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The GOP-led Senate is making its return from recess today with the ambitious goal of passing a multi-trillion-dollar budget plan within the next few weeks. This proposed budget plan is pivotal as it encompasses the core of President Trump's domestic policy agenda, which includes tax cuts and significant reforms in defense, energy, and immigration policy. Congressional Republicans are aiming to have the bill on the president's desk by July 4, which requires them to navigate a complex landscape of competing interests and demands.
According to NPR's Claudia Grisales, Senate Republicans can only afford to lose three votes for the plan to pass. However, some senators have already expressed concerns regarding the bill. The negotiations are expected to be tough, particularly due to the bill's provisions aimed at lifting the federal debt limit—an essential step to avoid a financial default this summer. Grisales reports that approximately 60% of the bill is likely to remain unchanged, but deep cuts to Medicaid are anticipated to spark considerable debate among Senate Republicans.
In a shocking incident in Boulder, Colorado, a man has been taken into custody following an attack on participants of a walk and vigil for Israeli hostages being held by Hamas. The suspect, identified as 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman, reportedly shouted "free Palestine" before using a makeshift flame-thrower on the crowd. This violent act resulted in multiple injuries, with several participants hospitalized, including a Holocaust survivor.
The attack has left the local Jewish community in shock and horror. Megan Verlee from Colorado Public Radio reports that the group targeted, known as Run for Their Lives, was peacefully advocating for the release of hostages. Colorado's governor and attorney general have condemned this incident as a hate crime. Stefanie Clarke, a leader of Stop Antisemitism Colorado, emphasized that such incidents are a consequence of a climate of hate that has been allowed to grow.
Today, a new round of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine is set to take place in Istanbul, Turkey. This meeting follows a dramatic escalation in hostilities, where Ukraine executed a series of remote drone strikes on Russian military air bases deep within its territory. Ukrainian forces successfully concealed drones in flatbed trucks, which were parked near military bases before launching attacks on aircraft on the runways.
In retaliation, Russia unleashed over 470 drones and missiles targeting various locations across Ukraine over the weekend. NPR's Charles Maynes notes that Russia typically positions itself as the dominant force in peace negotiations due to its stronger military capability. Interestingly, former President Trump has echoed Russia's sentiments, suggesting that Ukraine needs to make significant concessions. Nevertheless, the recent drone strike by Ukraine indicates that it retains leverage in military strategy as the peace talks approach.
In health news, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has removed the COVID-19 vaccine from the recommended list for healthy pregnant women. However, existing guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) still categorize pregnant women as a high-risk group that should receive booster shots. Research supports the CDC's stance, indicating that pregnant women who contract COVID-19 are at a higher risk of severe illness and hospitalization compared to their non-pregnant counterparts.
Pregnancy increases the likelihood of blood clots, a risk which escalates with COVID-19 infection. Furthermore, inflammation and blood clots in the placenta have been linked to a higher risk of stillbirth. Vaccination during pregnancy has been shown to protect newborns, with nearly 90% of babies hospitalized with COVID-19 having mothers who did not receive the vaccine while pregnant.
In our Living Better series, we highlight the inspiring story of Jessica Slice, who, after being diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), redefined her identity as a person with a disability. This new identity brought both challenges and empowerment, especially as she embraced motherhood. In her book, Unfit Parent: A Disabled Mother Challenges An Inaccessible World, Slice shares her journey as a parent with a disability and discusses the importance of interdependence.
Slice emphasizes that she does not pressure herself or her children to achieve perfection, embracing the notion that life does not need to be flawless. She also does not track developmental milestones for her kids, which has provided her with a sense of freedom. Moreover, she advocates for better access to inclusive sexual education for people with disabilities, challenging the stigma around parenthood for those with disabilities.
1. Stephanie Case gained viral attention after taking breaks during a 100-kilometer race in Wales to breastfeed her six-month-old daughter. Remarkably, she finished the race first among women.
2. A memorial and jazz funeral in Louisiana recently honored 19 Black Americans whose remains were returned from Germany, where they were used for racial research in the late 1800s.
3. The reality show Survivor celebrated its 25th anniversary over the weekend, with passionate fans, including NPR producer Mia Venkat, recreating their own version of the show, complete with fierce competition and unexpected twists.
This newsletter was edited by Suzanne Nuyen.
