Word of Bacon’s decision has caused national shockwaves, in one of the most competitive congressional districts nationally

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/jsalinas/">Juan Salinas II</a>&nbsp;<br><a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — Nebraska Republican U.S. Rep. Don Bacon appears poised to leave Congress in early 2027.

One House Republican strategist who works on campaigns across the country said Bacon was not running for reelection and that he had already telegraphed what he was going to do. He spoke to the Examiner Friday on the condition that he not be named publicly, because he was not authorized to share the decision.&nbsp;

“Don’t get me wrong,” the consultant said. “This seat is tougher without Bacon, but he’s not special. It can be done.”&nbsp;

Five other local Republican sources familiar with Bacon’s choice confirmed that he had decided to skip the 2026 race. They echoed Friday evening reports from Washington, D.C., including from&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/JakeSherman/status/1938740738134581555" target="_blank">Punchbowl News</a>.&nbsp;

Bacon’s campaign had no immediate comment on the reports. But people who know politics in Nebraska’s Omaha-based 2nd District had been buzzing for days about the possibility of Bacon making a decision as soon as next week. Bacon had planned to meet with local reporters early next week.&nbsp;

Part of the buzz came from a group of Nebraska Republicans waiting on Bacon’s decision, a list that local conservatives have said includes former State Sen. Brett Lindstrom and Omaha City Councilman Brinker Harding, and might also include Bacon’s 2024 GOP primary challenger, Dan Frei.&nbsp;

Bacon, in recent interviews with the Nebraska Examiner and other publications, had been hinting that he might step away, with the retired Air Force brigadier saying that he had to speak with his family and decide.&nbsp;Bacon’s decision would cause national political shockwaves, as Bacon represents one of a handful of true swing districts left nationally, one that is Nebraska’s most political divided and diverse.&nbsp;

The 2nd District includes all of Douglas and Saunders Counties and a significant slice of western suburban and rural Sarpy County. The district includes the state’s largest concentration of Democrats and was redistricted to include a larger swath of Republican-leaning rural voters in Wahoo and surrounding areas.&nbsp;

Neither the Nebraska Republican Party nor the National Republican Congressional Committee had any immediate comment.

“The writing has been on the wall for months,” said Madison Andrus, a spokesperson for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the campaign arm of congressional Democrats.&nbsp;

Jane Kleeb, chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party, tweeted after Punchbowl News’ Jake Sherman tweeted the news that local Democrats have been ready.

“Don Bacon and all the Republicans who give Trump cover see the writing on the wall–voters actually want politicians to focus on issues that impact our pocket books not made up culture wars,” she said.&nbsp;

She touted the Democrats who have already announced, including political action committee co-founder and&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/05/01/denise-powell-launches-bid-in-nebraskas-2nd-congressional-district/">business owner Denise Powell</a>&nbsp;and State&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/06/04/state-sen-john-cavanaugh-running-for-congress-in-nebraskas-2nd-district/">Sen. John Cavanaugh of Omaha</a>. Before word of Bacon’s future broke on Friday, a third major Democrat&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/06/27/douglas-county-district-court-clerk-exploring-bid-in-nebraskas-crowded-2nd-district-field/">confirmed she is considering a bid</a>, Douglas County District Court Clerk Crystal Rhoades.

Powell, in a statement, thanks Bacon for his service in the military and in Congress and said it “takes courage to recognize when a fresh perspective is warranted.”

“This district is clearly ready for — and deserves — change,” Powell said.

Cavanaugh, in a statement, thanked Bacon “for his decades of service to his country” and wished him well.&nbsp;

“The people of Nebraska’s 2nd District know it’s time for a change,” Cavanaugh said.

Rhoades, in a statement, said Bacon had “finally realized what has been obvious to all of us: Republicans can’t defend their record this year.”&nbsp;

“Costs are going up, they’re cutting healthcare, but they’re giving tax breaks to billionaires,” Rhoades said.

Bacon has been able to fend off multiple Democratic challengers in recent years, thanks in part to the district’s slight GOP tilt. Now, it could be a mad dash for both parties toward an open seat.&nbsp;

The retired Air Force brigadier general gained national attention for being one of the few Republicans to criticize President Donald Trump, though, despite Bacon’s criticism, he often ended up siding with his party as a reliable GOP vote. He survived pointed criticism from Trump and multiple attempts to recruit a GOP challenger from the president and his political team.&nbsp;

Bacon most recently defeated former State Sen. Tony Vargas of Omaha in back-to-back elections. Before that, he defeated Omaha progressive Kara Eastman in two successive contests. And he won election in 2016 by defeating the last Democrat to hold the “blue dot” seat, the late-U.S. Rep. Brad Ashford, D-Neb.

Besides the two highest-profile Democratic candidates in the race, Mark Johnston and Evangelos Argyrakis have confirmed they are running.&nbsp;

Whoever emerges from the 2026 Democratic primary will have to tangle with a former gubernatorial candidate in Lindstrom, a longtime City Council member in Harding or perhaps a state officeholder on the Republican side.

The nonpartisan Cook Political Report just shifted the Omaha-based House to lean Democrat from lean Republican.

Examiner Editor-in-chief Aaron Sanderford contributed to this report.&nbsp;

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1751075681821.png" alt=" One House Republican strategist who works on campaigns across the country said Bacon was not running for reelection (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)" />
                        <figcaption> One House Republican strategist who works on campaigns across the country said Bacon was not running for reelection (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
                    </figure><h2>Word of Bacon’s decision has caused national shockwaves, in one of the most competitive congressional districts nationally</h2><p>By:&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/jsalinas/">Juan Salinas II</a>&nbsp;<br><a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/">Nebraska Examiner</a></p><p>LINCOLN — Nebraska Republican U.S. Rep. Don Bacon appears poised to leave Congress in early 2027.</p><p>One House Republican strategist who works on campaigns across the country said Bacon was not running for reelection and that he had already telegraphed what he was going to do. He spoke to the Examiner Friday on the condition that he not be named publicly, because he was not authorized to share the decision.&nbsp;</p><p>“Don’t get me wrong,” the consultant said. “This seat is tougher without Bacon, but he’s not special. It can be done.”&nbsp;</p><p>Five other local Republican sources familiar with Bacon’s choice confirmed that he had decided to skip the 2026 race. They echoed Friday evening reports from Washington, D.C., including from&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/JakeSherman/status/1938740738134581555" target="_blank">Punchbowl News</a>.&nbsp;</p><h2>No immediate comment</h2><p>Bacon’s campaign had no immediate comment on the reports. But people who know politics in Nebraska’s Omaha-based 2nd District had been buzzing for days about the possibility of Bacon making a decision as soon as next week. Bacon had planned to meet with local reporters early next week.&nbsp;</p><p>Part of the buzz came from a group of Nebraska Republicans waiting on Bacon’s decision, a list that local conservatives have said includes former State Sen. Brett Lindstrom and Omaha City Councilman Brinker Harding, and might also include Bacon’s 2024 GOP primary challenger, Dan Frei.&nbsp;</p><p>Bacon, in recent interviews with the Nebraska Examiner and other publications, had been hinting that he might step away, with the retired Air Force brigadier saying that he had to speak with his family and decide.&nbsp;Bacon’s decision would cause national political shockwaves, as Bacon represents one of a handful of true swing districts left nationally, one that is Nebraska’s most political divided and diverse.&nbsp;</p><h2>Diverse swing district</h2><p>The 2nd District includes all of Douglas and Saunders Counties and a significant slice of western suburban and rural Sarpy County. The district includes the state’s largest concentration of Democrats and was redistricted to include a larger swath of Republican-leaning rural voters in Wahoo and surrounding areas.&nbsp;</p><p>Neither the Nebraska Republican Party nor the National Republican Congressional Committee had any immediate comment.</p><p>“The writing has been on the wall for months,” said Madison Andrus, a spokesperson for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the campaign arm of congressional Democrats.&nbsp;</p><p>Jane Kleeb, chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party, tweeted after Punchbowl News’ Jake Sherman tweeted the news that local Democrats have been ready.</p><p>“Don Bacon and all the Republicans who give Trump cover see the writing on the wall–voters actually want politicians to focus on issues that impact our pocket books not made up culture wars,” she said.&nbsp;</p><h2>Candidates lining up</h2><p>She touted the Democrats who have already announced, including political action committee co-founder and&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/05/01/denise-powell-launches-bid-in-nebraskas-2nd-congressional-district/">business owner Denise Powell</a>&nbsp;and State&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/06/04/state-sen-john-cavanaugh-running-for-congress-in-nebraskas-2nd-district/">Sen. John Cavanaugh of Omaha</a>. Before word of Bacon’s future broke on Friday, a third major Democrat&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/06/27/douglas-county-district-court-clerk-exploring-bid-in-nebraskas-crowded-2nd-district-field/">confirmed she is considering a bid</a>, Douglas County District Court Clerk Crystal Rhoades.</p><p>Powell, in a statement, thanks Bacon for his service in the military and in Congress and said it “takes courage to recognize when a fresh perspective is warranted.”</p><p>“This district is clearly ready for — and deserves — change,” Powell said.</p><p>Cavanaugh, in a statement, thanked Bacon “for his decades of service to his country” and wished him well.&nbsp;</p><p>“The people of Nebraska’s 2nd District know it’s time for a change,” Cavanaugh said.</p><p>Rhoades, in a statement, said Bacon had “finally realized what has been obvious to all of us: Republicans can’t defend their record this year.”&nbsp;</p><p>“Costs are going up, they’re cutting healthcare, but they’re giving tax breaks to billionaires,” Rhoades said.</p><p>Bacon has been able to fend off multiple Democratic challengers in recent years, thanks in part to the district’s slight GOP tilt. Now, it could be a mad dash for both parties toward an open seat.&nbsp;</p><h2>National attention</h2><p>The retired Air Force brigadier general gained national attention for being one of the few Republicans to criticize President Donald Trump, though, despite Bacon’s criticism, he often ended up siding with his party as a reliable GOP vote. He survived pointed criticism from Trump and multiple attempts to recruit a GOP challenger from the president and his political team.&nbsp;</p><p>Bacon most recently defeated former State Sen. Tony Vargas of Omaha in back-to-back elections. Before that, he defeated Omaha progressive Kara Eastman in two successive contests. And he won election in 2016 by defeating the last Democrat to hold the “blue dot” seat, the late-U.S. Rep. Brad Ashford, D-Neb.</p><p>Besides the two highest-profile Democratic candidates in the race, Mark Johnston and Evangelos Argyrakis have confirmed they are running.&nbsp;</p><p>Whoever emerges from the 2026 Democratic primary will have to tangle with a former gubernatorial candidate in Lindstrom, a longtime City Council member in Harding or perhaps a state officeholder on the Republican side.</p><p>The nonpartisan Cook Political Report just shifted the Omaha-based House to lean Democrat from lean Republican.</p><p>Examiner Editor-in-chief Aaron Sanderford contributed to this report.&nbsp;</p>

Nebraska U.S. Rep. Don Bacon will not seek reelection in Nebraska’s 2nd District

WASHINGTON —President Trump held a a news conference in the White House briefing room Friday and said that the decision on nationwide injunctions in connection with his birthright citizenship order from the Supreme Court was “amazing” and a “monumental victory for the Constitution,” the separation of powers and the rule of law.

