In the wee hours of Wednesday morning, Senate Democrats pushed through the $3.5 trillion budget blueprint. If the Democrat-controlled House also approves it, the budget resolution will open the door for Democrats to use a process called budget reconciliation for legislation on health care, the climate, and more. This comes as Senate Republicans blocked the latest attempt by Democrats to advance a sweeping voting overhaul bill, known as the For the People Act. Texas Senator Ted Cruz blocked Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s attempt to bring up the bill.
Taliban forces are kicking into high gear after U.S. and other international forces began their withdrawals in May. Nine provincial capitals have fallen to the Taliban. President Joe Biden says he doesn’t regret his decision to pull out, saying it’s now up to the Afghan forces to hold the line. Biden said the United States will continue to provide air support and pay Afghan fighters’ salaries. He says the Afghans have outnumbered the Taliban, and he says there’s still a possibility the Afghans will be successful because their new so-called warlord is a serious fighter.
And 52 Texas Democrats have warrants out for their arrest after they left the state to block Republican-led election reforms. The Texas Supreme Court has ruled that if the representatives don’t show up, law enforcement could detain them and bring them back to the state Capitol.
Tune into Deep Dive as we explore these topics and more.
