U.S. and world news for July 1

Senate sets record for amendment votes on Trump’s bill

The Senate broke its record for the most votes on amendments to a piece of legislation with its all day and night marathon voting session on Donald Trump’s sweeping domestic agenda bill. The so-called vote-a-rama was still ongoing on Tuesday morning. Nothing significant changed as a result of the vote-a-rama, with the Congressional Budget Office calculating that the package would slash Medicaid by one trillion dollars, end health care for an estimated 17 million Americans, force about 400 hospitals to close, end food assistance for poor children and give massive tax cuts to billionaires and corporations. The Congressional Budget Office calculated the bill would add nearly $3.3 trillion to the country’s deficit.

Musk blasts Trump’s bill

Billionaire Elon Musk says he will launch a political campaign to replace Republican senators and representatives who vote to pass Donald Trump’s tax cut and spending cut bill. Musk says that the legislation would be a disaster for the U.S. He terms the legislation “insane and destructive” and says it would cost millions of jobs and hurt U.S. businesses. Mask says that he would use his vast wealth to start a third party and primary Republicans who support the legislation. Trump this morning blasted Musk and suggested that the federal government cut any support for Musk’s company Tesla.

Israeli airstrike hits cafe in Gaza

At least 41 people were killed and 75 others injured when an Israeli airstrike hit a seaside cafe in Gaza City. The Al-Baqa cafe was a popular spot for students, journalists and remote workers to hang out because it offered views of the Mediterranean coast and internet access. Dr. Mohammed Abu Salmiya, the director of Al-Shifa hospital, said most of the casualties were women and children. Journalists on the scene said freelance journalist Ismail Abu Hatab was also among the dead. The Israel Defense Forces told CNN that the incident was “under review.”

‘Alligator Alcatraz’ to open

President Trump was on a trip to Florida today to visit the site of the state’s forthcoming ICE detention center. Nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz,” the camp is to house 5,000 migrants in tents on an abandoned airport in the Everglades. Plans to build the facility have been met with fierce criticism from immigrant and environmental advocacy groups, many of whom took part in a protest over the weekend. CNN previously reported that fewer than 10% of migrants picked up by ICE since October have been convicted of serious crimes like murder, assault, rape or robbery. CNN also reported that more than a dozen migrants have died in ICE custody this year.

Suspect and victims identified in Idaho firemen shooting

The two firefighters who were fatally shot on Sunday while responding to a brush fire in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, have been identified. Battalion Chief Frank Harwood, 42, worked for the Kootenai County Fire and Rescue for 17 years. Battalion Chief John Morrison, 52, served with the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department for more than 28 years. Dave Tysdal, 47, an engineer with the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department, was injured in the shooting. He was in critical condition after undergoing two surgeries. Authorities also confirmed the identity of the suspect in the firefighter ambush. Wess Roley, 20, allegedly set a brush fire on Canfield Mountain before opening fire on first responders. Roley had no criminal history and his motive remains unknown. He was found dead at the scene and appears to have shot himself.

Hurricane data to be kept from forecasters

The Department of Defense on July 31 plans to stop sharing satellite data that is crucial for hurricane forecasting, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said. Donald Trump has targeted NOAA and the National Weather Service for cuts. The hurricane data examines tropical storms and hurricanes and reveals where the strongest rain bands and winds are likely to be and how they are shifting. The Defense Department’s rationale for cutting off this service reportedly has to do with cybersecurity concerns about the way the data is transmitted to NOAA and NASA. The Atlantic hurricane season, which has started, is forecast to be unusually active.