Here’s the good news: It’s Friday, and Congress is out until July 10th. Here’s the bad news: On the way out the door, the House voted to crack down on undocumented immigrants and the localities that shelter them (more on that below). And, according to the CBO, projected Medicaid spending under the bill to repeal the ACA would be 35 percent lower after two decades, putting Senator Mitch McConnell (D-KY) even further away from the 50 votes needed (which, incidentally, is good news for the country). Here’s the crazy news: Donald Trump will meet with President Vladimir Putinduring the G20 summit meeting next week. And the president is, once again, randomly tweeting about Chicago this morning and continuing his attack on Morning Joe. Are we great again yet? Finally, here’s our personal news: we need a break! The Beat is going dark until Wednesday, July 5th. We love y’all and everything but … can we recess too? Right now someone is preparing a marinade for some succulent July 4th bbq fare. There will be greens, beans, potatoes, tomatoes … you name it! We’re leaving you for the next few days with this:
- Trump nominates a new Surgeon General -- a man of color.
- CHC picks Congressman Adriano Espaillat (D-NY) as freshman representative.
- Susan Rice is heading to the Hill next month.
- BET Networks names new leadership.
- Condi Rice defends the president.
- Seema Verma: the woman behind the scenes on the healthcare battle.
- House passes immigration legislation, but at least on one bill, Miami-area R’s break ranks.
- Planned Parenthood has a message for you...and Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY).
- Texas and nine others demand an end to DACA.
- Cecilia Muñoz wants to transform tech for public good.
- Presidential Election Commission wants your voter data, and Cali says nah.
- Hawaii takes Trump’s travel ban back to the courtroom.
- Barack Obama takes Trump to court, too. Read on.