(Click below to watch the full press conference)

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1751042330519.png" alt="Image from White House video" />
                        <figcaption>Image from White House video</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>WASHINGTON —President Trump held a a news conference in the White House briefing room Friday and said that the decision on nationwide injunctions in connection with his birthright citizenship order from the Supreme Court was “amazing” and a “monumental victory for the Constitution,” the separation of powers and the rule of law.</p><p>(Click below to watch the full press conference)</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">President Trump Holds a Press Briefing, June 27, 2025 <a href="https://t.co/4BE57TB6e5">https://t.co/4BE57TB6e5</a></p>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1938625348129739251?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 27, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Supreme Court Monumental Victory 🇺🇸<br><br>&quot;Thanks to this decision, we can now promptly file to proceed with numerous policies that have been wrongly enjoined on a nationwide basis.&quot; - <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> <a href="https://t.co/tdFqP0ESVz">pic.twitter.com/tdFqP0ESVz</a></p>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1938634814606934393?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 27, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;This is really also a decision based on common sense. It didn&#39;t work the other way. It was a disaster where somebody from a certain location in a very liberal state or a liberal judge or liberal group of judges could tie up a country for years.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/MFcAIjKIVG">pic.twitter.com/MFcAIjKIVG</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1938630127367405710?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 27, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;This really brings back the Constitution. This is what it&#39;s all about... the Constitution has been brought back.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/KMmx0e0C8d">pic.twitter.com/KMmx0e0C8d</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1938629850174038075?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 27, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">President Trump: “Should we keep this going?” <br><br>Press: “YES!!!” <br><br>President Trump: “This is the opposite of Biden!” <br><br>TRANSPARENCY! 🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/2XCxfKDCkl">pic.twitter.com/2XCxfKDCkl</a></p>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/1938637864322929115?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 27, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;I think the ruling was a great ruling, and I think it&#39;s a great ruling for parents... they lost control of the schools. They lost control of their child, and this is a tremendous victory for parents.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/Pla2qrLE36">https://t.co/Pla2qrLE36</a> <a href="https://t.co/jqySSHA8QM">pic.twitter.com/jqySSHA8QM</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1938631684284432695?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 27, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/AGPamBondi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AGPamBondi</a>: &quot;35 of the 40 nationwide injunctions filed against this President ... came from Maryland, D.C., Massachusetts, California, and Washington. That&#39;s CRAZY.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/xffC32Wjvk">pic.twitter.com/xffC32Wjvk</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1938629547928506391?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 27, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/AGPamBondi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AGPamBondi</a>: &quot;Americans are finally getting what they voted for. No longer will we have rogue judges striking down <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>&#39; policies across the entire nation — NO LONGER!&quot; <a href="https://t.co/rqLMAgVKj9">pic.twitter.com/rqLMAgVKj9</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1938627972874854848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 27, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The White House press corps has a question for President Trump .. <a href="https://t.co/WTneHzVQjb">pic.twitter.com/WTneHzVQjb</a></p>&mdash; Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) <a href="https://twitter.com/HowardMortman/status/1938642896145559709?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 27, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥President Trump victory lap on Supreme Court decisions

The case involves a 2023 state law requiring adult websites to verify users’ ages, but the ruling is expected to have broader implications for free speech law.

By&nbsp;<a href="https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/kayla-guo/">Kayla Guo</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/eleanor-klibanoff/">Eleanor Klibanoff</a>&nbsp; <br><a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/27/texas-porn-websites-age-verification-law-supreme-court/">Texas Tribune</a>

Texas’ law requiring Pornhub and other adult websites to verify users’ ages is constitutional and can remain in effect, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Friday.

<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24pdf/23-1122_3e04.pdf">Click here to read the full Supreme Court ruling</a>

<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/audio/2024/23-1122">Click here to listen&nbsp;</a>to the oral argument from January

The case stems from a 2023 law,&nbsp;<a href="https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=88R&amp;Bill=HB1181">HB 1181</a>, that required websites to verify that a user is over the age of 18 if more than one-third of their content is considered harmful to minors. A group of adult entertainment websites sued, arguing this violated free speech and privacy protections.

Texas countered that the state had a right to protect children with what Solicitor General Aaron Nielson framed as “simple, safe and common” restrictions.

While the Supreme Court justices&nbsp;<a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/15/texas-porn-site-ban-us-supreme-court/">seemed divided</a>&nbsp;on the free speech issues, a 6-3 majority of the Court&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24pdf/23-1122_3e04.pdf">ultimately sided</a>&nbsp;with Texas, finding that requiring age verification “is within a State’s authority to prevent children from accessing sexually explicit content.”

The 2023 law “is an exercise of Texas’s traditional power to prevent minors from accessing speech that is obscene from their perspective,” Justice Clarence Thomas wrote in the majority’s opinion. “To the extent that it burdens adults’ rights to access such speech, it has ‘only an incidental effect on protected speech,’ making it subject to intermediate scrutiny.”

The Court’s three liberal justices dissented, arguing that the law should have been held to the higher standard of strict scrutiny, the most stringent level of legal review used in cases related to fundamental rights, such as freedom of speech. The dissenting judges also argued that while states have a “compelling interest” in protecting children from obscene speech, doing so sometimes impeded the right of adults to access that speech.

In her dissent, which was joined by Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Kentanji Brown Jackson, Justice Elena Kagan said that Texas’ law might well have passed strict scrutiny and used the least restrictive means to achieve its goals.

“But what if Texas could do better — what if Texas could achieve its interest without so interfering with adults’ constitutionally protected rights in viewing the speech HB 1181 covers?” Kagan wrote. “The State should be foreclosed from restricting adults’ access to protected speech if that is not in fact necessary.”.

Texas’ law requires people visiting websites “more than one-third of which is sexual material harmful to minors” to show they are over 18 by submitting digital identification, uploading government-issued identification or by using a “commercially reasonable method,” such as their banking information. Neither the website nor the party performing the verification can retain identifying information. Sites that violate the law face fines of up to $10,000 a day.

The law was passed amid a broader push in Texas and other states to prevent children from being exposed to sexual materials, which&nbsp;<a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/26/texas-school-library-bill/">continued this legislative session</a>. Friday’s ruling could have implications for more than a dozen states that have passed similar laws.

It was not the first time that these Texas bills have&nbsp;<a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2024/01/17/texas-book-rating-lawsuit-5th-circuit/">tested the boundaries of</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2023/08/31/texas-drag-bill-lawsuit-federal-hearing/">free speech protections</a>: In two cases, the Supreme Court has ruled that laws aimed to prevent the distribution of obscene materials to minors unconstitutionally restricted free speech.

Attorney General&nbsp;<a href="https://www.texastribune.org/directory/ken-paxton/">Ken Paxton</a>&nbsp;celebrated the ruling Friday, calling it a “major victory for children, parents and the ability of states to protect minors from the damaging effects of online pornography.”

The Texas Tribune thanks its sponsors.&nbsp;<a href="https://mediakit.texastribune.org/">Become one</a>.

“Companies have no right to expose children to pornography and must institute reasonable age verification measures,” Paxton said. “I will continue to enforce the law against any organization that refuses to take the necessary steps to protect minors from explicit materials.”

Civil liberties groups decried the decision as a rollback of free speech protections.

“Today’s ruling limits American adults’ access to only that speech which is fit for children — unless they show their papers first,” Bob Corn-Revere, chief counsel of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, said in a statement. “Data breaches are inevitable. How many will it take before we understand the threat today’s ruling presents? Americans will live to regret the day we let the government condition access to protected speech on proof of our identity.”

The Free Speech Coalition, a legal advocacy group representing the adult film industry, has argued that laws targeting pornography are always the “canary in the coal mine of free speech.”

“Many of the First Amendment protections Americans hold dear are the result of hard battles fought by the adult industry and others over issues such as these,” the coalition said in a statement&nbsp;<a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/14/texas-pornhub-5th-circuit-age-verification-paxton/">last March</a>. “None of these battles has ever been simple or easy, though they have been important and just.”

Critics of Texas’ law raised privacy concerns and said it could make it dangerous for adults to access legal content. Critics also argued HB 1181 was overly broad and could apply to websites providing resources on reproductive health, sex education and LGBTQ+ issues.

The day before the law was set to go into effect in 2023, a U.S. district judge put it on hold, granting a request for a temporary injunction filed by the Free Speech Coalition.

Federal District Judge David Alan Ezra, a Ronald Reagan appointee, said in granting the injunction that the law would allow the government “to peer into the most intimate and personal aspects of people’s lives,” imposing a chilling effect on constitutionally protected speech.

The state appealed to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which allowed the law to take effect. In March 2024, the appeals court upheld most of the law, but struck down a requirement that these websites post a “health warning,” saying that pornography is addictive and weakens brain function.

The Supreme Court agreed to take up the case in July 2024 and heard arguments earlier this year on whether the appeals court applied proper legal reasoning in upholding age-verification.

The pornography websites’ claims attracted support from a wide cross-section of advocacy groups, from librarians to libertarians, who cited concerns about the ripple effects of Texas’ law. The Biden administration also submitted an&nbsp;<a href="https://assets.freespeechcoalition.com/documents/legal/FSCvPaxton/amici/SG.pdf">amicus brief</a>&nbsp;in support of overturning the law.

Meanwhile, some websites, including Pornhub, have&nbsp;<a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/14/texas-pornhub-5th-circuit-age-verification-paxton/">suspended services</a>&nbsp;in Texas, saying they are unable to comply with the law. In a statement that greets users who try to access the website in Texas, Pornhub says that “providing identification every time you want to visit an adult platform is not an effective solution for protecting users online, and in fact, will put minors and your privacy at risk.”

