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DNC chair under pressure again after flipping on releasing autopsy

May 22, 2026 8:50am EDT / Fox News

Rep Mark Veasey says ‘the clock is ticking’ and calls on Martin to step down as party leader

By Robert McGreevy, Fox News

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Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin is facing increased scrutiny from his party, including calls to resign, after he changed his months-long stance and released the party’s long-awaited autopsy on its 2024 election loss.

After months of refusing to release the report, which was meant to be an analysis of how and why former Vice President Kamala Harris lost the 2024 presidential election, Martin flipped and released the report Thursday.

Martin claimed he initially believed that putting out the report would be a distraction but then said that not releasing the report became “an even bigger distraction.”

Critics within his own party argued the report released Thursday was far from comprehensive.

DEMOCRATS RELEASE 2024 ELECTION AUTOPSY THAT CHAIR SAYS ‘DOES NOT MEET MY STANDARDS’

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., speaks to members of the media as she arrives for the last votes of the week at the U.S. Capitol Building on May 21, 2026, in Washington, D.C. Ocasio-Cortez criticized the recently released DNC autopsy of the 2024 election’s timing and its exclusion of any mention of Gaza.(Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

“I think it’s pretty unbelievable that Gaza would not be mentioned once in the autopsy report,” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., told reporters Thursday.

“I think it was very clearly a major dynamic and a major thread that was happening in 2024, regardless of how one feels about that issue, the fact that it’s not even addressed, I think, is a major oversight, and I think that for young people it was a huge part of the environment. I can tell you for myself, as a candidate during that cycle, there’s no way that it was an ignorable issue or totally immaterial. So, I think that you know it’s a real disservice to not speak to that or include or assess that,” she said.

Ocasio-Cortez was far from the only congressional critic.

Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., also criticized the document’s failure to mention Gaza.

“One of the reasons we lost was our blank check to Israel and Netanyahu while they committed genocide in Gaza,” he said in a video posted to his YouTube channel.

“We must speak and confront hard truths if this party is to win in 2028,” he added.

UNITY TESTED: DEMOCRATS FACE OFF OVER ISRAEL AND AIPAC DARK MONEY DURING DNC MEETING

Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., speaks during the National Action Network National Convention in New York City on April 8, 2026.(Brendan McDermid/Reuters)

Others, like Rep. Mark Veasey, D-Texas, went as far as calling for Martin to resign.

“There doesn’t seem to be a plan to turn things around and the clock is ticking,” he told Semafor, adding, “November is literally around the corner… I believe it’s time for him to move on.”

Democratic strategist Steve Schale called the report release “an unmitigated s—show, according to NBC, adding “there’s just no confidence in the competence in the DNC.”

Martin himself admitted the report’s inadequacy.

“I am not proud of this product; it does not meet my standards, and it won’t meet your standards,” he wrote Thursday, claiming he could not “in good faith put the DNC’s stamp of approval on it.”

DNC Chair Ken Martin makes a speech during the press conference for the DNC site visit at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Wednesday, May 6, 2026.(Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post via Getty Images)

Entire sections of the report, which was written by Democratic strategist Paul Rivera, according to CNN, were left blank, and the document was reportedly riddled with omissions and factual errors.

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Aside from omitting any mention of the Gaza conflict splitting party voters, the report also failed to mention former President Joe Biden’s age or Kamala Harris’ selection of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate.

Fox News Digital contacted the DNC for additional comment.

Fox News’ Dan Scully contributed to this report.

https://www.foxnews.com/video/6396343576112

Trump joins Lawler to test economic pitch in competitive New York district

2026-05-22T15:04:46.103Z / Reuters

U.S. Congressman Mike Lawler (R-NY) arrives prior to a closed briefing on Iran for members of the House of Representatives on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 27, 2025. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz

Summary

Trump appears with Lawler in New York battleground district
Trip comes amid inflation, gas price pressure, tied to Iran conflict
Republican unease grows over ballroom funding and compensation fund

May 22 (Reuters) – Donald Trump travels on Friday to ​New York’s Hudson Valley with one of the most vulnerable House Republicans facing reelection in November’s midterm ‌vote, a rare test of the U.S. president’s standing with suburban voters concerned about rising costs.

Trump’s visit alongside Representative Mike Lawler comes as political strategists eye congressional districts in suburbs, which are expected to be closely contested between Democrats and Republicans during ​the elections.

The Reuters Iran Briefing newsletter keeps you informed with the latest developments and analysis of the Iran war. Sign up here.

Voters’ approval of Trump’s performance in office has fallen since the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran began ​in February. Rising gasoline prices and broader inflation concerns are intensifying the political stakes ⁠in the House of Representatives, where Republicans are defending a narrow margin of control.

