Trump tax cuts survive key House hurdle as fiscal hawks threaten rebellion
Legislation setting the stage for Republicans to pass a broad swath of President Donald Trump’s agenda survived an important hurdle on Wednesday afternoon. House GOP lawmakers voted to allow for debate on the legislation, known as a “rule vote,” a framework that serves as one of the first steps in the budget reconciliation process. It’s still unclear whether House Republicans have enough support to pass the legislation itself, though GOP leaders have indicated they’re moving full steam ahead in a matter of hours. “I think we can get this job done. I understand the holdouts. I mean, their concerns are real. They really want to have true budget cuts and to change the debt trajectory that the country is on,” Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., told reporters ahead of the first vote.. HOUSE FREEDOM CAUCUS CHAIR URGES JOHNSON TO CHANGE COURSE ON SENATE VERSION OF TRUMP BUDGET BILL The legislation advanced through the procedural hurdle in a narrow 216 to 215 vote, with three Republicans – including Reps. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., Victoria Spartz, R-Ind., and Mike Turner, R-Ohio – voting with Democrats to block it. Trump has directed Republicans to work on “one big, beautiful bill” to advance his agenda on border security, defense, energy and taxes. Such a measure is largely only possible via the budget reconciliation process. Traditionally used when one party controls all three branches of government, reconciliation lowers the Senate’s threshold for passage of certain fiscal measures from 60 votes to 51. As a result, it has been used to pass broad policy changes in one or two massive pieces of legislation. Rule votes are traditionally not indicators of a bill’s final passage, and they generally fall along party lines. Several Republicans who voted to allow debate on the measure have said they will still oppose its final passage. Passing frameworks in the House and Senate, which largely only include numbers indicating increases or decreases in funding, allows each chamber’s committees to then craft policy in line with those numbers under their specific jurisdictions. The House passed its own version of the reconciliation framework earlier this year, while the Senate passed an amended version last week. House GOP leaders now believe that voting on the Senate’s plan will allow Republicans to enter the next step of crafting policy. But fiscal hawks have raised concerns about the differences in minimum mandatory spending cuts, which they hope will offset the cost of new federal investments and start a path to reducing the deficit. The Senate’s version calls for at least $4 billion in spending cuts, while the House baseline begins at $1.5 trillion – a significant gap. Conservatives have demanded extra guarantees from the Senate GOP that it is committed to pursuing deeper spending cuts in line with the House package. “They don’t have a plan that I’ve seen. So until I see that, I’m a no,” Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., told Fox News Digital. SENATE GOP PUSHES TRUMP BUDGET FRAMEWORK THROUGH AFTER MARATHON VOTE SERIES Trump himself worked to persuade holdouts both in a smaller-scale White House meeting on Tuesday and in public remarks at the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC). He also fired off multiple Truth Social posts pushing House Republicans to support the measure, even as conservatives argue it would not go far enough in fulfilling Trump’s agenda. “Republicans, it is more important now, than ever, that we pass THE ONE, BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL. The USA will Soar like never before!!!” one of the posts read.
