[Thursday, May 22] US News Headlines from r/politics

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1. “One Big Beautiful Bill” Legislative Package

1.1 Bill Passage and Congressional Process

The House of Representatives narrowly passed President Trump’s sweeping domestic policy package, officially titled the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (H.R.1) [1], after an overnight marathon session [2]. The legislation passed by a single vote [3], with Republicans securing key holdout votes including Rep. Chip Roy [4]. The vote was notably dramatic – at least one Republican representative missed the crucial vote because he fell asleep [5]. The bill now advances to the Senate where GOP leadership is working to avoid a potential revolt [6], particularly regarding the Medicaid provisions.

[1] H.R.1 - One Big Beautiful Bill Act, https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1
[2] House Republicans pass Trump’s big bill of tax breaks and program cuts after all-night session, https://apnews.com/article/congress-tax-cuts-trump-f2c60ae5c7c1313de69446f9ac7176e6
[3] Republican-led House passes Trump agenda bill by a single vote, https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/republican-led-house-passes-trump-agenda-bill-single/story?id=122059925
[4] Chip Roy adds key vote for Trump’s new tax bill, backing off opposition, https://www.expressnews.com/politics/article/chip-roy-trump-budget-cuts-20340461.php
[5] Republican missed key ‘one big beautiful bill’ vote because he fell asleep, https://www.newsweek.com/republican-missed-key-one-big-beautiful-bill-vote-because-he-fell-asleep-2075721
[6] Senate GOP leader looks to avoid Trump ‘big beautiful’ revolt on Medicaid cuts, https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5312796-thune-may-fight-medicaid-cuts/

1.2 Tax and Financial Components

The bill has triggered strong market reactions, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropping 800 points as bond markets showed signs of instability [1]. Treasury auctions experienced tepid demand [2], reflecting investor uncertainty. Among the tax provisions are elimination of overtime taxes for police officers [3], tax breaks for firearm silencers [4], and “$1,000 ‘Trump Accounts’” for newborns [5]. The White House has indicated President Trump wants to primary Republicans who voted against the bill [6].

[1] Dow sinks 800 points as bond market starts to freak out over Trump’s tax bill, https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/21/investing/us-stock-market-bonds
[2] Tepid demand for US Treasury auction shows investor jitters about tax bill, deficit, https://www.reuters.com/business/tepid-demand-us-treasury-auction-shows-investor-jitters-about-tax-bill-deficit-2025-05-21/
[3] Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ wins support from police for overtime tax elimination, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trumps-big-beautiful-bill-wins-support-from-police-overtime-tax-elimination.amp
[4] GOP Lawmaker Who Owns a Gun Shop Takes Credit for Silencer Tax Breaks, https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/andrew-clyde-republican-silencer-tax-breaks-trump-1235345952/
[5] Trump Spending Bill Would Give Newborns $1,000 in ‘Trump Accounts’, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/21/us/politics/bill-would-give-newborns-1000-in-trump-accounts.html
[6] White House says Trump wants to primary Republicans who voted against the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’, https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-republicans-against-big-beautiful-bill-primary-2025-5

1.3 Medicaid and Healthcare Reforms

The Medicaid provisions in the bill are described as the “largest Medicaid cuts in US history” [1]. Critics claim the legislation would remove millions of Americans from Medicaid and food assistance programs [2]. The bill is projected to increase the federal debt by $2.3 trillion, which could potentially lead to Medicare cuts of approximately $500 billion [3]. Republicans reportedly plan to use paperwork requirements as a means to remove Americans from healthcare programs [4], with new Medicaid work requirements characterized as “impossible” for many beneficiaries to navigate [5]. The bill also prohibits Medicaid from covering transition-related care for transgender individuals [6].

