Capitol Hill is in high gear as President Trump barrels his “One Big Beautiful Bill” through a vote-a-rama, warning of a record 68 percent tax hike if wavering Republicans stall; the Senate did vote 51-49 to strip Planned Parenthood funding, but leadership is still hunting for final GOP votes before the July 4 deadline. Meanwhile, good news for backyard chefs: the Farm Bureau says a cookout for ten now averages $70.92—flat year-over-year and the first break in four summers. Out West, we mourn Battalion Chiefs Frank Harwood and John Morrison, the Idaho firefighters ambushed after a sniper chillingly posted he was “going hunting.” And a Gallup survey finds only 58 percent of Americans are “extremely” or “very” proud of the nation—an all-time low driven by sharp partisan and generational divides.
Debate continues in the Senate on the Big Beautiful Bill..
President Trump is pushing his “One Big Beautiful Bill” through a Senate “vote‑a‑rama” marathon ahead of a self‑imposed July 4th deadline. He warned early Tuesday that failure to pass it would trigger “a whopping 68 percent tax increase—the largest in history”—and called on Republican unity amid falling support from GOP defectors. The sweeping package includes permanent Trump-era tax cuts, border security, defense spending, and significant Medicaid and social program reductions. However, it’s facing strong resistance from both Democrats and some GOP moderates, with concerns mounting over its deficit impact and potential to reduce health coverage for millions
According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, the average cost to feed ten guests is $70.92—about 30 cents lower than last year’s record $71.22. Although that’s still well above the $52.80 pre‑pandemic price in 2019, it reflects easing inflation as prices stabilize for staples like chicken, pork, cheese and buns
Americans’ national pride has hit a record low, with only 58% of U.S. adults now saying they’re “extremely” or “very” proud to be American—a nine-point drop from last year, and the lowest since Gallup began tracking in 2001. The decline is driven mainly by Democrats (just 36% expressed strong pride, down significantly), along with a historic dip among independents at 53%, while Republicans remain high at 92%. Younger generations show the steepest drop—just 41% of Gen Z and 58% of millennials express strong pride—underscoring widening partisan and generational divides in national sentiment