Federal judges in New York and Texas block Trump deportations after SCOTUS ruling
Two federal judges in Texas and New York on Wednesday temporarily blocked the Trump administration‘s use of the Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelan nationals — the latest in a high-profile legal saga centered on the administration’s use of a wartime immigration law to immediately deport certain migrants. Plaintiffs filed two separate lawsuits asking federal judges in Brownville, Texas, and Orange County, New York, to grant a temporary restraining order blocking their removals under the 1798 wartime immigration law that was reviewed by the Supreme Court just days earlier. U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr., in Brownsville, Texas, granted a temporary restraining order filed on behalf of three Venezuelan nationals. The order temporarily blocks their removal under the AEA, as well as the removal of “any other person that Respondents claim are subject to removal under the Proclamation” from the district’s El Valle Detention Center, according to the text of his ruling. Rodriguez, a Trump appointee, sided with plaintiffs’ contention that allowing the law to be used for their deportations would likely cause “immediate and irreparable injury to the removed individuals,” whom he said would likely be “unable to seek habeas relief.” JUDGE BOASBERG POISED TO HOLD TRUMP ADMIN IN CONTEMPT, TAKES DOWN NAMES OF DHS OFFICIALS: ‘PRETTY SKETCHY’ In addition, he said, the “substantial likelihood exists that the individual could not be returned to the United States” if deported. Rodriguez said he will hear from both parties in court again Friday to continue extending the 14-day emergency order. In the New York case filed in Manhattan federal court, U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein — a Clinton appointee — sided with two Venezuelan nationals whose attorneys argued they likely wouldn’t have time to seek the habeas relief granted by the Supreme Court in its emergency ruling. Both clients, “and others similarly situated to them,” are now “all at imminent risk of removal” by the Trump administration without proper notice, lawyers said in the filing. Hellerstein’s ruling, unlike that of the federal judge in Texas, stopped short of directly addressing whether the Alien Enemies Act is an appropriate legal basis for deporting the two individuals, though it temporarily blocks the law from being used to remove them. The updates follow a 5–4 Supreme Court ruling on Monday that lifted a lower court’s restraining order, allowing the Trump administration to temporarily resume use of the Alien Enemies Act — albeit with new due process protections for migrants. JUDGE BLOCKS TRUMP ADMIN FROM FIRING FEDERAL PROBATIONARY WORKERS The high court said individuals slated for deportation must have the opportunity to challenge their removal, with sufficient time to do so in a U.S. court. But the proceedings must take place in the federal jurisdictions where detainees are held — raising concerns among immigration advocates, who note that these cases are often difficult to bring individually and typically occur in court districts where most migrants are detained. “Whether or not you’re a gang member, the Alien Enemies Act cannot be used under these circumstances,” lawyers for the ACLU said in an earlier court filing, noting that the Alien Enemies Act “is a military authority.” “It is not supposed to be used in peacetime against a gang,” they said. In granting the temporary restraining order, Rodriguez, the Trump appointee, agreed with the plaintiffs’ argument that “maintaining the status quo is required to afford the parties the ability to develop a fuller record for the Court to consider the request for a preliminary injunction and other forms of relief,” and to “prevent the immediate and irreparable injury that may occur with the immediate removal of any Venezuelan alien subject to the Proclamation.” “Furthermore, if the United States erroneously removed an individual to another country based on the Proclamation, a substantial likelihood exists that the individual could not be returned to the United States,” he said. Lawyers for the Trump administration had urged the court to vacate the lower court ruling, arguing in a Supreme Court filing that the lower court orders “rebuffed” their immigration agenda, including their ability “to protect the Nation against foreign terrorist organizations and risk debilitating effects for delicate foreign negotiations.”
Fox News Politics Newsletter: New poll reveals Trump’s approval ratings
