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The Daily Signal https://www.dailysignal.com/2025/07/01/senate-passes-big-beautiful-bill-in-tie-breaking-vote/?utm_source=TDS_Email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=breaking-3-republicans-all-democrats-vote-against-one-big-beautiful-bill&_bhlid=91466115efe1c0385a5d0aa6227a885a60f7f303 After weeks of negotiations, the Senate has passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act—a ten-year fiscal package which would serve as the vehicle for fulfilling President Donald Trump’s campaign promises on tax cuts and border security. Despite intra-party debates on overall deficit levels, healthcare reform and how to undo President Joe Biden’s environmental policies, Republicans were ultimately able to find a consensus under the leadership of newly-minted Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D. The bill, which has passed by a margin of 51-50 in the Senate with Vice President JD Vance casting the tie-breaking vote, will now go to the House of Representatives, which passed an initial version by a one-vote margin in May. Vance had to break the tie after three Republican senators voted no on the measure: Sens. Rand Paul, Thom Tillis, and Susan Collins. From the beginning, Senate Republicans had a herculean task after receiving the 1,000-page mega-bill that was narrowly passed by the House. Trump largely stayed out of specific debates within the party but urged the bill’s passage in order to provide funding for key priorities, such as border security and defense, as well to prevent an automatic tax increase at the end of the year when his 2017 tax cuts expire. Republicans remained broadly united on those main priorities but disagreed on how exactly to shape the colossal legislation. Of course, Republicans never expected any help from Democrats. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., opposed the package at every turn, calling it a “Big Ugly Betrayal” and characterizing it as an attack on the poor to give the wealthy tax cuts. Despite being locked out of the process, Schumer stood by his members as they appealed provisions before Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough (essentially the chamber’s rules referee), who in turn advised that many provisions would be subject to a 60-vote threshold. MacDonough did so under the Byrd Rule, a Senate rule meant to block provisions in 10-year budget packages that are more policy-oriented than budgetary. The reforms she rejected included preventing illegal immigrants from accessing Medicaid benefits and stopping taxpayer funds from going to transgender surgeries. Republicans had to amend and resubmit several provisions to MacDonough in order to regain lost ground on benefits reforms and other cost-saving items. The House bill contained controversial provisions such as quadrupling to $40,000 the cap on state and local tax (SALT) deductions —a federal tax break popular among blue state Republicans, but universally unpopular among Senate Republicans. Senate Republicans tweaked that provision by keeping its fundamental features, but making the cap revert to $10,000 after 2029. Additionally, the Senate GOP had four budget hawks who urged more fiscal restraint in the bill: Sens. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, Mike Lee of Utah, Rick Scott of Florida, and Rand Paul of Kentucky.  The first three urged more aggressive spending cuts, while Paul focused on asking that the Senate remove the provision to raise the debt limit, arguing for a separate bill to address the matter. A number of Republican senators—particularly Josh Hawley of Missouri, Susan Collins of Maine, Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Jerry Moran of Kansas, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, and Jim Justice of West Virginia—urged restraint on certain Medicaid reforms, such as lowering the provider tax, a tool states use to obtain extra federal health care funding. Leadership attempted to thread the needle and appeal to both fiscal hawks and Medicaid defenders, creating a relief fund for rural hospitals to ease fears over the restructuring of the health care system. Early on, the Senate also decided to make more tax cuts permanent in the bill, largely at the urging of tax cut advocates, such as Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont. Trump mostly stayed out of small policy debates but urged the bill’s passage on the social media platform Truth Social, saying, “I HATE ‘GREEN TAX CREDITS’ IN THE GREAT, BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL. They are largely a giant SCAM.” All the while, the House watched the debates in the Senate carefully. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, a fiscal hawk in the House Freedom Caucus, claimed that the Senate was focused on “just the tax-cuts side.” “They’re backing away from the spending cuts, the spending restraint. They’re backing away from the reforms that we think makes the math work,” he said in a House floor speech Friday. SALT tax break advocates also closely monitored the process, making frequent threats to kill the bill in the House if the Senate abandoned deals made in the original bill. On Friday, Trump expressed confidence that Republicans would pass the bill. “Every Republican senator is committed,” Trump said. “You could have a couple of grandstanders, in all fairness.” The bill passed its first test Saturday night, when Senate leadership, as well as Vice President JD Vance, were able to persuade late holdouts Scott, Murkowski, Johnson, and Lee, as well as Sen. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., to vote on a motion to proceed. Paul and Tillis, however, voted against allowing the bill to come to the floor. Trump responded by threatening to support a primary challenger against Tillis. The next day, Tillis announced that he would not seek reelection in 2026. Tuesday’s vote came after an excruciatingly long period of floor deliberation, as Schumer used an obscure Senate rule to require the reading of the entire bill on the floor before debate began . After the reading of the bill, the Senate considered dozens of amendments. Notably, Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., introduced an amendment which struck a provision that would discourage state regulation of artificial intelligence. This provision, which was controversial in both the House and Senate, was struck by a 99-1 vote, with only Tillis voting in favor of keeping it. The “vote-a-rama,” as this budget debate is colloquially known, stretched on from Monday morning into Tuesday afternoon as Senate leadership huddled with potential holdouts—possibly due to last-minute hesitation on whether Republicans had the votes to pass the bill. Related posts: Hill GOP Budget Leaders in ‘Lockstep,’ Treasury Chief Bessent Says Budget Bill’s Ban on Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Draws States’ Ire Liberal Group Targets 11 House Republicans Over Medicaid Provisions in GOP Bill

