NPR News: June 28, 2025, 8PM EDT – Detailed Summary

Released on June 29, 2025

1. Senate Pushes Forward with President Trump's Tax Bill

Host: Jeanine Herbst

In a rare Saturday session, the U.S. Senate initiated a vote to begin debate on President Trump's comprehensive tax and spending bill. Republican senators are maneuvering to secure the necessary votes to pass the legislation, engaging in negotiations to address concerns from within their party. Despite these efforts, the bill faces significant opposition from Democrats and some Republicans.

Key Points:

• Negotiations and Internal Dissent: Republicans have brokered deals with dissenting members but can only afford to lose three votes. The absence of a fiscal breakdown from congressional watchdogs adds uncertainty about the bill's full impact.
• Democratic Opposition: Democrats staunchly oppose the bill, citing potential adverse effects on healthcare and other sectors.

Notable Quotes:

• Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader (00:52): "Senators have admitted they're not happy with this bill. One said it will take away health care from working people. And yet there's still a yes on this bill. If Republican senators are not happy with this bill because they know how badly it hurts their constituency, they should vote no."

• John Thune, Senate Majority Leader (01:11): Praised the bill, emphasizing its potential to strengthen America.

• Chuck Schumer (01:13): "We have before us today a once in a generation opportunity to deliver legislation to create a safer, stronger, prosperous America."

2. Supreme Court Upholds Partial Block on Birthright Citizenship Order

Host: Jeanine Herbst
Reporter: Anna Isaacs

President Trump's order to end birthright citizenship faced a setback as the Supreme Court ruled that a single district court ruling cannot be universally applied. The decision leaves the order blocked for at least the next 30 days, potentially leading to varied citizenship rules across states.

Key Points:

• Supreme Court's Ruling: The Court did not address the constitutional merits of the order, merely limiting its immediate effect.
• Future Implications: States may have divergent citizenship laws, leading to potential chaos and confusion. The Supreme Court has requested lower courts to reconsider their broad rulings. The central constitutional question regarding birthright citizenship may be revisited in the next term.

Notable Quotes:

• Anna Isaacs (01:22): "That means the rules for citizenship could differ state by state, which critics warn will lead to chaos and confusion."

3. Dissolution of Hong Kong’s Last Major Opposition Party

Host: Jeanine Herbst
Reporter: Emily Fang

Hong Kong's last remaining significant opposition party, the League of Social Democrats, announced its dissolution ahead of the fifth anniversary of the National Security Law. This law has severely curtailed political dissent and opposition activities in the region.

Key Points:

• Impact of National Security Law: Enacted in 2020, the law has classified many opposition activities as subversive, leading to arrests and imprisonments of key party members.
• Pressure from Beijing: The league faced increasing pressure from authorities, culminating in the release of the party’s vice chair from prison and the continued imprisonment of the party chair.

Notable Quotes:

• Emily Fang (02:34): Describes the party's advocacy for direct elections and opposition to wealth inequality, highlighting the challenges faced under the National Security Law.

4. Surge of Authorial Support Against Generative AI in Publishing

Host: Jeanine Herbst
Reporter: Chloe Veldman

Over 1,200 authors, including renowned writers like Jodi Picoult and Paul Tremblay, have signed a petition urging publishing houses to implement stronger protections against the impacts of generative artificial intelligence (AI). The authors seek measures to safeguard their intellectual property and ensure fair compensation.

Key Points:

• Demand for Protective Measures: The petition calls for publishers to avoid releasing AI-generated books that utilize copyrighted content without consent. It also advocates for hiring human audiobook narrators instead of relying solely on AI.
• Previous Actions: Authors have previously filed lawsuits against AI companies for copyright infringements.
• Industry Response: Major publishing houses, including Simon & Schuster, have acknowledged the concerns, with spokesperson Susanna Lawrence stating they are taking the authors' worries seriously.

Notable Quotes:

• Chloe Veldman (03:17): "The petition circulated after a group of around 70 writers released an open letter on Friday morning."

• Susanna Lawrence, Simon & Schuster (03:42): "Our company is taking the authors' concerns seriously."

5. Stellantis Recalls Vehicles Due to Airbag Issues

Host: Jeanine Herbst

Stellantis, the parent company of Chrysler, announced a voluntary recall of certain 2022 to 2025 Pacifica and Voyager models. The recall aims to inspect and potentially replace side airbags that may not deploy effectively during a crash due to improperly sealed seams.

Key Points:

• Safety Concerns: The malfunctioning airbags could fail to provide adequate protection in the event of an accident.
• No Reported Incidents: Stellantis has stated that there have been no known injuries or accidents related to this issue so far.

Notable Quotes:

• Jeanine Herbst (04:24): "Some of those airbags may not hold enough pressure during deployment to protect passengers in the event of a crash because of improperly sealed seams."

Upcoming Developments

• Supreme Court Case on Birthright Citizenship: The constitutional question may be addressed in the upcoming term, potentially shaping the future of citizenship laws in the United States.

This summary encapsulates the major news topics covered in the June 28, 2025, episode of NPR News Now, providing a comprehensive overview for those who have not tuned in.