“As we’ve seen in other states, such bills have failed to protect minors, by driving users from those few websites which comply, to the hundreds of thousands of websites with far fewer safety measures in place, which do not comply,” the statement says.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706036605430.png" alt="<br>" />
                        <figcaption><br></figcaption>
                    </figure><p>The case involves a 2023 state law requiring adult websites to verify users’ ages, but the ruling is expected to have broader implications for free speech law.</p><p>By&nbsp;<a href="https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/kayla-guo/">Kayla Guo</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/eleanor-klibanoff/">Eleanor Klibanoff</a>&nbsp; <br><a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/27/texas-porn-websites-age-verification-law-supreme-court/">Texas Tribune</a></p><p>Texas’ law requiring Pornhub and other adult websites to verify users’ ages is constitutional and can remain in effect, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Friday.</p><p><a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24pdf/23-1122_3e04.pdf">Click here to read the full Supreme Court ruling</a></p><p><a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/audio/2024/23-1122">Click here to listen&nbsp;</a>to the oral argument from January</p><p>The case stems from a 2023 law,&nbsp;<a href="https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=88R&amp;Bill=HB1181">HB 1181</a>, that required websites to verify that a user is over the age of 18 if more than one-third of their content is considered harmful to minors. A group of adult entertainment websites sued, arguing this violated free speech and privacy protections.</p><p>Texas countered that the state had a right to protect children with what Solicitor General Aaron Nielson framed as “simple, safe and common” restrictions.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1751040262939.png" alt="" />
                        <figcaption></figcaption>
                    </figure><p>While the Supreme Court justices&nbsp;<a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/15/texas-porn-site-ban-us-supreme-court/">seemed divided</a>&nbsp;on the free speech issues, a 6-3 majority of the Court&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24pdf/23-1122_3e04.pdf">ultimately sided</a>&nbsp;with Texas, finding that requiring age verification “is within a State’s authority to prevent children from accessing sexually explicit content.”</p><p>The 2023 law “is an exercise of Texas’s traditional power to prevent minors from accessing speech that is obscene from their perspective,” Justice Clarence Thomas wrote in the majority’s opinion. “To the extent that it burdens adults’ rights to access such speech, it has ‘only an incidental effect on protected speech,’ making it subject to intermediate scrutiny.”</p><p>The Court’s three liberal justices dissented, arguing that the law should have been held to the higher standard of strict scrutiny, the most stringent level of legal review used in cases related to fundamental rights, such as freedom of speech. The dissenting judges also argued that while states have a “compelling interest” in protecting children from obscene speech, doing so sometimes impeded the right of adults to access that speech.</p><p>In her dissent, which was joined by Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Kentanji Brown Jackson, Justice Elena Kagan said that Texas’ law might well have passed strict scrutiny and used the least restrictive means to achieve its goals.</p><p>“But what if Texas could do better — what if Texas could achieve its interest without so interfering with adults’ constitutionally protected rights in viewing the speech HB 1181 covers?” Kagan wrote. “The State should be foreclosed from restricting adults’ access to protected speech if that is not in fact necessary.”.</p><p>Texas’ law requires people visiting websites “more than one-third of which is sexual material harmful to minors” to show they are over 18 by submitting digital identification, uploading government-issued identification or by using a “commercially reasonable method,” such as their banking information. Neither the website nor the party performing the verification can retain identifying information. Sites that violate the law face fines of up to $10,000 a day.</p><p>The law was passed amid a broader push in Texas and other states to prevent children from being exposed to sexual materials, which&nbsp;<a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/26/texas-school-library-bill/">continued this legislative session</a>. Friday’s ruling could have implications for more than a dozen states that have passed similar laws.</p><p>It was not the first time that these Texas bills have&nbsp;<a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2024/01/17/texas-book-rating-lawsuit-5th-circuit/">tested the boundaries of</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2023/08/31/texas-drag-bill-lawsuit-federal-hearing/">free speech protections</a>: In two cases, the Supreme Court has ruled that laws aimed to prevent the distribution of obscene materials to minors unconstitutionally restricted free speech.</p><p>Attorney General&nbsp;<a href="https://www.texastribune.org/directory/ken-paxton/">Ken Paxton</a>&nbsp;celebrated the ruling Friday, calling it a “major victory for children, parents and the ability of states to protect minors from the damaging effects of online pornography.”</p><p>The Texas Tribune thanks its sponsors.&nbsp;<a href="https://mediakit.texastribune.org/">Become one</a>.</p><p>“Companies have no right to expose children to pornography and must institute reasonable age verification measures,” Paxton said. “I will continue to enforce the law against any organization that refuses to take the necessary steps to protect minors from explicit materials.”</p><p>Civil liberties groups decried the decision as a rollback of free speech protections.</p><p>“Today’s ruling limits American adults’ access to only that speech which is fit for children — unless they show their papers first,” Bob Corn-Revere, chief counsel of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, said in a statement. “Data breaches are inevitable. How many will it take before we understand the threat today’s ruling presents? Americans will live to regret the day we let the government condition access to protected speech on proof of our identity.”</p><p>The Free Speech Coalition, a legal advocacy group representing the adult film industry, has argued that laws targeting pornography are always the “canary in the coal mine of free speech.”</p><p>The Texas Tribune thanks its sponsors.&nbsp;<a href="https://mediakit.texastribune.org/">Become one</a>.</p><p>“Many of the First Amendment protections Americans hold dear are the result of hard battles fought by the adult industry and others over issues such as these,” the coalition said in a statement&nbsp;<a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/14/texas-pornhub-5th-circuit-age-verification-paxton/">last March</a>. “None of these battles has ever been simple or easy, though they have been important and just.”</p><p>Critics of Texas’ law raised privacy concerns and said it could make it dangerous for adults to access legal content. Critics also argued HB 1181 was overly broad and could apply to websites providing resources on reproductive health, sex education and LGBTQ+ issues.</p><p>The day before the law was set to go into effect in 2023, a U.S. district judge put it on hold, granting a request for a temporary injunction filed by the Free Speech Coalition.</p><p>Federal District Judge David Alan Ezra, a Ronald Reagan appointee, said in granting the injunction that the law would allow the government “to peer into the most intimate and personal aspects of people’s lives,” imposing a chilling effect on constitutionally protected speech.</p><p>The state appealed to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which allowed the law to take effect. In March 2024, the appeals court upheld most of the law, but struck down a requirement that these websites post a “health warning,” saying that pornography is addictive and weakens brain function.</p><p>The Supreme Court agreed to take up the case in July 2024 and heard arguments earlier this year on whether the appeals court applied proper legal reasoning in upholding age-verification.</p><p>The pornography websites’ claims attracted support from a wide cross-section of advocacy groups, from librarians to libertarians, who cited concerns about the ripple effects of Texas’ law. The Biden administration also submitted an&nbsp;<a href="https://assets.freespeechcoalition.com/documents/legal/FSCvPaxton/amici/SG.pdf">amicus brief</a>&nbsp;in support of overturning the law.</p><p>Meanwhile, some websites, including Pornhub, have&nbsp;<a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/14/texas-pornhub-5th-circuit-age-verification-paxton/">suspended services</a>&nbsp;in Texas, saying they are unable to comply with the law. In a statement that greets users who try to access the website in Texas, Pornhub says that “providing identification every time you want to visit an adult platform is not an effective solution for protecting users online, and in fact, will put minors and your privacy at risk.”</p><p>“As we’ve seen in other states, such bills have failed to protect minors, by driving users from those few websites which comply, to the hundreds of thousands of websites with far fewer safety measures in place, which do not comply,” the statement says.</p>

State can require porn websites to verify users’ ages, Supreme Court rules

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/ariana-figueroa/">Ariana Figueroa</a>

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court Friday in a major decision reined in nationwide injunctions by some lower courts that had blocked President Donald Trump’s executive order barring birthright citizenship.

<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24pdf/24a884_8n59.pdf">Click here to read the full order from the court&nbsp;</a>

<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/audio/2024/24A884">Click here to listen to</a>&nbsp;a replay of the oral argument

The high court declined to decide the constitutionality of birthright citizenship itself, but said the executive order rewriting the constitutional right to birthright citizenship could go into effect within 30 days after Friday’s ruling in the states that did not initially sue.

The ruling likely could hamper other legal challenges against Trump administration actions in which nationwide injunctions are sought.

In a 6-3 ruling, the conservative justices found that nationwide “injunctions likely exceed the equitable authority that Congress has given to federal courts.”

“The Court grants the Government’s applications for a partial stay of the injunctions entered below, but only to the extent that the injunctions are broader than necessary to provide complete relief to each plaintiff with standing to sue,”&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24pdf/24a884_8n59.pdf" target="_blank">according to the ruling written by Justice Amy Coney Barrett.</a>

While the dispute before the court related to Trump’s executive order to rewrite the constitutional right to birthright citizenship, the Trump administration asked the high court to instead focus on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/24/24A884/352051/20250313135341225_Trump%20v.%20CASA%20Inc%20application.pdf" target="_blank">the issue of preliminary injunctions</a>&nbsp;granted by lower courts.

“The applications do not raise—and thus the Court does not address—the question whether the Executive Order violates the Citizenship Clause or Nationality Act,” according to the ruling, referring to the practice of granting citizenship to babies born on U.S. soil.

The order instructs lower courts to “move expeditiously to ensure that, with respect to each plaintiff, the injunctions comport with this rule and otherwise comply with principles of equity.”

More than two dozen nationwide injunctions

In the first 100 days of the second Trump administration, through April 29, judges issued about 25 nationwide injunctions,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/R48476" target="_blank">according to the Congressional Research Service.</a>

“The lower courts should determine whether a narrower injunction is appropriate; we therefore leave it to them to consider these and any related arguments,” according to the ruling.

A narrower injunction could refer to a class action suit.

Barrett argued that a nationwide injunction would not grant more relief for barring the enforcement of Trump’s executive order against a pregnant person who is not a U.S. citizen and fears their child would be denied citizenship.

“Her child will not be denied citizenship. And extending the injunction to cover everyone similarly situated would not render&nbsp;her&nbsp;relief any more complete,” according to the ruling. “So the individual and associational respondents are wrong to characterize the universal injunction as simply an application of the complete-relief principle.”

Under birthright citizenship, all children born in the United States are considered citizens, regardless of their parents’ legal status.

If birthright citizenship were to be eliminated, more than 250,000 children born each year would not be granted U.S. citizenship, according to a recent&nbsp;<a href="https://www.migrationpolicy.org/news/birthright-citizenship-repeal-projections" target="_blank">study</a>&nbsp;by the think tank the Migration Policy Institute.

It would effectively create a class of 2.7 million stateless people by 2045, according to the study.

In last month’s oral arguments, Solicitor General D. John Sauer, who argued on behalf of the Trump administration, contended that it’s unconstitutional for federal judges to issue nationwide injunctions. Instead, he&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-wants-supreme-court-let-him-mostly-carry-out-birthright-citizenship-order" target="_blank">said, the injunctions should be limited</a>&nbsp;to those who brought the challenges.

The case, Trump v. CASA, was consolidated from three cases.

One was brought by immigrant rights groups and several pregnant women in Maryland who are not U.S. citizens who filed their case in Maryland; the second came from four states — Washington, Arizona, Illinois, and Oregon — that filed a case in Washington state; and the third came from 18 Democratic state attorneys general who filed the challenge in Massachusetts.

Those 18 states are California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Vermont and Wisconsin. The District of Columbia and the county and city of San Francisco also joined.

This is not the first time the Supreme Court has addressed the issue of birthright citizenship.

In 1898, the Supreme Court upheld the&nbsp;<a href="https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/amdt14-S1-8-9-2/ALDE_00000051/" target="_blank">14th Amendment,</a>&nbsp;in United States v. Wong Kim Ark, extending birthright citizenship.

<a href="https://www.oyez.org/cases/1850-1900/169us649" target="_blank">In that 19th-century case</a>, Ark was born in San Francisco, California, to parents who were citizens of the Republic of China, but had legal authority to be in the United States, such as a temporary visa. While Ark was born in California, his citizenship was not recognized when he went on a trip to China. Upon his return to California, he was denied reentry due to the Chinese Exclusion Act— a racist law designed to restrict and limit nearly all immigration of Chinese nationals.

When his case went all the way to the Supreme Court, the high court ruled that children born in the U.S. to parents who were not citizens automatically become citizens at birth.

The Trump administration has argued that the 1898 case was misinterpreted and point to a specific phrase: “subject to the jurisdiction” of the United States.

