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In today’s edition, we explore the genuine friendships emerging within Washington’s political landscape, the ongoing debate over Medicaid in the Senate, a significant rematch brewing in Iowa, and more-starting with the most pressing news.
Major Headlines: Rising Tensions in Washington
The atmosphere in Washington is increasingly tense, with President Donald Trump’s social media activity fueling concerns of potential conflict. On Tuesday, Trump convened a high-level security meeting at the White House to discuss U.S. involvement in the escalating Israel-Iran tensions. Following this, he amplified his stance on social media, directly linking the United States to the Middle Eastern conflict.
In a boastful post, Trump claimed, “We now have absolute dominance over Iran’s skies. … No one does it better than the United States,” referencing U.S. military capabilities. He also issued a veiled threat to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, suggesting that “our patience is running out,” but stopping short of endorsing an immediate attack-yet hinting at the possibility of targeting Khamenei in the future.
Just minutes later, Trump declared, “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!” in a subsequent social media post.
Senator Tim Kaine (D-Virginia) voiced grave concerns from the Senate floor, warning that the U.S. might be on the brink of war with Iran-a move he described as “a disastrous mistake.”
Meanwhile, correspondent Shira Rubin reports from Jerusalem that Israeli citizens are experiencing heightened anxiety amid Iran’s missile strikes, with some feeling their sense of security slipping away.
Additional coverage by Michael Birnbaum, Dan Lamothe, Claire Parker, and Karen DeYoung delves into the critical decision facing the Trump administration: whether to initiate military action against Iran, an event described as “one of the most consequential choices” of his presidency.
Authentic Alliances in Democratic Ranks: The Future Leaders of 2025
Two prominent women shaping the Democratic Party’s future-Rep. Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey and former Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger of Virginia-share more than just electoral ambitions. Both women entered Congress during the Democratic surge of 2018, which shifted control of the House, and have since become key figures in the party’s strategic direction.
They are both mothers and have navigated Washington’s complex political environment as close allies-often sharing living arrangements and maintaining a united front. Their backgrounds include national security expertise: Spanberger served at the CIA, while Sherrill was a Navy helicopter pilot.
What sets them apart in a city notorious for superficial political friendships is their genuine camaraderie. Spanberger describes their relationship as “truly authentic,” contrasting it with the typical political facade where colleagues exchange pleasantries publicly but criticize each other privately on social media.
“In politics, it’s common to hear colleagues refer to each other as ‘my good friend from’ a particular state, only to attack each other later,” Spanberger explained. “But with us, it’s different-we are real friends, both professionally and personally.”
This trio-Spanberger, Sherrill, and Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin-are actively working to steer the Democratic Party back toward electoral success amid internal divisions. Slotkin, who transitioned from the House to the Senate last year, has become a prominent voice, crafting strategies to counter Trump’s influence and unify the party.
Spanberger recalled meeting her colleagues during their 2018 campaigns, noting their shared surprise at their own willingness to run for office-none of them had initially planned to pursue political careers. Their motivation stemmed from a desire to oppose policies they saw as harmful, such as efforts to dismantle healthcare protections and social safety nets.
Currently, Spanberger faces a competitive race against Virginia’s Lieutenant Governor, Winsome Earle-Sears, who aligns closely with popular Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin. In New Jersey, Sherrill’s Republican challenger is Jack Ciattarelli, endorsed by Trump.
Senator Slotkin highlighted that their success is rooted in their grassroots approach-listening to constituents and working diligently in districts that lean both ways politically. Their backgrounds in national security have instilled a strategic mindset, which they believe is vital for the party’s future.
The outcomes of these races will significantly influence the Democratic Party’s trajectory, especially as Republicans aim to maintain control of key state offices, buoyed by Youngkin’s popularity and recent electoral gains in states like New Jersey, which Trump narrowly lost in 2024.
Legislative Developments: The Hill’s Ongoing Battles
Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are grappling with a contentious Republican tax and spending bill, with little room for compromise. Despite hopes for moderation, the Senate Finance Committee’s revisions have sparked frustration across party lines.
