Political Strategy & Legislative Landscape - NRSC (National Republican Senatorial Committee) Chair Tim Scott warns that the public polling on President Trump's tax and spending bill is "breaking even", suggesting the bill's overall popularity is not strong [1] - The Republican strategy involves promoting individual popular components of the tax and spending bill, such as tax cuts and increased defense spending, rather than the entire package, to improve public support [1] - Democrats are strategizing to highlight potential benefit cuts, particularly in healthcare, to mobilize their electorate, drawing parallels to the 2018 elections [1] - The House passed a crypto legislation package, marking the first time Congress is regulating these currencies [3] Healthcare & Social Safety Net - The bill includes cuts to social safety net programs like Medicaid and SNAP to offset the costs of tax cuts and increased spending [1] - Concerns exist that healthcare cuts, particularly to Medicaid, could lead to rural hospital closures and other negative effects, even before the cuts fully take effect [1] - Expiring Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies will likely increase people's premiums, a situation Republicans chose not to address in the bill [1] Bipartisanship & Government Funding - The report highlights a disintegration of bipartisanship in the House and Senate, particularly regarding the recisions package [1] - The director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) suggests future funding should be more partisan, indicating a shift away from compromise [1] - There are concerns about a potential government shutdown, with a funding deadline approaching in September and limited time for negotiation [1]