A Congressional subcommittee discussed problems with the way medical exams for veteran disability benefits are conducted. Issues include exams happening in poor conditions and errors that affect benefits. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) outsources most exams to private companies, but oversight and quality control have been lacking.
Key Facts
Over 90% of medical exams for veterans' disability benefits are outsourced to private companies.
Lawmakers reported exams conducted in conditions like hotel rooms, affecting their quality and accessibility.
The House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee held an oversight hearing to address these issues.
A Government Accountability Office report found millions in overpayments to vendors not meeting performance standards.
The VA's Medical Disability Examination Office has been criticized for insufficient oversight of private contractors.
Some veterans do not receive the benefits they earned due to poor exam conditions and errors.
The process involves a multi-billion dollar program with a focus on reducing wait times by outsourcing to external firms.
The U.S. House of Representatives experienced a hectic week with events including censure votes, member indictments, and a fire at the Capitol complex. The week concluded with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene announcing her resignation. These incidents followed a seven-week recess and included various legislative and legal actions involving multiple representatives.
Key Facts
The House returned from a seven-week break and dealt with several major events.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene announced her resignation from Congress.
A fire occurred in the Capitol complex's subway.
The House voted to release Justice Department files related to Jeffrey Epstein.
Censure votes were considered against several members of Congress.
Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick was indicted for allegedly misusing FEMA funds.
President Trump made comments causing outrage among Democratic lawmakers.
Five Democratic lawmakers who urged the military to ignore illegal orders received bomb threats after President Donald Trump accused them of being traitors. There have been no reported injuries, and law enforcement agencies have ensured the safety of the lawmakers and their offices. The lawmakers previously released a video encouraging military members to follow the law and refuse illegal orders.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump called some Democratic lawmakers' actions "seditious behavior" and suggested it was punishable by death.
Five lawmakers received bomb threats: Senator Elissa Slotkin and Representatives Jason Crow, Chrissy Houlahan, Chris Deluzio, and Maggie Goodlander.
The lawmakers had released a video urging military members to disobey illegal orders, without specifying what those orders might be.
Police and law enforcement responded to threats at the lawmakers' offices across different states.
No injuries were reported due to the bomb threats.
Lawmakers' offices reported increased threats and abusive calls after Trump's comments.
President Trump denied that his remarks were direct threats and described them as charged rhetoric.
Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein's abuse expect more threats as files about his crimes are set to be released. President Donald Trump recently signed a bill for the U.S. Justice Department to release these documents in 30 days. The files could reveal high-profile individuals connected to Epstein's actions.
Key Facts
Epstein survivors fear an increase in threats as the release date of related files approaches.
They demand legal support and accountability for facing their abusers.
President Donald Trump signed a bill for the release of Epstein-related files, following Senate approval.
The Justice Department has 30 days to make the files public.
Survivors urge a complete release of documents, not a selective one.
Jeffrey Epstein died in 2019 while waiting for trial; he had a previous conviction in 2008.
Survivor Virginia Giuffre, who spoke out against Epstein, faced threats before her death.
Attorneys general from 20 states and Washington D.C. have written to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) about changes to how noncitizens qualify for food assistance benefits. These changes are part of a new law that affects the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The states argue that the USDA's guidance on these changes is incorrect and could wrongly deny benefits to eligible noncitizens.
Key Facts
The letter was sent by attorneys general from 20 states and Washington D.C.
The letter addresses changes to SNAP eligibility for noncitizens as stated in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
SNAP helps about 42 million Americans and legal non-citizens buy food.
The law blocks certain refugees, asylees, and parolees from receiving SNAP benefits.
The states argue that eligible noncitizens can become SNAP-eligible when they get permanent resident status.
The USDA guidance reportedly misinterprets the law, saying some people are not eligible without noting potential future eligibility.
The USDA set a transition period that states say is too short and conflicts with federal rules.
There are other changes to SNAP, including stricter work requirements for certain adults.
