Fox News Hourly Update: 4AM ET June 29, 2025

Released June 29, 2025

1. U.S. Senate Begins Debate on President Trump's Budget Bill

Debra Valentine opens the segment by reporting on a pivotal moment in U.S. legislative affairs:

"In a 51 to 49 vote, the US Senate agreeing to begin debate on what President Trump calls his big beautiful budget bill." [00:02]

The bill, championed by President Trump, aims to overhaul tax and spending policies. However, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has introduced a procedural hurdle:

"Under this draft, Republicans will take food away from hungry kids to pay for tax breaks to the rich. All the data shows Democrats don't like it." [00:22]

Schumer's move requires the Senate clerk to read aloud the entire 940-page revised version of the bill, potentially delaying the debate by 10 to 12 hours. This tactic underscores the deep partisan divide surrounding the legislation.

Chanley Painter, reporting from Capitol Hill, provides further context:

"President Trump's big beautiful bill cleared a procedural hurdle in the Senate. After hours of tense negotiations, the chamber passed the key vote 51 to 49. Along party lines Saturday night, this will begin a 20-hour debate on the tax and spending cuts bill. Two Republicans opposed the motion to proceed to debate, joining all Democrats." [00:37]

Painter highlights that the bill is packed with Republican priorities, including significant tax breaks, spending cuts, and increased funding for border security measures.

Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas expresses strong support for the bill:

"This will be the largest tax decrease in American history. We're going to secure the border. A whole lot of other good things, but mostly this is the beginning of America's great golden era." [01:26]

If the Senate passes the revised bill, it will return to the House for a second vote, with a target for President Trump to sign it by July 4th.

2. Tensions Rise Over Iran's Stance on International Oversight

Shifting focus to international affairs, Debra Valentine reports alarming developments regarding Iran:

"Some officials in Iran have allegedly called for the execution of the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, outraging Secretary of State Marco Rubio." [02:31]

Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemns these actions:

"A semi-official state news agency in Iran reports a leader in the country's parliament has banned International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi from Iran. The major news agency added that parliamentarians also removed surveillance from Iran's nuclear facilities." [02:41]

"We support the IAEA's critical verification and monitoring efforts in Iran. We call on Iran to provide for the safety and security of IAEA personnel." [02:41]

Rubio's statements emphasize the U.S. commitment to nuclear oversight and the rejection of Iran's hostile directives.

3. Escalation in Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Debra Valentine transitions to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine:

"In Russia's Ukraine war, the Ukrainian military says it struck four warplanes at an airbase in central Russia. Peace talks have failed to bring about a ceasefire." [03:26]

Stephanie Bennett provides detailed coverage:

"In a post on Telegram, Ukraine's military said they hit four SU34 planes as well as facilities that service and repair them. It happened at a Russian base more than 550 miles east of the Ukrainian border." [03:38]

"Earlier this month, Kiev carried out another major strike dubbed Oper Spider's Web, striking long-range Russian bombers at several air bases." [03:38]

"Now yesterday in Minsk, President Putin said that they are ready for a third round of peace talks with Ukraine, but a date has not yet been set. The Russian leader said the terms and conditions of a potential ceasefire are expected to be on the agenda, but so far previous efforts have been brief and yielded no progress, and the war shows no signs of slowing." [03:38]

The report underscores the persistent volatility of the conflict, with significant military actions and stalled diplomatic efforts.

Additionally, Debra Valentine reports a recent attack on Ukrainian soil:

"Russian drones struck the southern Ukrainian port city of Odessa overnight, killing at least two people and injuring 17." [04:19]

This incident highlights the ongoing dangers and the human cost of the conflict.

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