Government attorneys contend that the phrase in the 14th Amendment means that birthright citizenship&nbsp;does not apply to&nbsp;people in the U.S. without legal status or temporary legal status&nbsp;who are “subject to the jurisdiction” of their country of origin.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1747336226952.png" alt="Protesters outside the Supreme Court during the arguments on the case in May-image courtesy CSPAN" />
                        <figcaption>Protesters outside the Supreme Court during the arguments on the case in May-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>By:&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/ariana-figueroa/">Ariana Figueroa</a></p><p>WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court Friday in a major decision reined in nationwide injunctions by some lower courts that had blocked President Donald Trump’s executive order barring birthright citizenship.</p><p><a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24pdf/24a884_8n59.pdf">Click here to read the full order from the court&nbsp;</a></p><p><a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/audio/2024/24A884">Click here to listen to</a>&nbsp;a replay of the oral argument</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="zxx" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/T4SIRwsXOX">pic.twitter.com/T4SIRwsXOX</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1938611988697080142?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 27, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>The high court declined to decide the constitutionality of birthright citizenship itself, but said the executive order rewriting the constitutional right to birthright citizenship could go into effect within 30 days after Friday’s ruling in the states that did not initially sue.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1751034373464.png" alt="" />
                        <figcaption></figcaption>
                    </figure><p>The ruling likely could hamper other legal challenges against Trump administration actions in which nationwide injunctions are sought.</p><p>In a 6-3 ruling, the conservative justices found that nationwide “injunctions likely exceed the equitable authority that Congress has given to federal courts.”</p><p>“The Court grants the Government’s applications for a partial stay of the injunctions entered below, but only to the extent that the injunctions are broader than necessary to provide complete relief to each plaintiff with standing to sue,”&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24pdf/24a884_8n59.pdf" target="_blank">according to the ruling written by Justice Amy Coney Barrett.</a></p><p>While the dispute before the court related to Trump’s executive order to rewrite the constitutional right to birthright citizenship, the Trump administration asked the high court to instead focus on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/24/24A884/352051/20250313135341225_Trump%20v.%20CASA%20Inc%20application.pdf" target="_blank">the issue of preliminary injunctions</a>&nbsp;granted by lower courts.</p><p>“The applications do not raise—and thus the Court does not address—the question whether the Executive Order violates the Citizenship Clause or Nationality Act,” according to the ruling, referring to the practice of granting citizenship to babies born on U.S. soil.</p><p>The order instructs lower courts to “move expeditiously to ensure that, with respect to each plaintiff, the injunctions comport with this rule and otherwise comply with principles of equity.”</p><h2>More than two dozen nationwide injunctions</h2><p>In the first 100 days of the second Trump administration, through April 29, judges issued about 25 nationwide injunctions,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/R48476" target="_blank">according to the Congressional Research Service.</a></p><p>“The lower courts should determine whether a narrower injunction is appropriate; we therefore leave it to them to consider these and any related arguments,” according to the ruling.</p><p>A narrower injunction could refer to a class action suit.</p><p>Barrett argued that a nationwide injunction would not grant more relief for barring the enforcement of Trump’s executive order against a pregnant person who is not a U.S. citizen and fears their child would be denied citizenship.</p><p>“Her child will not be denied citizenship. And extending the injunction to cover everyone similarly situated would not render&nbsp;her&nbsp;relief any more complete,” according to the ruling. “So the individual and associational respondents are wrong to characterize the universal injunction as simply an application of the complete-relief principle.”</p><p>Under birthright citizenship, all children born in the United States are considered citizens, regardless of their parents’ legal status.</p><p>If birthright citizenship were to be eliminated, more than 250,000 children born each year would not be granted U.S. citizenship, according to a recent&nbsp;<a href="https://www.migrationpolicy.org/news/birthright-citizenship-repeal-projections" target="_blank">study</a>&nbsp;by the think tank the Migration Policy Institute.</p><p>It would effectively create a class of 2.7 million stateless people by 2045, according to the study.</p><p>In last month’s oral arguments, Solicitor General D. John Sauer, who argued on behalf of the Trump administration, contended that it’s unconstitutional for federal judges to issue nationwide injunctions. Instead, he&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-wants-supreme-court-let-him-mostly-carry-out-birthright-citizenship-order" target="_blank">said, the injunctions should be limited</a>&nbsp;to those who brought the challenges.</p><h2>Origins of birthright citizenship case</h2><p>The case, Trump v. CASA, was consolidated from three cases.</p><p>One was brought by immigrant rights groups and several pregnant women in Maryland who are not U.S. citizens who filed their case in Maryland; the second came from four states — Washington, Arizona, Illinois, and Oregon — that filed a case in Washington state; and the third came from 18 Democratic state attorneys general who filed the challenge in Massachusetts.</p><p>Those 18 states are California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Vermont and Wisconsin. The District of Columbia and the county and city of San Francisco also joined.</p><p>This is not the first time the Supreme Court has addressed the issue of birthright citizenship.</p><p>In 1898, the Supreme Court upheld the&nbsp;<a href="https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/amdt14-S1-8-9-2/ALDE_00000051/" target="_blank">14th Amendment,</a>&nbsp;in United States v. Wong Kim Ark, extending birthright citizenship.</p><p><a href="https://www.oyez.org/cases/1850-1900/169us649" target="_blank">In that 19th-century case</a>, Ark was born in San Francisco, California, to parents who were citizens of the Republic of China, but had legal authority to be in the United States, such as a temporary visa. While Ark was born in California, his citizenship was not recognized when he went on a trip to China. Upon his return to California, he was denied reentry due to the Chinese Exclusion Act— a racist law designed to restrict and limit nearly all immigration of Chinese nationals.</p><p>When his case went all the way to the Supreme Court, the high court ruled that children born in the U.S. to parents who were not citizens automatically become citizens at birth.</p><p>The Trump administration has argued that the 1898 case was misinterpreted and point to a specific phrase: “subject to the jurisdiction” of the United States.</p><p>Government attorneys contend that the phrase in the 14th Amendment means that birthright citizenship&nbsp;does not apply to&nbsp;people in the U.S. without legal status or temporary legal status&nbsp;who are “subject to the jurisdiction” of their country of origin.</p>

 Supreme Court Limits Nationwide Injunctions; Fate of Trump Birthright Citizenship Order Unclear

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) recently mailed the July cattle survey to about 18,000 cattle operations nationwide to provide an up-to-date measure of U.S. cattle inventories. This is the first July cattle survey mailed to producers since the reinstatement of key reports was announced earlier this year.

“This information helps producers make timely, informed business decisions and plan for herd expansion or reduction,” said NASS Livestock Branch Chief Travis Averill. “It also helps packers and government leaders evaluate expected slaughter volume for future months and determine potential supplies for export. Obtaining the current count of cattle will serve as an important decision-making tool for the entire agriculture industry.”

During the first two weeks of July, U.S. cattle producers will have the opportunity to report their beef and dairy cattle inventories, calf crop, death loss and cattle on feed information. To make it as easy as possible for producers to participate in the survey, NASS offers the option of responding via the website&nbsp;<a href="https://www.agcounts.usda.gov/">agcounts.usda.gov</a>, telephone, mail or a personal interview with a local NASS representative.

The July Cattle report will be released on July 25, 2025, at 3 p.m. ET. This and all NASS reports are available online at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/index.php">www.nass.usda.gov/publications</a>.

For more information about this survey, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nass.usda.gov/Surveys/Guide_to_NASS_Surveys/Cattle_Inventory/index.php">nass.usda.gov/go/cattle</a>. If you need assistance, please contact us at 888-424-7828.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1751031079661.jpeg" alt="“This information helps producers make timely, informed business decisions and plan for herd expansion or reduction,” said NASS Livestock Branch Chief Travis Averill. (Photo: USDA, Public domain)" />
                        <figcaption>“This information helps producers make timely, informed business decisions and plan for herd expansion or reduction,” said NASS Livestock Branch Chief Travis Averill. (Photo: USDA, Public domain)</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) recently mailed the July cattle survey to about 18,000 cattle operations nationwide to provide an up-to-date measure of U.S. cattle inventories. This is the first July cattle survey mailed to producers since the reinstatement of key reports was announced earlier this year.</p><p>“This information helps producers make timely, informed business decisions and plan for herd expansion or reduction,” said NASS Livestock Branch Chief Travis Averill. “It also helps packers and government leaders evaluate expected slaughter volume for future months and determine potential supplies for export. Obtaining the current count of cattle will serve as an important decision-making tool for the entire agriculture industry.”</p><p>During the first two weeks of July, U.S. cattle producers will have the opportunity to report their beef and dairy cattle inventories, calf crop, death loss and cattle on feed information. To make it as easy as possible for producers to participate in the survey, NASS offers the option of responding via the website&nbsp;<a href="https://www.agcounts.usda.gov/">agcounts.usda.gov</a>, telephone, mail or a personal interview with a local NASS representative.</p><p>The July Cattle report will be released on July 25, 2025, at 3 p.m. ET. This and all NASS reports are available online at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/index.php">www.nass.usda.gov/publications</a>.</p><p>For more information about this survey, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nass.usda.gov/Surveys/Guide_to_NASS_Surveys/Cattle_Inventory/index.php">nass.usda.gov/go/cattle</a>. If you need assistance, please contact us at 888-424-7828.</p>

USDA to Survey Cattle Operations

WASHINGTON<b>–&nbsp;</b>On Thursday, U.S. Senators Roger Marshall,&nbsp; Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama), and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), introduced a resolution to implement term limits on the Senate Parliamentarian, a key figure in the United States Senate who advises on rules, procedures, and precedents as it relates to the reconciliation process, according to a statement from Marshall's office.

Click&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.marshall.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/BIN25098-1.pdf">HERE</a>&nbsp;to read the full text of the resolution

The Senators call for the parliamentarian to serve one six-year term, which would prevent power entrenchment, promote accountability, and encourage fresh perspectives.

<i>“Based upon early reports, the Senate Parliamentarian may eliminate some $500 billion in savings for the American people, all of which are arbitrary decisions, with minimal guidance,”<b>&nbsp;said Senator Marshall.&nbsp;</b>“The current parliamentarian has been in office since 2012, appointed by former Democrat Senator Harry Reid. This is NOT an elected position. Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Term limits on a person with this absolute power need to be implemented. Therefore, we are dropping a resolution calling for just that, limiting a parliamentarian of the Senate to a maximum of 6 years.”</i>

<i>“The woke, Radical Left Senate Parliamentarian, who was appointed by Harry Reid and was an advisor to Al Gore, is actively trying to&nbsp;undermine&nbsp;President Trump’s agenda,”&nbsp;<b>said Senator Tuberville.</b>&nbsp;“Unelected bureaucrats should not be able to overturn the will of the 77 million Americans who voted for President Trump and his agenda. This is exactly why Americans hate the swamp. Proud to join my friend Senator Roger Marshall in introducing&nbsp;this resolution imposing 6-year term limits for the Senate Parliamentarian.”<b></b></i>

<i>“The Senate parliamentarian holds unchecked power over major legislation, despite never being elected by the American people,”&nbsp;<b>said Senator Blackburn.</b>&nbsp;“This individual has served for a decade, having been appointed by Harry Reid, we must act now to impose term limits on the Senate parliamentarian&nbsp;to ensure this position&nbsp;is accountable to the will of the people.”</i>

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1751029214593.png" alt="Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough&nbsp; -photo U.S. Senate" />
                        <figcaption>Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough&nbsp; -photo U.S. Senate</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>WASHINGTON<b>–&nbsp;</b>On Thursday, U.S. Senators Roger Marshall,&nbsp; Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama), and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), introduced a resolution to implement term limits on the Senate Parliamentarian, a key figure in the United States Senate who advises on rules, procedures, and precedents as it relates to the reconciliation process, according to a statement from Marshall's office.</p><p>Click&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.marshall.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/BIN25098-1.pdf">HERE</a>&nbsp;to read the full text of the resolution</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1751027942171.png" alt="" />
                        <figcaption></figcaption>
                    </figure><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">In 2001 Leader Trent Lott fired the Senate Parliamentarian during reconciliation.<br><br>It’s 2025 during reconciliation &amp; we need to again fire the Senate Parliamentarian.<br><br>My resolution to term limit the parliamentarian will settle this now &amp; in the future.<a href="https://t.co/7XcVaNgcGH">https://t.co/7XcVaNgcGH</a></p>&mdash; Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1938258594178211995?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 26, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>The Senators call for the parliamentarian to serve one six-year term, which would prevent power entrenchment, promote accountability, and encourage fresh perspectives.</p><p><i>“Based upon early reports, the Senate Parliamentarian may eliminate some $500 billion in savings for the American people, all of which are arbitrary decisions, with minimal guidance,”<b>&nbsp;said Senator Marshall.&nbsp;</b>“The current parliamentarian has been in office since 2012, appointed by former Democrat Senator Harry Reid. This is NOT an elected position. Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Term limits on a person with this absolute power need to be implemented. Therefore, we are dropping a resolution calling for just that, limiting a parliamentarian of the Senate to a maximum of 6 years.”</i></p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Did Harry Reid’s Senate Parliamentarian not get the memo? <br><br>President Trump’s landslide victory was a MANDATE from 77 million Americans.<br><br>The One Big Beautiful Bill delivers on that mandate.<br><br>The Parliamentarian is trying to UNDERMINE the President’s mandate and should be fired.</p>&mdash; Coach Tommy Tuberville (@SenTuberville) <a href="https://twitter.com/SenTuberville/status/1938259471467438355?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 26, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p><i>“The woke, Radical Left Senate Parliamentarian, who was appointed by Harry Reid and was an advisor to Al Gore, is actively trying to&nbsp;undermine&nbsp;President Trump’s agenda,”&nbsp;<b>said Senator Tuberville.</b>&nbsp;“Unelected bureaucrats should not be able to overturn the will of the 77 million Americans who voted for President Trump and his agenda. This is exactly why Americans hate the swamp. Proud to join my friend Senator Roger Marshall in introducing&nbsp;this resolution imposing 6-year term limits for the Senate Parliamentarian.”<b></b></i></p><p><i>“The Senate parliamentarian holds unchecked power over major legislation, despite never being elected by the American people,”&nbsp;<b>said Senator Blackburn.</b>&nbsp;“This individual has served for a decade, having been appointed by Harry Reid, we must act now to impose term limits on the Senate parliamentarian&nbsp;to ensure this position&nbsp;is accountable to the will of the people.”</i></p><p><b>Background:</b></p><ul>
                        <li>The parliamentarian of the Senate serves at the will of the Secretary of the Senate, who is chosen by the Senate Majority Leader.</li><li>Since 1981 only three different individuals have served as parliamentarian of the Senate. Each served on average 15 years.</li>
                    </ul>

Kan. U.S. Senator calls for action to replace Senate Parliamentarian

&nbsp;Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s new vaccine panel on Thursday endorsed this fall’s flu vaccinations — but only if they use certain shots free of an ingredient antivaccine groups have falsely tied to autism.