Welcome to the Fox News Politics newsletter, with the latest updates on the Trump administration, Capitol Hill and more Fox News politics content. Here’s what’s happening… -Homeland Security to scan migrants’ social media posts for antisemitism: ‘No room for terrorist sympathizers’ -Elon Musk, conservatives drag Trump-appointed justice following Venezuelan deportations ruling –Biden aides ‘scripted’ everything, allowed his faculties to ‘atrophy,’ new book claims Americans’ concerns over the economy, and specifically inflation and tariffs, appear to be partially fueling the downward trend of President Donald Trump’s approval ratings in a new national poll. Trump stands at 41% approval and 53% disapproval in a Quinnipiac University survey conducted April 3-7 and released on Wednesday. The president stood at 46%-43% approval/disapproval in a Quinnipiac poll conducted during his first week back in the White House, in late January. And Trump was slightly underwater at 45%-49% in mid-February. But the president’s approval ratings are basically unchanged from Quinnipiac’s previous survey, which was in the field early last month…Read more ‘DARK-ARTS OPERATION’: Harris launched ‘dark-arts operation’ against opponents for VP spot in 2020, new book claims BLOCKING BIDEN: Federal judge blocks Biden nursing home staffing mandate SURVEILLANCE BALLOON: Biden officials coordinated with Beijing on Chinese spy balloon days before informing US public, officials say TRADE POWER STRUGGLE: Trump pushes back on ‘rebel’ Republicans over tariffs: ‘You don’t negotiate like I negotiate’ AI IN THE WHITE HOUSE: WH rolls out implementation of AI for federal employee records CRIME AND COMPENSATION: U.S.-recognized Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo Gonzales promises to give financial reparations to Americans hurt by crimes of Tren de Aragua SHOOTING FOR THE MOON: Astronauts stand alongside NASA Administrator nominee Jared Isaacman at Senate confirmation hearing ‘FIRST AND FREE’: Hegseth says Panama agreed to allow US warships to travel ‘first and free’ through canal SINGLED OUT: Bessent singles out Beijing amid tariff pause: ‘They are the problem for the rest of the world’ HUCKABEE ADVANCES: Mike Huckabee confirmed as US ambassador to Israel in bipartisan vote SCHIFF TIFF: Schiff fires back after Trump rips ‘watermelon-head’ Democrat at GOP dinner ‘PIECE OF THE ACTION’: Elon Musk scraps with Chuck Schumer, suggesting the senator profits from government fraud ‘POLITICAL PETTINESS’: VP Vance blasts McConnell’s vote against Trump Pentagon nominee: ‘Political pettiness’ ‘TANKING OUR ECONOMY’: Dem takes aim at Trump in 2026 Senate launch video for ‘tanking our economy’ APPROVED: Senate approves Peter Hoekstra as next US ambassador to Canada ‘YOU SOUND IGNORANT’: Greene and Garcia clash over RFK Jr. and vaccines, measles outbreak INCOMING: Senators formally introduce bill to eliminate U.S. Department of Education ‘FEELING THE HEAT’: Schumer says Trump ‘feeling the heat’ after reciprocal tariff pause JUSTIFYING VIOLENCE: Violent attacks from anti-Musk, anti-Trump protesters plague nation, compel GOP lawmakers to take precautions STANDING ALONE: California sheriff vows to defy statewide sanctuary law: ‘This is common sense’ DEM WALKOUT: Trump’s border czar gets GOP cheers, Democratic tears at Arizona state capitol Get the latest updates on the Trump administration and Congress, exclusive interviews and more on FoxNews.com.
Army Secretary Dan Driscoll to lead ATF, replacing FBI Director Kash Patel
U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll was tapped to serve as the acting director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), replacing FBI Director Kash Patel, who was appointed to the role in February, according to a U.S. defense official. Driscoll was notified of the appointment on Wednesday while traveling in Europe, the defense official told Fox News. He will fulfill both roles, continuing to serve as the Army secretary while overseeing the ATF. DEMOCRATS PRESS ARMY SECRETARY NOMINEE IF ‘READINESS’ AFFECTED BY SOUTHERN BORDER DEPLOYMENTS A source close to Patel told Fox News Digital that the ATF was taken off his plate because he wanted to focus on the bureau. “It was never supposed to be a long-term thing. He was happy to serve, of course, but his job is the director of the FBI,” the source said. Hailing from North Carolina, Driscoll, an Army veteran and venture capitalist, was chosen by Trump to serve as secretary of the Army. Driscoll, who is a senior advisor to Vice President JD Vance, fought with the 10th Mountain Division as a cavalry scout platoon leader in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. FBI DIRECTOR KASH PATEL SWORN IN AS ACTING ATF CHIEF, VISITS DC HQ Patel was sworn in to lead the ATF days after taking an oath to head the FBI following a contentious confirmation process in which Democrats raised alarms about his lack of management experience, among other claims. President Donald Trump hasn’t made clear what his plans are for the ATF, which has long been a target for congressional Republicans. The agency is charged with enforcing the nation’s laws with respect to firearms, explosives and arson. It’s also charged with licensing federal firearms dealers, tracing guns used in crimes and analyzing intelligence in shooting investigations. Fox News Digital’s Morgan Phillips and Louis Casiano contributed to this report.
