NY Republicans push ‘Peanut’s Law’ after beloved pet squirrel was seized, killed by state agents
New York Republicans are pushing a new law to protect animals after a beloved pet squirrel and internet star named P’Nut was taken and killed by state environmental officers late last year. The bill, called “Peanut’s Law: The Humane Animal Protection Act,” would require a 72-hour waiting period before the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) can euthanize any seized animal. It would also give animal owners the chance for a hearing before the state takes or puts down their animals. P’Nut and another pet squirrel named Fred were taken from Mark and Daniela Longo’s upstate farm last October after someone filed an anonymous complaint. Both animals were killed and tested for rabies, and both tests came back negative. The squirrel had a huge following on social media, with P’Nut accruing nearly one million followers to watch content of the critter and his family. OWNERS OF BELOVED PEANUT THE SQUIRREL PLAN TO SUE NEW YORK STATE OVER SEIZURE AND KILLING BY AUTHORITIES Once news spread on P’Nut’s Instagram page, backlash over DEC’s actions spread like wildfire online. At the time, everyone from Elon Musk to President Trump weighed in on the killing of the dear family pets. Musk referred to the killing back in November as “the whole squirrel thing” while on Joe Rogan’s podcast. Assemblyman Jake Blumencranz (R-Nassau), who is sponsoring the bill, said it’s about fairness. “This is about due process,” he said, adding that animals should not be killed unless they’re an immediate danger. PEANUT THE PET SQUIRREL TAKEN AWAY BY NEW YORK STATE OFFICIALS FROM ADOPTED HOME, MAY BE EUTHANIZED The Longos, who run an animal sanctuary, say they were never told why their pets were taken. They hope the new bill will stop similar cases from happening again. Mark Longo said of the new bill: “I sit here trying not to cry, but passing this law will be a movement to make sure that animal rights are not overlooked anymore.” Peanut or “P’Nut” was only a baby when the Longos rescued him. The squirrel adapted to his adoptive human family after his real mother was run over by a car when he was just five weeks old. “They were not dangerous. They were not sick. They were not wild threats roaming the streets,” said Assemblyman Blumencranz. “They were rescues — loved, nurtured, and safe.” Supporters of the legislation say it’s a common-sense move to protect both animals and their owners. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP “Here is the cold, hard truth. It is too little, too late. Words don’t save P’Nut and Fred, and words won’t save the next animal, or the next family, unless we change the law.” An attorney who represents the Longo family did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
‘A great tribute’: Trump touts ‘record’ fundraising from National Republican Congressional Committee
President Donald Trump touted the record-breaking fundraising numbers garnered by the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) during its annual president’s dinner Tuesday evening. “You know, we’ve done very well in this room before,” Trump told attendees at the annual dinner Tuesday night. “But right now we broke every record. I just heard from Mike Johnson, he said, ‘We broke every record, sir.’ There is over $35 million. That’s not bad, for an evening.” The fundraising numbers achieved during Tuesday night’s dinner rival what the NRCC has garnered across entire quarters. In July, the group highlighted a “record-shattering” fundraising haul for the second quarter of 2024, which was only $2 million more than what the NRCC was able to garner Tuesday night. TRUMP’S NAME CONTINUES TO BE FUNDRAISING BEHEMOTH FOR BOTH POLITICAL PARTIES: ‘CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE’ Estimates, in advance of the Tuesday night dinner, suggested it might only bring as much as $10 million for the NRCC, a source familiar told Fox News Digital. “Next year we’ll do 45 or 50 million, right?” Trump asked the crowd, garnering cheers. “A lot of people, you broke your record attendance, and you broke your money record, and that’s a great tribute to the Republicans and the party and everything it stands for.” Tuesday’s event had “giving levels” as high as $310,100, with the lowest costing seat being $6,000 per person, or $10,000 per couple. “We have some unbelievable supporters of our House Republican majority with us, as you know, and with the help of everyone in this room the next year’s Republican Party is going to defy history. We’re going to really defy it, and we already are.” TRUMP, HEGSETH REVEAL WHOPPING FIGURE THEY WANT FOR THE NEXT PENTAGON BUDGET To illustrate this point, Trump pointed to the “fortune” America is making with his new tariff plan. “Two billion dollars a day – do you believe it? I was told $2 billion a day,” Trump told the crowd. “You know I get hit by the press about tariffs, we’re making $2 billion – billion – this isn’t $35 million, that’s peanuts. $2 billion a day.” “In addition, we have a lot of countries coming to see us – they want to make a deal. And we’re doing – we’re doing things that nobody’s ever even thought about.”
