Daily Digest of Congress- 02 May 2025

Hey everyone! 👋 Here’s what happened in Congress on May 2nd, 2025—no political spin, no confusion, just the facts in plain English. Let’s get into it

🗳️ First up—the House passed the controversial SAVE Act, a Republican-led bill requiring voters to show proof of citizenship and a photo ID. Supporters say it’s about election integrity. Opponents argue it could disenfranchise millions, especially women, young voters, and marginalized communities. Senate leadership quickly shot it down, calling it “dead on arrival.”

🚗 Over in the Senate, lawmakers clashed over California’s special waiver that lets the state set stricter car emissions rules. Republicans want to revoke it, which could derail California’s 2035 gas car ban. But legal experts say Congress may not have the power to touch it under current review laws.

💸 Meanwhile, Elon Musk’s DOGE budget cuts are facing headwinds. Though the Biden administration wanted to make $160 billion in cuts permanent—targeting agencies like USAID and public broadcasting—Congress isn’t buying it. Both sides voiced concern about cutting vital programs without bipartisan consensus.

📉 And President Trump’s bold new tax plan? It’s got headlines, but not yet the votes. The plan would eliminate taxes on tips, Social Security, and overtime—but costs over $5 trillion. Even Republicans are struggling to find a way to pay for it without touching Medicaid or defense spending.

🕵️‍♂️ Lastly, the UN ambassador nomination is heating up. Trump picked Michael Waltz—yes, the same guy caught up in the “Signalgate” scandal. The Senate is gearing up for a bruising confirmation fight, as Democrats question his judgment and independence.

That’s your Daily Digest for May 2, 2025.

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For the official congress digest please visit: https://www.congress.gov/