[1] ‘Call This What It Is—Theft’: Republicans Approve Largest Medicaid, SNAP Cuts in US History, https://www.commondreams.org/news/republicans-cut-medicaid
[2] Trump Gloats Over Passage of Bill That Will Kick Millions Off Medicaid, Food Aid, https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/trump-gloats-passage-gop-tax-bill-slash-medicaid-1235345892/
[3] House GOP bill’s $2.3 trillion increase in debt could lead to Medicare cuts, https://thehill.com/homenews/house/5312712-house-gop-bill-medicare-cuts/
[4] Republicans Will Use Paperwork to Kick Americans Off Health Care, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/22/opinion/republicans-medicaid-paperwork.html
[5] New Medicaid Work Requirements ‘Impossible’ for People To Navigate, https://www.newsweek.com/medicaid-work-requirements-impossible-navigate-2074190
[6] House passes tax bill that bans Medicaid from covering transition-related care. The bill would also prohibit marketplace plans available under the Affordable Care Act from covering transgender care as an essential health benefit., https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-politics-and-policy/house-passes-tax-bill-bans-medicaid-covering-transition-related-care-rcna208618

2. Executive Branch Actions

2.1 Presidential Ethics and Agency Operations

President Trump faces scrutiny over potential conflicts between his official duties and personal financial interests. A Thursday night “gala” dinner where access was allegedly sold based on financial contributions to his cryptocurrency ventures is described as “unprecedented in American history” [1]. Conservative commentator Tucker Carlson has criticized Trump Organization deals in the Middle East, saying it “seems like corruption” [2]. The White House has reduced transparency by purging transcripts of President Trump’s remarks from its website [3], now withholding 99.5% of Trump’s transcribed remarks [4].

[1] Donald Trump Openly Selling Access To Those Who Put The Most Cash In His Pocket. His Thursday night “gala” dinner is unprecedented in American history. Using public office for personal enrichment is the literal definition of corruption., https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-coin-dinner-corruption_n_682e52bae4b09130a584ec82
[2] Tucker Carlson on Trump Organization Middle East deals: ‘Seems like corruption’, https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5312419-tucker-carlson-on-trump-organization-middle-east-deals-seems-like-corruption/
[3] White House purges transcripts of Trump’s remarks from its website, https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/white-house-purges-transcripts-trump-remarks-website-rcna208059
[4] Trump’s White House Goes From Hiding 80% Of His Transcribed Remarks To Hiding 99.5%, https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-transcript-purge_n_682f797de4b0e1fe96d64b10

2.2 DOGE Operations and Policy Implementation

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, faces significant challenges. The Trump administration has petitioned the Supreme Court to allow DOGE to conduct its work in secret [1]. A report indicates DOGE used Meta’s Llama 2 AI model rather than Musk’s own Grok AI to review emails from federal workers [2]. A judge declared DOGE’s takeover of the U.S. Institute of Peace headquarters “null and void” [3]. DOGE-led budget cuts have affected weather monitoring capabilities in Wyoming, halting around-the-clock observation services [4].

[1] Trump admin tells Supreme Court: DOGE needs to do its work in secret | DOJ complains of “sweeping, intrusive discovery” after DOGE refused FOIA requests, https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/05/trump-admin-tells-supreme-court-doge-needs-to-do-its-work-in-secret/
[2] DOGE Used Meta AI Model to Review Emails From Federal Workers, https://www.wired.com/story/doge-used-meta-ai-model-review-fork-emails-from-federal-workers/
[3] U.S. Institute of Peace leaders regain control of HQ after judge declares DOGE takeover “null and void”, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/u-s-institute-of-peace-regains-hq-doge-trump-takeover-null-and-void/?ftag=CNM-00-10aab7e&linkId=823995613
[4] Staffing shortage, DOGE-led cuts halt Cheyenne’s around-the-clock weather monitoring, https://wyofile.com/staffing-shortage-doge-led-cuts-halt-cheyennes-around-the-clock-weather-monitoring/

3. Judicial Decisions and Legal Challenges

3.1 Supreme Court Rulings

The Supreme Court reached a 4-4 split decision in a case involving what would have been the nation’s first religious charter school, effectively blocking the Oklahoma institution from receiving taxpayer funding [1]. Justice Amy Coney Barrett recused herself from the case [2]. In a separate ruling, the Court expanded presidential authority, allowing President Trump to fire leaders of independent regulatory agencies, while creating an exception for the Federal Reserve [3]. Vice President JD Vance has challenged Chief Justice John Roberts’ perspective on the judiciary’s role, stating that Roberts is “profoundly wrong” about the judiciary’s responsibility to check executive branch power [4].

