House Republicans approve framework for budget bill
Republicans in the House of Representatives last night passed a resolution setting up a framework for the House version of a budget bill. The resolution was adopted by a vote of 217 to 215. One Republican voted against it. The resolution calls for tax cuts totaling $4.5 trillion over ten years, most of which would go to corporations and billionaires and millionaires. It also calls for two trillion dollars in spending cuts. It raises the debt ceiling by $4 trillion. Democrats say that Medicaid would be gutted to pay for the tax cuts. Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson applied pressure to get some Republicans who did not like the resolution to vote for it anyway.
Trump proposes charging $5 million to allow rich foreigners to live and work in the U.S.
Donald Trump has proposed that rich foreigners be allowed to buy their way into the U.S. and qualify for citizenship. Trump would charge $5 million for the privilege of obtaining what he calls a “gold card,” which would be like the widely held “green card” and allow someone to live and work in the U.S. Instead of going through the same process used to determine who can and cannot obtain a green card to work and live in the U.S., buyers of the gold card would just need to be vetted and pay the $5 million. When asked, Trump said he’d make the gold cards available to Russian oligarchs. He said he could start selling the gold cards in two weeks.
Workers for Elon Musk’s DOGE resign
Twenty-one workers who have been with Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency have resigned. They said they refuse to use their talents to dismantle critical data services and also put the private information of American citizens at risk. In a letter to White House Chief of Staff Susan Wiles the workers said they supported the U.S. Constitution. They also expressed alarm that 40 workers at the U.S. Digital Service were suddenly fired last week. They said the firings threaten the safety and security of data on Americans.
U.S. and Ukraine reported to have agreed on deal for natural resources
Donald Trump says that Ukrainian President Zelenskyy is coming to Washington on Friday for talks on ending the war that Russia started when it invaded Ukraine. A Ukrainian official said today that the U.S. and Ukraine have reached an agreement on a deal that gives the U.S. access to Ukraine’s valuable natural resources including minerals, gas and oil. The deal for natural resources would be tied to the U.S. guaranteeing Ukrainian security after a end to the war takes place.
Judge orders Trump Administration to resume foreign aid
U.S. District Court Judge Amir All has given the Trump Administration until midnight tonight to make U.S. foreign aid payments that he previously had ordered them to pay. The administration has ignored the court’s order. When questioned at a hearing yesterday an attorney for the government could not provide answers to the judge’s questions about what had been done to comply with his Feb. 13 order for foreign aid to resume. The plaintiffs who brought a lawsuit to try to undo the administration’s dismantling of foreign aid want the judge to hold the Trump Administration in contempt of court.
Pope Francis reported in stable condition, but still critical
The Vatican reported this morning that Pope Francis still is in critical condition but now is stable. The Pope was reported to be able to sit in an armchair while receiving therapy for his lung infections. Pope Francis still has infections in both lungs and was receiving supplemental oxygen, although at a lower level than a few days ago. The Vatican said that Pope Francis has continued to make decisions and remains involved in important church matters.