(Click below to watch the full committee hearing)

(Click below to watch Redwood's presentation on thimerosal)

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750974087831.png" alt="Image from the committee hearing" />
                        <figcaption>Image from the committee hearing</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>&nbsp;Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s new vaccine panel on Thursday endorsed this fall’s flu vaccinations — but only if they use certain shots free of an ingredient antivaccine groups have falsely tied to autism.</p><p>(Click below to watch the full committee hearing)</p><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/z-16fImZoEc?si=RfPDCTz9gEs1Oz2Z&amp;start=1250" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750973658608.png" alt="Lyn Redwood, a nurse practitioner who once ran the anti-vaccine group that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. founded, spoke at the meeting on Thursday -image from the CDC video" />
                        <figcaption>Lyn Redwood, a nurse practitioner who once ran the anti-vaccine group that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. founded, spoke at the meeting on Thursday -image from the CDC video</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>(Click below to watch Redwood's presentation on thimerosal)</p><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/z-16fImZoEc?si=z33-dj87jdPiqZRU&amp;start=10151" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

🎥RFK Jr’s vaccine panel votes against preservative in flu shots 

Click below to watch the entire Pentagon press briefing

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750954444210.png" alt="Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth from Pentagon video" />
                        <figcaption>Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth from Pentagon video</figcaption>
                    </figure><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">NO OTHER COUNTRY IN THE WORLD HAS THE WEAPONRY OR THE CAPABILITIES THAT THE UNITED STATES HAS. <a href="https://t.co/7lqcsUFe3a">pic.twitter.com/7lqcsUFe3a</a></p>&mdash; DOD Rapid Response (@DODResponse) <a href="https://twitter.com/DODResponse/status/1938231510139867614?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 26, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>Click below to watch the entire Pentagon press briefing</p><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FDeptofDefense%2Fvideos%2F9721452061316507%2F&show_text=true&width=560&t=0" width="560" height="429" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Pentagon releases test footage showing how bunker-busters work.<a href="https://twitter.com/SecDef?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecDef</a> Hegseth: “Because of the hatred of this press... your people are trying to leak &amp; spin that it wasn&#39;t successful. It&#39;s irresponsible.” Gen. “Razin” Caine, on the mission: “I have chills..talking about this.” <a href="https://t.co/nS1q6ml7Ae">pic.twitter.com/nS1q6ml7Ae</a></p>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1938259832416391576?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 26, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750954654873.png" alt="<br>" />
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                    </figure><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750954719039.png" alt="<br>" />
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                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750954749972.jpeg" alt="<br>" />
                        <figcaption><br></figcaption>
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🎥Pentagon video shows weapons used in US attack on Iran

&nbsp;U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s new vaccine advisers met for the first time&nbsp;

The seven-member panel reviewed the “cumulative effect” of the&nbsp;children’s vaccine schedule&nbsp;— the list of immunizations given at different times throughout childhood.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750899322024.png" alt="Dr. Martin Kulldorf speaks during a meeting of the Advisory Committee in Immunization Practices at the CDC image from CDC video" />
                        <figcaption>Dr. Martin Kulldorf speaks during a meeting of the Advisory Committee in Immunization Practices at the CDC image from CDC video</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>&nbsp;U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s new vaccine advisers met for the first time&nbsp;</p><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2PnYYb_xj3U?si=YvZGpeJ1tIySjBaL&amp;start=932" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><p>The seven-member panel reviewed the “cumulative effect” of the&nbsp;children’s vaccine schedule&nbsp;— the list of immunizations given at different times throughout childhood.</p>

🎥RFK Jr.’s CDC vaccine panel held first meeting to review long-approved shots 

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750886425538.png" alt="Image from White House video at the NATO summit" />
                        <figcaption>Image from White House video at the NATO summit</figcaption>
                    </figure><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="zxx" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/oyaW33UB6x">pic.twitter.com/oyaW33UB6x</a></p>&mdash; Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteHegseth/status/1937982998470926687?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="qme" dir="ltr">🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/s6RBYpIQJt">pic.twitter.com/s6RBYpIQJt</a></p>&mdash; DOD Rapid Response (@DODResponse) <a href="https://twitter.com/DODResponse/status/1937925674309931368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;Last weekend, the United States successfully carried out a massive precision strike on Iran&#39;s nuclear enrichment facilities... this incredible exercise of American strength has paved the way for peace, with a historic ceasefire agreement.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/F9gFmK4VW5">pic.twitter.com/F9gFmK4VW5</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1937874739432931517?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">President Trump reads Israel assessment on U.S. strikes: &quot;The devastating U.S. strike on Fordow destroyed the site&#39;s critical infrastructure and rendered the enrichment facility totally inoperable.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/jgLkRoDUGU">pic.twitter.com/jgLkRoDUGU</a></p>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1937885146193051910?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Q: &quot;What&#39;s your reaction to intelligence reports saying that Iranian nuclear sites are only partially devastated?&quot;<br> <br>President Trump: &quot;We hear it was obliteration. It was a virtual obliteration.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/ppCvPzTntf">pic.twitter.com/ppCvPzTntf</a></p>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1937876171464577525?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">New intelligence confirms what <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> has stated numerous times: Iran&#39;s nuclear facilities have been destroyed. If the Iranians chose to rebuild, they would have to rebuild all three facilities (Natanz, Fordow, Esfahan) entirely, which would likely take years to do.<br><br>The…</p>&mdash; DNI Tulsi Gabbard (@DNIGabbard) <a href="https://twitter.com/DNIGabbard/status/1937934899710710170?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥Debate continues over early US intelligence report on airstrikes in Iran

WASHINGTON — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested 11 Iranian nationals illegally in the United States over the weekend. ICE also arrested a U.S. citizen who threatened to kill ICE law enforcement while harboring an illegal alien from Iran. The weekend arrests reflect the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) commitment to keeping known and suspected terrorists out of American communities, according to a statement from the Department of Homeland Security.

“Under Secretary Noem, DHS has been full throttle on identifying and arresting known or suspected terrorists and violent extremists that illegally entered this country, came in through Biden’s fraudulent parole programs or otherwise,”&nbsp;said&nbsp;DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “We have been saying we are getting the worst of the worst out—and we are. We don’t wait until a military operation to execute; we proactively deliver on President Trump’s mandate to secure the homeland.” 

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750782397107.png" alt="Ribvar Karimi -photo Homeland Security" />
                        <figcaption>Ribvar Karimi -photo Homeland Security</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>WASHINGTON — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested 11 Iranian nationals illegally in the United States over the weekend. ICE also arrested a U.S. citizen who threatened to kill ICE law enforcement while harboring an illegal alien from Iran. The weekend arrests reflect the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) commitment to keeping known and suspected terrorists out of American communities, according to a statement from the Department of Homeland Security.</p><p>“Under Secretary Noem, DHS has been full throttle on identifying and arresting known or suspected terrorists and violent extremists that illegally entered this country, came in through Biden’s fraudulent parole programs or otherwise,”&nbsp;said&nbsp;DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “We have been saying we are getting the worst of the worst out—and we are. We don’t wait until a military operation to execute; we proactively deliver on President Trump’s mandate to secure the homeland.” </p><ul>
                        <li>On June 22, ICE Atlanta arrested&nbsp;Ribvar Karimi&nbsp;in Locust, Alabama. Karimi reportedly served as an&nbsp;Iranian Army sniper&nbsp;from 2018 to 2021 and at the time of his arrest, in his possession, he had an Islamic Republic of Iran Army identification card. He entered the U.S. on a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.uscis.gov/family/family-of-us-citizens/visas-for-fiancees-of-us-citizens" target="_blank">K-1 visa</a>, which is reserved for aliens engaged to be married to American citizens, in October 2024 under the Biden administration. Karimi never adjusted his status — a legal requirement — and is removable from the United States. He’s currently in ICE custody, where he’ll remain pending removal proceedings.</li>
                    </ul><ul>
                        <li>On June 22, ICE Houston officials arrested&nbsp;Behzad Sepehrian Bahary Nejad, an alien with a final order of removal, who was&nbsp;carrying a loaded 9mm pistol&nbsp;at the time of his arrest. Sepehrian entered the U.S. in Houston on Dec. 9, 2016, on an&nbsp;<a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/study/student-visa.html" target="_blank">F-1 student visa</a>. On Aug. 19, 2017, Harris County police&nbsp;arrested him for assaulting a family member by impeding breathing; his wife told the local assistant district attorney that Sepehrian was threatening her and obtained a restraining order against him. She also alleged he was threatening her family in Iran. On July 23, 2018, the University of Texas terminated Sepehrian’s status after he was placed on academic suspension. An immigration judge ordered him removed on Oct. 10, 2019, after he was released on an immigration bond; he filed a motion to reopen his case, which a Department of Justice immigration judge denied. Sepehrian is in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
                    </ul><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750782459722.png" alt="Nejad-photo Homeland Security" />
                        <figcaption>Nejad-photo Homeland Security</figcaption>
                    </figure><ul>
                        <li>Also in Houston, ICE arrested&nbsp;Hamid Reza Bayat, an Iranian national an immigration judge&nbsp;ordered removed nearly 20 years ago, on Aug. 4, 2005. Twice&nbsp;convicted of drug crimes&nbsp;and once convicted of driving on a suspended license, Bayat served time before receiving his final order of removal. He’s now in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.</li>
                    </ul><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750782512971.png" alt="Bayat photo Homeland Security" />
                        <figcaption>Bayat photo Homeland Security</figcaption>
                    </figure><ul>
                        <li>On June 22, in Tempe — a Phoenix, Arizona suburb — ICE agents arrested&nbsp;Mehrzad Asadi Eidivand, an Iranian citizen with a final order of removal&nbsp;convicted of threatening a law enforcement officer&nbsp;and being an alien in&nbsp;possession of a firearm. Eidivand entered the U.S. in San Ysidro, California, in June 2012. In August 2013, an immigration judge granted him a voluntary departure, which allows an alien to leave the country without a formal ICE removal, but he never left. Eidivand will remain in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.</li>
                    </ul><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750782589954.png" alt="Eidivand photo Homeland Security" />
                        <figcaption>Eidivand photo Homeland Security</figcaption>
                    </figure><ul>
                        <li>At the same residence, officials arrested&nbsp;Linet Vartaniann, a United States citizen, for threatening a law enforcement officer and harboring Eidivand, an illegal alien. Vartaniann&nbsp;threatened to open fire on ICE officials&nbsp;if they entered her home, then said she would go outside and “shoot ICE officers in the head.” ICE officials obtained a search warrant for the residence and arrested the pair, who are now charged with federal crimes.</li>
                    </ul><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750782653736.png" alt="Vartaniann-photo Homeland Security" />
                        <figcaption>Vartaniann-photo Homeland Security</figcaption>
                    </figure><ul>
                        <li>On June 22, in Gluckstadt, Mississippi, ICE officers and agents arrested&nbsp;Yousef Mehridehno, an Iranian national and former lawful permanent resident. The U.S. government terminated Mehridehno’s residency in October 2017 after determining he&nbsp;lied on his original visa application and committed potential marriage fraud.&nbsp;In February, Mehridehno was listed as a&nbsp;known or suspected terrorist, and he’s now in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.</li>
                    </ul><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750782701962.png" alt="Mehridehno-photo Homeland Security" />
                        <figcaption>Mehridehno-photo Homeland Security</figcaption>
                    </figure><ul>
                        <li>On June 22, in Colorado Springs, ICE officials arrested&nbsp;Mahmoud Shafiei&nbsp;and&nbsp;Mehrdad Mehdipour&nbsp;— two illegally present Iranian nationals living together. Immigration officials first encountered Shafiei in Seattle, Washington, in January 1981; a judge ordered him removed in January 1987. His criminal history includes&nbsp;state and federal convictions for drug crimes and arrests for assault and child abuse. U.S. Border Patrol encountered Mehdipour in June 2023 during the Biden administration near Rio Grande Valley, Texas, and processed him as an expedited removal. Both men are in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.</li>
                    </ul><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750782773266.png" alt="Shafiei photo Homeland Security" />
                        <figcaption>Shafiei photo Homeland Security</figcaption>
                    </figure><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750782817364.png" alt="Mehdipour photo Homeland Security" />
                        <figcaption>Mehdipour photo Homeland Security</figcaption>
                    </figure><ul>
                        <li>On June 22, in St. Paul, Minnesota, ICE arrested&nbsp;Mehran Makari Saheli, a 56-year-old Iranian national. He was&nbsp;convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm&nbsp;in Minneapolis, where he was sentenced to 15 months in prison. He is a former member of off the&nbsp;Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) with admitted connections to Hezbollah.&nbsp;An immigration judge ordered him removed June 28, 2022, under the Biden administration, but he illegally remained in the U.S. Saheli is now in ICE custody pending removal.</li>
                    </ul><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750782876316.png" alt="Saheli photo Homeland Security" />
                        <figcaption>Saheli photo Homeland Security</figcaption>
                    </figure><ul>
                        <li>On June 22, ICE San Francisco arrested&nbsp;Bahman Alizadeh Asfestani, a 62-year-old Iranian national, with a&nbsp;criminal history&nbsp;that includes a 1994&nbsp;conviction for petty theft&nbsp;and a 1995&nbsp;conviction of possession of a controlled substance for sale. Asfestani was&nbsp;sentenced to 10 years in state prison for the drug conviction&nbsp;and is now in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.</li>
                    </ul><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750782924349.png" alt="Asfestani photo Homeland Security" />
                        <figcaption>Asfestani photo Homeland Security</figcaption>
                    </figure><ul>
                        <li>On June 23, ICE Buffalo arrested&nbsp;Mohammad Rafikian, a 65-year-old Iranian national&nbsp;convicted of grand larceny,&nbsp;schemes to defraud, criminal impersonation and practicing as an attorney.  </li><li>On the same date, ICE San Diego arrested&nbsp;Arkavan Babk Moirokorli, a 57-year-old Iranian national&nbsp;convicted of forging an official seal. Both are in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.</li>
                    </ul>

