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March 12, 2024
Raheem J. Kassam
Breaking
Corruption

REVEALED: Biden Bragged to Special Counsel About ‘Real Advantage’ of China-Funded Penn Job – ‘They Gave Me Money.’

The transcript of Joe Biden’s October 2023 interview with Special Counsel Robert Hur reveals he boasted about the “real advantage” he gained after taking a job at the University of Pennsylvania’s Penn Biden Center, which has been funded by a vast number of Chinese donors.

“[T]he real advantage I had in the Penn job was they gave me money to hire staff,” Biden told Hur, emphasizing that this Penn money even funded a salary for the “first-rate” Antony Blinken, who is now his Secretary of State.

Biden added that his focus at the Penn Biden Center was “mainly to on foreign policy [sic].” This admission is likely to raise alarm bells in some quarters, as donations to the University of Pennsylvania from China increased over threefold after it began publicizing the Penn Biden Center in February 2017.

Of $61 million donated to the university by Chinese individuals and entities from 2017 to 2020, around $22 million was sourced anonymously, raising further concerns about potential influence peddling.

The House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Accountability has stressed that “[n]ot only were these donations made while President Biden explored a potential run for president and launched his campaign, but also as his family and associates pursued lucrative financial projects with partners in China.”

“The American people deserve to know whether the Chinese Communist Party, through Chinese companies, influenced potential Biden Administration policies with large, anonymous donations to UPenn and the Penn Biden Center,” the Committee wrote in 2023.

Jack Montgomery contributed to this report.

Editor’s Notes

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5 hours ago
Immigration
News

Judge Dismisses Charges Against 98 Illegals Who Entered Restricted National Defense Area.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: A judge in New Mexico dismissed charges against 98 illegal immigrants who crossed into a restricted National Defense Area.

👥 Who’s Involved: Judge Gregory B. Wormuth, 98 illegal immigrants, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

📍 Where & When: Restricted land along the U.S.-Mexico border in New Mexico, dismissals began being filed late Wednesday.

💬 Key Quote: “The United States provides no facts from which one could reasonably conclude that the defendant knew he was entering,” said Judge Wormuth.

⚠️ Impact: Dismissal of charges could set a precedent for similar cases; illegal immigrants remain in custody and may still face deportation.

IN FULL:

A federal judge in New Mexico has dismissed charges against 98 illegal immigrants who crossed into a restricted National Defense Area near the U.S.-Mexico border. The area, established under the Trump administration, forms part of the U.S. Army Garrison Fort Huachuca and is marked by “Restricted Area” signs in both English and Spanish.

Judge Gregory B. Wormuth ruled that the illegals could not be prosecuted for entering the restricted zone because they were reportedly unaware it was military property. “The United States provides no facts from which one could reasonably conclude that the defendant knew he was entering,” Wormuth claimed, insisting that requiring intent to enter military land is necessary to avoid “absurd and unfair results.”

The dismissed cases are among approximately 400 misdemeanor charges filed against illegal immigrants who entered the restricted area. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had previously praised the establishment of the National Defense Area, emphasizing its role in reducing illegal crossings. “When you cross illegally, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Hegseth said during a visit to the area earlier this year.

Defense attorneys argued that the border crossers were unaware of the restricted zone’s boundaries, with some arriving in the dark or unable to read warning signs. One attorney described the area as “just a bunch of desert,” asserting that the charges were unexpected.

Despite the dismissals, the illegal immigrants remain in custody and may still face deportation for entering the U.S. unlawfully.

President Donald J. Trump‘s border policies have already massively reduced illegal crossings in the first few months of his term. According to the U.S. Border Patrol, registered encounters with migrants in March dropped 97 percent compared to March 2022. Similar trends have been seen on the northern border with Canada as well.

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6 hours ago
Crime
News

Climate Activists Sentenced for Airport Runway Glue Plot.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: A group of Just Stop Oil activists were convicted of conspiracy to cause a public nuisance after planning to disrupt London’s Heathrow Airport by gluing themselves to the runway.

👥 Who’s Involved: Nine Just Stop Oil activists and Judge Hannah Duncan.