President Donald Trump responded to the resignation of Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene by calling her a "traitor" but also thanked her for her service. Greene announced her resignation from Congress amid declining poll numbers and a strained relationship with President Trump.
Key Facts
President Trump called Marjorie Taylor Greene a "traitor" following her resignation.
Greene was a representative from Georgia and previously a strong supporter of Trump.
She announced her resignation in a video on Friday night.
Her poll numbers were dropping, which influenced her decision to resign.
Greene had been critical of the Justice Department's handling of Jeffrey Epstein's files.
Trump mentioned Greene's association with Tom Massie, a Kentucky Congressman, as unhelpful to her.
The relationship between Greene and Trump has been tense recently.
Trump thanked Greene for her service despite their differences.
President Donald Trump and New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani had a positive meeting at the White House, despite previously exchanging harsh words. Both leaders focused on areas of agreement, such as dealing with the cost-of-living issues, showing a willingness to work together for the benefit of New Yorkers.
Key Facts
President Trump met with Zohran Mamdani, the mayor-elect of New York City, at the White House.
The meeting was described as cordial and productive, despite past conflicts between the two.
Mamdani, a Democratic socialist, previously called Trump a "despot" in an election speech.
Trump has previously criticized Mamdani, even suggesting revoking his citizenship.
Both leaders found common ground on issues like the cost-of-living crisis.
Trump noted that he and Mamdani agreed on more points than expected.
White House press secretary and some Republicans maintained critical positions on Mamdani.
Trump contradicted some Republican views by avoiding harsh language against Mamdani during the meeting.
An individual experienced a strange feeling in her armpit which led to a diagnosis of breast cancer. Despite initial treatments, further tests revealed that the cancer had spread to a lymph node, prompting more treatment decisions. The person reflects on the journey, including treatment decisions and dealing with changes like hair loss.
Key Facts
A woman noticed an unusual sensation in her armpit and was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Her family member, a breast surgeon, urged her to see a specialist after examining her.
Initial treatment included a lumpectomy and plans for radiation and Tamoxifen medication.
Cancer was found in a lymph node after the lumpectomy, requiring further decisions on treatment.
The patient started chemotherapy but decided to stop after consulting with her doctors.
She has been on Tamoxifen for six years as part of her ongoing treatment.
The patient shares insights from her experience, including the emotional impact of hair loss and the importance of support.
A series of recent polls indicate that President Donald Trump's approval ratings are declining, especially regarding his handling of the economy. This decline comes as the 2026 midterm elections approach, with many voters expressing dissatisfaction over issues like inflation and government infighting.
Key Facts
Several polls show President Trump's approval ratings are dropping.
A Fox News poll found 76% of voters view the economy negatively under Trump.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll reported Trump's approval at 38%, the lowest in his second term.
An AP-NORC poll showed only 33% of Americans approve of Trump's federal government management.
Morning Consult found Trump's net approval dropped to -10 points.
Disapproval among Hispanics rose from 39% to 54% in an Emerson College survey.
Nate Silver's tracking showed Trump's net approval at a record low.
A UnidosUS poll indicated that nearly two-thirds of Latino voters disapprove of Trump's performance.
A new U.S. tax law signed on July 4 introduces federal tax deductions for seniors, service workers, and car buyers. However, these changes will not automatically apply at the state level, as some states and Washington, D.C., have decided not to adopt these tax updates. As a result, residents in certain areas will not see similar benefits on their state tax returns.
Key Facts
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) offers new federal tax deductions.
These deductions include benefits for seniors, service workers, and car buyers.
States have the option to adopt or reject federal tax changes.
Washington, D.C., has temporarily blocked various federal tax provisions.
Colorado requires taxpayers to report federally excluded overtime pay.
New York and Illinois continue to tax tips and overtime pay.
Maine has not accepted various OBBBA provisions, including the senior deduction and car loan interest deduction.
