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The U.S. Supreme Court has concluded its term with a significant ruling that limits the power of federal judges to issue nationwide injunctions. This decision came in a case involving an executive order by former President Donald Trump aimed at ending birthright citizenship for children born in the U.S. to parents without legal status or temporary visas. The court ruled 6-3 that such injunctions likely exceed the authority granted to federal courts by Congress.
In Washington, the Senate is deliberating over the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which includes key elements of Trump's legislative agenda on taxes and immigration. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has called for "drastic changes" to prevent provisions they believe will harm vulnerable populations.
On June 27, alongside its ruling on birthright citizenship, the Supreme Court issued other decisions, including one supporting Maryland parents who objected to classroom instruction on LGBTQ+ themes and another upholding a Texas law requiring age verification for online pornography access.
Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough rejected crucial Medicaid cuts in the Republican version of Trump's megabill on June 26. Her decision poses a challenge to meeting Trump's July 4 deadline for passing the bill. MacDonough found that certain Medicaid provisions did not comply with Senate rules allowing passage by a simple majority instead of a 60-vote threshold.
The same day, 20 U.S. Catholic bishops joined an interfaith effort opposing the bill, labeling it a "moral failure" due to proposed cuts to SNAP and Medicaid.
Former President Trump expressed a shift in his stance on NATO after attending its summit in the Netherlands. Previously skeptical about NATO commitments, Trump seemed satisfied after member countries agreed to increase defense spending.
“I left there saying that these people really love their countries," Trump stated, adding that they need U.S. support for protection.
During the summit, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte were present alongside Trump at a plenary meeting.
In domestic politics, Sen. Bill Cassidy criticized new appointments to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices made by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., citing concerns over their lack of experience with vaccines like mRNA technology.
“Robust and transparent scientific discussion is important," Cassidy said but argued that more experienced members are needed before proceeding with ACIP's work.
Kennedy's move appeared contrary to a pledge he made during his confirmation process regarding maintaining committee membership unchanged.
Internationally, the U.S. State Department rebuked an assisted suicide bill passed by Britain's House of Commons as it moves towards debate in the House of Lords. The department emphasized "the sanctity of life" in its critique via social media, marking an unusual intervention into allied legislation discussions.
Catholic bishops in Britain have also opposed this legislation.
Kate Scanlon reports from Washington for OSV News.
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