Trump lashes out at Sen. Rand Paul over opposition to big tax bill

Trump lashes out at Sen. Rand Paul over opposition to big tax bill

WASHINGTON −President Donald Trumpis lashing out at Republican Sen. Rand Paul, saying his own constituents "can't stand him" over the Kentucky senator's continued opposition tohis tax and domestic policy billthat Trump and GOP leaders are trying to push through the Senate this month. Trump targeted Paul in back-to-back June 3 posts on Truth Social, just minutes after Paul discussed his opposition in a morning appearance on Fox Business by arguing the president's so-called "big, beautiful bill" will increase the debt ceiling by $5 trillion. "Rand Paul has very little understanding of the BBB, especially the tremendous GROWTH that is coming,"Trump wrote. "He loves voting 'NO' on everything, he thinks it's good politics, but it's not. The BBB is a big WINNER!!!" More:Trump's big tax bill moves ahead to potential changes in the Senate Five minutes later,Trump added in a second post: "Rand votes NO on everything, but never has any practical or constructive ideas. His ideas are actually crazy (losers!). The people of Kentucky can't stand him. This is a BIG GROWTH BILL!" The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimated the bill, which looks to cement the president's domestic agenda, would add$3.8 trillionto the national debt over the next 10 years. Trump has said he wants Congress to approve the legislation and get it to his desk by July 4after the House voted for the bill along party lineslast month. More:Sen. Rand Paul dismisses GOP budget bill's spending cuts as 'wimpy and anemic' Republican leaders are trying to pass the Senate bill through a filibuster-proof budget process known as reconciliation. It would extend Trump's 2017 tax cuts, implement new tax breaks for tipped wages and overtime, overhaul Medicaid and food stamps and put more money toward Trump's immigrant deportation plan. Paul,in the Fox Business interview, pointed to spending proposals for $175 billion on border enforcement and a $150 billion increase for the military. He said it would offset the cutsthe Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiencymade in the group's push to cut the government. "Something doesn't really add up here,"Paul said. "And I can't be on record as being one who supports increasing the debt by $5 trillion. I think that's irresponsible." Trump warned Paul in a May 31 Truth Social postthat he would be "playing right into the hands of the Democrats"if he votes against the bill. Paul, who has also criticized Trump's aggressive use of tariffs,said on CBS' Face the Nation on June 1that he recently spoke to Trump. "I had a very good conversation with the president this week about tariffs. He did most of the talking, and we don't agree exactly on the outcome." Republicans have a 53-47 majority in the Senate, meaning Trump can lose no more than three Republican senators to pass the bill if no Democrats cross the aisle to support the legislation. In addition to Republicans like Paul worried about the deficit, Trump must alsoease concerns over potential changesto Medicaid voiced by Republican Sens.Susan Collins of Maineand Josh Hawley of Missouri. The bill would cut $625 billion from the low-income health care program while pushing an estimated 7.6 million Americans off coverage, in part by implementing new work requirements for able-bodied adults without children. Other senators such as Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska; John Curtis, R-Utah; and Thom Tillis, R-North Carolina, are worried about the package rolling back renewable energy tax credits implemented under Democrats' Inflation Reduction Act that their states' businesses have benefited from. Contributing: Riley Beggin Reach Joey Garrison on X @joeygarrison. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Trump lashes out at Sen. Rand Paul over opposition to tax bill

byAlex Perish

in

June 03, 2025

Trump lashes out at Sen. Rand Paul over opposition to big tax bill

Trump lashes out at Sen. Rand Paul over opposition to big tax bill WASHINGTON −President Donald Trumpis lashing out at Republican Sen. Rand ...

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Republican push for proof of citizenship to vote proves a tough sell in the states

Republican push for proof of citizenship to vote proves a tough sell in the states