President Donald Trump and New York's mayor-elect, Zohran Mamdani, agreed on the need to reduce living costs in a meeting. Marjorie Taylor Greene announced her decision to leave Congress, citing disagreements on policy, particularly regarding affordability issues. Both Mamdani and Greene are focused on reducing costs despite their differing political views.
Key Facts
President Trump and Zohran Mamdani discussed reducing utility costs with Con Edison.
Marjorie Taylor Greene announced she will leave Congress in January 2026.
Greene cited high grocery and energy prices as major concerns.
Mamdani wants to tackle the cost-of-living crisis with measures like rent freezes and free public transport.
Despite political differences, both Mamdani and Greene agree that affordability is a key issue.
Enhanced ACA tax credits are set to expire, potentially doubling health insurance premiums.
Trump expressed satisfaction with Mamdani's potential success in making living affordable.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) shared updates about its service improvements for 2025, including faster payments and shorter wait times. Changes also include upgrades in online access and a reduction in the disability claims backlog. These improvements are part of efforts to enhance user experience and efficiency.
Key Facts
The SSA plans to provide faster payments and shorter wait times in 2025.
A bipartisan bill, the Social Security Fairness Act, repealed certain limits on retirement benefits, affecting various workers.
Over 3.1 million payments, amounting to over $17 billion, were sent to beneficiaries eligible under this act ahead of schedule.
SSA's online portal is now accessible 24/7, after previously being offline for long periods every week.
Phone response times improved, reducing average call wait times from 28 to 15 minutes.
In-office visit wait times went down from 30 to 22 minutes, benefiting visitors with appointments.
The disability claims backlog, which peaked in 2024, was reduced by over 25% to 865,000.
Online improvements and resource allocation played a key role in these changes.
President Donald Trump previously promised to reduce Americans' exposure to harmful chemicals, including pesticides. However, his administration seems to be supporting the use of certain pesticides that have raised concerns among experts. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) continues to approve new pesticides, including those with controversial chemicals, stating their processes are science-based and thorough.
Key Facts
President Trump initially vowed to protect Americans from harmful chemicals, focusing on pesticides.
His administration now supports the use of some pesticides that have sparked concern.
The EPA has sought to approve five pesticides containing PFAS, which courts previously banned for being harmful.
The EPA claims its approval process is thorough and prioritizes human health.
Critics argue that the administration did not meet its promises to reduce harmful chemical use.
Experts noted that pesticides undergo rigorous testing before approval in the U.S.
PFAS pesticides have been used for some time, but recent attention highlights their risks.
The article discusses a generational divide within the Republican Party, where younger Republicans hold more populist and isolationist views compared to older members. It highlights the differing political opinions between Nikki Haley, a more traditional Republican figure, and her son, Nalin Haley, who advocates for more radical ideas. This trend of younger Republicans moving further to the right could significantly impact future U.S. elections.
Key Facts
Younger Republicans are adopting more populist and isolationist beliefs.
Nikki Haley, a former Governor, represents a traditional Republican viewpoint.
Her son, Nalin Haley, opposes immigration and U.S. involvement in foreign affairs.
Nalin Haley recently appeared on Tucker Carlson's show to discuss his views.
The trend is part of a broader generational divide within the Republican Party.
In the 2024 elections, a shift among young voters helped President Trump narrow the gap with young Democrat supporters.
Some Republicans, especially younger ones, are reevaluating U.S. support for Israel.
Surveys show a decline in positive views of Israel among Republicans compared to previous years.
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene announced she will resign from Congress effective January 5, 2026. Her resignation comes after a public disagreement with President Donald Trump and reduces the Republican majority in the House. Greene expressed frustration with Congress and cited differences with Trump as reasons for her decision.
Key Facts
Marjorie Taylor Greene is a Republican Representative from Georgia.
She will officially leave her position in Congress on January 5, 2026.
Greene and President Trump had a public disagreement on key issues.
She was a strong supporter of the Make America Great Again movement.
