June 9, 2026 | By Cate Martel
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It’s Tuesday. T-minus two days until the World Cup begins!! ⚽
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House sets up final ICE funding vote Spy powers deadline nears with no solution Trump, Hollywood VIPs attend Knicks-Spurs game Maine, South Carolina’s high-profile primaries today
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The House may put a bow on it today: |
The House may pass the budget reconciliation bill today to fund the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement. House leaders have a procedural vote teed up this afternoon, setting up a final vote later today.
This would mark a big win for Republicans, who have been squabbling with the White House in recent weeks, but it only solves one piece of the puzzle.
Friday’s deadline: Congress has — and they are far from a resolution. Trump sparked bipartisan backlash by recently appointing Bill Pulte to lead the intelligence community. Pulte has no intelligence experience and has sought prosecution for a number of Trump’s foes in his role as federal housing finance chief.
Happening today: Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) will meet with Trump at the White House today.
The Hill’s Emily Brooks asked Johnson if he might name someone else as acting director of national intelligence in order to pass the spy powers bill. “I’m going to go have a private conversation with him and his team on a number of topics,” Johnson said.
💬 Follow today’s live blog
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REMEMBER TRUMP’S VOTING RULES BILL?: |
Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough last week ruled that the SAVE America Act, which would require proof of citizenship to register to vote and photo ID to cast a ballot, is not eligible to be included in the budget reconciliation.
Well, Trump called for on Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) on Monday to “immediately fire” MacDonough.
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Trump’s latest estimate for an Iran peace deal: |
President Trump estimated today that a peace deal with Iran could be reached within the next “two or three days.”
Trump elaborated on the Israel-Iran talks: “They were going back and forth, and now they both agreed, through me, to stop, and now we’re in the final throes of what will be a very, very good deal that will not in any way allow nuclear weapons,” the president said.
And once a deal is reached, Trump said the Strait of Hormuz will “open up immediately upon signing.”
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SPEAKING OF THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ: |
A U.S. attack helicopter crashed while patrolling near the Strait of Hormuz. Trump says the two crew members are “fine.” It’s unclear what caused the crash.
CBS News reports that a sea drone rescued the two crew members, which marks the first time the U.S. military has ever carried out such an operation.
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Trump was booed at Madison Square Garden (MSG) on Monday when he attended Game 3 of the NBA Finals.
He sat in Knicks owner James Dolan’s private box with his granddaughter, Kai Trump. There were chants of U-S-A when Broadway performer Avery Wilson sang the “Star Spangled Banner,” but when camera panned to Trump, the crowd began loudly booing.
🎥 Watch Trump’s reaction to getting booed
🎥 Fans outside MSG booing
But that’s not what Trump heard: A reporter later asked Trump about the reception he received at MSG. “I thought, great. I mean, I thought it was amazing. You mean when they had the camera on me,” Trump asked for clarification. “I thought it was very good. It was certainly amazing. I think mostly cheers. It was loud and it was very enthusiastic.” 🎥 Watch
For what it’s worth, Trump called the NBA “a little left-wing” but also “great.”
Spotted in Trump’s suite: EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and special envoy Steve Witkoff. Others spotted
Other VIPs spotted at the game: Actors Ben Stiller, Spike Lee, Larry David, Tina Fey and Tracy Morgan; comedian Pete Davidson and “Daily Show” host Jon Stewart; former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel (D).
📸 This is a fun photo of celebs cheering courtside.
Fun fact: Trump is the first-ever sitting president to attend an NBA Finals game.
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LIGHT TIDBIT — THIS MADE ME LAUGH OUT LOUD: |
BTW, VANCE IS GETTING CHICKENS: |
Vice President Vance has added a chicken coop to his residence at the U.S. Naval Observatory.
Lol: “If you want a friend in Washington, get a chicken,” The New York Times’s Shane Goldmacher joked.
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Follow Washington closely? Something new is coming
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The Hill Insider launches July 2026. Premium access to the reporting and analysis most readers never see. Be among the first inside.
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The primary line-up today: |
Voters in South Carolina, Maine, Nevada and North Dakota are heading to the polls today for key primaries.
Getting the most attention — Maine: Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner is set to lock in his nomination to unseat Maine Sen. Susan Collins (R). He’s been facing serious controversies, including a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol and recent reporting from his former girlfriends describing their relationships as “toxic.”
Democrats are very anxious about this race. Maine is part of basically every plausible scenario for Democrats winning control of the Senate.
Also getting a lot of eyes — South Carolina: The gubernatorial primary will test Trump’s influence after he suffered his first major statewide primary loss last week. Trump endorsed Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette (R), so keep an eye on how she finishes (and by what margin.)
🖐️ Five races to watch today
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OpenAI is making moves to go public: |
OpenAI, the artificial intelligence company that runs ChatGPT, has filed the paperwork to go public.
Timing: Reports suggest it could happen as early as this fall, but OpenAI says they have not decided on timing yet.
Keep in mind: OpenAI was most recently valued at $852 billion.
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— The Kennedy Center has removed Trump’s name from its website and its YouTube pages. His name was also excluded from Monday’s invitations to the annual honors ceremony. Reminder: A federal judge mandated that Trump’s name be removed from all official communications by June 12.
— “Vice President Vance said late Monday that he will refer Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) and state Attorney General Keith Ellison to the Justice Department (DOJ) for a criminal fraud investigation prompted by findings from a House Oversight Committee report.” Read more
— NASA has been quietly lobbying Congress for money in order to land astronauts on the moon by 2028, reports Politico’s Audrey Decker.
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The Atlantic: Why the Public Is Gravitating Toward the Hunter Biden Approach: His return to public life is going much better than Jill’s.
Pluribus News: Data centers plunge in popularity as energy costs rise
Politico: The White House is digging in on tariff refunds: The administration has processed more than half the $166 billion it illegally collected but is resisting paying back billions more.
The Hill: GOP cries foul over California, but fails to echo Trump claims
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The House and Senate are in. President Trump is back at the White House. (All times EDT)
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Happening now: The Hill’s Amie Parnes, Ian Swanson and Democratic strategist Joel Payne are taking live questions about the midterms and the 2028 presidential election that is beginning to gear up. Submit your question!
12:30 p.m. Senators meet for weekly caucus meetings. 📆 Today’s agenda
1:30 p.m. First House votes of the day. 📆 Today’s agenda
2:15 p.m. Senators vote on a judicial confirmation.
3:30 p.m. Trump participates in closed-door policy meetings.
6:30 p.m. Last House votes of the day.
Wednesday: The Congressional Baseball Game.
Sunday: The UFC fight on the White House lawn.
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