I may be battling a double ear infection, but the work doesn’t stop—especially not at a moment as critical as this in our nation’s history. That’s why I just got off the phone with Senator Elizabeth Warren, who shared major updates about the Republican budget bill currently moving through the Senate. Please consider supporting my work today by subscribing. Your subscriptions allow me to continue doing this:
Right now, the Senate is in the middle of a vote-a-rama—a rapid-fire process where both parties are introducing a slew of amendments to reshape the bill. Senator Warren is leading the charge to fully fund the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), a key agency that protects everyday Americans from financial abuse.
However, several controversial provisions have already been stripped from the bill by the Senate parliamentarian for failing to meet the requirements of the reconciliation process:
A “contempt of court” measure that would have shielded the Administration from legal accountability.
A provision that would have eased restrictions on purchasing gun silencers.
A carveout exempting Alaska from sweeping Medicaid cuts—a backroom deal aimed at securing Senator Lisa Murkowski’s vote.
One major provision still hanging in the balance: a sweeping clause that would block state-level AI regulation for the next 10 years. It’s drawing serious concern, and we’ll know soon whether it survives the final version of the bill.
Crucially, several key Republican Senators are still undecided. Senator Susan Collins (Maine), Senator Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), and—per Senator Warren—Republican Senators from Louisiana and Texas are feeling mounting pressure. Remember: Republicans can only afford to lose three votes. They've already lost two.
I’ll be reaching out to more Senators throughout the day. Let me know who you want to hear from and what questions you want me to ask.
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