First Thing: ‘Corrupt kleptocracy’ – Democrats furious over passage of Trump bill

<p>House passes sweeping bill that will slash Medicaid and food stamps. Plus, Israel steps up Gaza bombing before ceasefire talks</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/info/2018/sep/17/guardian-us-morning-briefing-sign-up-to-stay-informed"><strong>Don’t already get First Thing in your inbox? Sign up here</strong></a></p></li></ul><p>Good morning.</p><p>The House of Representatives <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jul/03/trump-tax-bill-passes-congress">passed</a> Donald Trump’s sweeping tax and spending bill by 218 to 214 votes yesterday, handing the president a significant legislative victory.</p><p><strong>What will it mean for deportation policy?</strong> Thousands of new immigration enforcement officers, tens of thousands of extra detention beds, fees on asylum applications and further construction on the border wall. Here’s how Trump’s bill will supercharge mass deportations by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jul/02/immigration-trump-big-beautiful-bill">funneling $170bn</a> to Ice.</p><p><strong>What about social security?</strong> According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, the welfare cuts will result in about 10.6 million people losing their Medicaid healthcare and 8 million people losing their Snap food stamp benefits.</p><p><strong>And the deficit?</strong> It comes with a huge price tag, increasing the deficit by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jul/01/what-is-in-big-beautiful-bill-trump">$3.3tn through 2034</a>, according to the non-partisan congressional budget Office. Most of that is the extension of the 2017 tax cuts.</p><p><strong>What’s the latest on ceasefire talks?</strong> Hamas leaders are close to accepting a proposed deal for a ceasefire in Gaza but want stronger guarantees that any pause in hostilities would lead to a permanent end to the 21-month war, sources close to the group have said. Hamas officials met on Thursday in Istanbul to discuss the ceasefire proposals.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jul/04/first-thing-corrupt-kleptocracy-democrats-furious-over-passage-of-trump-bill">Continue reading...</a>