Thousands leave country voluntarily amid Trump self-deport push, DHS says
FIRST ON FOX: Thousands of illegal immigrants facing potential involuntary removal from the United States have instead opted to self-deport through an app provided by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The number of immigrants who have opted to self-deport over the last month using the CBP Home app is over 5,000, according to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) data shared with Fox News Digital. The self-deportations come as the Trump administration has ramped up a messaging campaign aimed at encouraging illegal immigrants to leave the country voluntarily, most recently releasing a flyer addressed to “illegal aliens” that threatens new fines for those who choose to remain in the U.S. despite a deportation order. “Self-deportation is safe,” the flyer reads. “Leave on your own terms by picking your departure flight.” TRUMP ADMIN UNVEILS PLAN COSTING MIGRANTS MASSIVE FINE FOR EVERY DAY THEY DON’T SELF-DEPORT The flyer warns that the administration plans to start fining illegal migrants who have received a final order of removal $998 per day if they continue to stay in the country, while fines of $1,000-$5,000 could be given to those who failed to self-deport after claiming they would. America First Legal Senior Counsel James Rogers argued that the self-deportation push is working because of the “credible threat of enforcement.” “Our nation’s immigration laws impose severe penalties on aliens who are illegally in the country. The only reason there is a large population of illegal immigrants residing in the United States is because prior administrations have failed to enforce these laws passed by Congress,” Rogers said. “Everyone knows this, including the aliens who have been illegally living here. The current trend of illegal aliens self-deporting proves that even just the credible threat of enforcement can be enough to get many illegal immigrants to comply with our laws and leave the country.” Meanwhile, the flyer boasts of several benefits for those who opt to self-deport, including the ability to keep the money they earned while in the U.S., future opportunities for legal immigration, and potential financial assistance or flights out of the country for those who cannot afford it. TRUMP TELLS ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS TO ‘SELF-DEPORT’ USING CBP HOME APP IN NEW VIDEO BLUE STATE SHERIFFS COMBINE FORCES TO FIGHT BACK AGAINST SANCTUARY LAWS “Illegal aliens should use the CBP Home app to self-deport and leave the country now. If they don’t, they will face the consequences,” Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told Fox News Tuesday. “This includes a fine of $998 per day for every day that the illegal alien overstayed their final deportation order.” President Donald Trump himself has joined the messaging campaign, releasing a video last month that encouraged illegal migrants to use the CBP Home app to self-deport. “Leave now and self-deport voluntarily. If they do, they could potentially have the opportunity to return legally at some point in the future,” Trump said in the video, adding that those who do not self-deport “will be found, they will be deported, and they will never be admitted again to the United States.” “Using the CBP home app to leave the United States voluntarily is the safest option for illegal aliens,” Trump added, noting that self-deportation will also free up critical law enforcement resources that are better spent focusing on criminal aliens. Rogers argued illegal immigrants would be wise to follow Trump’s advice. “They would be wise to do so, because leaving on their own will be far better for them than the many penalties they will face if they continue to remain here in violation of our nation’s laws, now that we have an administration willing to enforce the law,” Rogers said.
Schumer says Trump ‘feeling the heat’ after reciprocal tariff pause
Minutes after President Donald Trump announced a pause on some reciprocal tariffs, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., called it evidence the administration is “feeling the heat” from Democrats, but claimed “irretrievable damage” had already been done to the U.S. economy. Schumer said he and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., were going to talk to reporters about the effects of Trump’s tariffs on personal IRAs and brokerage accounts – but pivoted just as the news broke. “It’s still an issue, but not today,” he said. “We’re going to talk about what just happened… Let’s be clear. Donald Trump is feeling the heat from Democrats and across America about how bad these tariffs are. He is reeling. He is retreating, and that is a good thing,” Schumer claimed. SCHUMER MOCKED FOR ‘CORONA & GUAC’ CLIP WARNING TARIFFS WILL HURT SUPER BOWL PARTIES Joined by Sens. