Good afternoon. This is the Final NOTUS newsletter for June 9, 2026. You can get it in your inbox every day by signing up here — it’s free!
THE LATEST
Is Reconciliation 3.0 dead? Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), who chairs the Appropriations Committee, and Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) said as much during an Air Force appropriations hearing today — comments that have scores of political and defense-related ramifications.
- “I think it’s safe to conclude there will not be another reconciliation bill, so it’s not really an option,” McConnell said.
- House Ways and Means Chair Jason Smith (R-Missouri) said today he’d also be a “no” if tax provisions aren’t included, though he’d “love for the speaker to say tax is going to be a part of it.”
The Republican Study Committee met last night to discuss targets for a new package — which could increase military and defense funding and target government “fraud” — and Speaker Mike Johnson says JD Vance is directly involved. But House Republicans already face a tight afternoon vote on the Senate’s reconciliation bill that would fund ICE and Customs and Border Protection.