PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN speaking on the debt ceiling bill (White House image).

The Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 – a compromise to prevent the default on the nation’s debt – was signed into law on Saturday by President Joe Biden.

After passing both houses of Congress, Biden signed the law just two days before the June 5 deadline, after which the federal government would  have struggled to pay its bills.

According to The New York Times, Biden said, “Nothing – nothing would have been more irresponsible. Nothing would have been more catastrophic,” in a televised address.

Republican Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy called the deal “a major victory.” The bill makes some reductions in the budget but preserves most of Biden’s programs.

Judge voids “drag show” ban law

A LAW restricting “drag shows” has been ruled unconstitutional (Shutterstock).

A federal judge on Friday declared that Tennessee’s new law restricting “drag shows” in which men dress as women to be unconstitutional.

According to the Associated Press, U.S. District Court Judge Thomas Parker – an appointee of former president Donald Trump – ruled that the law was “vague and substantially overbroad” and could be enforced in a discriminatory manner.

The law would have prohibited adult performances from public property or from locations where minors might be present

Also in the news … Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in an interview with the Wall Street Journal, said his country was ready to launch a counteroffensive against Russian invaders.

Sports: Angels, Dodgers both fall

Despite a late rally, the Los Angeles Angels lost again to the Astros in Houston on Saturday night, falling 9-6. The loss – the Halos seventh loss in nine games – drops them to .500 at 30-30.

Houston took a big lead in the fourth on Alex Bregman’s grand slam that made the score 7-1. The Angels bounced back with four in the top of the seventh, but that was as close as they could get.

Shohei Ohtani had a big night with the bat, going 4-for-5 with two singles, a double and a triple. He drove in two runs and scored twice.

The Los Angeles Dodgers lost 6-3 to the New York Yankees. The Bronx Bombers launched four home runs – Jake Bauers (2) Aaron Judge and Oswaldo Cabrera. In addition to his homer, Judge saved a possible Dodger extra base hit with a catch that drove him through a fence into the bullpen.

After falling behind 5-1, the Blue Crew (35-24) rallied for two in the seventh to make it closer.

Weather: Cloudy but nice

A brief glimpse of summer with partly cloudy skies and a daytime high of 72 for our West Orange County area on Sunday, with an overnight low of 60.  Monday begins a dip into the 60s with morning clouds, afternoon sun and a high of 67 (58). Tuesday should be slightly cooler at 66 (58) with partly cloudy skies.