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, and Andy Kim, D-N.J., the New York lawmakers jointly condemned what they called “chaos” in the White House. “Volatility in our economy is so destructive. President Trump may have paused these reciprocal tariffs, but he’s maintained a 10% tariff on all of them. Businesses will now not invest in new projects or expand their workforce because they have no idea of what is coming next,” Gillibrand warned. “A 90-day pause means they don’t know what’s gonna happen at the end of the 90 days. A 10% is still going to hurt our families. These tariffs and this trade war are absurd. They’re going to increase costs for everyday goods, from food to housing to anything you buy for your family or your children. It’s going to fuel inflation.” SCHUMER SUPPORTS DEMS DELAYING ALL TRUMP NOMINEES THAT LACK UNANIMOUS SUPPORT Schumer said Trump’s White House is “governing by chaos” and that the president lacks the understanding of world affairs and “the facts.” He said unpredictability in the markets will and has stymied investment and job creation, and that American businesses cannot map out their future. Hirono echoed her fellow Democrats, describing Trump’s second term as “one damn thing after another.” “Governing by executive order: most of them are illegal. There are over 100 lawsuits now to prevent them from doing all these things that he shouldn’t even be doing. But the result of all this is chaos,” she said. “We can throw out all the numbers, how much of these tariffs will cost a typical family. Do you think he cares? Because if he did, he wouldn’t do it. He doesn’t even look. That is the thing that has to sink in with the American people,” Hirono added, comparing the current executive economic policy to a game of craps. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Kim said he is hearing from people all across New Jersey that Gillibrand’s claim “the damage has been done” is correct. “When it comes to these small businesses, because the uncertainty remains, we don’t know what’s gonna happen after the 90 days,” he said. Kim said the U.S. is no longer a global leader due to Trump, and that the White House should be joining Democrats in building an economy that can rival China. He later claimed that “America First” had translated to “America alone.” “I’ve never seen this level of isolation of the United States as I do right now, and that is so damaging on so many different fronts,” Kim claimed. A FOX Business reporter later asked Schumer about appearing “at a loss for words” upon the news. “We know that Donald Trump doesn’t think things through…” Schumer replied. “But on something so vital, like the whole economy of America, the amount of money people have in their pockets, in their livelihoods, on something as vital as this. Yes, it leaves you agape…” Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for comment but did not immediately hear back. When asked by reporters about Schumer’s criticisms, Trump said Democratic leaders “knew you had to do it.” Trump went on to say long-term benefits of the tariff regime will “take a little conditioning” as part of a “transition to greatness.” Fox Business’ Chase Williams contributed to this report.
Where Trump’s approval rating as president stands in a brand new national poll
Americans’ concerns over the economy, and specifically inflation and tariffs, appear to be partially fueling the downward trend of President Donald Trump’s approval ratings in a new national poll. Trump stands at 41% approval and 53% disapproval in a Quinnipiac University survey conducted April 3-7 and released on Wednesday. The president stood at 46%-43% approval/disapproval in a Quinnipiac poll conducted during his first week back in the White House, in late January. And Trump was slightly underwater at 45%-49% in mid-February. But the president’s approval ratings are basically unchanged from Quinnipiac’s previous survey, which was in the field early last month. POLL POSITION: WHERE TRUMP STANDS WITH AMERICANS 11 WEEKS INTO HIS SECOND ADMINISTRATION Most, but not all, of the most recent national public opinion surveys indicate Trump’s approval ratings in negative territory, which is a slide from the president’s poll position when he started his second tour of duty in the White House. According to the new Quinnipiac poll, Trump stands at 40% approval and 55% disapproval on his handling of the economy. And asked how the president is dealing with the issue of trade, only 39% of respondents said they approved, while 55% gave Trump a thumbs down. WHERE TRUMP STANDS IN THE LATEST FOX NEWS NATIONAL POLL In the wake of Trump’s blockbuster announcement last week to impose tariffs on dozens of countries across the globe, nearly three-quarters thought the tariffs would hurt the U.S. economy in the short term, while just over half said the move by the president would also hurt the nation’s economy in the long term as well. “A large majority of voters acknowledge the tariffs are delivering a bruising body blow to the economy in the near term. Will time reduce the pain? Some think it will, but a majority don’t envision that happening,” Quinnipiac University polling analyst Tim Malloy emphasized. WHY TRUMP, MUSK, FACE BLAME OVER BALLOT BOX SET BACKS LAST WEEK Given a list of four economic issues and asked which one worries voters the most right now, 47% of those questioned in the poll said the price of food and consumer goods, with one-in-five saying the cost of housing or rent, 17% saying the stock market, and 6% pointing to their job situation. “In a rare moment of political unanimity, Democrats, Republicans and independents in equal numbers worry most about the prices of what they eat and what they buy,” Malloy noted. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP According to the poll, voters were divided over which party they think cares more about the needs and problems of people like them. A third of respondents said the Democratic Party, with an equal amount (33%) saying the Republican Party. Thirty-one percent answered that neither party cared more.