Trump is also facing unusual ​pushback from some Republicans over his push to finance a White House ballroom project and a separate effort to establish ​a political compensation fund tied to a legal settlement involving the IRS over the release of his tax returns.

TRUMP VISIT FOCUSED ON REPUBLICANS’ TAX POLICIES

Trump is scheduled to speak at an event at Rockland Community College centered on the economy and tax policy, ​particularly last year’s expansion of a federal deduction for state and local taxes, known as SALT, a key ​issue for suburban voters in New York. The state imposes a relatively high income tax on residents.

The president will “highlight his strong ‌record ⁠of making life more affordable for working families,” said White House spokesperson Liz Huston. She added that Trump plans to draw a contrast with Democrats in Congress, who voted against the tax law, which included tax breaks on tips and Social Security.

Riya Vashi, a spokesperson for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, blasted the planned visit, saying ​it reflects poor judgment by ​Lawler.

“Nothing says ‘I don’t care ⁠about my district’ quite like Mike Lawler bringing Donald Trump to NY-17 to tout a disastrous economy that’s crushing working families,” Vashi said.

Lawler, one of few Republicans representing ​a district won by Democrat Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election, has ​embraced Trump more ⁠openly than some other swing-district Republicans.

New York’s 17th Congressional District, which stretches across parts of the lower Hudson Valley, is expected to be among the nation’s most competitive House races and could play a pivotal role in determining ⁠control of ​Congress.

Trump has demonstrated his continued political strength within the Republican Party in ​recent weeks, with several candidates he endorsed successfully defeating incumbents who had fallen out of favor with him, reinforcing his influence over primary ​contests and party alignment heading into the 2026 cycle.

Reporting By Jarrett Renshaw; Editing by Trevor Hunnicutt and Alistair Bell

Britney Spears argued with police, denied being intoxicated during March DUI arrest, footage shows

May 22, 2026 / 10:08 AM EDT / CBS News

Pop star Britney Spears was driving erratically and speeding when she was pulled over and arrested for driving under the influence in California in March, according to police records.

An investigation report obtained and reviewed by CBS News said that Spears was drifting between lanes on U.S. 101 when she was pulled over by the California Highway Patrol. It took her 15 seconds to respond to commands to pull over, police said. When she rolled down the window to speak to police, the reporting officer noted “the distinct odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from” the vehicle.

Spears argued with police for about 10 minutes before getting out of the car, according to the investigation report. Dashboard camera footage showed Spears telling police she “did not like” the order to exit the vehicle. At one point, she said she did not want to get out of her car because of traffic on the highway. When the officers offered to drive her around a corner, she again refused and asked if they could come to her home.

“I’ll make you food or lasagna, whatever you want. I have a pool,” Spears can be heard saying. She later says that she is “totally fine” and able to drive.

Britney Spears and police officers during a DUI arrest on March 4, 2026. California Highway Patrol

When she exited the car, she appeared visibly unsteady and exhibited “rapid and slurred” speech, according to the reporting officer. The officer also noted that Spears exhibited “dramatic mood swings” during their interaction and that she occasionally spoke with a British accent.

Spears told officers she had a mimosa about six hours earlier, and said that she did not feel at all intoxicated.

“I could probably drink four bottles of wine and take care of you. I’m an angel,” Spears told the officer, according to the report. She also said she had taken Lamictal, a medication used to treat bipolar disorder.

blob:https://www.cbsnews.com/e3e43da2-006d-4682-94da-5819031f2ac0

When police searched her vehicle, they found a bottle of Adderall that was not prescribed to Spears and a wine glass in the front cupholder. Spears was arrested on suspicion of driving while drinking and using drugs.

Two Breathalyzer exams taken about an hour after Spears was pulled over showed she had a blood alcohol level of 0.06% and 0.05%, according to the report. Blood was also drawn to test for drugs. The results of the drug test were not included in the report.

Spears was released the morning after her arrest, according to inmate records reviewed by CBS News. In a statement to CBS News, a representative for Spears referred to the incident as “unfortunate” and “completely inexcusable.” She pleaded guilty to a charge of reckless driving earlier this month, and was sentenced to 12 months probation, avoiding jail time.

Spears voluntarily checked herself into rehab in April, a spokesperson told CBS Los Angeles.