brownfornc.com Newsletter here.

https://www.nceit.org/post/only-citizens-vote-month-project Let's ensure only U.S. citizens decide America's future! What is Only Citizens Vote Month? What are we doing? How we'll support you. Key dates and activities Only Citizens Vote Month This August, the grassroots are taking action to make sure only American citizens vote in American elections. See here for  events .    Sign up for training.   The House has already passed the SAVE Act—but that doesn’t mean the job is done. To become law, both chambers of Congress will need to include it in must-pass legislation this summer. And that won’t happen unless lawmakers feel real pressure from the people they represent.   That’s why we’re launching Only Citizens Vote Month—a nationwide, grassroots effort during August to ensure that the SAVE Act is finally passed by both the House and the Senate, and signed into law by President Trump.   Why This Matters The SAVE Act is simple: it requires proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote in federal elections. It closes a dangerous loophole and restores confidence in our elections. This is our chance to get it done. Let’s make August count.   Join Only Citizens Vote Month In order to put pressure on the Senate to pass the SAVE Act, there must be local, action-driven events across the country, and August is the perfect time to do it. Members of Congress are home on recess for the entire month of August. Use the form below to let us know which activities you'd like to participate in. You may choose more than one.   https://www.teapartypatriots.org/only-citizens-vote-month/ Only Citizens Vote Month is right around the corner in August. Our upcoming Zoom trainings will give you everything you need to make your activities a success. For instance, did you know loopholes in current law allow non-citizens to register to vote?   Sign up for training. Tuesday July 8th @2PM here. Thurs July 17th @6PM here. Tues July 22nd @2PM here. Thurs July 31 @6PM here.   In July,  we’ll host four trainings  explaining exactly how you can take part in Only Citizens Vote Month this August—and why educating voters about election-integrity reforms is crucial to a free America. If the SAVE Act doesn’t pass, those loopholes in our registration process will remain.   The first training is Tuesday, July 8th, at 2:00 p.m. ET. The rest of the training webinars will be held on July 17th at 6:00 pm ET, July 22nd at 6:00 pm ET, and July 31st at 2:00 pm ET. Use the link below to register and secure your spot today, then share this email with friends and family who also want secure elections.   REGISTER HERE.     In addition, Jane will host two zoom meetings to address your questions/concerns about activities. Let NCEIT know your plans.  Questions?  Needs?  Concerns?   Remember: TAKE PLENTY OF PICTURES. If it's not documented, it didn't happen.   In addition, there will be 2 Zoom NCEIT meetings to answer your questions/post your activities, etc. Tuesdays after our 11AM state call (on the Tuesday link). Mondays beginning July 7th at 7PM   Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89751773545?pwd=0x66WwgTJRjHqbv8SbRlEMDoAMEYjM.1   Meeting  ID: 897 5177 3545 Passcode: 488875One tap mobile+ 1929 436 2866 (New York Additional Info Letter writing to Senators Budd and Tillis. Visiting their offices. Ted Budd https://www.budd.senate.gov/contact/ (Advance/Asheville/Raleigh/Wilmington/DC) Thom Tillis https://www.tillis.senate.gov/office-locations Charlotte/Hendersonville/Greenville/Raleigh/Greensboro/DC) Questions: Only Citizens Vote Month in NC Events and Directions Let NCEIT know your plans.  Questions?  Needs?  Concerns? There will be 2 Zoom NCEIT meetings to answer your questions: Tuesdays after our state call (on the Tuesday link) Mondays at 7PM   Mondays beginning July 7th at 7PM through Monday September 8th. Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89751773545?pwd=0x66WwgTJRjHqbv8SbRlEMDoAMEYjM.1 Meeting  ID: 897 5177 3545Passcode: 488875One tap mobile+1929 436 2866 (New York)

4 Reasons Why This Fourth of July is Better https://www.dailysignal.com/2025/07/03/four-reasons-why-this-4th-july-is-better/ Have a very happy and safe Independence Day celebration. We are truly on the verge of a great restoration of our great nation!