ICE arrests Iranian nationals in US amid fears of secret terror cells

President Donald Trump responded to a U.S. intelligence report suggests that&nbsp;Iran’s nuclear program was set back only a few months after weekend U.S. strikes.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750848409452.png" alt="President Trump at the NATO summit on Wednesday-Image courtesy White House" />
                        <figcaption>President Trump at the NATO summit on Wednesday-Image courtesy White House</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>President Donald Trump responded to a U.S. intelligence report suggests that&nbsp;Iran’s nuclear program was set back only a few months after weekend U.S. strikes.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;This was an unbelievable hit by genius pilots and genius people in the military, and they&#39;re not being given credit for it because we have scum... CNN is scum. MSDNC is scum. The New York Times is scum.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/IrRhwgqQaK">pic.twitter.com/IrRhwgqQaK</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1937800789356896343?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/SecRubio?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecRubio</a> sets the record straight for the Fake News: &quot;These leakers are professional stabbers... There&#39;s no way Iran comes to the table if somehow nothing had happened. This was a complete and total obliteration... They are way behind today compared to where they were just 7… <a href="https://t.co/V3wrIjic8F">pic.twitter.com/V3wrIjic8F</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1937800084621558011?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;We hear it was obliteration... I believe they didn&#39;t have a chance to get anything out because we acted fast.&quot;<a href="https://twitter.com/SecDef?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecDef</a>: &quot;They landed precisely where they were supposed to. It was a flawless mission... it was devastation underneath Fordow.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/29AT9hj8w7">pic.twitter.com/29AT9hj8w7</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1937798413472399483?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥Trump pushes back on assessment critical of Iran attack success

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750787876972.png" alt="Sherman" />
                        <figcaption>Sherman</figcaption>
                    </figure><div><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DLSmV0HJ8n9/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DLSmV0HJ8n9/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; 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Bobby Sherman, '60s teen idol, dies at 81

LINCOLN, Neb - The University of Nebraska Board of Regents last week approved the appointment of Dr. Neal H. Schnoor as the next chancellor of the University of Nebraska at Kearney. The vote took place during the Board’s regularly scheduled meeting at Varner Hall, 3835 Holdrege St., in Lincoln.

Dr. Schnoor, a Nebraska native and former long-time faculty member and administrator at UNK, was named the priority candidate for the position in April. His appointment, which will take effect July 1, follows a 30-day public vetting period during which he visited all four University of Nebraska campuses and spent extensive time engaging with UNK faculty, staff, students, and members of the greater Kearney community.

“Dr. Schnoor is the right leader at the right time for the University of Nebraska at Kearney,” said NU President Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D. “He brings a deep understanding of UNK’s mission and potential, a strong connection to the people of Nebraska, and a proven record of innovation and collaboration. With his appointment comes an opportunity for fresh energy, vision and momentum on the Kearney campus. I am excited for the future of UNK under his leadership.

"The University of Nebraska extends its deep gratitude to Dr. David Jackson, interim executive vice president and provost, and the members of the UNK Chancellor Search Advisory Committee for their leadership in guiding a successful national search,” said Dr. Gold. “Their thoughtful work ensured a transparent process that brought forward outstanding candidates—and ultimately led to the selection of Dr. Schnoor as the next chancellor of UNK."

“UNK, Kearney and Nebraska are foundational to who I am and are home for me and my family,” said Dr. Neal Schnoor. “It’s an incredible privilege to serve as chancellor at an institution that provides students a premiere and personalized education, to think critically and creatively, and experiential learning opportunities that prepare them for rewarding careers and lives.”

Dr. Schnoor brings more than 30 years of experience in higher education leadership, instruction and strategic planning. He has served as president of Northern State University in Aberdeen, South Dakota, since 2021, where he led the development of a new strategic plan, drove academic innovation, secured major legislative support for facilities and programs, and advanced student services and fundraising efforts.

Schnoor’s earlier roles include chief of staff to the president at California State University Long Beach and multiple leadership and academic appointments at UNK, including associate professor and director of bands, and later, senior advisor to the chancellor.

A first-generation college graduate, Schnoor was born in Norfolk and raised in Pierce. He earned his Ph.D. and master’s degrees from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and his undergraduate degree from Wayne State College. He and his wife, Teresa, a retired elementary principal, have two grown children.

“The University of Nebraska at Kearney is a vital driver of education and economic growth in central Nebraska, and the Board of Regents believes Dr. Neal Schnoor is exactly the right leader to guide UNK into its next chapter,” said NU Board of Regents Chairman Paul Kenney, who represents Kearney and the surrounding area. “As a native Nebraskan, longtime educator and former member of the UNK faculty and leadership team, Neal has a deep understanding of the campus and the community it serves. He brings a clear vision, a collaborative approach and a strong commitment to student success that will serve UNK and the region well.”

Dr. Schnoor succeeds longtime Chancellor Doug Kristensen, who retired in 2024 as the longest-serving chancellor in NU history. Dr. Charlie Bicak has served as interim chancellor since Kristensen’s retirement.

“I look forward to building on the legacy and momentum of collaborative partnerships developed by Chancellor Kristensen and interim Chancellor Bicak,” said Dr. Schnoor. "Together with faculty, staff, students, system colleagues and our community we will forge a bold vision for UNK to best serve our region and state.”

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750779611964.jpeg" alt="Neal Schnoor will serve as the next chancellor of the University of Nebraska at Kearney. His appointment was approved today by the NU Board of Regents. (Photos by Todd Gottula, UNK Communications)" />
                        <figcaption>Neal Schnoor will serve as the next chancellor of the University of Nebraska at Kearney. His appointment was approved today by the NU Board of Regents. (Photos by Todd Gottula, UNK Communications)</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>LINCOLN, Neb - The University of Nebraska Board of Regents last week approved the appointment of Dr. Neal H. Schnoor as the next chancellor of the University of Nebraska at Kearney. The vote took place during the Board’s regularly scheduled meeting at Varner Hall, 3835 Holdrege St., in Lincoln.</p><p>Dr. Schnoor, a Nebraska native and former long-time faculty member and administrator at UNK, was named the priority candidate for the position in April. His appointment, which will take effect July 1, follows a 30-day public vetting period during which he visited all four University of Nebraska campuses and spent extensive time engaging with UNK faculty, staff, students, and members of the greater Kearney community.</p><p>“Dr. Schnoor is the right leader at the right time for the University of Nebraska at Kearney,” said NU President Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D. “He brings a deep understanding of UNK’s mission and potential, a strong connection to the people of Nebraska, and a proven record of innovation and collaboration. With his appointment comes an opportunity for fresh energy, vision and momentum on the Kearney campus. I am excited for the future of UNK under his leadership.</p><p>"The University of Nebraska extends its deep gratitude to Dr. David Jackson, interim executive vice president and provost, and the members of the UNK Chancellor Search Advisory Committee for their leadership in guiding a successful national search,” said Dr. Gold. “Their thoughtful work ensured a transparent process that brought forward outstanding candidates—and ultimately led to the selection of Dr. Schnoor as the next chancellor of UNK."</p><p>“UNK, Kearney and Nebraska are foundational to who I am and are home for me and my family,” said Dr. Neal Schnoor. “It’s an incredible privilege to serve as chancellor at an institution that provides students a premiere and personalized education, to think critically and creatively, and experiential learning opportunities that prepare them for rewarding careers and lives.”</p><p>Dr. Schnoor brings more than 30 years of experience in higher education leadership, instruction and strategic planning. He has served as president of Northern State University in Aberdeen, South Dakota, since 2021, where he led the development of a new strategic plan, drove academic innovation, secured major legislative support for facilities and programs, and advanced student services and fundraising efforts.</p><p>Schnoor’s earlier roles include chief of staff to the president at California State University Long Beach and multiple leadership and academic appointments at UNK, including associate professor and director of bands, and later, senior advisor to the chancellor.</p><p>A first-generation college graduate, Schnoor was born in Norfolk and raised in Pierce. He earned his Ph.D. and master’s degrees from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and his undergraduate degree from Wayne State College. He and his wife, Teresa, a retired elementary principal, have two grown children.</p><p>“The University of Nebraska at Kearney is a vital driver of education and economic growth in central Nebraska, and the Board of Regents believes Dr. Neal Schnoor is exactly the right leader to guide UNK into its next chapter,” said NU Board of Regents Chairman Paul Kenney, who represents Kearney and the surrounding area. “As a native Nebraskan, longtime educator and former member of the UNK faculty and leadership team, Neal has a deep understanding of the campus and the community it serves. He brings a clear vision, a collaborative approach and a strong commitment to student success that will serve UNK and the region well.”</p><p>Dr. Schnoor succeeds longtime Chancellor Doug Kristensen, who retired in 2024 as the longest-serving chancellor in NU history. Dr. Charlie Bicak has served as interim chancellor since Kristensen’s retirement.</p><p>“I look forward to building on the legacy and momentum of collaborative partnerships developed by Chancellor Kristensen and interim Chancellor Bicak,” said Dr. Schnoor. "Together with faculty, staff, students, system colleagues and our community we will forge a bold vision for UNK to best serve our region and state.”</p>

Board of Regents approves Neal H. Schnoor, Ph.D., as Chancellor of the University of Nebraska at Kearney

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">Jennifer Shutt</a>&nbsp;

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Democrats have succeeded in eliminating more than a dozen policy changes from Republicans’ “big, beautiful bill” after successfully arguing before the chamber’s parliamentarian that the elements didn’t comply with the strict rules that go along with writing a budget reconciliation bill.

Removed is language&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-senate-gop-tries-ease-pain-states-sharing-costs-snap-benefits" target="_blank">that would have transferred some of the cost</a>&nbsp;of running the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to state governments, potentially leaving states on the hook for billions in added spending on the food aid program for lower-income people.

Democrats also fended off a proposal to eliminate funding for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which fields complaints on banking and other financial institutions, and another that sought to bar federal district court judges from issuing nationwide injunctions.&nbsp;

Among the contested items that remained, Missouri Republican Sen. Josh Hawley announced in a social media post that his&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/radiation-exposure-fund-backed-missouris-hawley-included-us-senate-mega-bill" target="_blank">years-long effort to reauthorize</a>&nbsp;the Radiation Exposure Compensation Fund, or RECA, passed what’s known on Capitol Hill as the “Byrd bath” test.