Babydog Justice makes Agriculture Committee debut: ‘She humanizes all of us’
It was supposed to be a routine Senate Agriculture Committee hearing to consider nominees for top USDA posts, but one visitor turned the event into a tail-wagging affair. Babydog Justice, the beloved English bulldog of Sen. Jim Justice, R-W.Va., made a surprise and highly photogenic appearance Tuesday as the committee met to review the nominations of Judge Stephen Vaden for Deputy Secretary of Agriculture and Tyler Clarkson for USDA General Counsel. The hearing may have been serious business, but Babydog’s presence brought smiles, laughter, and even a little bipartisan levity. Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., couldn’t resist the moment, joking, “Babydog was the difference in you getting on the committee or not,” as Justice and his pup settled in. BABYDOG BRIDGES ‘PAWTISAN’ DIVIDE IN THE SENATE ON SOCIAL MEDIA: ‘SHE KNOWS NO POLITICAL BIAS’ Justice, who recently joined the Senate after serving as West Virginia’s governor, shared an exclusive comment with Fox News Digital about his pup’s Capitol Hill cameo. “I am so pleased to see the warm reception of Babydog from folks in Congress. Today she came along with me to the Agriculture Committee hearing and knew if she participated, there would be a treat as a reward. Senator Boozman took the time to introduce her to the committee, and contrary to what Senator Hoeven said in the hearing, she is not livestock or up for auction — even though she may resemble a little brown cow!” Justice told Fox News Digital. At one point during the hearing, a comment by Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., sparked laughter when he joked about Babydog possibly being livestock — a suggestion Justice playfully refuted. After holding up the pooch to the microphone and sharing how Babydog “humanizes us all,” Justice requested a staffer remove the dog from his lap, adding, “She’s heavy!” The social media response was swift. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, who was confirmed earlier this year, reposted footage of Babydog in action, writing: “We love you Babydog! Senate Ag is never the same when you’re around.” SENATOR-ELECT JIM JUSTICE’S TEAM CLARIFIES REPORT CLAIMING FAMOUS POOCH BABYDOG BANNED FROM SENATE FLOOR Even the Senate Agriculture Committee’s own social media accounts joined the fun, posting behind-the-scenes content of the pup’s visit and noting she was “making new friends and monitoring policy.” Following her eventful day on Capitol Hill, Babydog Justice took to her own social media account. Posting a photo from the Senate Agriculture Committee hearing, she humorously captioned it, “Is this thing on?” in reference to the microphone. Babydog’s charm extended beyond the committee room, capturing the attention of senators in the halls of Congress. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., shared a photo with Babydog, tweeting, “All in favor of making @babydogjustice our 101st senator, say AYE!” Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., also joined in, posting a picture of himself petting Babydog with the caption, “@BabydogJustice is America’s favorite dog.” Babydog is no stranger to the spotlight. Born in 2019, the 60-pound English bulldog has been a fixture in Justice’s political life since she was gifted to him by his children. She gained national attention during the COVID-19 pandemic when Justice launched the “Do It for Babydog” vaccine lottery to encourage West Virginians to get vaccinated. Babydog’s most famous public appearance was at the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, where she charmed attendees and the media alike from a bulldog-sized chair on the main stage. While Babydog may have captured the spotlight, Justice is focused on the work ahead as a newly appointed member of the Senate Agriculture Committee. The West Virginia Republican has long emphasized the importance of supporting rural communities and strengthening the agricultural economy — key concerns in his home state. Justice, a former two-term governor and lifelong farmer and businessman, has frequently spoken about the need for practical, common-sense solutions to issues like food security, rural development, and infrastructure investment. His role on the Agriculture Committee positions him to advocate for policies aligned with West Virginia’s agricultural and economic interests. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP As Babydog continues to turn heads on Capitol Hill, Justice is expected to use his platform to advance those priorities with his four-legged sidekick never too far behind.