Watch the video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bAes8YNyF8

Come to Tea Time on Thursday, July 17th at noon at Bay Breeze Restaurant in Hendersonville to meet Don Brown, candidate for US Senate. Come with your questions and concerns. Check out his website and videos and get to know the candidate. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/thom-tillis-announces-retirement-from-senate-after-clash-trump "... It also comes after Trump spent much of Saturday evening blasting Tillis as a "grandstander" and vowing to interview potential primary challengers, while Vice President JD Vance , Senate Majority Leader John Thune , R-S.D., and his leadership team worked over holdout fiscal hawks. "Numerous people have come forward wanting to run in the Primary against ‘Senator Thom’ Tillis," Trump said on Truth Social. "I will be meeting with them over the coming weeks, looking for someone who will properly represent the Great People of North Carolina and, so importantly, the United States of America. Thank you for your attention to this matter!" Read the rest here https://www.foxnews.com/politics/thom-tillis-announces-retirement-from-senate-after-clash-trump Sen. Thom Tillis , one of the two Republicans to vote against advancing President Donald Trump’s "big, beautiful bill," plans to retire from the Senate at the end of his term. The North Carolina Republican announced on Sunday that he would not seek reelection in the 2026 cycle. Tillis would have been among the most vulnerable Republicans running next year and faced threats from Trump to face a challenger after his vote against the president’s agenda Saturday night. KEY GOP SENATOR DEFECTS ON CRUCIAL VOTE, IMPERILING TRUMP'S 'BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL' IN NARROW MAJORITY SENATE REPUBLICANS RAM TRUMP'S 'BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL' THROUGH KEY TEST VOTE

We The People Newsletter https://wtpevents.org/so/aePUZcSBK?languageTag=en&cid=78fcb741-0a14-4340-9615-f0244aaa8702

US Citizens Elections Bill of Rights Take Action! Via X/social media, email, and phone, send the below message to your lawmakers in Raleigh and DC. NC is an embarrassment. The DOJ is suing North Carolina over inaccurate voter rolls list. What are they doing to address election integrity issues in President Trump's Executive Order, #14248 ? The citizens of NC have made their voices heard by supporting the principles in the US Citizens Elections Bill of Rights. Will they too support this or continue to drag their feet?   Contact one of our NCEIT team. Let us know who does and does not respond to you. Jim Womack President, North Carolina Election Integrity Team www.nceit.org 919 774 9682 james.k.womack@gmail.com   Board Member: Jane Bilello jane.bilello@gmail.com Board Member: Joanne Empie joanne.empie@gmail.com Board Member: Jay Delancy jay.delancy@gmail.com The Message   Lawmakers, Commit Your Support the Resolution for the US Citizens Elections Bill of Rights!   To state and federal representatives and senators:   North Carolina patriotic groups including a number of grassroot organizations, GOP county and District organizations as well as the GOP 2025 North Carolina State GOP Convention  have all committed to President Trump's election reforms contained in his Executive Order # 14248  by passing the Resolution supporting the US Citizens' Bill of Rights .  This essential order seeks to preserve and protect the integrity of our American Elections. WE THE PEOPLE now urge you, our state and federal representatives, to also commit to passing laws that reflect the principles put forth in the US Citizens Elections Bill of Rights.  Please show your support for his nationwide effort to protect our elections from fraud, error, and manipulation both foreign and domestic, by returning this with your attestation of support. We will feature your name on the North Carolina Election Integrity Team website  https://www.nceit.org/   Thank you. Link includes the message and lists of NC lawmakers, NCGOP Chair, and Congress https://ashevilleteaparty.org/so/b8PTlXPW8?languageTag=en&cid=de5f0a75-82ac-41f9-8d18-d2861b0d7ed7