Key issues include proposed cuts to Medicaid funding-particularly the provider tax that many states rely on to sustain healthcare services-climate policy adjustments, and caps on state and local tax (SALT) deductions. These provisions have become flashpoints, with some senators warning that the bill’s current form could undermine essential programs.
Senator Josh Hawley (R-Missouri), a staunch defender of Medicaid, expressed surprise at the proposed reductions, emphasizing the need to prioritize core issues. Meanwhile, climate advocates criticize the bill’s rollback of clean-energy tax credits, which, although extended slightly longer than the House version, are still set to expire next year.
Democrats, led by Senator Ron Wyden (D-Oregon), argue that the Senate’s climate provisions are a step backward, despite claims of moderation. Conversely, fiscal conservatives like Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tennessee) dismiss the extended sunset dates as deceptive.
The SALT deduction cap remains a contentious topic, with some Republican lawmakers from high-tax states vowing to oppose the bill unless their demands are met. They had long advocated for raising the cap from $10,000 to $40,000, as was negotiated in the House, and are prepared to block the legislation if their concerns aren’t addressed.
With a tight schedule-aiming to pass the bill before the July 4 recess-lawmakers face a challenging week, especially with the upcoming Juneteenth holiday, which will pause legislative activity on Thursday and Friday.
Upcoming Hearings and Political Showdowns
Today, the Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing scrutinizing President Joe Biden’s mental fitness, led by Senators Eric Schmitt (R-Missouri) and John Cornyn (R-Texas). The hearing alleges a cover-up of cognitive decline, featuring witnesses including former White House staffers from Trump’s administration, such as Sean Spicer.
Democrats, led by Senator Dick Durbin (D-Illinois), dismiss the hearing as a partisan stunt, with Durbin planning to deliver a brief statement condemning the effort and choosing not to participate actively.
Republicans continue to focus on attacking Biden’s mental acuity, with some leveraging the issue to rally their base ahead of upcoming primaries. Cornyn, in particular, is emphasizing his MAGA credentials amid a competitive primary challenge from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Trump ally.
Durbin criticized the hearing’s timing and motives, but Cornyn brushed off the criticism, joking that Durbin must possess “clairvoyance” to predict the proceedings in advance.
Electoral Campaigns: Key Races to Watch
In Iowa, Democrat Christina Bohannan is optimistic about her third bid to unseat Republican Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks. The rematch is expected to be highly competitive, especially given the narrow margin of their previous contest-just 799 votes.
Bohannan, a former state legislator, frames her campaign around holding Miller-Meeks accountable for her voting record, criticizing her for prioritizing partisan interests over Iowans’ needs, including Medicaid and Social Security.
With Trump’s strong performance in Iowa-winning the state by nearly 220,000 votes in 2024-Bohannan hopes a favorable political climate will boost her chances this cycle.
Meanwhile, Republican strategists dismiss Bohannan’s chances, asserting that Miller-Meeks’s incumbency and Trump’s support will secure her re-election. A spokesperson for the GOP campaign emphasized that the race remains a “liberal challenge” that will ultimately favor the conservative candidate.
Local News Highlights
In New York City, the publication Documented offers insights into the upcoming primary, explaining how ranked-choice voting functions and why it was adopted-an increasingly popular electoral method in various jurisdictions.
In Texas, The Barbed Wire reports on a disturbing case involving the murder of a young Black woman in Amarillo, with allegations of a cover-up by law enforcement. The story underscores ongoing concerns about justice and transparency.
Gothamist highlights that New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani is investing heavily in private security following a series of Islamophobic threats, including recent attacks targeting Minnesota lawmakers, reflecting heightened tensions and security concerns.
Share Your Thoughts
As we take a break for the week-celebrating Juneteenth tomorrow-what are your plans for the holiday? Are there community events you’re looking forward to? Share your thoughts with us at [email protected] or via our editors at [email protected] and [email protected].
Thank you for reading. Stay connected with our coverage by following Dan and Matthew on X: @merica and @matthewichoi.
