Megabill Wrangling, State Of Democracy Poll, USAID Ends

Up First from NPR

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4.5 • 52.8K Ratings

🗓️ 1 July 2025

⏱️ 15 minutes

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Summary

Republican leaders must find a fragile balance in the reconciliation bill between making deep cuts and protecting programs for the vulnerable. Also, an overwhelming majority of Americans say democracy is under serious threat, and USAID officially ends today.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	Senate Republicans are closing in on a final vote for President Trump's massive tax and spending bill.
0:08.1	It's been months of tense negotiations and a lot of close calls.
0:11.3	How did they get here?
0:12.5	I'm Michelle Martin. That's Leila Fonnell, and this is up first from NPR News.
0:19.6	According to a new poll, an overwhelming majority of Americans now say democracy is under serious threat.
0:25.8	And most people from both political parties also say politically motivated violence is a major problem.
0:31.5	What does that say about faith in political leaders and political parties?
0:35.2	And one of the first priorities of the Trump administration was dismantling the United States
0:40.0	Agency for International Development.
0:42.5	Now, nearly six months later, USAID is officially shutting down.
0:47.0	Stay with us.
0:47.7	We'll give you the news you need to start your day.
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1:18.6	It is so hot outside, why not chill out with a nice, breezy book? Over on NPR's Book of the Day podcast, we're doing a whole week of summer reads, novels about romance and friendship
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1:28.2	vacation or just appreciating a nice air-conditioned library, find your next read by listening to
1:34.2	NPR's Book of the Day podcast. This message comes from the Kresge Foundation. Established 100
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	...

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