📍 Where & When: The judge’s ruling occurred on May 16, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: Judge Hannah Duncan stated the activists showed “no remorse” for their actions and wasted court time to garner publicity for themselves.

⚠️ Impact: The activists avoided prison, receiving either suspended sentences or credit for time already served, which will do little to deter other climate extremists.

IN FULL:

Nine activists from the climate extremist group Just Stop Oil have avoided jail after being convicted of conspiracy to cause a public nuisance in connection with a planned disruption at Heathrow Airport. The group had intended to glue themselves to the airport runway, but police intervened, preventing what authorities described as “unprecedented disruption.”

The case was heard at Isleworth Crown Court, where Judge Hannah Duncan noted that the activists had not breached the airport’s perimeter fence and had caused no “actual harm” or disruption. However, she criticized the group for showing “no remorse” for their actions. The court handed down suspended sentences to some defendants, while others were deemed to have already served their time.

Despite these weak sentences, Judge Duncan slammed the activists for treating the courtroom as an “extension of the protest.” She stated, “There are women and children who have been abused, sexually assaulted or raped who are waiting for court rooms. You used one for seven weeks. Some of you dragging it out as much as you could at every opportunity, lying about your actions and intentions that day all to get more publicity.”

The planned protest was part of a broader campaign by Just Stop Oil, which demands the end of all fossil fuel usage. The group has gained notoriety for its extremist tactics, which include throwing paint on priceless works of art, blocking major roadways across the United Kingdom, and vandalizing pieces of British history like the Magna Carta and Stonehenge.

Members of the group have been sentenced for past actions, including a five-year sentence for cofounder Roger Hallam for disputing traffic in 2022. However, in March of this year, his sentence was deemed excessive and reduced to four years.

Climate extremists’ protests on public roads have had dire consequences, with people suffering permanent damage after being prevented from reaching hospitals in a timely fashion following medical episodes, or even dying after being diverted to busier roads where they were involved in accidents.

Image by Panhard.

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18 hours ago
Christopher Tomlinson
Health

4X Annual Jump in U.S. Measles Cases in 2025, Just 5 Months Into The Year.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Measles cases are rising in the United States, on course to reach their highest annual total since the 1990s.

👥 Who’s Involved: Communities in Texas and several other states, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Texas Health and Human Services, and other state health departments.

📍 Where & When: Several U.S. states, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “In many of these areas, vaccination rates are below 90 percent, well below the 92-94 percent needed for community or ‘herd’ immunity.” — Marlen Ramirez, a community health worker and program coordinator at Vaccinate Your Family.

⚠️ Impact: With three in every 1,000 children infected dying from the disease, the number of deaths could increase if case numbers are not brought under control.

IN FULL:

Measles cases in the United States are already almost four times last year’s figures, potentially approaching numbers not seen since the 1990s. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data reveal that Texas alone has seen 718 cases this year, while the number of cases has surpassed 1,000 across the country.

The Texas outbreak has been attributed to a specific area in the west of the state. It has been reported mainly in children who are either not vaccinated against the disease or have an unknown vaccination status. Two children have died from the disease: an eight-year-old girl and another school-aged child.

Texas Health and Human Services states that 93 of the 718 cases required those infected to be hospitalized over the course of the outbreak, but the current number hospitalized is likely much lower.

Marlen Ramirez, a community health worker and program coordinator at Vaccinate Your Family, told the media that the Mennonite community was most affected by the outbreak initially. Still, cases have also spread to other communities.

“In many of these areas, vaccination rates are below 90 percent, well below the 92-94 percent needed for community or ‘herd’ immunity… We fear the number of actual cases may be much higher than reported due to confusion and delays in the outbreak response,” Ramirez said.

Before the controversial MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine was released in 1963, the United States saw nearly 500,000 cases of measles per year. More recently, the last major outbreak took place in 1990, when over 27,000 cases were reported. The last flare-up occurred in 2019, with 1,274 cases.

