Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has vowed to pass the bill to suspend the debt ceiling and limit government spending as soon as possible to avoid a U.S. default. Senate Minority Whip John Thune has cautioned that final passage of the bill could come Friday, depending on the agreement of amendment votes. The Senate needs to pass the bill before Monday to prevent a catastrophic economic crisis.
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Former President Donald Trump's lawyers have filed a motion in Manhattan criminal court asking Judge Juan Merchan to recuse himself from the case due to alleged "significant conflicts". The motion details the alleged conflicts and states that Trump is entitled to an impartial judge and fair legal process. If the motion is granted, a new judge will be assigned to the case.
Former New Mexico Republican candidate Solomon Peña has been indicted on federal charges in connection with a series of drive-by shootings at the homes of four Democratic officials in December 2022 and January 2021. The indictment alleges that Peña and his two accomplices conspired to intimidate and interfere with the election process and used firearms in the commission of the crimes. If convicted, Peña and his two accomplices could face up to 20 years in prison.
The Pentagon has blocked a U.S. Air Force base in Nevada from hosting a drag show in celebration of Pride Month, citing current Department of Defense policy. The decision has been met with criticism from LGBTQ activists and allies, who argue that the military should be more inclusive of its LGBTQ members. The Human Rights Campaign has released a statement saying the decision “sends a dangerous message that the military is not a welcoming place for LGBTQ service members and their families.”
Congress is close to passing a bill to raise the debt limit and avoid a U.S. default, but 2024 Republican presidential hopefuls are expressing their disapproval of the deal. Former President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis have called it a “horrible deal” and “will only add to our already unsustainable debt” respectively. Other hopefuls, such as Nikki Haley and Mike Pompeo, have also voiced their concerns about the country’s debt and spending.
John Boehner, former House Speaker, praised current Speaker Kevin McCarthy for his handling of negotiations to raise the debt ceiling and trim the federal budget deficit. The bill passed the House with broad bipartisan support, and is expected to be taken up by the Senate in the coming days. If passed, it would be the first major legislative achievement of the Biden administration.
North Korea attempted to launch a military spy satellite on Tuesday, but it crashed shortly after launch. Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, condemned the international community's reaction to the launch. The failed launch has sparked alarm among North Korea's neighbors and the United Nations Security Council is expected to meet to discuss the matter.
Federal prosecutors have obtained a recording of former President Donald Trump discussing a sensitive military document during a July 2021 meeting at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey. The recording is a crucial piece of evidence in the ongoing investigation of Trump's handling of classified documents, and could be seen as obstruction of the investigation. It has been presented in grand-jury proceedings by special counsel Jack Smith's office, and the outcome of the investigation is yet to be determined.