Trump admin cuts $4M in Princeton funding related to climate research
The Department of Commerce on Tuesday announced its decision to cut $4 million in funding related to climate research for Princeton University. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said in a news release the cuts were made “after a detailed, careful, and thorough review of the Department’s financial assistance programs against the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) current program objectives.” The department added that the termination of these funds from Princeton, effective June 30, “will streamline and reduce the cost and size of the Federal Government, consistent with President Trump’s promise for his Administration. The Department of Commerce is delivering on that promise.” Princeton received $455 million in federal funding during fiscal year 2024. IVY LEAGUE ANTI-ISRAEL RINGLEADER MAHMOUD KHALIL DENIES ALLEGATIONS AS JUDGE AWAITS DEPORTATION EVIDENCE The department said the financial awards previously given to Princeton through NOAA, including the Cooperative Institute for Modeling the Earth System (CIMES), “are no longer aligned with the program objectives of NOAA, a sub-agency of the Department of Commerce, and are no longer in keeping with the Trump administration’s priorities.” Princeton did not immediately respond to an inquiry from Fox News Digital. PRINCETON EVENT WITH FORMER ISRAELI PM NAFTALI BENNETT DISRUPTED BY ANTI-ISRAEL AGITATORS The CIMES website states that the program “has contributed to the development of oceanic and atmospheric models, performed research on climate and biogeochemical cycling and educated several generations of postdoctoral researchers and graduate students.” The commerce department, however, said the CIMES agreement “promotes exaggerated and implausible climate threats, contributing to a phenomenon known as ‘climate anxiety,’ which has increased significantly among America’s youth.” VIDEO SHOWS ARREST OF COLUMBIA ANTI-ISRAEL RINGLEADER MAHMOUD KHALIL The department further stated that the Climate Risks and Interactive Sub-seasonal to Seasonal Predictability agreement “suggests that the Earth will have a significant fluctuation in its water availability as a result of global warming,” and the Advancing Prediction agreement “has used its resources to assess risks associated with climate change, including alleged changes to precipitation patterns and sea-level rise,” according to the release. “It also aims to address coastal inundation while other more targeted research efforts are addressing this issue,” the release continues. The department said the administration’s goal in terminating these funds will save U.S. taxpayer dollars, and it will “continue to review its outstanding cooperative agreements, grant awards, and other financial assistance on an individualized basis to avoid wasteful governmental spending — whether they be to Princeton or any other recipient.” Colleges and universities across the country have been on edge since Trump began investigating schools for alleged antisemitic discrimination and harassment, cutting federal funds for certain schools that allowed anti-Israel protests on campus since the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel.
Gun-toting Noem joins ICE agents to go after criminal illegal aliens in Arizona
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem spent Tuesday morning with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Arizona law enforcement agents going after illegal immigrant criminals in the Phoenix area. Standing with a gun in her hands, Noem said in a video posted to X that she was going out with ICE to pick up someone facing charges of human trafficking. She also said she went out earlier with agents and swept up a person wanted for murder. “I appreciate the work that they do every day, and we appreciate them working to keep America safe,” Noem said. In another post, Noem shared images of her standing with law enforcement officials and sitting in an ICE vehicle while wearing a Kevlar vest. FEDERAL JUDGE POSTPONES DHS’S ATTEMPT TO END TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS FOR VENEZUELANS She also shared pictures of law enforcement officials arresting two men, one who had no shoes and the other who was wearing a pair of Crocs. “Arizona is safer this morning after a successful operation getting criminal illegal aliens and gang members off our streets,” Noem wrote. “Thank you to our brave law enforcement officers. If you are in this country illegally, we will find you, arrest you, and send you back.” NOEM OFFERS HOMELAND SECURITY EMPLOYEE BUYOUTS IN MOVE TO SHRINK DEPARTMENT Noem has taken a hands-on approach to her role as the DHS secretary since President Donald Trump appointed her to the position. She recently traveled to El Salvador’s Terrorism Confinement Center, where hundreds of migrant criminals were deported last month. IRS AND DHS REACH HISTORIC DEAL TO AID IN PURSUIT OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS SUBJECT TO DEPORTATION Noem toured the facility where she met face-to-face with alleged Tren de Aragua and MS-13 gang members, all of whom were wearing white prison suits and had shaved heads. She also sent a message from the prison to illegal immigrants who are still in the U.S. or plan to visit anytime soon. NOEM’S HOMELAND SECURITY ‘UNAPOLOGETIC’ ABOUT USING LIE-DETECTOR TEST ON SUSPECTED INTEL LEAKERS “First of all, do not come to our country illegally: You will be removed, and you will be prosecuted,” she said while standing with her back to the inmates. “But know that this facility is one of the tools in our toolkit that we will use if you commit crimes against the American people.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Noem shared the video on X, saying, “President Trump and I have a clear message to criminal illegal aliens: LEAVE NOW. If you do not leave, we will hunt you down, arrest you, and you could end up in this El Salvadorian prison.” Trump’s hard-line approach to illegal immigration was a key campaign promise, and his administration has also been arresting and deporting criminal illegal migrants across the country under the leadership of Noem and border czar Tom Homan.
