House Republicans, with support from President Donald Trump, have pushed forward a GOP budget blueprint, moving closer to achieving Trump’s legislative agenda. This budget plan includes $4.5 trillion in tax reductions and outlines $2 trillion in spending cuts. Despite facing strong opposition from Democrats and some hesitation within Republican ranks, the passage marks a significant step for Trump’s “big, beautiful bill.”
Meanwhile, a federal judge in Seattle has temporarily halted Trump’s initiative to pause the U.S. refugee resettlement program, putting the effort on hold. The decision adds another layer to the ongoing developments within the administration.
In other news, federal employees may face increasing demands to justify their work under directives believed to be inspired by Elon Musk. This comes as federal workforce instability persists, with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) considering how to address Musk’s expectations. Initially, OPM advised that federal workers did not have to abide by a directive requiring them to report their achievements or face termination. However, follow-up communications suggested similar demands might continue, with potential consequences for noncompliance. This uncertainty was compounded by President Trump’s comments, which left the situation somewhat ambiguous.
House Republicans narrowly passed the GOP budget resolution on Tuesday night. This blueprint is pivotal for advancing Trump’s ambitious agenda, encompassing substantial tax cuts along with significant spending reductions. House Speaker Mike Johnson faced an uphill battle with a slim Republican majority, striving to navigate challenges from Democrats, reticent members of his own party, and skeptical GOP senators. Trump’s efforts to rally support included direct appeals to undecided Republican lawmakers and arranging meetings at the White House. The resolution passed by a close vote of 217-215, with all Democrats and one Republican dissenting.
In a related development, Trump announced plans to replace the longstanding EB-5 visa for investors with a new “gold card” visa, which offers a path to citizenship for a $5 million investment. The EB-5 program, established in 1990, required a $1 million investment in a business that creates at least ten jobs. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick detailed that the proposed gold card would serve as a green card, eliminating fraud and streamlining the process. While job creation requirements were not addressed, Trump speculated about selling up to 10 million of these visas to address the national deficit, describing the plan as potentially transformative.