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — PresidentDonald Trumpand congressional Republicans have made it a priority this year to require people to prove citizenship before they can register to vote. Turning that aspiration into reality has proved difficult. Trump'sexecutive orderdirecting a documentary,proof-of-citizenship requirementfor federal elections has beenblockedby a judge, whilefederal legislationto accomplish it doesn't appear to have the votes to pass in the Senate. At the same time, state-level efforts have found little success, even in places where Republicans control the legislature and governor's office. The most recent state effort to falter is in Texas, where a Senate bill failed to gain full legislative approval before lawmakers adjourned on Monday. The Texas bill was one of the nation's most sweeping proof-of-citizenship proposals because it would have applied not only to new registrants but also to the state's roughly 18.6 million registered voters. "The bill authors failed spectacularly to explain how this bill would be implemented and how it would be able to be implemented without inconveniencing a ton of voters," said Anthony Gutierrez, director of the voting rights group Common Cause Texas. Voting by noncitizens is rare Voting by noncitizens is already illegal and punishable as a felony, potentially leading to deportation, but Trump and his allies have pressed for aproof-of-citizenship mandateby arguing it would improve public confidence in elections. Before his win last year, Trumpfalsely claimednoncitizensmight votein large enough numbers tosway the outcome. Although noncitizen voting does occur, research andreviews of state caseshas shown itto be rareand more often a mistake. Voting rights groups say the various proposals seeking to require proof-of-citizenship areoverly burdensomeand threaten to disenfranchise millions of Americans. Many do not have easy access to their birth certificates, have not gotten a U.S. passport or have a name that no longer matches the one on their birth certificate — such as women who changed their last name when they married. Married women who changed names are a particular concern The number of states considering bills related to proof of citizenship for voting tripled from 2023 to this year, said Liz Avore, senior policy adviser with the Voting Rights Lab, an advocacy group that tracks election legislation in the states. That hasn't resulted in many new laws, at least so far. Republicans in Wyoming passed their own proof-of-citizenship legislation, but similar measures have stalled or failed in multiple GOP-led states, including Florida, Missouri, Texas and Utah. A proposal remains active in Ohio, although Gov. Mike DeWine, a Republican, has said he doesn't want to sign any more bills that make it harder to vote. In Texas, the legislation swiftly passed the state Senate after it was introduced in March but never made it to a floor vote in the House. It was unclear why legislation that was such a priority for Senate Republicans – every one of them co-authored the bill -- ended up faltering. "I just think people realized, as flawed as this playbook has been in other states, Texas didn't need to make this mistake," said Rep. John Bucy, a Democrat who serves as vice chair of the House elections committee. Bucy pointed to specific concerns about married women who changed their last name. This surfaced in local elections earlier this yearin New Hampshire, which passed a proof-of-citizenship requirement last year. Similar laws have created confusion Other states that previously sought to add such a requirement have faced lawsuits and complications when trying to implement it. In Arizona, a state audit found that problems with the way data was handled had affected the tracking and verification of residents' citizenship status. It came after officials had identifiedsome 200,000 voterswho were thought to have provided proof of their citizenship but had not. A proof-of-citizenship requirement was in effect for three yearsin Kansasbefore it was overturned by federal courts. The state's own expert estimated that almost all of the roughly 30,000 people who were prevented from registering to vote while it was in effect were U.S. citizens who otherwise had been eligible. In Missouri, legislation seeking to add a proof-of-citizenship requirement cleared a Senate committee but never came to a vote in the Republican-led chamber. Republican state Sen. Ben Brown had promoted the legislation as a follow-up to a constitutional amendment stating that only U.S. citizens can vote, which Missouri voters overwhelmingly approved last November. He said there were several factors that led to the bill not advancing this year. Due to the session's limited schedule, he chose to prioritize another elections bill banning foreign contributions in state ballot measure campaigns. "Our legislative session ending mid-May means a lot of things die at the finish line because you simply run out of time," Brown said, noting he also took time to research concerns raised by local election officials and plans to reintroduce the proof-of-citizenship bill next year. Complications prompt states to focus on other issues The Republican-controlled Legislature in Utah also prioritized other election changes, adding voter ID requirements and requiring people toopt in to receivetheir ballots in the mail. Before Gov. Spencer Cox signed the bill into law, Utah was the only Republican-controlled state that allowed all elections to be conducted by mail without a need to opt in. Under the Florida bill that has failed to advance, voter registration applications wouldn't be considered valid until state officials had verified citizenship, either by confirming a previous voting history, checking the applicant's status in state and federal databases, or verifying documents they provided. The bill would have required voters to prove their citizenship even when updating their registration to change their address or party affiliation. Its sponsor, Republican state Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka, said it was meant to follow through on Trump's executive order: "This bill fully answers the president's call," she said. ___ Cassidy reported from Atlanta. Associated Press writers Mead Gruver in Cheyenne, Wyoming; David A. Lieb in Jefferson City, Missouri; Kate Payne in Tallahassee, Florida; Hannah Schoenbaum in Salt Lake City; Julie Carr Smyth in Columbus, Ohio; and Isabella Volmert in Lansing, Michigan, contributed to this report.

byAlex Perish

in

June 03, 2025

Republican push for proof of citizenship to vote proves a tough sell in the states

Republican push for proof of citizenship to vote proves a tough sell in the states AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — PresidentDonald Trumpand congression...