Blue city proposes bill to place menstrual products in men’s bathrooms
City council members in Maryland introduced a bill Monday to expand access to menstrual products in all city-run bathrooms, including those designated for men. Baltimore Councilman Paris Gray, who is the lead sponsor of the bill, introduced the legislation during the city council’s bi-monthly meeting. Gray said the bill is not just a proposal, but it reflects the city’s commitment to menstrual equity and the values Baltimore holds dear, including dignity, accessibility and public health. “Access to menstrual products should be as fundamental as access to soap or toilet paper,” Gray said. “It is an essential part of personal hygiene, and yet, for far too many people, these products remain out of reach. Menstrual products are not a luxury. They are a necessity, and the absence of access can create undue stress and hardship.” CALIFORNIA SCHOOL DISTRICT INFORMS PARENTS PERIOD PRODUCTS ARE IN BATHROOMS FOR ‘ANY STUDENT WHO MENSTRUATES’ Gray said the bill, if approved, will require all city-owned and leased buildings with public restrooms to provide menstrual products, free of charge. “This includes restrooms and all kinds of facilities, whether they are designated for men, women, family use or single occupancy,” he said. But the bill, Gray noted, is nothing new. Instead, the bill codifies what Mayor Brandon Scott’s administration and Department of General Services have already done by taking steps to ensure menstrual products are available in many public facilities across the city. CALIFORNIA REQUIRES MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS Gray also said Baltimore is not joining a national movement for menstrual equality, but instead, is leading the charge across the country. “Cities and municipalities are recognizing the point-importance of free access to menstrual products and Baltimore’s proudly taking this place at the forefront of this critical effort,” he said. Gray did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment on the matter. In February, the Long Beach Unified School District in California took similar measures when it notified parents in an email that all schools containing grades 3 through 12 would have menstrual products in girls bathrooms, all-gender bathrooms, and in at least one boys bathroom. EMERSON COLLEGE ADDS PERIOD PRODUCTS TO MEN’S RESTROOMS, MEETING GROUP’S DEMAND FOR ‘MENSTRUAL EQUALITY’ The email told parents and caregivers the system is “committed to reducing barriers to learning and fostering a supportive environment for all students.” The availability of period products in girls bathrooms and at least one boys bathroom is to “ensure that any student who menstruates-including transgender boys and nonbinary students-can access these necessary products with dignity and discretion,” per the email. In California, the “Menstrual Equality for All Act” was passed in October 2023, and it mandated that changes must be enacted at or before the start of the 2024-25 school year. The following text was added to the state’s education code when the bill was passed: “On or before the start of the 2024–25 school year, a public school, including a school operated by a school district, county office of education, or charter school, maintaining any combination of classes from grades 3 to 12, inclusive, shall stock the school’s restrooms at all times with an adequate supply of menstrual products, available and accessible, free of cost, in all women’s restrooms and all-gender restrooms, and in at least one men’s restroom.” Menstrual products were defined in the bill as pads and tampons specifically “for use in connection with the menstrual cycle.” The bill also said it is the state legislature’s intent “to promote period equity through adequate access to menstrual products in schools also serving grades 3 to 5, inclusive.” Fox News Digital’s Elizabeth Pritchett contributed to this report.
Texas AG Ken Paxton announces run for US Senate
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced on Fox News’ The Ingraham Angle Tuesday night that he will run for U.S. Senate. The announcement comes as Paxton no longer faces the cloud of a federal corruption investigation that loomed over him as he rose up the ranks in the Republican Party. This is a breaking story. Please check back for updates.
