Good evening. Here’s the latest at the end of Thursday.
The House passed Trump’s big bill, showcasing his powerAll but two House Republicans voted this afternoon to pass the party’s sprawling bill to extend tax cuts and slash social safety net programs. President Trump plans to sign the legislation into law tomorrow. Today’s final vote, 218 to 214, came after a frenzied week of negotiations. Day after day, Republicans from across the ideological spectrum had suggested that they couldn’t support the bill. “For some, the cuts were too steep; for others, the cuts were not steep enough,” our White House correspondent, Tyler Pager, told me. “Despite all of that, Trump ratcheted up the pressure — and the charm — to push it across the finish line.” It was, as Tyler described it, “the latest example of Trump’s seemingly unlimited control over the Republican Party.” Several onetime holdouts told us that they had voted “yes” because they were won over by something Trump had told them, alluding to “executive actions” and other steps his administration could take to change how the law would be implemented. Now, Trump will face the difficult task of selling the bill to the public — just 29 percent of voters support it, according to a recent poll. The president is likely to highlight the tax cuts, as well as the increased funding for the military and border security. But he will be faced with a Democratic campaign to focus on the bill’s less popular features, including roughly $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts and significant additions to the national debt. For more:
The Supreme Court agreed to hear cases on trans athletesThe Supreme Court announced today that it would hear two cases testing the constitutionality of state laws that bar transgender athletes from girls’ and women’s sports teams. In both cases — one in Idaho, the other in West Virginia — challengers argued that the laws violate the Constitution’s guarantee of equal protection. The justices will hear the cases during the court’s next term, which begins in early October. They are unlikely to announce their decisions until next spring. In related news, the Supreme Court said the U.S. could deport eight migrants to South Sudan, even though they have no connection to the war-torn nation.
The U.S. labor market remained robustThe job market continued to grow at a steady rate last month, brushing aside concerns about tariffs, global conflict and interest rates. Employers added 147,000 jobs, according to the Labor Department, and the unemployment rate fell slightly, to 4.1 percent. But there were signs of strain. Private companies appeared to be in a holding pattern, while health care, leisure and hospitality and government accounted for 90 percent of the total net job gains. For more: Health care is now the nation’s top employer. It has replaced manufacturing and retail, which have been flat or declining in the last three decades.
Dangerous heat spread across EuropeTemperatures well above the seasonal norm have stifled life in Spain and France for the last week, making outdoor work unbearable. Forecasters are now expecting the heat wave to head east, prompting officials in Central and Eastern Europe to issue alerts. For more: The heat has fueled wildfires on the Greek island of Crete and caused some of the continent’s nuclear reactors to shut down. Check out this map tracking heat around the world. More top news
Make the most of your Fourth of JulyNo matter how you plan to spend the country’s 249th birthday tomorrow, we have tips. For those hosting a party: Our Cooking team has ideas for last-minute side dishes, desserts and more. For fireworks enthusiasts: We talked to professional photographers about the best ways to capture the moment. For New Yorkers: Here is where to watch the big Macy’s celebration. And don’t be too worried about sharks, despite what you may have heard. For adventurers: Our writer took a road trip to find authentic eastern North Carolina barbecue. Here’s how you can, too. For everyone: Jam out to these 10 songs that match the vibe of Independence Day.
Cycling’s most exciting event is hereOn Saturday, 184 of the world’s best cyclists will begin one of the most beautiful and arduous annual sporting events: the Tour de France. At the front, it’s expected to be a battle between the two titans of the sport, Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard. My colleagues at The Athletic will be covering every stage of the 23-day race, and they have prepared a detailed guide with everything you need to know. For a behind-the-scenes look at last year’s event, check out the new season of Netflix’s “Tour de France: Unchained,” which focuses heavily on the top contenders. However, our writer argues, the real poetry of the sport can be found beyond the big names.
Dinner table topics
Cook: Mangoes are a summer treasure. Savor them with a shortcake dessert or in a relish. Read: “History Lessons” is one of this month’s brilliant thrillers. Listen: These are the classical pieces that our music critics can’t stop thinking about. |