Measles can be a serious disease for children and can kill those who have no other underlying symptoms. Three out of every 1,000 children who contract measles will likely die, while one in 1,000 can develop severe brain damage.

Image by Raed Mansour.

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19 hours ago
Jack Montgomery
NatSec

Comey Will Be Escorted to Secret Service Office for Interview About ’86 47′ Post.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director James Comey will be interviewed by Secret Service agents at their Washington Field Office over an Instagram post showing “86 47” written out in seashells, a code linked to calls for ousting or assassinating President Donald J. Trump, amid an ongoing investigation.

👥 Who’s Involved: James Comey, U.S. Secret Service, President Donald J. Trump, and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

📍 Where & When: Washington, D.C., with the interview scheduled for Friday, May 16, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “The Secret Service vigorously investigates anything that can be taken as a potential threat against our protectees,” spokesman Anthony Guglielmi stated.

⚠️ Impact: Comey’s reckless post heightens the risk of an assassination attempt against Trump, who survived two attempts on his life in 2024.

IN FULL:

Former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director James Comey faces a Secret Service interview at their Washington Field Office on May 16, 2025, over an Instagram post showing “86 47” spelled out in seashells. To ’86’ someone is mob slang for killing them, while ’47’ references Trump as the 47th President.

Comey is attempting to downplay the post, claiming he merely found the seashells and that he had no idea the term ’86’ was associated with violence. However, many observers, including President Trump himself, do not believe this, citing Comey’s background in law enforcement.

Trump survived two assassination attempts in 2024—one at a Pennsylvania rally, where a sniper’s bullet grazed his ear, and another killed a supporter, and one at a Florida golf course, where a pro-Ukraine activist was caught lying in wait for him in a bush.

“The Secret Service vigorously investigates anything that can be taken as a potential threat against our protectees,” spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem previously labeled Comey’s post a call for Trump’s assassination, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is actively involved in the probe. A law enforcement source indicated Comey will be pressed on whether he intended to incite violence or inspire others, with the U.S. Attorney in Washington potentially deciding on charges.

CNN analyst and former Secret Service agent Jonathan Wackrow called the situation “disappointing and alarming,” noting, “It’s actually a very serious situation that warrants a real investigation.” He slammed Comey’s ignorance defense, saying, “The director should have known better,” especially given Trump’s recent brushes with would-be assassins.

Image by Paul Morigi Photography.

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19 hours ago
William Upton
Breaking

BREAKING: U.S. Loses AAA Credit Rating Because of Jerome Powell’s Reckless Behavior.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: The Moody’s ratings agency has downgraded United States debt for the first time, from “Aaa” to “Aa1,” citing continued government deficits and increasing interest costs. The move is likely to place even greater pressure on Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell to finally slash interest rates.

👥 Who’s Involved: Moody’s, U.S. bond markets, the Federal Reserve, and Jerome Powell.

📍 Where & When: The United States on Friday, May 16, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “Successive U.S. administrations and Congress have failed to agree on measures to reverse the trend of large annual fiscal deficits and growing interest costs,” Moody’s said in a statement.

⚠️ Impact: The downgrade may finally force Powell and the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates, while the downgrade will likely fuel even more bond market volatility in the short term.

IN FULL:

The Moody’s ratings agency has downgraded United States debt for the first time, knocking the country out of its elite “Aaa” prime rating to “Aa1,” which the agency considers to be “high grade.” According to Moody’s, the decision, which was announced late Friday, May 16 at 4:45 PM—well after markets had closed—was based on increased U.S. deficits and growing interest costs.

“Successive U.S. administrations and Congress have failed to agree on measures to reverse the trend of large annual fiscal deficits and growing interest costs,” the agency said in a statement explaining the decision to downgrade American government debt. The move is likely to further roil U.S. Treasury bond markets, which have seen high volatility following President Donald J. Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs announcements.

However, the likely culprit for the downgrade is the intransigence of the Federal Reserve in the face of growing calls for the central bank to lower U.S. interest rates. Despite growing indicators that inflation has subsided entirely, and that the country may be facing a far more concerning deflationary threat, Fed chairman Jerome Powell and the central bank’s Federal Open Markets Committee (FOMC) have thus far refused to cut rates since its last reduction, which occurred shortly before the 2024 presidential election.

