The Deal: The House Republican leadership agreed to a two-year lifting of the federal debt ceiling in exchange for a two-year freeze on what’s known as discretionary spending — that’s most of the programs for which Americans depend on the federal government. It means that inflation over that period would in effect create a federal budget cut. 

  After surviving the political gun held to his head, President Biden said, “The agreement prevents the worst possible crisis: a default for the first time in our nation’s history, an economic recession, retirement accounts devastated, millions of jobs lost.” 

  One of the classic Republican demands has been for imposing work rules on people receiving public assistance. Biden did allow some tightening of work rules for receiving food stamps and traditional welfare, but rejected requirements for Medicaid. 

 The deal also ends the pause on student loan repayments and interest accrual 60 days after June 30^th.

  One interesting development is that this also cuts $21 billion from the Internal Revenue Service, a target of the most conservative Republicans, who have expressed fear that the agency’s recently enlarged budget would allow it to go into “beast mode” of enforcement.

Until the Grave: Turkey’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who had to face a runoff yesterday, survived to win re-election despite new political opposition and widespread voter anger about the skyrocketing cost of living. Erdogan became Prime Minister in 2003 and was elected president in 2014,  He secured another five-year term and told a crowd of supporters, “We will be together until the grave.” 

  While Erdogan has condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine, to the frustration of western powers he has maintained a cozy relationship with Vladimir Putin, whom he refers to as “my friend.” 

The War Room: Explosions rocked the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv again today as Russia continues its attempt to terrorize the civilian population.

  Ukraine claims to have intercepted and shot down 52 out of 54 Russian-launched drones aimed at targets in central Ukraine over the weekend. They say that more than 40 drones were intercepted headed to the capital of Kyiv, where city officials said at least one person was killed and another injured.

  At the front, Ukrainian soldiers say they see regular Russian troops beginning to replace the hard core Wagner mercenaries holding the destroyed city of Bakhmut. Everyone is holding their breath to see when, if, or where the Ukrainians mount a summer counter offensive. 

Texas Mess: The Republican-dominated Texas House on Saturday voted overwhelmingly to impeach state Attorney General Ken Paxton and suspend him from office pending a trial in the Senate. Paxton is accused of bribery and corruption, including that he had given special treatment to a campaign donor who helped him remodel his house.

  The vote was 121 to 23 over the objection of former President Donald Trump and other prominent conservatives who argued that lawmakers were reversing the will of voters who had elected Paxton to a third term in in November.

  Paxton has denied doing anything wrong and called the proceedings illegal.

The Obit Page: Ed Ames, the baritone pop singer and actor who portrayed the Oxford-educated Cherokee, Mingo, sidekick to Daniel Boone on the 1960s NBC series about the colonial pioneer, has died at age 95 at home in Los Angeles.

  Although he played an Indian, Ames came from a different tribe. He was a son of Jewish immigrants from Ukraine. But he starred as Mingo opposite Fess Parker playing Daniel Boone from 1964 to ’68.

  His most memorable moment of television came when he appeared on the Johnny Carson show and demonstrated how Mingo could throw a tomahawk. The weapon hit right in the crotch of the cowboy cutout target and the audience reaction was so hysterical it was several minutes before the show could go on. Ames later admitted he’d never actually thrown a tomahawk until Carson asked him to do it.

  Ames and three of his older brothers — Vic, Gene, and Joe — had previously risen to fame as the singing Ames Brothers, releasing their first hit in 1950. They were one of the most popular quartets before the onset of rock ‘n’ roll.  — George Maharis, the handsome chiseled-jaw actor who played Buz Murdock alongside Martin Milner as Tod Stiles in the first three seasons of the 1960s television drama “Route 66” has died at age 93. He said he left the show because he had hepatitis. Maharis had a long career in television and movies, but it was later suspected that he was forced out of  “Route 66” because he was gay.

The Spin Rack: Rescuers in Davenport, Iowa, are searching the rubble after the partial collapse of a six-story apartment building yesterday. At least seven people were pulled out alive. — State Farm has stopped accepting new homeowner insurance applications in California, citing the growing risk from earthquakes,  wildfires, and the rising cost of rebuilding. Just one wildfire in 2018 destroyed 11,000 homes. State Farm has been the #1 home insurer in California. —  Iowa Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a bill loosening some state child labor laws. Starting July 1, 14- and 15-year-olds can work until 9 pm during the school year instead of 7 pm, and until 11 in the summer. Fourteen- and 15-year-olds will be allowed to work 6 hours a day during the school year. The new law also allows 16 and 17-year-olds to serve alcohol in restaurants. — Netflix has imposed a new $7.99 monthly fee on anyone using their log-in for more than 31 days at a different location. They’re trying to crack down on password sharing, but this also affects people who travel.

Below the Fold: The Target discount chain lost $10 billion in stock value over the last 10 days as the retailer faces backlash over its “Pride” themed clothing line for children. One t-shirt says, “Trans People Will Always Exist,” and that kind of thing just doesn’t sell in parts of the country.

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