“Terrific news for Missouri, radiation survivors, and MAHA: RECA has passed the ‘Byrd bath’ – Democrats did not strip it – and will be in the final bill,” Hawley wrote, referring to the Trump administration’s Make America Healthy Again slogan. “Huge step forward #MAHA.”

Budget Committee ranking member Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., has cheered many of the parliamentarian’s rulings, though Republican committee chairs say they’ll look for ways to rewrite the various proposals.

“Today, we were advised by the Senate Parliamentarian that several more provisions in this Big Beautiful Betrayal of a bill will be subject to the Byrd Rule — and Democrats plan to challenge every part of this bill that hurts working families and violates this process,” Merkley wrote in a statement released Saturday night. “Republicans’ relentless attack on middle class families in order to fund tax breaks for billionaires is a slap in the face to working families everywhere, and Democrats are fighting back.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

The changes could create several issues for Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., and eventually for Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., who need nearly every GOP lawmaker in Congress to vote for the sweeping tax and spending cuts package in order for it to become law.

The House&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-house-republicans-push-through-massive-tax-and-spending-bill-slashing-medicaid" target="_blank">voted 215-214 to approve</a>&nbsp;its version of the bill in May, but since the Senate is making substantial changes, the House will have to vote on the measure again before it can go to President Donald Trump for his signature. GOP leaders hope to complete all that before the Fourth of July.

Republicans are using reconciliation, instead of moving the bill through the regular legislative process, to avoid needing Democratic votes to get past the Senate’s 60-vote legislative filibuster.

But the lower threshold for passing a reconciliation bill comes with several requirements, including that all of the proposals in the package have an impact on spending or revenues that’s not “merely incidental.”

The Senate parliamentarian, the chamber’s official scorekeeper who holds a detailed understanding of the rules and procedures, examines each of those policies and hears from both Republicans and Democrats before issuing the rulings.

The Byrd bath began last week behind closed doors and will continue for at least several more days. Once it concludes, Senate GOP leaders can move the bill to the floor, where&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/both-parties-prep-mega-bill-marathon-us-senate-vote-rama" target="_blank">members of both parties can call for votes on as many amendments as they want</a>.

Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee Chairman John Boozman, R-Ark., released a written statement defending&nbsp;<a href="https://www.agriculture.senate.gov/newsroom/rep/press/release/chairman-boozman-releases-agriculture-nutrition-and-forestry-budget-reconciliation-text" target="_blank">his committee’s bill</a>&nbsp;after the parliamentarian ruled several provisions must go to comply with the rules.

“To rein in federal spending and protect taxpayer dollars the committee is pursuing meaningful reforms to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to improve efficiency, accountability and integrity,” Boozman wrote. “We are continuing to examine options that comply with Senate rules to achieve savings through budget reconciliation to ensure SNAP serves those who truly need it while being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars.”

The parliamentarian ruled the committee erred in including language that would have shifted some of the cost of the SNAP program to state governments if they didn’t meet an efficiency benchmark before 2028.

A proposal to eliminate SNAP eligibility for “immigrants who are not citizens or lawful permanent residents, with certain exceptions,” was also determined not to comply with the rules, according to a press release from Merkley.

Minnesota Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar, ranking member on the committee, wrote the parliamentarian’s ruling “made clear that Senate Republicans cannot use their partisan budget to shift major nutrition assistance costs to the states that would have inevitably led to major cuts.

“While Republicans’ proposed cuts to SNAP will still be devastating to families, farmers, and independent grocers across the country, we will keep fighting to protect families in need. Instead of a rushed partisan process, Republicans should work with us to lower costs for Americans and pass a bipartisan Farm Bill that works for all farmers and rural America.”

Consumer financial agency victory for Dems

The Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.banking.senate.gov/newsroom/majority/scott-releases-banking-committee-provisions-for-the-one-big-beautiful-bill" target="_blank">proposal to eliminate funding</a>&nbsp;for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which Congress&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/crs_external_products/R/PDF/R48295/R48295.8.pdf" target="_blank">established</a>&nbsp;in the 2010 Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, also doesn’t comply with the rules, under the parliamentarian’s ruling.

Massachusetts Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren, ranking member on the panel, wrote in a statement that the GOP’s proposal for the CFPB represented “a reckless, dangerous attack on consumers and would lead to more Americans being tricked and trapped by giant financial institutions and put the stability of our entire financial system at risk–all to hand out tax breaks to billionaires.”

But committee Chairman Tim Scott, R-S.C., wrote in a separate statement that he remains “committed to advancing legislation that cuts waste and duplication in our federal government and saves taxpayer dollars.”

Scott listed provisions that he said will remain.

“As it stands now, the Banking Committee’s reconciliation provisions will delay the implementation of Section 1071 of Dodd-Frank, which reduces CFPB spending and protects the privacy and data of small business owners; rescind unused funds earmarked for green initiatives to give HUD discretion in funding critical housing programs; and save taxpayer dollars by eliminating an unnecessary reserve fund at the SEC,” Scott wrote. “My colleagues and I remain committed to cutting wasteful spending at the CFPB and will continue working with the Senate parliamentarian on the Committee’s provisions.”

The parliamentarian told lawmakers that various elements of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/press/rep/releases/grassley-releases-senate-judiciary-committee-text-of-the-one-big-beautiful-bill" target="_blank">the Judiciary Committee’s bill</a>&nbsp;don’t comply with the rules, including an attempt to block federal district court judges from issuing nationwide preliminary injunctions or temporary restraining orders.

The issue has become a thorn in Trump’s side during the past few months as he’s watched the courts block several of his executive orders and other unilateral administration actions.

The Judiciary Committee’s reconciliation bill cannot block the Department of Justice from awarding Byrne JAG and COPS grants to “sanctuary cities.” The bill also can’t send funding to local and state governments for the purpose of “apprehending aliens who are unlawfully present in the United States.”

Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, did not respond to a request for comment, but a committee spokesperson wrote in an email to States Newsroom that “Democrats are clinging to their radical open borders legacy by fighting to keep criminal migrants in the United States.

“Republicans are committed to enforcing the rule of law, and will continue using all available avenues to secure our borders, clean up the mess left by the Biden-Harris administration’s disastrous policies and ensure courts operate according to lawful and constitutional standards.”

Illinois Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin, ranking member on the committee, issued a statement calling the bill’s policies “an attempted power grab by our Republican colleagues that we would not stand for.”

“Here’s what Senate Republicans attempted to sneak into their so-called Big, Beautiful Bill: a provision intended to limit the ability of individuals and organizations to challenge lawless Trump Administration executive actions by putting those potential plaintiffs on the hook for millions of dollars; and a provision conditioning grant eligibility on a state or locality’s compliance with federal immigration policies,” Durbin wrote.

The parliamentarian didn’t, however, remove all of the proposals contested by Democrats.

Language that would prevent local and state governments from regulating artificial intelligence for the next decade if those jurisdictions want to receive money from a $500 million fund does meet the reconciliation requirements and can remain in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.commerce.senate.gov/2025/6/chairman-cruz-releases-budget-reconciliation-text" target="_blank">the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation’s bill</a>.

But that doesn’t mean the provision will stay in the bill moving forward, since several GOP lawmakers have expressed concern about potentially tying the hands of local and state governments when it comes to AI.

Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/RepMTG/status/1929946902566494653" target="_blank">wrote in a social media post</a>&nbsp;after she voted for the House’s bill that she had no idea about the AI provision. That chamber’s package barred state and local AI regulation for a decade without tying it to any funding stream.

“We have no idea what AI will be capable of in the next 10 years and giving it free rein and tying states hands is potentially dangerous,” Greene wrote. “This needs to be stripped out in the Senate.

“When the OBBB comes back to the House for approval after Senate changes, I will not vote for it with this in it.”