DOGE ends 108 ‘wasteful’ contracts, including for an ‘executive transformational leadership training program’
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) continues to slash programs deemed to be useless, announcing Wednesday the elimination of 108 “wasteful contracts.” In a post on X, the Elon Musk-led group said it got rid of the contracts, which have a ceiling value of $250 million and a savings of $70 million. The problem contracts included a $14,000 commitment by the Department of Health and Human Services for an “executive transformational leadership training program.” DOGE SLASHES NEARLY $1M FOR ALPACA FARMING IN PERU, OTHER QUESTIONABLE GRANTS IN LATEST WASTEFUL SPENDING CUT Another was a $5.2 million contract with the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, the human resources agency for the federal government, to “provide strategic advisory and assistance to improve and transform current processes and organizational systems”. DOGE recently announced $51 million in cuts from the U.S. African Development Foundation, which included hundreds of thousands of dollars for marketing shea butter and pineapple juice, as well as mango drying facilities. The group was created in an effort to slash government waste and provide additional transparency in government spending. It recently helped the U.S. Coast Guard save $32.7 million by eliminating an “ineffective IT program” known as the Logistics Information Management System. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Americans recently shared mixed reviews of the transparency group. Fox News Digital conducted interviews in Knoxville, Tennessee; Washington, D.C.; Detroit, Michigan; and Houston, Texas, where citizens provided reactions and graded its ongoing efforts. Some criticized DOGE for “trying to do their job with a sledgehammer,” while others praised the group for looking into government waste.
Hegseth says Panama agreed to allow US warships to travel ‘first and free’ through canal
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Wednesday that U.S. and Panama officials would sign a “framework” agreement allowing U.S. warships to travel “first and free” through the Panama Canal. Hegseth said the two countries had already signed a memorandum of understanding on security cooperation and that they would finalize a document guaranteeing U.S. warships and auxiliary vessels priority, toll-free passage through the canal. When Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Panama earlier this year, the State Department claimed it had secured a deal for the free passage of U.S. warships. But Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino denied any such agreement had been reached. “I completely reject that statement,” Mulino said at the time. The Panama Canal Authority also said it had “not made any adjustments” to its fee structure. US, PANAMA ‘TAKING BACK’ CANAL FROM ‘CHINA’S INFLUENCE,’ SAYS HEGSETH Earlier Wednesday, Hegseth warned that China’s military presence in the Western Hemisphere is “too large” as he visited Panama to meet with the nation’s officials, visit U.S. troops and tour the canal ports. “Make no mistake, Beijing is investing and operating in this region for military advantage and unfair economic gain,” Hegseth said in brief remarks to the press. “China’s military has too large of a presence in the Western Hemisphere. They operate military facilities and ground stations that extend their reach into space. They exploit natural resources and land to fuel China’s global military ambitions. China’s factory fishing fleets are stealing food from our nations and from our people.” He added that war with China is “not inevitable,” and the U.S. does not seek war in any form. “Together, we must prevent war by robustly and vigorously deterring China’s threats in this hemisphere.” To strengthen military ties with Panama and reassert influence over the canal, the U.S. will deploy the USNS Comfort, a Navy hospital ship, to the region. Hegseth vowed Tuesday that the U.S. will “take back” the Panama Canal from Chinese influence, pointing to port operations controlled by Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison. The secretary later said Wednesday that he and Panamanian officials would be signing an agreement that U.S. warships would travel “first and free” through the Panama Canal. TRUMP, HEGSETH REVEAL WHOPPING FIGURE THEY WANT FOR THE NEXT PENTAGON BUDGET Last month the conglomerate agreed to a $19 billion deal to sell a group of 43 ports, including two in Panama, to U.S.-based BlackRock, Trump hailed the agreement, seen as a solution to his complaints that the canal was owned by China, but now that deal may fall apart. China has criticized the deal, opening up antitrust probes, and a Panamanian official has accused CK Hutchison of failing to properly renew its contract in 2021 and owing the country $300 million. After meeting with Mulino, Hegseth said Tuesday the U.S. will not allow China to threaten the canal’s operation. “To this end, the United States and Panama have done more in recent weeks to strengthen our defense and security cooperation than we have in decades,” he said. US, PANAMA ‘TAKING BACK’ CANAL FROM ‘CHINA’S INFLUENCE,’ SAYS HEGSETH Hegseth alluded to the ports owned by CK Hutchison. “China-based companies continue to control critical infrastructure in the canal area,” he said. “That gives China the potential to conduct surveillance activities across Panama. This makes Panama and the United States less secure, less prosperous and less sovereign. And as President Donald Trump has pointed out, that situation is not acceptable.” The Chinese embassy in Panama hit back: “The U.S. has carried out a sensationalistic campaign about the ‘theoretical Chinese threat’ in an attempt to sabotage Chinese-Panamanian cooperation, which is all just rooted in the United States’ own geopolitical interests.” The war of words in Panama comes as China and the U.S. are now locked in a trade war, where Trump slapped Chinese goods with a total 104% tariff. China retaliated with 84% tariffs on U.S. goods.