The National Pulse previously reported that April’s Producer Price Index (PPI), along with the Consumer Price Index (CPI), shows significant signs of deflation in the American economy, suggesting low levels of liquidity and collapsing consumer demand. However, Powell and the FOMC continue to insist that they believe the Trump tariffs—which reduced the deficit in April—could restart inflation, something not backed by the economic impact of past tariffs or the current economic hard data.

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20 hours ago
Economy
Immigration

Why Is Mexico’s Govt Lobbying Against Trump’s ‘Big, Beautiful Bill?’

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: House Republicans proposed a five percent tax on remittances sent out of the U.S. by non-U.S. citizens, sparking opposition from Mexico. In response, Mexican government officials are lobbying House Republicans in the U.S. to drop the provision from President Donald J. Trump’s budget bill.

👥 Who’s Involved: U.S. House Republicans, Mexican Ambassador Esteban Moctezuma Barragán, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, and President Trump.

📍 Where & When: U.S., ongoing discussions as of May 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “Imposing a tax on these transfers would disproportionately affect those with the least, without accounting for their ability to pay,” Barragán wrote in a letter to U.S. Congressional leaders.

⚠️ Impact: The proposal could generate $1 billion in tax revenue by 2026, but faces resistance from Mexican government officials, as remittances from the United States comprise a significant portion of the country’s revenue.

IN FULL:

The foreign remittance tax provision in President Donald J. Trump‘s budget plan, currently working its way through the House of Representatives, has become the target of a lobbying campaign by the Mexican government, which seeks to remove it from the legislation. Under the plan being pushed by President Trump and his allies in Congress, cash remittances sent by non-U.S. citizens to family members abroad would be subject to a five percent tax.

In a letter to House Ways and Means Committee leaders, Reps. Jason Smith (R-MO) and Richard Neal (D-MA), Mexico’s Ambassador to the U.S., Esteban Moctezuma Barragán, urged the U.S. lawmakers to reconsider the tax measure. “Imposing a tax on these transfers would disproportionately affect those with the least, without accounting for their ability to pay,” Barragán wrote, claiming the provision will have unintended consequences such as increased use of unregulated financial channels.

Mexico is the third-largest recipient of remittances among nations worldwide. In 2024, the country received an estimated $64.745 billion in remittances, with most of the money sourced through transfers from the United States. The country’s heavy reliance on payment transfers from the U.S. as a source of revenue has even prompted Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to weigh in on the issue, declaring it “arbitrary and unjust” and calling it “a measure that is unacceptable.”

The Joint Committee on Taxation released estimates that the tax could generate $1 billion in revenue by 2026, rising to $3 billion by 2034. During his first term in office, President Trump pushed for a remittance tax to recoup costs for his border wall with Mexico.

As part of the Mexican government’s push against the tax provision, Barragán has met with U.S. lawmakers, including Reps. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) and Maria Salazar (R-FL). Salazar stated she is still evaluating the proposal.

Image via Mexico City Government.

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21 hours ago
Media
News

Nearly 600 Voice of America Staffers Laid Off.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Nearly 600 Voice of America (VOA) employees, primarily contractors, were fired as part of a Trump administration overhaul of the agency.

👥 Who’s Involved: The Trump administration, U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), VOA employees, and senior adviser Kari Lake.

📍 Where & When: The firings were announced this week, with the employees’ last day set for May 30.

💬 Key Quote: Kari Lake stated, “I don’t have editorial control over the content of VOA and OCB programming, but I can ensure our outlets have reliable and credible options as they work to craft their reporting and news programs.”

⚠️ Impact: The dismissals represent one-third of VOA’s workforce and coincide with a shift toward using One America News Network for news-feed services.

IN FULL:

The Trump administration has terminated nearly 600 employees at Voice of America (VOA) as part of a broader effort to reform the agency. The affected individuals, many of whom are contractors, were informed this week that their employment will end on May 30.

