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The Senate is currently deliberating the sweeping Republican tax and spending bill, which President Trump wants Congress to send to him by Friday. GOP leaders have little room for error as key issues are being negotiated right up until the final vote. The Republicans can only lose three votes, and two alreadyvoted no to start the debateon the bill Saturday night. One of two who voted no is Sen. Thom Tillis (N.C.) Tillis has been warning that the Medicaid cuts in the package could mean shifting billions of costs to the states, NPR's Deirdre Walsh tellsUp First.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., (R) says he hopes to pass the Senate's massive tax and spending bill this week. If he succeeds, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., (L), will have to sell the bill to holdouts in his own party if he hopes to meet President Trump's goal of signing the bill on July 4.Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images North Americahide caption
For the first time ever, the Trump administration has created a searchable national citizenship data system.The system is designed to assist state and local election officials in verifying that only citizens are voting. This is being done through the Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the White House's Department of Government Efficiency, utilizing data from the Social Security Administration and immigration databases. Some officials have expressed concerns aboutwhat else this information could be used for.
Two firefighters in North Idaho are dead in what authorities are calling an ambush by a sniperthat happened yesterday. Authorities in Kootenai County, Idaho, said the body of the man recovered on the mountain isbelieved to be the only suspect responsiblefor the deadly shootings. A weapon was found near the body, said Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris. Investigators are still working to determine what happened and the motive behind it.
"Just say no to power peeing," says pelvic floor physical therapist Sara Reardon. "You want to sit, relax and let it flow." Tense pelvic floor muscles can cause constipation.Antonio Hugo Photo/Getty Imageshide caption
The pelvic floor plays a crucial role in the body. It supports the bladder, bowels, and reproductive system and works with the abdominal muscles to help support the spine. Many people are unaware of these muscles, making it challenging to assess problems and seek appropriate treatment when issues arise. Research indicates that one in three women will experience a pelvic floor disorder at some point in their lives. Physical therapist Sara Reardon spoke withLife Kitabout what people with vaginas should know about their pelvic floor andwhat to do if you have pelvic floor pain.
For more guidance on how to prevent pelvic floor issues,listen to this episode of NPR'sLife Kit. Subscribe totheLife Kitnewsletterfor expert advice on love, money, relationships and more.
Cindy and Jo share an intimate moment in their spare bedroom during a 120-degree summer day in Blythe, California.Morgan Liebermanhide caption
"Hidden Once, Hidden Twice" is a documentary photo and film project by Morgan Lieberman that aims to bring visibility to the lives of senior lesbian couples across the U.S. Lieberman notes that while younger generations of LGBTQ+ individuals have gained increased visibility, older generations of lesbian women remain largely unknown to the public. This project features women from diverse backgrounds, including mothers, politicians, caretakers, therapists, activists, and writers. Long before same-sex marriage was legalized and the push for LGBTQ+ equality transformed the landscape of rights in this country, these women were actively fighting for women's and human rights. Many of them have openly shared their experiences of how surviving the AIDS crisis changed them and how they found hope amid tremendous loss. Read more about Lieberman's perspective on the project andsee photos and videos of the featured couples here.
Karen de Boer in 1992.Karen de Boer family photohide caption
This newsletter was edited bySuzanne Nuyen.
