Welcome to The Daily Politic Briefing! Welcome to The Daily Politic Briefing, where we bring you the most significant political developments of the day. I'm your host, and today we have a packed show covering critical legislative battles, key alliances, and high-profile testimonies shaping Washington's landscape. Let's dive into today's most pressing political stories. Today's Headlines First, we'll examine the Senate's struggle with the White House rescissions package as GOP leaders race to secure votes before the July deadline. Next, we'll explore Representative Thomas Massie's surprising alliance with Elon Musk and what it means for his political future. We'll also cover progress on the Russian sanctions bill, plans for a second reconciliation bill, and former President Biden's doctor testifying before Congress about the president's mental acuity. Finally, we'll look at confirmation hearings and controversial energy department funding cuts. Senate GOP Battles Over Rescissions Package Senate Republican leaders are working frantically to secure votes for the White House's $9.4 billion rescissions package that would claw back funding for foreign aid and public broadcasting. With a July 18 deadline looming, Majority Leader John Thune faces a delicate balancing act, able to lose no more than three GOP senators to pass the legislation. Several Republican senators, including Susan Collins, are pushing for amendments to protect funding for AIDS prevention efforts through PEPFAR and support for local broadcasters. Meanwhile, Senators Mike Rounds and Dan Sullivan are advocating for amendments that would safeguard public radio stations serving Native American reservations and rural Alaskan communities. The Senate parliamentarian will play a crucial role in determining which amendments comply with germaneness rules. Thomas Massie Forms Alliance with Elon Musk In an interesting political development, Representative Thomas Massie has secured a powerful ally in tech billionaire Elon Musk, who has pledged to help the congressman against Trump-aligned forces in his next primary election. Despite their shared interests – Massie ordered his Tesla in 2010, uses Starlink, and agrees with Musk on solar power – the two had never met until recently. Massie hinted at substantial support coming his way, teasing that "there will be a super PAC that will be helping me." This alliance represents a significant boost for Massie, potentially providing him with considerable financial backing against primary challengers. Russian Sanctions Bill Moving Forward Senate Majority Leader Thune has indicated that he will soon announce when the Senate will take up a bipartisan bill imposing new sanctions on Russia. Lead author Senator Lindsey Graham successfully secured former President Trump's support for the package after expanding presidential authority to grant waivers to certain sanctions. The bill could reach the Senate floor before the August recess, though it won't be considered this week. This legislation represents a rare moment of bipartisan agreement on foreign policy in today's divided Congress. Second Reconciliation Bill Plans Taking Shape Senate Finance Chair Mike Crapo is joining House Republican leaders in advocating for a second reconciliation bill this fall. Crapo emphasized that "there's a ton of things that we need to do," suggesting an ambitious agenda for the legislation. House Budget Chair Jodey Arrington hopes to revive provisions that were cut from the first megabill due to the Byrd rule, potentially including Senator Rick Scott's Medicaid-related proposal. This effort signals Republicans' determination to advance their legislative priorities through the reconciliation process, which requires only a simple majority to pass the Senate. Biden's Former Doctor Testifies Before Congress Kevin O'Connor, former President Biden's physician, is appearing before the House Oversight Committee today to testify regarding Biden's