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750772403338.png" alt=" At a farm market in St. Petersburg, Florida, on April 14, 2012, SNAP recipients were able to use their Electronic Benefits Transfer cards for food. (Photo by Lance Cheung/USDA)." />
                        <figcaption> At a farm market in St. Petersburg, Florida, on April 14, 2012, SNAP recipients were able to use their Electronic Benefits Transfer cards for food. (Photo by Lance Cheung/USDA).</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>By:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">Jennifer Shutt</a>&nbsp;</p><p>WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Democrats have succeeded in eliminating more than a dozen policy changes from Republicans’ “big, beautiful bill” after successfully arguing before the chamber’s parliamentarian that the elements didn’t comply with the strict rules that go along with writing a budget reconciliation bill.</p><p>Removed is language&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-senate-gop-tries-ease-pain-states-sharing-costs-snap-benefits" target="_blank">that would have transferred some of the cost</a>&nbsp;of running the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to state governments, potentially leaving states on the hook for billions in added spending on the food aid program for lower-income people.</p><p>Democrats also fended off a proposal to eliminate funding for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which fields complaints on banking and other financial institutions, and another that sought to bar federal district court judges from issuing nationwide injunctions.&nbsp;</p><p>Among the contested items that remained, Missouri Republican Sen. Josh Hawley announced in a social media post that his&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/radiation-exposure-fund-backed-missouris-hawley-included-us-senate-mega-bill" target="_blank">years-long effort to reauthorize</a>&nbsp;the Radiation Exposure Compensation Fund, or RECA, passed what’s known on Capitol Hill as the “Byrd bath” test.</p><p>“Terrific news for Missouri, radiation survivors, and MAHA: RECA has passed the ‘Byrd bath’ – Democrats did not strip it – and will be in the final bill,” Hawley wrote, referring to the Trump administration’s Make America Healthy Again slogan. “Huge step forward #MAHA.”</p><h2>Democrats to continue challenges</h2><p>Budget Committee ranking member Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., has cheered many of the parliamentarian’s rulings, though Republican committee chairs say they’ll look for ways to rewrite the various proposals.</p><p>“Today, we were advised by the Senate Parliamentarian that several more provisions in this Big Beautiful Betrayal of a bill will be subject to the Byrd Rule — and Democrats plan to challenge every part of this bill that hurts working families and violates this process,” Merkley wrote in a statement released Saturday night. “Republicans’ relentless attack on middle class families in order to fund tax breaks for billionaires is a slap in the face to working families everywhere, and Democrats are fighting back.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>The changes could create several issues for Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., and eventually for Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., who need nearly every GOP lawmaker in Congress to vote for the sweeping tax and spending cuts package in order for it to become law.</p><p>The House&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-house-republicans-push-through-massive-tax-and-spending-bill-slashing-medicaid" target="_blank">voted 215-214 to approve</a>&nbsp;its version of the bill in May, but since the Senate is making substantial changes, the House will have to vote on the measure again before it can go to President Donald Trump for his signature. GOP leaders hope to complete all that before the Fourth of July.</p><p>Republicans are using reconciliation, instead of moving the bill through the regular legislative process, to avoid needing Democratic votes to get past the Senate’s 60-vote legislative filibuster.</p><p>But the lower threshold for passing a reconciliation bill comes with several requirements, including that all of the proposals in the package have an impact on spending or revenues that’s not “merely incidental.”</p><p>The Senate parliamentarian, the chamber’s official scorekeeper who holds a detailed understanding of the rules and procedures, examines each of those policies and hears from both Republicans and Democrats before issuing the rulings.</p><p>The Byrd bath began last week behind closed doors and will continue for at least several more days. Once it concludes, Senate GOP leaders can move the bill to the floor, where&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/both-parties-prep-mega-bill-marathon-us-senate-vote-rama" target="_blank">members of both parties can call for votes on as many amendments as they want</a>.</p><h2>SNAP program</h2><p>Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee Chairman John Boozman, R-Ark., released a written statement defending&nbsp;<a href="https://www.agriculture.senate.gov/newsroom/rep/press/release/chairman-boozman-releases-agriculture-nutrition-and-forestry-budget-reconciliation-text" target="_blank">his committee’s bill</a>&nbsp;after the parliamentarian ruled several provisions must go to comply with the rules.</p><p>“To rein in federal spending and protect taxpayer dollars the committee is pursuing meaningful reforms to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to improve efficiency, accountability and integrity,” Boozman wrote. “We are continuing to examine options that comply with Senate rules to achieve savings through budget reconciliation to ensure SNAP serves those who truly need it while being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars.”</p><p>The parliamentarian ruled the committee erred in including language that would have shifted some of the cost of the SNAP program to state governments if they didn’t meet an efficiency benchmark before 2028.</p><p>A proposal to eliminate SNAP eligibility for “immigrants who are not citizens or lawful permanent residents, with certain exceptions,” was also determined not to comply with the rules, according to a press release from Merkley.</p><p>Minnesota Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar, ranking member on the committee, wrote the parliamentarian’s ruling “made clear that Senate Republicans cannot use their partisan budget to shift major nutrition assistance costs to the states that would have inevitably led to major cuts.</p><p>“While Republicans’ proposed cuts to SNAP will still be devastating to families, farmers, and independent grocers across the country, we will keep fighting to protect families in need. Instead of a rushed partisan process, Republicans should work with us to lower costs for Americans and pass a bipartisan Farm Bill that works for all farmers and rural America.”</p><h2>Consumer financial agency victory for Dems</h2><p>The Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.banking.senate.gov/newsroom/majority/scott-releases-banking-committee-provisions-for-the-one-big-beautiful-bill" target="_blank">proposal to eliminate funding</a>&nbsp;for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which Congress&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/crs_external_products/R/PDF/R48295/R48295.8.pdf" target="_blank">established</a>&nbsp;in the 2010 Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, also doesn’t comply with the rules, under the parliamentarian’s ruling.</p><p>Massachusetts Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren, ranking member on the panel, wrote in a statement that the GOP’s proposal for the CFPB represented “a reckless, dangerous attack on consumers and would lead to more Americans being tricked and trapped by giant financial institutions and put the stability of our entire financial system at risk–all to hand out tax breaks to billionaires.”</p><p>But committee Chairman Tim Scott, R-S.C., wrote in a separate statement that he remains “committed to advancing legislation that cuts waste and duplication in our federal government and saves taxpayer dollars.”</p><p>Scott listed provisions that he said will remain.</p><p>“As it stands now, the Banking Committee’s reconciliation provisions will delay the implementation of Section 1071 of Dodd-Frank, which reduces CFPB spending and protects the privacy and data of small business owners; rescind unused funds earmarked for green initiatives to give HUD discretion in funding critical housing programs; and save taxpayer dollars by eliminating an unnecessary reserve fund at the SEC,” Scott wrote. “My colleagues and I remain committed to cutting wasteful spending at the CFPB and will continue working with the Senate parliamentarian on the Committee’s provisions.”</p><h2>Judges and injunctions</h2><p>The parliamentarian told lawmakers that various elements of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/press/rep/releases/grassley-releases-senate-judiciary-committee-text-of-the-one-big-beautiful-bill" target="_blank">the Judiciary Committee’s bill</a>&nbsp;don’t comply with the rules, including an attempt to block federal district court judges from issuing nationwide preliminary injunctions or temporary restraining orders.</p><p>The issue has become a thorn in Trump’s side during the past few months as he’s watched the courts block several of his executive orders and other unilateral administration actions.</p><p>The Judiciary Committee’s reconciliation bill cannot block the Department of Justice from awarding Byrne JAG and COPS grants to “sanctuary cities.” The bill also can’t send funding to local and state governments for the purpose of “apprehending aliens who are unlawfully present in the United States.”</p><p>Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, did not respond to a request for comment, but a committee spokesperson wrote in an email to States Newsroom that “Democrats are clinging to their radical open borders legacy by fighting to keep criminal migrants in the United States.</p><p>“Republicans are committed to enforcing the rule of law, and will continue using all available avenues to secure our borders, clean up the mess left by the Biden-Harris administration’s disastrous policies and ensure courts operate according to lawful and constitutional standards.”</p><p>Illinois Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin, ranking member on the committee, issued a statement calling the bill’s policies “an attempted power grab by our Republican colleagues that we would not stand for.”</p><p>“Here’s what Senate Republicans attempted to sneak into their so-called Big, Beautiful Bill: a provision intended to limit the ability of individuals and organizations to challenge lawless Trump Administration executive actions by putting those potential plaintiffs on the hook for millions of dollars; and a provision conditioning grant eligibility on a state or locality’s compliance with federal immigration policies,” Durbin wrote.</p><h2>Artificial intelligence and states</h2><p>The parliamentarian didn’t, however, remove all of the proposals contested by Democrats.</p><p>Language that would prevent local and state governments from regulating artificial intelligence for the next decade if those jurisdictions want to receive money from a $500 million fund does meet the reconciliation requirements and can remain in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.commerce.senate.gov/2025/6/chairman-cruz-releases-budget-reconciliation-text" target="_blank">the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation’s bill</a>.</p><p>But that doesn’t mean the provision will stay in the bill moving forward, since several GOP lawmakers have expressed concern about potentially tying the hands of local and state governments when it comes to AI.</p><p>Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/RepMTG/status/1929946902566494653" target="_blank">wrote in a social media post</a>&nbsp;after she voted for the House’s bill that she had no idea about the AI provision. That chamber’s package barred state and local AI regulation for a decade without tying it to any funding stream.</p><p>“We have no idea what AI will be capable of in the next 10 years and giving it free rein and tying states hands is potentially dangerous,” Greene wrote. “This needs to be stripped out in the Senate.</p><p>“When the OBBB comes back to the House for approval after Senate changes, I will not vote for it with this in it.”</p>

US Senate mega-bill drops requirement states help pay for SNAP program

WASHINGTON, DC—U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services&nbsp;(CMS) Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz today met with industry leaders to discuss their&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ahip.org/news/press-releases/health-plans-take-action-to-simplify-prior-authorization" target="_blank">pledge,</a>&nbsp;to streamline and improve the prior authorization processes for Medicare Advantage, Medicaid Managed Care, Health Insurance Marketplace® and commercial plans covering nearly eight out of 10 Americans, according to a media release from the agency.

(Click below to watch the full press conference.)

(Click below to watch Kan. U.S. Senator Roger Marshall's statement)

In a roundtable discussion hosted by HHS, health insurers pledged six key reforms aimed at cutting red tape, accelerating care decisions, and enhancing transparency for patients and providers. Their commitments reinforce the role of CMS in monitoring outcomes and promoting accountability. Companies represented at the roundtable included Aetna, Inc., AHIP, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, Centene Corporation, The Cigna Group, Elevance Health, GuideWell, Highmark Health, Humana, Inc., Kaiser Permanente, and UnitedHealthcare.

“Thank you to the insurance companies for making these commitments today. Americans shouldn’t have to negotiate with their insurer to get the care they need,”&nbsp;said Secretary Kennedy.&nbsp;“Pitting patients and their doctors against massive companies was not good for anyone. We are actively working with industry to make it easier to get prior authorization for common services such as diagnostic imaging, physical therapy, and outpatient surgery.”

“These commitments represent a step in the right direction toward restoring trust, easing burdens on providers, and helping patients receive timely, evidence-based care,”&nbsp;said Administrator Oz.&nbsp;“We applaud these voluntary actions by the private sector, which is how these types of issues should be solved. CMS will be evaluating progress and driving accountability toward our shared goals, as we continue to champion solutions that put patients first.”

Participating health insurers have pledged to:

Praise from members of Congress regarding today’s developments:

“It was an honor to attend this discussion with Secretary Kennedy and CMS Administrator Dr. Oz,”&nbsp;U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS) said.&nbsp;“This is an important topic that has continued to be an issue for far too long. I applaud the leadership of Secretary Kennedy and President Trump for bringing us all to the table to find solutions for our patients and providers.”

“Thank you to President Trump, Secretary Kennedy, and Administrator Oz for working to improve the prior authorization process for American patients,”&nbsp;Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D. (R-NC) and co-chair of the House GOP Doctors Caucus, said.&nbsp;“As a physician for over 30 years, I witnessed the ridiculous and ever-increasing obstructions caused by insurance companies to delay or deny care to patients. These bureaucratic hurdles end up hurting patients and those who care for them. Practices have had to hire many more staff just simply to fight with insurance companies. I have made reform a top priority of mine since coming to Congress. I am grateful for the collaborative effort by stakeholders to make commitments to streamline approvals and look forward to them delivering on this pledge.”

These private sector reforms complement ongoing regulatory efforts by CMS to improve prior authorization interoperability within Medicare Advantage, Medicaid Managed Care, Health Insurance Marketplace®.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750759207379.png" alt="Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall spoke at the press conference" />
                        <figcaption>Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall spoke at the press conference</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>WASHINGTON, DC—U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services&nbsp;(CMS) Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz today met with industry leaders to discuss their&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ahip.org/news/press-releases/health-plans-take-action-to-simplify-prior-authorization" target="_blank">pledge,</a>&nbsp;to streamline and improve the prior authorization processes for Medicare Advantage, Medicaid Managed Care, Health Insurance Marketplace® and commercial plans covering nearly eight out of 10 Americans, according to a media release from the agency.</p><p>(Click below to watch the full press conference.)</p><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xNgRQoegEPs?si=mF0kiTW6krdJ0w3v&amp;start=769" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><p>(Click below to watch Kan. U.S. Senator Roger Marshall's statement)</p><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xNgRQoegEPs?si=WYiAgkHir103cICv&amp;start=1670" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><p>In a roundtable discussion hosted by HHS, health insurers pledged six key reforms aimed at cutting red tape, accelerating care decisions, and enhancing transparency for patients and providers. Their commitments reinforce the role of CMS in monitoring outcomes and promoting accountability. Companies represented at the roundtable included Aetna, Inc., AHIP, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, Centene Corporation, The Cigna Group, Elevance Health, GuideWell, Highmark Health, Humana, Inc., Kaiser Permanente, and UnitedHealthcare.</p><p>“Thank you to the insurance companies for making these commitments today. Americans shouldn’t have to negotiate with their insurer to get the care they need,”&nbsp;said Secretary Kennedy.&nbsp;“Pitting patients and their doctors against massive companies was not good for anyone. We are actively working with industry to make it easier to get prior authorization for common services such as diagnostic imaging, physical therapy, and outpatient surgery.”</p><p>“These commitments represent a step in the right direction toward restoring trust, easing burdens on providers, and helping patients receive timely, evidence-based care,”&nbsp;said Administrator Oz.&nbsp;“We applaud these voluntary actions by the private sector, which is how these types of issues should be solved. CMS will be evaluating progress and driving accountability toward our shared goals, as we continue to champion solutions that put patients first.”</p><p>Participating health insurers have pledged to:</p><ul>
                        <li>Standardize electronic prior authorization submissions using Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR®)-based application programming interfaces.</li><li>Reduce the volume of medical services subject to prior authorization by January 1, 2026.</li><li>Honor existing authorizations during insurance transitions to ensure continuity of care.</li><li>Enhance transparency and communication around authorization decisions and appeals.</li><li>Expand real-time responses to minimize delays in care with real-time approvals for most requests by 2027.</li><li>Ensure medical professionals review all clinical denials.</li>
                    </ul><p>Praise from members of Congress regarding today’s developments:</p><p>“It was an honor to attend this discussion with Secretary Kennedy and CMS Administrator Dr. Oz,”&nbsp;U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS) said.&nbsp;“This is an important topic that has continued to be an issue for far too long. I applaud the leadership of Secretary Kennedy and President Trump for bringing us all to the table to find solutions for our patients and providers.”</p><p>“Thank you to President Trump, Secretary Kennedy, and Administrator Oz for working to improve the prior authorization process for American patients,”&nbsp;Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D. (R-NC) and co-chair of the House GOP Doctors Caucus, said.&nbsp;“As a physician for over 30 years, I witnessed the ridiculous and ever-increasing obstructions caused by insurance companies to delay or deny care to patients. These bureaucratic hurdles end up hurting patients and those who care for them. Practices have had to hire many more staff just simply to fight with insurance companies. I have made reform a top priority of mine since coming to Congress. I am grateful for the collaborative effort by stakeholders to make commitments to streamline approvals and look forward to them delivering on this pledge.”</p><p>These private sector reforms complement ongoing regulatory efforts by CMS to improve prior authorization interoperability within Medicare Advantage, Medicaid Managed Care, Health Insurance Marketplace®.</p><p>CMS encourages continued innovation and collaboration but reserves the right to pursue additional regulatory actions if necessary.</p>