Her resignation decreases the Republican majority in the House.
Greene expressed dissatisfaction with the effectiveness of Congress.
President Trump commented that her resignation was "great news for the country."
Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican congresswoman and once strong supporter of President Trump, announced her resignation from Congress. She cited a clash with President Trump, partly over the release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein, as a reason for leaving. President Trump had recently withdrawn his support for Greene and called her names publicly.
Key Facts
Marjorie Taylor Greene is resigning from her position in Congress with her last day on January 5, 2026.
Greene had a fallout with President Trump, who withdrew his support and called her derogatory names.
Greene had been an advocate for releasing government files on Jeffrey Epstein, differing from Trump's earlier stance.
President Trump recently signed a bill to release the Epstein files after earlier resistance.
Greene mentioned facing threats after Trump withdrew support.
Greene was the first Republican to label Israel's actions in Gaza as genocide.
Her resignation comes amidst political changes and strong Democratic performance in recent elections.
Some Iranian Christian converts seeking asylum in the United States are being deported back to Iran. These individuals face potential risks in Iran, especially due to their religious conversions. There have been recent changes in U.S. deportation policies involving Iranian asylum seekers.
Key Facts
Majid, an Iranian asylum seeker, fled to the U.S. in October 2024 due to alleged persecution in Iran.
Despite being granted protection by a judge, Majid was deported to Nicaragua before returning towards Iran.
Several Iranian Christian converts have reported inconsistencies in how U.S. authorities assess their asylum claims.
President Trump has expressed concerns about the persecution of Christians globally.
U.S. officials state that deportations involve individuals with final removal orders or those who requested to leave voluntarily.
A recent chartered deportation flight to Iran was the first of its kind in decades, due to complex diplomatic relations.
Some deportees, including Christians, were reportedly shackled and questioned upon returning to Iran.
Lawyers claim that sensitive information about religious conversions was not adequately handled during deportations.
The U.S. Supreme Court temporarily blocked a lower court decision that found Texas's new voter map likely discriminates based on race. This decision pauses changes to the map, which could increase Republican seats, during the upcoming midterm elections as legal proceedings continue. The case focuses on gerrymandering, particularly racial biases, which remain unconstitutional.
Key Facts
The U.S. Supreme Court temporarily blocked a ruling about Texas's new voter map.
The new map is seen as potentially giving Republicans more seats in the U.S. House.
A lower court found the map likely discriminates against Black and Hispanic voters.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton supports the Supreme Court's temporary block.
President Trump has pushed for redistricting efforts to maintain Republican control.
Gerrymandering involves redrawing districts and is legal for partisan reasons but illegal when based on race.
The Supreme Court's ruling on gerrymandering from 2019 allows partisan gerrymandering but not racial.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene announced she is leaving Congress after disagreements with President Donald Trump, especially over health care costs and foreign policy. Greene was an early supporter of President Trump but says her relationship with him broke down after she pushed to release sensitive files against his wishes.
Key Facts
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene announced she will resign from Congress.
She plans to leave her position on January 5, 2026.
Greene was one of President Trump's earliest supporters in Congress.
Disagreements with Trump included health care and foreign policy issues.
Greene pushed to release the "Epstein files," which President Trump opposed.
Trump showed Greene polling data, suggesting she couldn't win a statewide race, even with his support.
Greene criticized the Republican Party for lacking a health care plan.
Trump expressed frustration with Greene for several months.
Marjorie Taylor Greene, a congresswoman from Georgia, has announced she will resign from the U.S. House of Representatives. She plans to leave her position on January 5, 2026.
Key Facts
Marjorie Taylor Greene is a congresswoman from Georgia.
She announced her resignation from the U.S. House of Representatives.
Greene's resignation is effective on January 5, 2026.
She shared her decision through a social media post.
Recently, she had disagreements with President Donald Trump.
Their disagreement involved Justice Department files about Jeffrey Epstein.