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Trump’s fresh White House portrait sparks interest amid controversy over National Portrait Gallery leadership

Trump's fresh White House portrait sparks interest amid controversy over National Portrait Gallery leadership

Nearly six months into his second term, PresidentDonald Trumphas a new portrait posted to the White House website. White Houseofficials posted an eight-second video to social media on Monday, showing the new portrait being hung on the wall at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House Campus. In his previous presidential portrait, which was unveiled just days before taking the oath of office for his second term, Trump could be seen wearing a blue suit coat, white button-up shirt and blue tie. The president showed no expression in the previous portrait, compared to an official portrait taken of him in 2017, in which he was smiling. Liz Peek: Donald Trump Is Our President And Democrats Have No Idea What To Do In the portrait unveiled on Monday, Trump is wearing a blue suit coat, white button-up shirt and a red tie. In both images, he has an American Flag pinned to his coat. Read On The Fox News App The president also shows little expression in the new portrait. White House officials told Fox News Digital the photo was taken by White House photographer Daniel Torok. Trump Portrait He Claimed Was 'Purposefully Distorted' To Be Taken Down From Colorado Capitol As of Monday evening, the photo is hanging in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, and it will eventually start rolling out to other offices and federal buildings. Trump's new portrait was unveiled just days after he announced that he was firingKim Sajet, the director of the National Portrait Gallery, for being a "strong supporter" of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). He announced Sajet's termination in a post on Truth Social on Friday afternoon. Donald Trump Fires National Portrait Gallery Director For Being 'Strong Supporter' Of Dei "Upon the request and recommendation of many people, I am hereby terminating the employment of Kim Sajet as Director of the National Portrait Gallery," the president wrote. "She is a highly partisan person, and astrong supporter of DEI, which is totally inappropriate for her position. Her replacement will be named shortly. Thank you for your attention to this matter!" A White House official told Fox News Digital that Sajet had donated $3,982 to Democrats, including the presidential campaigns of former President Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton. Sajet also reportedly donated to other Democrats, including former Vice President Kamala Harris. The White House also pointed to the gallery's photo of Trump, which was curated by Sajet. The caption of the photo reads, "Impeached twice, on charges of abuse of power and incitement of insurrection after supporters attacked the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, he was acquitted by the Senate in both trials. After losing to Joe Biden in 2020, Trump mounted a historic comeback in the 2024 election. He is the only president aside from Grover Cleveland (1837-1908) to have won a nonconsecutive second term." Original article source:Trump's fresh White House portrait sparks interest amid controversy over National Portrait Gallery leadership

byAlex Perish

in

June 03, 2025

Trump’s fresh White House portrait sparks interest amid controversy over National Portrait Gallery leadership

Trump's fresh White House portrait sparks interest amid controversy over National Portrait Gallery leadership Nearly six months into his...

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Texas Tech ends Oklahoma’s four-year WCWS title run to set up all-Texas final series

Texas Tech ends Oklahoma's four-year WCWS title run to set up all-Texas final series

Texas Tech ended softball titan Oklahoma's four-year reign at the summit of college softball to set up an all-Texas Women's College World Series (WCWS) finals against the UT Longhorns. While Texas advances to the finals for the second consecutive season – and third time in four years – Tech had to get through the Sooners, who beat the Longhorns in all three of those finals, in order to reach its first ever WCWS championship. Oklahoma went into this postseason as the winner of the last four NCAA Division Isoftballtitles. It took a walk-off in the bottom of the seventh for the No. 12 seeded Red Raiders to beat the No. 2 Sooners. Tech had a 2-0 lead heading into the final inning when a two-run home run from junior outfielder Abigale Dayton saw that lead evaporate. There was one out in the bottom of the 7th when a string of hits and a sacrifice fly fromRed Raiders' RBI leader Lauren Allred sent Mihyia Davis home to score the walk-off winner. The historic victory comes only days after Tech beat the winningest team in WCWS championship history, UCLA, 3-1 to reach the semifinals. "It's been our motto all year: 'Our chance forever.' And we can leave a legacy at Texas Tech that will be remembered forever in the minds of the people that are able to watch this ballclub," head coach Gerry Glascosaidafter the win. "I think our team, they've left a legacy that will be remembered forever among sports fans that have been able to watch us this year." The Longhorns beat No. 7-seeded Tennessee 2-0 after a shutout performance from starter Mac Morgan to reach the WCWS finals. Morgan gave up three hits, one walk and had four strikeouts over four scoreless innings. The senior's fantastic outing combined with a soloKatie Stewarthome run – her 17th of the season – and Joley Mitchell's run on a throwing error in the sixth were enough to seal the win. Sophomore pitcher Teagan Kavan became theprogram's record savesleader when she came on in relief in the fifth inning and earned her eighth career save. The Longhorns' win sets up the first intrastate finals in 21 years – when UCLA beat California 3-1 in the 2004 championship game. "We're a different team than we were back in February when we last played Tech and so just sticking to what we're doing now and … sticking with our game plans and I think we'll be just fine," sophomore Stewartsaid. The best-of-three championship series kicks-off Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account atCNN.com

byAlex Perish

in

June 03, 2025

Texas Tech ends Oklahoma’s four-year WCWS title run to set up all-Texas final series

Texas Tech ends Oklahoma's four-year WCWS title run to set up all-Texas final series Texas Tech ended softball titan Oklahoma's four...