The dismissals account for approximately one-third of the agency’s workforce. Employees were instructed to return VOA property, including badges and credentials, by the same date. The move comes amid a restructuring of the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which oversees VOA.

This wave of firings follows an announcement by USAGM senior adviser Kari Lake that One America News Network (OANN) will now provide news-feed services to the agency’s outlets. Lake emphasized her role in ensuring credible and reliable options for the agency’s reporting, stating, “I don’t have editorial control over the content of VOA and OCB programming, but I can ensure our outlets have reliable and credible options as they work to craft their reporting and news programs.”

The restructuring efforts have faced legal challenges. Last month, a federal judge ruled against the Trump administration’s attempt to dismantle VOA and its affiliated services. Despite this, the administration appears committed to reshaping the agency’s operations and partnerships.

VOA has been a source of controversy in the past. In 2020, the news outlet was accused of parroting propaganda from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cuts to the USAGM have also affected other broadcasters like Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, which launched a lawsuit against the Trump administration in March, arguing President Trump violated the Constitution by withholding Congress-approved funding.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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21 hours ago
News

Nine Armed Fugitives on the Loose After Jailbreak.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Eleven inmates escaped from the Orleans Justice Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, with two apprehended and nine still at large.

👥 Who’s Involved: The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Susan Hutson, New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick, and local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.

📍 Where & When: The escape occurred Friday morning at the Orleans Justice Center, less than three miles from the French Quarter.

💬 Key Quote: Sheriff Susan Hutson described the situation as “very serious and unacceptable,” while Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick stated it’s “more than likely” the escapees had assistance.

⚠️ Impact: The public has been urged to remain vigilant as the escapees are considered armed and dangerous, and authorities are conducting a full-scale search.

IN FULL:

Authorities in New Orleans are conducting a “full-scale search operation” after eleven inmates escaped from the Orleans Justice Center on Friday morning, according to the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office. Two of the escapees, including Kendell Myles, have been apprehended, but nine others remain at large.

Sheriff Susan Hutson revealed the inmates were discovered missing during a routine headcount at 8:30 AM. She urged the public to stay alert, warning that the escapees should be considered armed and dangerous. “We are launching a full investigation to determine how this escape occurred, including reviewing facility protocols, staff performance, and physical security measures,” Hutson stated.

The escaped inmates have charges ranging from drug possession to murder, according to reports. Concerningly, the escape appears to have been a relatively simple matter of cutting through drywall and escaping through a space accommodating ventilation and piping behind a jail wall.


The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office is collaborating with local, state, and federal law enforcement to locate the fugitives. New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick suggested that the escapees likely received outside assistance and have since changed out of their jail uniforms. “We don’t want panic, but we do want people to be mindful,” Kirkpatrick noted.

The Orleans Justice Center, where the incident took place, is less than three miles from the French Quarter, a popular tourist destination. One of the fugitives, Kendell Myles, was apprehended on Royal Street, a busy and popular avenue in the French Quarter.

Sheriff Hutson emphasized the gravity of the situation, calling it “very serious and unacceptable,” and vowed accountability for anyone who aided in the escape.

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22 hours ago
Politics

Democratic Lawmakers Propose Trillions in Reparations for Black Americans.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: A group of House Democrats reintroduced a resolution advocating for federal reparations for descendants of slaves and other black Americans.

👥 Who’s Involved: Led by Rep. Summer Lee (D-PA), supported by Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), Sen. Corey Booker (D-NJ), and others.

📍 Where & When: Washington, D.C.; resolution reintroduced this week.

💬 Key Quote: “We’re owed repair, we’re owed restitution, and we’re owed justice,” said Rep. Summer Lee.

⚠️ Impact: The resolution calls for trillions of dollars in reparations and aims to address racial wealth gaps, health disparities, and “environmental racism.”

IN FULL:

House Democrats, led by Representative Summer Lee (D-PA), have reintroduced a resolution calling for federal reparations for descendants of slaves and other black Americans, proposing trillions of dollars in payments. First introduced by former Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO) in 2023, the “Reparations Now Resolution” seeks to address what its supporters describe as historical injustices and systemic inequities.

