by Jem Bartholomew on (#6YBHC)
Democrats have attacked bill for its $1.2tn in cuts, largely to Medicaid and food stamps. Plus, Israel ratchets up bombing of Gaza as scores of people killed on MondayGood morning.The US Senate is still holding a marathon vote on a sprawling budget that is vital to Donald Trump's agenda and would see sweeping tax breaks and cuts to healthcare and food programs if passed.What's in the bill? Among other things, $1.2tn in cuts, largely to Medicaid and food stamps, by imposing stricter work requirements; $4.5tn in tax cuts; rolling back billions of dollars in green energy tax credits; and a $350bn infusion for border and national security.What have opponents said? The rift with Trump deepened as Elon Musk vowed on X to unseat lawmakers who support the bill: Every member of Congress who campaigned on reducing government spending and then immediately voted for the biggest debt increase in history should hang their head in shame! And they will lose their primary next year if it is the last thing I do on this Earth."This is a developing story. Follow our live coverage here.What is the current aid situation? More Palestinians were killed on Monday as they sought aid: Nasser hospital in Khan Younis said it had received the bodies of 11 people who were shot while returning from an aid site associated with the Israeli and US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Fund, and 10 others were killed at a UN aid warehouse, according to the health ministry.Is a ceasefire edging closer? It could be. Yair Lapid, the Israeli opposition leader, on Monday added his voice to those in Israel calling for an end to the war. There is no longer any benefit for the state of Israel from continuing the war in Gaza. Only damage on the security, political and economic level," Lapid told a meeting of parliamentarians. Continue reading...