8AM ET 06/29/2025 Newscast

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update – 8AM ET | June 29, 2025

Host: Jack Callahan
Produced by: Fox News Radio

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1. Senate Republicans Advance President Trump’s "One Big Beautiful Bill"

Overview:
In a significant legislative move, Senate Republicans have narrowly voted to advance President Donald Trump’s comprehensive legislative package, referred to as the "one big beautiful bill." The leadership aims to finalize the bill by the upcoming Fourth of July.

Key Details:

• Progress and Delays:
  The bill, spanning 940 pages, is currently under meticulous review by Senate clerks. As of the latest update, they have reviewed up to page 350, indicating that actual debate in the Senate is still several hours away.
  “Still many, many hours away from when senators will actually be able to start debate,” reported Rebecca Kester at [00:17].

• Political Maneuvering:
  Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is employing delaying tactics to obstruct the bill's passage.
  “It took some arm twisting by GOP Senate leaders President Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance last night to get the initial vote passed to start debate,” Kester added, highlighting the internal negotiations that swayed previously hesitant senators like Rick Scott, Mike Lee, Cynthia Loomis, and Ron Johnson to support the bill.

• Opposition:
  Despite the majority, Republican Senators Rand Paul and Tom Tillis broke ranks, joining all 47 Senate Democrats in voting against the bill.
  “But Republican Senators Rand Paul and Tom Tillis joined all 47 of the Senate's Democrats in voting no,” stated Jack Callahan at [00:59].

2. IDF Elimination of Hamas Leader and Prospects for Ceasefire in Gaza

Overview:
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have intensified operations within Gaza, successfully eliminating Hakam Mohammed Issa Al Issa, a key founder of Hamas's Al Qassam Brigades and a mastermind behind the October 7th terror attacks.

Key Details:

• Operation Success:
  “Aviv, Israeli forces continue to operate inside Gaza, killing the co-founder of Hamas's Al Qassam Brigades, Hakam Mohammed Issa Al Issa,” reported Trey Youngst from Tel Aviv at [00:59].

• Public Sentiment and Call for Peace:
  Despite over 630 days of conflict, there is a growing public demand for an end to the war and the release of hostages. Thousands have taken to the streets in Tel Aviv advocating for peace.

• Ceasefire Hopes:
  President Trump has expressed optimism about reaching a ceasefire within the next week, leveraging the momentum from the resolution of the 12-day war between Israel and Iran.
  “President Trump says that a cease fire deal could be reached within the next week to end the war in Gaza,” Callahan noted at [01:52].

3. Supreme Court Limits Nationwide Injunctions, Facilitating Trump’s Policy Agenda

Overview:
In a pivotal Supreme Court decision, the justices ruled to limit the scope of nationwide injunctions. This ruling effectively removes significant legal barriers to several of President Trump’s executive policies that had previously been stalled by court interventions.

Key Details:

• Policy Implications:
  President Trump is now poised to advance policies such as ending funding for sanctuary cities, suspending refugee settlements, and abolishing birthright citizenship.
  “Some of these policies that they're looking to pursue include ending sanctuary city funding, suspending refugee settlement and ending birthright citizenship,” reported Madeline Rivera from the White House at [02:29].

• Democratic Response:
  Democrats criticize the ruling as undermining essential checks on presidential executive power.
  “Democrats say the Supreme Court's ruling undermines a crucial check on the president's use of executive authority,” Rivera explained.

• President’s Stance:
  In contrast, President Trump argues that the decision reinforces constitutional principles.
  “Some of these policies that they're looking to pursue include ending sanctuary city funding…,” with Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasizing a return to constitutional norms: “This really brings back the Constitution. This is what it's all about,” at [02:46].

• Specifics on Birthright Citizenship:
  The Supreme Court did not address the constitutionality of ending birthright citizenship directly. Attorney General Pam Bondi has withheld detailed implementation plans as the matter continues through litigation.

4. Supreme Court Upholds Religious Exemptions from LGBTQ Curriculum in Maryland

Overview:
The Supreme Court has delivered a landmark decision favoring religious parents in Maryland, allowing them to opt their children out of school lessons that incorporate LGBTQ content.

Key Details:

• Court Ruling:
  The Supreme Court sided with parents seeking exemptions, marking a significant development in the intersection of education and religious freedom.

• Implications:
  This decision sets a precedent for how religious beliefs can influence educational content, potentially affecting curricula nationwide.

5. Tribute to Minnesota Lawmaker Melissa Hortman

Overview:
A private funeral service for Minnesota state lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark was held at The Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis. Approximately 1,500 attendees, including former President Joe Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris, paid their respects.