[1] Supreme Court tie vote dooms taxpayer funded Catholic charter school in Oklahoma, https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-oklahoma-public-religious-charter-school-170e3701926e29ea5072eb50f0db97b6
[2] Supreme Court tie with Barrett recused prevents first public religious charter school, https://www.msnbc.com/deadline-white-house/deadline-legal-blog/supreme-court-religious-charter-school-decisionsupreme-court-religious-rcna203883
[3] Supreme Court allows Trump to fire members of independent agency boards — for now, https://www.npr.org/2025/05/22/nx-s1-5366714/supreme-court-nlrb-mspb
[4] Vance says Roberts is ‘profoundly wrong’ about judiciary’s role to check executive branch, https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/21/politics/jd-vance-john-roberts-judiciary-role

3.2 Executive Authority Limitations

Several federal judges have ruled against administration actions. A judge determined that the U.S. government “didn’t follow court order on deportations” [1], specifically regarding South Sudan deportation attempts [2]. Another judge ruled Trump cannot downsize federal agencies without Congress [3]. A separate ruling blocked the Trump administration’s mass layoffs at the Education Department [4], with one judge halting the department’s dismantling entirely and ordering fired workers to be reinstated [5].

[1] ‘Unquestionably in violation’: Judge says US government didn’t follow court order on deportations, https://apnews.com/article/deportation-immigration-south-sudan-department-of-homeland-security-a09612dbd055c5d1d88902c415bdf3e6
[2] Trump officials violated court order over South Sudan deportation attempt, judge says, https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-official-says-us-seeking-deport-eight-serious-criminals-declines-confirm-2025-05-21/
[3] US judge says Trump cannot downsize federal agencies without Congress, https://www.reuters.com/business/world-at-work/trumps-government-overhaul-line-court-hearing-over-mass-layoffs-2025-05-22/
[4] Judge blocks Trump administration’s mass layoffs at the Education Department, https://apnews.com/article/education-department-shut-down-layoffs-576eef90c30fdaeb660f7f66644bad10
[5] Judge halts dismantling of Education Department, orders fired workers to be reinstated, https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/judge-halts-dismantling-education-department-fired-workers-reinstated-rcna208531

4. Immigration and International Relations

4.1 Immigration Enforcement Actions

The Trump administration has targeted Harvard University’s international student enrollment [1], barring the university from enrolling international students and forcing the transfer of current foreign students to other institutions [2]. A federal judge has blocked the administration from revoking international students’ legal status more broadly [3]. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has expanded operations, imprisoning a Danish father of four at his citizenship interview [4] and arresting a father at his citizenship hearing in Mississippi [5]. Migrant detainees who were deported are now being held at a US Naval base in Djibouti amid an ongoing court fight [6].

[1] Trump Administration Halts Harvard’s Ability to Enroll International Students, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/22/us/politics/trump-harvard-international-students.html
[2] Trump blocks Harvard from enrolling Foreigners, Forcing Transfers, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-05-22/harvard-blocked-by-government-from-enrolling-foreign-students
[3] Federal judge blocks Trump administration from revoking international students’ legal status, https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/immigration/judge-blocks-trump-revoking-international-students-legal-status-rcna208625
[4] ICE Imprisons Danish Dad of 4 at Citizenship Interview - The former foreign exchange student, now married to an American with U.S. citizen children, has spent over a month in a rural Louisiana detention facility., https://www.thedailybeast.com/ice-imprisons-danish-dad-of-4-at-citizenship-interview/
[5] ICE Arrests Mississippi Father at His Citizenship Hearing, Threatening Deportation, https://www.mississippifreepress.org/ice-arrests-mississippi-father-at-his-citizenship-hearing-threatening-deportation/
[6] Deported migrant detainees are holding at a US Naval base in Djibouti amid court fight, officials say, https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/22/politics/deported-migrant-detainees-us-naval-base-djibouti

4.2 International Relations and Diplomacy

A meeting between President Trump and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa became contentious when Trump confronted Ramaphosa with claims about genocide of white farmers that fact-checkers have identified as false [1]. The encounter, described as an “ambush” [2], involved Trump showing videos and making allegations of anti-white racism. Trump incorrectly identified a South African road as a “burial site” when the footage actually showed a location in Congo [3]. Meanwhile, Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has described the World Health Organization as “moribund” amid the United States’ withdrawal from the organization, as China has pledged to provide $500 million to the WHO [4].