US bank regulator tells Congress it suffered ‘major’ hack that exposed sensitive information
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, which regulates and supervises national banks, on Tuesday said it notified Congress of a February hack that it called a “major information security incident.” The breach was first disclosed in February when it learned of “unusual interactions between a system administrative account in its office automation environment and OCC user mailboxes,” an OCC news release states. According to Bloomberg, the hackers had access to more than 150,000 emails after breaching the system in June 2023. “The confidentiality and integrity of the OCC’s information security systems are paramount to fulfilling its mission,” said Acting Comptroller of the Currency Rodney Hood. MALWARE EXPOSES 3.9 BILLION PASSWORDS IN HUGE CYBERSECURITY THREAT The OCC first learned of the incident on Feb. 11. Compromised administrative accounts were shut off the next day. “The OCC discovered that the unauthorized access to a number of its executives’ and employees’ emails included highly sensitive information relating to the financial condition of federally regulated financial institutions used in its examinations and supervisory oversight processes,” the agency said. The OCC said it has reached out to third-party cybersecurity experts to conduct a review of IT security protocols to prevent future attacks. STAY PROTECTED & INFORMED! GET SECURITY ALERTS & EXPERT TECH TIPS — SIGN UP FOR KURT’S ‘THE CYBERGUY REPORT’ NOW “I have taken immediate steps to determine the full extent of the breach and to remedy the long-held organizational and structural deficiencies that contributed to this incident,” Hood said. “There will be full accountability for the vulnerabilities identified and any missed internal findings that led to the unauthorized access.” Throughout its review, the OCC has coordinated with the Treasury Department to share information about its findings.
Colorado Dems are ‘poking the bear’ by defying Trump’s orders, GOP lawmaker warns
A Republican lawmaker has warned that Democrats in Colorado’s state legislature could face the ire of the Trump administration if a series of controversial bills passed Sunday — including one labeling parental misgendering during custody battles as “coercive control” — are signed into law. “It really does feel like we’re poking the bear,” state Rep. Jarvis Caldwell told Fox News Digital on Tuesday. Colorado enacted legislation to expand health care access to illegal immigrants this year, “as well as housing and food and education for illegal immigrants, which is in direct violation of some of the orders that have come from President Trump,” according to Caldwell. “And then the transgender issue, we’re pushing this further than we ever have before on children in the state of Colorado, and that directly goes in violation of what President Trump is looking at.” COLORADO DEMS RAM ABORTION, TRANSGENDER BILLS THROUGH ON LIMITED SUNDAY SESSION DEBATE: ‘UNPRECEDENTED’ As such, Caldwell said “it’s a very real possibility” that some of the state’s programs could be at risk of losing federal funding, adding the Centennial State will “pay the consequences for it, and Democrats will be responsible.” “Health is a big one with Medicaid, a big portion of that is federal funds, and then education as well,” Caldwell said. “And so we are passing bills, especially on the illegal immigrant issue, that directly involve these issues. And so I think that’s going to be something that’s on President Trump’s radar.” The Colorado Democratic House majority barreled through four controversial gender and abortion bills on Sunday — which one Republican lawmaker described as a day for “family and prayer,” curtailing floor debate in an “unprecedented” floor procedural tactic. The bills that were passed include SB25-183, which requires taxpayers to fund abortion services; HB25-1309, mandating insurers cover transgender procedures regardless of age; HB25-1312, which imposes state-mandated gender policies on schools and considers it “coercive control” in child custody cases when a parent does not affirm a child’s gender identity or “deadnames” them; and SB25-129, which prohibits cooperation with out-of-state investigations on transgender procedures and abortion services. TRANS INMATE IN PRISON FOR KILLING BABY MUST GET GENDER SURGERY AT ‘EARLIEST OPPORTUNITY’: JUDGE State House Majority Democratic Leader Monica Duran told Fox News Digital previously that the four bills were debated on the floor for more than 12 hours last week. Duran also invoked a procedural rule that limited debate to two hours last Friday. But Caldwell said under 24 hours is nothing compared to the Democrat majority’s 12 months they spent on several of the bills. “They had an entire year to coordinate testimony, and we had less than 24 hours,” Caldwell said. “And then when it went to the final vote, we’re each supposed to get 10 minutes for debate, and they completely cut off any and all debate.” The Republican minority also failed to get any of their amendments passed. For HB 1309, which would mandate insurers cover the cost of transgender procedures regardless of age, Republicans introduced an amendment to exclude minors from it. “Because some of the coverage is genital surgical procedures, it’s hormone therapy, it’s facial reconstruction, and then breast reductions and chest augmentation,” Caldwell said. “And so now your health care plan, even if you disagree with this, you’re going to be paying a higher premium most likely to cover the cost, in my opinion, to genitally mutilate children.” SB25-183 and SB25-129 are headed to the governor’s desk for signature, while the other House bills now go to the Senate for consideration. TRUMP DOJ, EDUCATION DEPT FORM TASK FORCE TO PROTECT FEMALE ATHLETES FROM ‘GENDER IDEOLOGY’ IN SCHOOLS, SPORTS It’s not unlikely that Trump could target Colorado Democrats. Earlier this year, Trump signed several executive orders aimed at eliminating “radical gender ideology,” and he’s already moved to slash some federal funds in Maine after Gov. Janet Mills refused to enforce Trump’s ban on biological males competing in women’s sports. Mills lobbed a lawsuit against the Trump administration on Monday over the frozen funds. In January, Trump signed the “Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government” executive order, which defines two sexes: male and female. The order prohibits “chemical and surgical mutilation” of minors to include puberty blockers, hormones such as estrogen and testosterone, and sex-change surgeries. It also bars institutions receiving federal grants from providing such services and allows healthcare providers to refuse services based on gender identity. Trump also signed an executive order requiring military personnel to serve according to their biological sex.