Key Details:

• Governor’s Eulogy:
  Governor Tim Walz highlighted the Hortmans' legacy, emphasizing their contributions to education, poverty reduction, environmental conservation, infrastructure safety, housing security, and community care.
  “More kids in Pre K, Fewer in poverty... Fewer roads and bridges at risk of failure,” Walz reflected at [03:34].

• Tragic Circumstances:
  The Hortmans were victims of a targeted shooting on June 14th at their Brooklyn Parks home in Minnesota. The assailant also injured State Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette. Federal and state charges have been filed in relation to the attack.

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Conclusion:
Today's Fox News Hourly Update delivered a comprehensive overview of critical national and international issues, ranging from legislative maneuvers in the U.S. Senate to significant developments in the Middle East peace process, landmark Supreme Court rulings, and a poignant tribute to a fallen lawmaker. For those seeking detailed and timely news updates, Fox News continues to be a reliable source.

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This summary is intended for informational purposes and reflects the content presented in the Fox News Hourly Update on June 29, 2025.

Transcript

[Jack Callahan]

They're getting closer By Jack Callahan, FOX News Senate Republicans narrowly voting to advance President Trump's so called one big beautiful bill to its final hours of debate. They're trying to get it to his desk by the Fourth of July. As Fox's Rebecca Kester reports, we are.

[Rebecca Kester]

Still many, many hours away from when senators will actually be able to start debate. Clerks are reading line by line. They 940 page bill. This started around 11pm last night and last I checked, the clerks are only around page 350. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is using this as a delayed tactic to hold up the bill's passing. It took some arm twisting by GOP Senate leaders President Trump and Vice President J.D. vance last night to get the initial vote passed to start debate. They were able to convince former holdouts Senators Rick Scott, Mike Lee, Cynthia Loomis and Ron Johnson all changed their votes to yes.

[Jack Callahan]

But Republican Senators Rand Paul and Tom Tillis joined all 47 of the Senate's Democrats in voting no. The IDF says they've eliminated one of the masterminds of the October 7th terror attacks. As Fox's Trey Youngst reports from Tel.

[Trey Youngst]

Aviv, Israeli forces continue to operate inside Gaza, killing the co founder of Hamas's Al Qassam Brigades, Hakam Mohammed Issa Al Issa. He was one of the planners of the October 7th massacre. Overnight, thousands of Israelis gathered in the streets of Tel Aviv calling for an end to the war and the return of the remaining hostages taken on October 7th. Despite the region experiencing more than 630 days of war, there's finally hope right now for a deal that could end this conflict. President Trump says that a cease fire deal could be reached within the next week to end the war in Gaza. The president is looking to build off the momentum that was reached following the end of the 12 day war between Israel and Iran.

[Jack Callahan]

America is listening to Fox News.

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[Jack Callahan]

The Supreme Court Friday ruled in favor of limiting nationwide injunctions, clearing the way for President Trump to move forward with several of his policies, policies that have been blocked by the courts. Fox's Madeline Rivera reports from the White House.

[Madeline Rivera]

Some of these policies that they're looking to pursue include ending sanctuary city funding, suspending refugee settlement and ending birthright citizenship. Democrats say the Supreme Court's ruling undermines a crucial check on the president's use of executive authority. The president argues otherwise.

[Pam Bondi]

This really brings back the Constitution. This is what it's all about. And this is really the opposite of that. I mean, the question is fine, but it's the opposite. The Constitution has been brought back.

[Madeline Rivera]

The high court, though, did not rule on whether birthright citizenship order, whether that is constitutional. That was what this case was initially about. Attorney General Pam Bondi did not give too many details about how that order will be implemented as it continues to be litigated.

[Jack Callahan]

In another ruling, the high court sided with religious parents in Maryland seeking opt outs for their kids from lessons involving LGBTQ material. A private funeral for Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, held at The Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis yesterday. About 1500 people, including former President Biden and former Vice President Harris, attended Minnesota's Governor Tim Walz delivering the eulogy.

[Tim Walz]

More kids in Pre K, Fewer in poverty. More schools with the tools and teachers they need. Fewer with hungry students. More trees in the ground and clean energy coursing through the grid. Fewer roads and bridges at risk of failure. More people in safe and secure housing. Fewer worrying about how to manage caring for their loved ones. That's the legacy that Mark and Melissa will leave behind for all Minnesotans.

[Jack Callahan]

The Hortman's were shot to death in a targeted shooting in the morning of June 14th at their Brooklyn Parks Minnesota home. The alleged gunman also shot an injured state senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette at their home. Federal and state charges have been filed. I'm Jack Callahan and this is Fox News.

[Bret Baier]

Listen to the all new Bret Baier podcast featuring Common Ground in depth talks with lawmakers from opposite sides of the aisle, along with all your Bret Baier favorites like his All Star panel and much more available now at fox news podcasts.com or wherever you get your podcasts.