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Stanley Cup Final players to watch: Can anyone stop Connor McDavid?

Stanley Cup Final players to watch: Can anyone stop Connor McDavid?

TheEdmonton Oilershave some different players from last season's Stanley Cup Final, but their biggest change from 2024 is the experience of going through it before against theFlorida Panthers. "We've done the press conferences, we've answered the question about what it's like to be in the Stanley Cup Final, we know what to expect, we've seen this team before," Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch told reporters on Monday. "There's a lot of familiar things about this." Last year, the Panthers won the first three games of the series,the Oilers ralliedto tie it up and Florida won Game 7 on home ice. Edmonton has home ice this time. The Oilers are relatively healthy except forZach Hyman, who had surgeryfor an injury in the conference finals. Forward Connor Brown is ready to return and defenseman Mattias Ekholm came back earlier than expected. Here are 12 players, six per side, to watch in the Stanley Cup Final: The three-time MVP and last season's playoff MVP is leading the league in postseason scoring again. He broke Wayne Gretzky's single-season playoff record last season by finishing with 34 assists. His speed makes him dangerous. He would be the one to lift the Stanley Cup first if the Oilers win and he could win another Conn Smythe Trophy if that happens. He's eligible to receive a contract extension this summer, which would restore him as the league's top-paid player. He led the regular season with 52 goals and is afinalist for the Hart Trophyas MVP to his team. He's one point behind McDavid. Look for the power play to try to set him up in the right faceoff circle. He leads the Oilers with nine points on the power play. He also has drawn notice for his defensive play, finishing sixth in Selke Trophy voting as top defensive forward. He's in the mix for playoff MVP. He hasreceived a contract extensionthat would make him theNHL's highest-paid playernext season. He was the Oilers' No. 1 overall pick in 2011 and had a career-best 104 points in 2022-23. Though he dropped to 49 points this season, he has had a strong postseason. He had two goals and seven assists in the first four games of the Western Conference finals. Bouchard has a booming shot from the point that has to be respected on the power play. He has 17 points in 16 games. He's also prone to turnovers with 28 giveaways this postseason following 128 in the regular season. He's a pending restricted free agent. The key member of the blue line had been out since April 11 with an undisclosed injury. He returned in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals, picking up an assist. "Six weeks ago, I had no clue of where I was going to be at and most people didn't think I was going to be in this position," he told reporters. Knoblauch says the defenseman will be ready to play more than 20 minutes a night against the Panthers. This will be his third final. He played in 2017 with the Nashville Predators. Skinner has had turnarounds in back-to-back postseasons to lead his team to the final. Last season, he sat out several games in the second round. This time, he watched as Calvin Pickard won six in a row. But he has been solid since going back in the net after a Pickard injury in the second round. Skinner's goals-against average, which sat at 6.11 after he was pulled in Game 2 of the first round, is now at 2.53. Three shutouts and two one-goal games will do that. The Panthers captain just picked histhird Selke Trophyand second in a row. He'll likely be deployed against McDavid or Draisaitl. He puts up points (a team-best 17) in addition to his defensive play. He had a beautiful assist in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals. He leads playoff goal scorers with 10 and is also known for his physical play. Sometimes, he's accused ofgoing over the line. The pending unrestricted free agent is on a line with Matthew Tkachuk and Carter Verhaeghe. Reinhart scored the winning goal in Game 7 of last year's final and was Florida's top scorer in the regular season. He was a runner-up in Selke Trophy voting behind Barkov and is a scoring threat when shorthanded. He missed time in the conference finals after a check from Sebastian Aho but had two assists in his return. Histrade from the Boston Bruins was a shockerand he has fit in well with Florida, playing on the third line with Anton Lundell and Eetu Luostarinen. That line was dominant in the second round. Marchand's pesky style also fits in well with the Panthers. He's in the final year of his contract. The 2014 No. 1 overall pick is in the final year of his contract. He has missed four playoff games because of suspensions (two games of a20-game PED banextended into the postseason, plus two more forelbowing Brandon Hagel). Despite that, he leads Panthers defensemen with eight assists, 11 points and 27 shots. He has two Vezina trophies and a Stanley Cup title to his name. And he's playing even better (2.11, .912 save percentage) than he did last postseason. If the Panthers win again, he would be in the mix for playoff MVP. The biggest stories, every morning. Stay up-to-date on all the key sports developments bysubscribing to USA TODAY Sports' newsletter. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Stanley Cup Finals: Panthers, Oilers players to watch

byAlex Perish

in

June 03, 2025

Stanley Cup Final players to watch: Can anyone stop Connor McDavid?

Stanley Cup Final players to watch: Can anyone stop Connor McDavid? TheEdmonton Oilershave some different players from last season's Sta...

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