Fed’s Waller’s ready to axe ‘easing bias,’ says rate-cut talk now is ‘crazy’

2026-05-22T14:14:57.265Z / reuters.com

Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller speaks during The Clearing House Annual Conference in New York City, U.S. November 12, 2024. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab

• Summary

• Waller urges removing “easing bias” due to broadening inflation
• Waller suggests its “crazy” to talk about further rate cuts
• Incoming Fed Chair Warsh faces pressure for hawkish policy shift at June meeting
• Futures contracts shift in favor of earlier rate increase

FRANKFURT, May 22 (Reuters) – Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller, an influential voice in policymaking who until recently had advocated for lower interest rates, on Friday said the Fed should axe the “easing bias” from its policy statement and effectively open the door to a possible rate hike.

Waller said he wasn’t advocating for a hike at this point, but felt that at the very least the Fed needs to keep the current policy rate in place until it is clear inflation, which he worries is broadening and becoming more persistent, shows signs of returning to the Fed’s 2% target.

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At an economic forum in Germany he had sharp words for anyone still contemplating lower borrowing costs.

“It’s just kind of crazy to say you could start talking about rate cuts in the near future” with inflation stuck above target and the job market seeming more stable than it did earlier in the year, Waller said. “You just can’t look at this data and say yeah we could cut rates by September or something…you can’t be serious as a central banker and talk like that.”

His comments amplify the dilemma faced by incoming Fed Chair Kevin Warsh, who was due to be sworn in just an hour after the comments by Waller, who was also a candidate to succeed outgoing Fed Chair Jerome Powell, were posted on the Fed’s website. President Donald Trump, who appointed Warsh, has argued in favor of drastically lower interest rates, frequently chastising outgoing chair Powell for not acceding to his demands.

With the Fed’s preferred measure of inflation hitting 3.8% in April and broadening across goods and services, Waller said he would “support removing the ‘easing bias’ language in our policy statement to make it clear that a rate cut is no more likely in the future than a rate increase.”

COMMENTS SHIFT MARKET BETS

His comments quickly shifted bets in the direction of a Fed rate hike. Pricing in contracts based around the central bank’s policy rate on Friday reflected about a two-in-three chance of a quarter-point interest-rate increase by the Fed’s October meeting, and nearly even odds on a hike at the prior September meeting.

Before Waller’s remarks, traders were betting on an initial rate hike by December.

“The next move, whether it is a hike or cut, will depend on the data. Removing the language about the extent and timing of additional adjustments would make this point clear,” Waller said, a move he is prepared to make both because of high inflation and of emerging stability in a labor market that had driven his recent outlook for further rate cuts.

“I don’t see the prospect of a weakening labor market as the dominant force that should be guiding monetary policy in the months ahead,” Waller said.

Far from overseeing rate cuts, as many analysts felt Warsh would be doing until recently, he may now face strong support from among his colleagues at the June 16-17 meeting to push his first policy statement as chair in a hawkish direction. Three Fed officials dissented at the April meeting in favor of making the change then.

The Fed held interest rates steady at its last meeting and is expected to do so again when policymakers gather on June 16-17 for the first time under the new Fed chair.

Minutes of the April meeting showed a growing number of officials saying that rate hikes may be needed to counter inflation that seemed to be spreading beyond the narrow channels of high oil prices or the influence of import taxes imposed by Trump.

Waller said that on deciding the next steps for interest rates he will watch in particular inflation expectations in the two- to four-year horizon, and that any increase there would be “alarming.”

He said more inflation risks the Fed “getting behind the curve again,” similar to the 2021-2022 period, when inflation surged to a 40-year high.

Reporting by Howard Schneider; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and David Gaffen

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab

Covers the U.S. Federal Reserve, monetary policy and the economy, a graduate of the University of Maryland and Johns Hopkins University with previous experience as a foreign correspondent, economics reporter and on the local staff of the Washington Post.

中东五国表明不接受伊朗管控霍尔木兹海峡

2026年5月22日 23:13 / 联合早报

尽管中东局势紧张，仍有100多万名回教徒将到麦加朝圣。图为沙特阿拉伯安全部队星期四（5月21日）在麦加进行演习，为即将到来的朝圣潮做准备。 （法新社）

（华盛顿／德黑兰综合电）对于伊朗设立波斯湾海峡管理局以控制霍尔木兹海峡，中东五个国家正式表明拒绝。巴林、科威特、卡塔尔、沙特阿拉伯和阿联酋致函国际海事组织，表明商船不应与波斯湾海峡管理局有任何接触，也不应使用伊朗指定的航线穿越海峡，以免开了“危险先例”。

五国在信中指出，伊朗的真实意图是要强迫船只使用伊方领海内的航线，借此控制霍尔木兹海峡的交通并征收通行费。

国际海事组织此前表明，霍尔木兹海峡是国际航道，因此反对向穿越这条航道的船只收取通行费。

伊朗驻法国大使内贾德星期三（5月20日）接受彭博社采访时透露，伊朗正在同阿曼讨论建立某种方式的永久收费制度，以确立对霍尔木兹海峡航行的控制。

内贾德称：“伊朗和阿曼必须调动一切资源，以最恰当的方式提供安全服务和管理航运。”