[1] Fact check: Trump’s false suggestion of a ‘genocide’ against White farmers in South Africa, https://edition.cnn.com/2025/05/21/politics/fact-check-white-farmers-south-africa-trump
[2] Trump ambushes South African president with video and false claims of anti-white racism, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/21/trump-south-africa-president-meeting
[3] Trump’s image of dead ‘white farmers’ came from Reuters footage in Congo, not South Africa, https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/trumps-image-dead-white-farmers-came-reuters-footage-congo-not-south-africa-2025-05-22/
[4] RFK Jr. calls WHO “moribund” amid US withdrawal; China pledges to give $500M, https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/05/china-pledges-500m-to-who-as-us-abandons-international-health-agency/

5. Environmental and Healthcare Policy

5.1 Climate and Environmental Regulations

The Senate voted to block California’s rule banning the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035 [1], overruling the parliamentarian in what Democrats call “the nuclear option” [2]. The House has passed a spending bill that eliminates tax credits that previously supported wind and solar energy projects across the country [3], with solar stocks plunging as the bill was described as “worse than feared for clean energy” [4]. The United States is reportedly poised to declare that fuel economy rules established during the Biden administration exceeded legal authority [5].

[1] Senate votes to block California’s rule banning the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035, https://apnews.com/article/california-senate-vehicle-emissions-rules-epa-a506228ff7f692daee59970a87fbd02e
[2] Senate GOP set to revoke California’s car emissions standards, in a move Democrats call “the nuclear option”, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/senate-gop-set-to-revoke-californias-car-emissions-standards-nuclear-option/
[3] House GOP moves to slash renewable energy tax breaks | The House passed a giant spending bill that would roll back tax credits that boosted wind and solar projects across the US, particularly in Republican districts., https://www.theverge.com/news/672787/house-republican-spending-bill-tax-credits-renewable-energy
[4] Solar stocks plunge as Republican tax bill worse than feared for clean energy, https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/22/solar-stocks-plunge-as-republican-tax-bill-worse-than-feared-for-clean-energy.html
[5] US expected to declare Biden fuel economy rules exceeded legal authority, https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-expected-declare-biden-fuel-economy-rules-exceeded-legal-authority-2025-05-19/

5.2 Healthcare and Public Health

Federal support for scientific research has reportedly been reduced to its lowest level in decades [1]. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission has released a report on U.S. children’s health [2], specifically targeting food, drug, and technology industries as contributing factors to health problems [3]. The USDA has withdrawn Biden-era regulations designed to limit salmonella levels in raw poultry [4]. The Department of Justice is altering its approach to police oversight, ending supervision of local police departments previously accused of abuses in Louisville and Minneapolis [5].

[1] Trump Has Cut Science Funding to Its Lowest Level in Decades, https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/05/22/upshot/nsf-grants-trump-cuts.html
[2] MAHA Commission report paints a dark picture of U.S. children’s health, https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/05/22/nx-s1-5406772/rfk-maha-commission-report-childrens-health
[3] RFK Jr.’s MAHA report targets food, drug, tech industries: Key takeaways, https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/5314748-trump-maha-report-challenges-medical-practices/
[4] USDA withdraws a Biden-era effort to limit salmonella levels in raw poultry, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/usda-withdraws-rule-salmonella-levels-raw-poultry/
[5] Justice Department moves to drop police reform agreements with Louisville, Minneapolis, https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/justice-department-drop-police-reform-agreements-louisville-minneapolis/story?id=122030877