Senators formally introduce bill to eliminate Department of Education
Republican senators introduced the “Returning Education to Our States Act” on Wednesday morning after President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order to close the U.S. Department of Education in late March. The bill, led by Senator Mike Rounds, R-South Dakota and cosponsored by Senators Jim Banks, R-Indiana, and Tim Sheehy, R-Montana, would redirect portions of the Department to other federal agencies such as the Departments of Interior, Treasury, Health and Human Services, Labor, Defense, Justice, and State. “The Department of Education was created to collect education data and advise state and local organizations on best practices,” Sen. Mike Rounds, R-South Dakota, told Fox News Digital. “Since then, it has grown into an oversized bureaucracy that dictates one-size-fits-all policies, standards and practices for students across the nation.” “This has been a priority of mine for years, and it’s one that President Trump shares.” TRUMP EDUCATION SECRETARY MCMAHON DROPS INTO HOUSE DEMOCRATS PRESS CONFERENCE The introduction comes amid widespread support among Republicans to eliminate the agency, including the current sitting Education Secretary, Linda McMahon, who detailed her “vision for eliminating the Department of Education” in a Fox News op-ed. McMahon and Rounds recently held a meeting where the “Returning Education to Our States Act” was discussed. In addition to eliminating the agency, the legislation would also make key changes to education compliance requirements, making it so that schools would no longer be required to administer standardized tests to identify struggling schools (CSI and TSI). The bill would also allow schools more autonomy to set teacher certification standards and professional development plans. NEW YORK PREPARES TO BATTLE TRUMP’S DEI FUNDING THREATS IN FIGHT OVER SCHOOLS The executive order issued by President Donald Trump in late March directs the department to “take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education and return authority over education to the States and local communities,” but it takes an act of Congress to formally abolish the department. Co-sponsors of the bill say that this piece of legislation will be the bill that ultimately serves that purpose. “While the average Dept of Ed bureaucrat makes twice as much as a teacher in Indiana, our national test scores are near historic lows. That money should be sent back to the states to empower parents, teachers, and local leaders,” Sen. Jim Banks. R-Indiana told Fox News Digital. “Congress has a golden opportunity to codify President Trump’s executive actions. This bill does that. It’s a win for American education.” TRUMP ADMIN HALTING MORE THAN $500M IN FEDERAL FUNDING TO BROWN UNIVERSITY OVER ANTISEMITISM RESPONSE Fox News Digital also spoke with Montana Senator Tim Sheehy, R-Montana, who weighed in, saying, “We spend more on education than at any point in history, but test scores are declining because those dollars are being squandered by a bloated federal bureaucracy. Closing the DOE will not cut off funds from students who depend on them, but it will eliminate layers of red tape in Washington, D.C. and ensure taxpayer money for education is better spent at the local level, where the dollars support kids, families, and hardworking teachers.” The Republican-led bill could potentially accompany President Donald Trump’s executive order and campaign promise to reshape the American education system as it heads to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions for debate.