Economic bill passes, Israel/Palestinian cease-fire, Biden to visit Kentucky

The Senate passed a major economic bill, and Israel and Palestinian militants reached a cease-fire deal. It’s Monday, Aug. 8 and President Biden plans to visit Kentucky after historic flooding.

Inflation Reduction Act passes Senate – Democrats’ $740 billion climate, health, and tax bill officially was approved by the Senate on Sunday. The vote was cast among party lines. Vice President Kamala Harris was present to make the tie-breaking vote 51-50.

“With the Inflation Reduction Act, this Senate Democratic Majority has achieved what countless others have come to Washington promising to do,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) tweeted Sunday. “Our bill reduces inflation, lowers costs, creates millions of good-paying jobs, and is the boldest climate package in U.S. history.”

The bill was debated on Saturday after Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) signaled her support for the package earlier in the week. It now goes to the House, where Democrats hold the majority. It is expected to pass the chamber on Friday.

Gaza reopens after violent weekend – Israel has partially reopened crossings into Gaza today as part of a cease-fire deal reached to end three days of fighting with Palestinian militants. The leader of the militant group, known as the Palestinian Islamic Jihad Movement, said the group remained strong despite losing two of its leaders in Israeli airstrikes.

“This is a victory for Islamic Jihad, a victory for al-Quds Brigades, a victory for the Palestinian people and the Palestinian resistance, what has been achieved today,” Ziad al-Nakhalah said when announcing the deal. “We will protect this achievement also with our steadfastness and our strength.”

The most recent flareup was the worst between Israel and Palestinians since Israel fought an 11-day war with Hamas last year. 44 Palestinians have been killed and 311 wounded since Friday.

Biden to visit Kentucky – President Biden is expected to head to Kentucky Monday to tour the devastation left behind by the worst flooding in the state’s history. 37 people have died since storms dropped eight to 10 and a half inches of rain in 48 hours last month. Biden’s visit comes just months after he was in Kentucky touring damage left when several tornadoes killed 77 people in the state.

“I wish I could tell you why we keep getting hit here in Kentucky,” Gov. Andy Beshear (D-KY) said recently. “I wish I could tell you why areas where people may not have much continue to get hit and lose everything. I can’t give you the why, but I know what we do in response to it. And the answer is everything we can.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.