US Senate ‘Vote-a-Rama’ Drags On Amid Key Votes; Idaho Suspect Coberger Accepts Plea Deal

Washington D.C. – As of July 1, 2025, the United States Senate remains locked in a protracted “vote-a-rama” session, pushing past the 19-hour mark as lawmakers consider a multitude of amendments to President Trump’s sweeping legislative package, dubbed the “one big beautiful bill.” The marathon voting period comes as unrelated legal news emerged from Idaho, where the suspect in a high-profile quadruple homicide case has accepted a plea agreement.

Senate Marathon on ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’

The Senate’s “vote-a-rama,” a procedural mechanism allowing senators to offer and vote on an unlimited number of amendments, has seen intense activity. By mid-morning on July 1, senators had processed between 27 and 28 amendments since the session began. The process highlights deep divisions and attempts by various factions within the chamber to shape the final version of the president’s signature legislation.

Among the notable votes taken during the session were two attempts to reintroduce a provision that would bar illegal immigrants from receiving Medicaid. This measure had previously been stricken from the bill by the Senate parliamentarian, a procedural advisor to the chamber. Despite the parliamentarian’s ruling, proponents sought to force the issue through floor votes but were unsuccessful on both occasions.

Another significant action involved a provision proposing a ten-year moratorium on artificial intelligence development by states and local governments. In a near-unanimous decision reflecting broad concern or perhaps skepticism regarding such a sweeping ban, senators voted 99 to 1 to remove this provision from the bill. This vote signals a clear sentiment in the Senate against imposing such a wide-ranging restriction on AI innovation at the state and local levels for the next decade.

The continuation of the “vote-a-rama” underscores the complexity and contentiousness surrounding the “one big beautiful bill,” with lawmakers utilizing every available procedural tool to influence its final form before potential passage.

Idaho Murder Suspect Enters Plea Agreement

Separately, in a significant development outside of Washington, Brian Coberger, the suspect in the November 2022 stabbings that claimed the lives of four University of Idaho students, has reportedly accepted a plea deal. The agreement will allow Coberger to avoid facing the death penalty, a potential outcome had the case gone to trial.

Coberger, identified as a 30-year-old former criminology student, was accused of the brutal murders of Kaylee Gonzaleves, Madison Mogan, Santa Kernodal, and Ethan Chapen in their off-campus residence. The case garnered national attention due to its horrific nature and the extensive manhunt that followed.

According to reports on the plea deal, Coberger is expected to plead guilty to all charges leveled against him in connection with the slayings. Furthermore, accepting the deal requires him to waive his right to appeal any aspect of his conviction or sentence.

Evidence cited during the investigation and expected to be central to any trial proceedings included Coberger’s DNA found on a knife sheath discovered at the crime scene. Additionally, cell phone data reportedly placed Coberger’s device near the vicinity of the crime scene a total of 12 prior times before the night of the murders. Crucially, cell phone data and camera footage of his car were also cited as placing him near the scene on the night the killings occurred.

The decision by Coberger to accept a plea deal brings a degree of resolution to a case that has deeply affected the community of Moscow, Idaho, and the families of the victims. While avoiding a potentially lengthy and traumatic trial, the guilty plea ensures his formal legal responsibility for the deaths of the four students.