“We’re here to say that there’s no more waiting, no more watering down, no more putting justice on layaway,” Rep. Lee said after reintroducing the measure in the House of Representatives. The Pennsylvania Democrat argued that the United States had benefited from “stolen labor, stolen land, and stolen lives” over the last 400 years and declared that black Americans are owed “repair, restitution, and justice.”

The resolution also includes proposals to address the racial wealth gap, improve black maternal health outcomes, enhance education funding, and combat what proponents call “environmental racism.” Lee framed these measures as part of a broader moral obligation, saying, “This is a moment in time where societies are shaped [and] new societies are built. We should be the ones who are shaping it.”

Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) echoed Lee’s sentiments during a press event, describing the current state of the U.S. as “anti-Blackness on steroids.” She further asserted, “The antidote to anti-Blackness is to be pro-Black, and we will do it unapologetically.” Pressley also called for immediate action, stating, “The U.S. government owes us a debt, and we need reparations now.”

The push for reparations was also discussed earlier this week during a congressional briefing titled, “We Can’t Wait: Advancing Reparative Justice in Our Lifetime.” Participants included Senator Corey Booker (D-NJ), Reps. Hank Johnson (D-GA), Lee, and Pressley. The briefing highlighted the “Reparations Now Resolution” and Booker and Pressley’s separate initiative, the “Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act.”

Image by Mark Dixon.

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23 hours ago
Politics

The ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ Stalls in Committee Vote.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: The House Budget Committee voted down the House budget reconciliation bill, legislation referred to by President Donald J. Trump as the “Big, Beautiful Bill.”

👥 Who’s Involved: The House Budget Committee, Chairman Jodey Arrington (R-TX), Reps. Chip Roy (R-TX), Ralph Norman (R-SC), Andrew Clyde (R-GA), Josh Brecheen (R-OK), and Lloyd Smucker (R-PA), along with the committee’s Democrat members.

📍 Where & When: U.S. House Budget Committee, Friday, May 16, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “Hey, for the members, listen up, I do not anticipate us coming back today. I’ve had some questions; I know most of you are trying to get home. Go home. I’ll let you know this weekend if we’re going to return first thing on Monday. I think that’s the goal at this point,” Chairman Arrington said after the reconciliation bill failed in his committee.

⚠️ Impact: The rejection marks a significant hurdle for Republican House leaders seeking to meet their July 4 deadline for final passage through both legislative chambers.

IN FULL:

On Friday, the House Budget Committee voted down President Donald J. Trump’s proposed budget reconciliation bill, delivering a notable blow to Republican congressional leaders aiming for its final approval by Independence Day. The vote ended 16-21, with five Republicans joining Democrats in opposition to the legislation. The Republican lawmakers voting no were Representatives Chip Roy (R-TX), Ralph Norman (R-SC), Andrew Clyde (R-GA), Josh Brecheen (R-OK), and Lloyd Smucker (R-PA).

“Hey, for the members, listen up, I do not anticipate us coming back today. I’ve had some questions; I know most of you are trying to get home. Go home. I’ll let you know this weekend if we’re going to return first thing on Monday. I think that’s the goal at this point,” Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington (R-TX) told members after the failed vote.

The multitrillion-dollar proposal, which makes the 2017 tax cuts implemented during Trump’s first term in office permanent, has been a point of contention among GOP lawmakers. Members of the House Freedom Caucus have demanded steep cuts to Medicaid, a move that risks voter backlash ahead of the 2026 midterm elections—and provides an avenue for Democrats to potentially regain a modicum of political momentum. Meanwhile, a group of more moderate Republicans from Democrat-controlled states has balked at what they say is too small of an increase in the state and local tax (SALT) deduction.

While the failed committee vote marks a setback for the reconciliation bill’s passage, House leaders remained firm that they’ll be able to move the legislation forward and on to the Senate by Memorial Day. Additionally, President Trump, who returned to the United States after concluding his Middle East tour on Friday, is likely to become increasingly involved in ramping up pressure on House Republicans to pass the budget plan.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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