Future of Trump budget bill uncertain as House GOP rebels mutiny over Senate plan
House Republicans are divided over how to proceed on a massive piece of legislation aimed at advancing President Donald Trump’s agenda as a possible vote on the measure looms Wednesday afternoon. Fiscal hawks are rebelling against GOP leaders over plans to pass the Senate’s version of a sweeping framework that sets the stage for a Trump policy overhaul on the border, energy, defense and taxes. Their main concern has been the difference between the Senate and House’s required spending cuts, which conservatives want to offset the cost of the new policies and as an attempt to reduce the national deficit. The Senate’s plan calls for a minimum of $4 billion in cuts, while the House’s floor is much higher at $1.5 trillion. “The problem is, I think a lot of people don’t trust the Senate and what their intentions are, and that they’ll mislead the president and that we won’t get done what we need to get done,” Rep. Rich McCormick, R-Ga., told reporters on Tuesday. “I’m a ‘no’ until we figure out how to get enough votes to pass it.” SENATE GOP PUSHES TRUMP BUDGET FRAMEWORK THROUGH AFTER MARATHON VOTE SERIES McCormick said there were as many as 40 GOP lawmakers who were undecided or opposed to the measure. A meeting with a select group of holdouts at the White House on Tuesday appeared to budge a few people, but many conservatives signaled they were largely unmoved. “I wouldn’t put it on the floor,” Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, told reporters after the White House meeting. “I’ve got a bill in front of me, and it’s a budget, and that budget, in my opinion, will increase the deficit, and I didn’t come here to do that.” Senate GOP leaders praised the bill as a victory for Trump’s agenda when it passed the upper chamber in the early hours of Saturday morning. Trump urged all House Republicans to support it in a Truth Social post on Monday evening. Meanwhile, House Republican leaders like Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., have appealed to conservatives by arguing that passing the Senate version does not in any way impede the House from moving ahead with its steeper cuts. The House passed its framework in late February. Congressional Republicans are working on a massive piece of legislation that Trump has dubbed “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. 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. MEET THE TRUMP-PICKED LAWMAKERS GIVING SPEAKER JOHNSON A FULL HOUSE GOP CONFERENCE Members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus have pushed for Johnson to allow the House GOP to simply begin crafting its bill without passing the Senate version, though both chambers will need to eventually pass identical bills to send to Trump’s desk. “Trump wants to reduce the interest rates. Trump wants to lower the deficits. The only way to accomplish those is to reduce spending. And $4 billion is not – that’s … anemic. That is really a joke,” Rep. Eric Burlison, R-Mo., told reporters. He said “there’s no way” the legislation would pass the House this week. The measure will likely go through the House Rules Committee, which acts as the final gatekeeper for most legislation getting a chamber-wide vote. However, tentative plans for a late-afternoon House Rules Committee meeting on the framework, which would have set up a Wednesday vote, were scrapped by early evening on Tuesday. The legislation could still get a House-wide vote late on Wednesday if the committee meets in the morning. As for the House speaker, he was optimistic returning from the White House meeting on Tuesday afternoon. “Great meeting. The president was very helpful and engaged, and we had a lot of members whose questions were answered,” Johnson told reporters. “I think we’ll be moving forward this week.” Fox News’ Ryan Schmelz and Aishah Hasnie contributed to this report.