https://www.oann.com/newsroom/rubio-an-iranian-response-to-u-s-airstrikes-would-be-the-worst-mistake-theyve-ever-made/ AN Staff  Blake Wolf 9:07 AM – Sunday, June 22, 2025 Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that an Iranian military response to U.S. strikes would be “the worst mistake they’ve ever made.” President Donald Trump greenlit strikes targeting three Iranian nuclear sites on Saturday night – issuing a follow-up Truth Social post announcing that all three attacks were “successful.” “We have completed our very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan,” Trump wrote. “A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site, Fordow.” Rubio made a Sunday appearance on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures” show – beginning by stating that the U.S. is not at war with Iran. “This is not a war against Iran. This is very simple, 67 days ago the President of the United States sent Iran a letter and it said, ‘you’re not going to have nuclear weapons. You’re not going to have a militarized nuclear program. Let’s negotiate, I want to do this diplomatically, I want to do this peacefully,’” Rubio stated. Rubio went on to argue that Iran “tried to play [Trump] along,” indicating that the Iranian regime was not taking the nuclear negotiations seriously. “The president told them, if we don’t get a deal – which is what we wanted – then I’ll have to handle it differently. And that’s what he did last night,” Rubio continued. “That was an Iranian choice, we didn’t make that choice, they did, by playing games with Donald Trump – they made a huge mistake.” Fox News’ Maria Bartiromo asked Rubio if he expects Iran to retaliate to which he responded: “Well, if they retaliate it will be the worst mistake they’ve ever made. Look, we can fly in and out of Iran at will.” “They didn’t even know what had happened – by the time we left the planes were out of their airspace before they finally started realizing they had been hit, so it would be a terrible mistake if Iran retaliates. But that’s not our goal, we are not declaring war on Iran, we’re not looking for war in Iran but if they attack us, then I think we have capabilities they haven’t even seen yet.” Rubio added that Iran will “continue to have problems” should they further pursue the enrichment of uranium. “At the end of the day, if Iran is committed to becoming a nuclear weapons power I do think it puts their regime at risk, I really do. I think it would be the end of the regime if they tried to do that,” he stated. “Ultimately they have to make a decision, it’s a very simple decision. If what they want is nuclear reactors so they can have electricity – there are so many other countries in the world that do that, and they don’t have to enrich their own uranium – they can do that.” “But if what they want is a secret program buried in the mountain where no one can see it and inspectors can only come when they say they can come, if that’s what they want, then they are going to have big problems because this is a dangerous, violent, radical regime.” Stay informed! Receive breaking news blasts directly to your inbox for free. Subscribe here.  https://www.oann.com/alerts

From: Janet < pavementeducationproject@gmail.com > Date: Sat, Jun 21, 2025 at 12:05 PM Subject: IMMEDIATE CALL TO ACTION To: Step 1-Pray Step 2- Read and act.   We need your help. Step 3- Information on the vote location and time will be at the bottom of this message. Heavenly Father, We lift up our senators, representatives, and leaders, asking You to guide their hearts and minds to protect children from harm in schools. Grant them wisdom, courage, and compassion to enact just policies and take bold actions that ensure safety and security for every child. Stir them to defend the vulnerable, as You command: “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute” (Proverbs 31:8). Expose threats, dismantle dangers, and inspire leaders to prioritize the well-being of children above all. In Jesus’ name,  Amen Please start calling NOW and LEAVE MESSAGES with the following people. We want to fill their inboxes! Email if you can. TALKING POINTS: Introduction of Proposed Committee Substitute for HB 805 - Prevent Sexual Exploitation /Women and Minors:  On June 18, 2025, a Proposed Committee Substitute (PCS) for House Bill 805 was introduced, merging HB 636. Promote Wholesome Content for Students. Omission of Key Provisions : The PCS excludes critical protections from HB 636, weakening efforts to safeguard minors from harmful content and ensure wholesome content. Need for Protective Measures : The PCS must include provisions to remove books and materials—both print and digital—that violate General Statute § 14-190.13, defining sexually explicit and obscene content. Prevent Exploitation : Schools must eliminate materials that exploit women and children through sexualized content and damage innocent children. Accountability for Schools : School staff and school boards should be held accountable for ensuring all library and classroom materials are age-appropriate. Scope of the Issue : Over 38,000 age-inappropriate books in North Carolina schools need removal and replacement with wholesome, educational resources. Call to Action : Restore the original language of HB 636 to ensure robust protections for students.    Call the following. Email if time allows. Sen. Phil Berger 919-733-5708.     Phil.Berger@ncleg.gov . Senate President Pro Tempore Sen. Warren Daniels 919-715-7823.   Warren.Daniel@ncleg.gov Sen. Amy Galey 919-301-1446 Amy.Galey@ncleg.gov   ED COMMITTEE Sen. Dana Jones 919-733-7850 Dana.Jones@ncleg.gov    ED COMMITTEE Sen. Buck Newton 919-733-5878 Buck.Newton@ncleg.gov Sen Mike Lee  919-715-2525   Michael.Lee@ncleg.gov . CHAIR OF EDUCATION COMM Sen Brad Overcash 919-733-5734   Brad.Overcash@ncleg.gov   CHAIR OF EDUCATION COMM Sen Kevin Corbin 919-733-5875 Kevin.Corbin@ncleg.gov .  CHAIR OF EDUCATION COMM Sen. Lisa Barnes 919-715-3030 Lisa.Barnes@ncleg.gov    ED COMMITTEE Sen. Bill Rabon 919-733-5963 Bill.Rabon@ncleg.gov HB 636 Sponsors- Let them know you supported their bill and are disappointed in what has happened to it. Rep. Neal Jackson 919-733-5963. Neal.Jackson@ncleg.gov Rep. Jennifer Balkcom 919-733-5963 Jennifer.Balkcom@ncleg.gov Rep. Brian Biggs  919-733-5865.    Brian.Biggs@ncleg.gov Rep David Willis  919-733-2406.   David.Willis@ncleg.gov AND YOUR Senator! Find them here: https://www.ncleg.gov/findyourlegislators I n Henderson Rep Jake Johnson 919 715 4466 jake.johnson@ncleg.gov Rep Jennifer Balkcom 919 733 5955  jennifer.balkcom@ncleg.gov Sen Tim Moffitt 919 733 5745  tim.moffitt@ncleg.gov

