump to bar birthright citizenship for children of non-citizens.