A successful board member brings a genuine knowledge of and interest in  election processes. The job doesn’t just consist of meetings, it’s also the time spent on outside research on the ever-changing status of election integrity laws and lawsuits, and the formation of informed opinions. They must be able to read and understand  federal and state statutes and codes, as well as the rules, procedures and state memos, that guide our elections. Strong organizational skills  are also important—  There is so much information and so many moving parts of an election that a members organization of all the information is essential.  Next, are the attributes  that set great board members apart.They are team players  who value collaboration and bring strong communication  skills to the table. Sometimes Linda and I would talk 2-3 times a day when we were working through an issue, then the next day, after sleeping on it, we would come up with a different strategy. So a relationship of collaboration and cooperation with the other republican members is essential.   Honesty, integrity, and transparency  are not optional. Board members must also have the confidence and ability to share informed opinions , (based on research) while being open-minded and flexible enough to think outside the box when challenges arise. A perfect example of this is the failure and absence of an emergency plan for Helene flooding. Attention to detail, resilience under pressure, and the initiative to stay informed are all essential, along with a passion for election integrity.Beyond qualifications and attributes, a strong board member must be ready to make a real commitment. This isn’t a ceremonial position. Board members must be ready to invest significant amount of time. It’s a hands-on, time-intensive role that includes attending meetings, attending training for election workers, testing voting machines, participating in seminars, and staying informed and engaged throughout the election cycle.  Candidates must understand the weight of that responsibility and be prepared to carry it.  This is not a role to be taken lightly—it requires dedication. It’s also important to understand the boundaries of the position.County election board members may not make written or oral statements, meant for the media or the public, that oppose or endorse candidates or referendums. Board members must not solicit contributions for any political candidates, committees, or referendums. In closing, the role of a County Election Board Member is a vital one. It demands a respect for democracy, fairness, and the trust placed in us by the public. It is both a duty and a privilege. by Debbie Dante, 12 years served on the Henderson County BOE

NO Kings’ CCP Connection The Daily Caller’s  Philip Lenczycki  reported, The leader of a Chinese American political action committee involved in organizing upcoming protests against federal immigration enforcement under the “No Kings” banner is also a director of a taxpayer-funded group with extensive ties to Beijing’s intelligence network, a Daily Caller News Foundation investigation has discovered. Asian Americans For Progressive America (AAPA) is a California-based  political action committee  promoting an upcoming national protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) targeted enforcement operations, according to  announcements  and  flyers . AAPA’s  president , Elaine Peng, also  serves  as an executive for United Chinese Americans (UCA), a Washington, D.C.- based  nonprofit that has  received  U.S. government grants worth roughly  $370,000  for a mental health program it runs called WAVES, for which Peng is the “director of training.” UCA  claims  to be focused on “enriching and empowering Chinese American communities through civic engagement” and has often  invoked  racial discrimination as the reason it  holds  protests against U.S. national security  initiatives  and  immigration enforcement . However, translated Chinese government and state media reports reveal a significant number of the nonprofit’s leaders have also served as members of the Chinese  government ,  Chinese Communist Party  (CCP), and/or Beijing’s intelligence  arms , raising concerns among analysts about foreign influence. Continue reading. Nobody is laughing now. ©2025 Dr. Richard M. Swier, LTC U.S. Army (Ret.) . All rights reserved.