伊朗称，中国和韩国等已同伊朗伊斯兰革命卫队海军协调，以确保它们的船只能够穿越海峡。但这些国家都未证实此事，它们是否会付费也未明。

美国和伊朗在巴基斯坦的调解下继续接触，不过，双方在浓缩铀库存和霍尔木兹海峡的管辖问题上仍明显存在分歧。

沙特阿拉伯阿拉比亚电视台报道，美伊接近达成的协议草案内容包括在所有战线立即、全面和无条件实现停火。报道引述消息人士说，有关协议将在美伊正式宣布后立即生效。

美国国务卿鲁比奥星期四也透露，美伊会谈取得了一些进展，但如果伊朗在霍尔木兹海峡实施收费，外交方案将难以落实。

星期五在捷克首都布拉格举行的全球安全论坛上，阿联酋总统顾问加尔加什说，美伊对于重开霍尔木兹海峡达成协议的概率只有五成。

他说，伊朗官员多年来错失了很多机会，他们往往高估了自家的实力。“我希望他们这次不会重蹈覆辙。”

美国总统特朗普星期四再度放话，要伊朗将高度浓缩铀交给美国，而美国很可能将它们销毁。他此前已多次要伊朗交出浓缩铀。

路透社同日引述伊朗消息人士报道，伊朗最高领袖穆杰塔巴下达指令，不得将浓缩铀库存运往国外。

美伊谈判陷入僵局，美伊战争引发的全球能源危机难以解除，甚至可能恶化。国际能源署星期四警告，夏季燃料需求高峰即将来临，加上中东新增供应不足，全球能源可能在7月和8月进入“红色警戒”。

霍尔木兹海峡形同封锁，石油出口难以恢复正常。在美伊战争爆发前，从这条海峡通过的船只每天有125艘至140艘，如今只有少数可通过。

伊朗媒体星期五报道，过去24小时共有35艘船只在伊朗海军的协调下通过了霍尔木兹海峡，包括油轮、集装箱船和其他商船。

中东五国表明不接受伊朗管控霍尔木兹海峡

2026年5月22日 23:13 / 联合早报

尽管中东局势紧张，仍有100多万名回教徒将到麦加朝圣。图为沙特阿拉伯安全部队星期四（5月21日）在麦加进行演习，为即将到来的朝圣潮做准备。 （法新社）

（华盛顿／德黑兰综合电）对于伊朗设立波斯湾海峡管理局以控制霍尔木兹海峡，中东五个国家正式表明拒绝。巴林、科威特、卡塔尔、沙特阿拉伯和阿联酋致函国际海事组织，表明商船不应与波斯湾海峡管理局有任何接触，也不应使用伊朗指定的航线穿越海峡，以免开了“危险先例”。

五国在信中指出，伊朗的真实意图是要强迫船只使用伊方领海内的航线，借此控制霍尔木兹海峡的交通并征收通行费。

国际海事组织此前表明，霍尔木兹海峡是国际航道，因此反对向穿越这条航道的船只收取通行费。

伊朗驻法国大使内贾德星期三（5月20日）接受彭博社采访时透露，伊朗正在同阿曼讨论建立某种方式的永久收费制度，以确立对霍尔木兹海峡航行的控制。

内贾德称：“伊朗和阿曼必须调动一切资源，以最恰当的方式提供安全服务和管理航运。”

伊朗称，中国和韩国等已同伊朗伊斯兰革命卫队海军协调，以确保它们的船只能够穿越海峡。但这些国家都未证实此事，它们是否会付费也未明。

美国和伊朗在巴基斯坦的调解下继续接触，不过，双方在浓缩铀库存和霍尔木兹海峡的管辖问题上仍明显存在分歧。

沙特阿拉伯阿拉比亚电视台报道，美伊接近达成的协议草案内容包括在所有战线立即、全面和无条件实现停火。报道引述消息人士说，有关协议将在美伊正式宣布后立即生效。

美国国务卿鲁比奥星期四也透露，美伊会谈取得了一些进展，但如果伊朗在霍尔木兹海峡实施收费，外交方案将难以落实。

星期五在捷克首都布拉格举行的全球安全论坛上，阿联酋总统顾问加尔加什说，美伊对于重开霍尔木兹海峡达成协议的概率只有五成。

他说，伊朗官员多年来错失了很多机会，他们往往高估了自家的实力。“我希望他们这次不会重蹈覆辙。”

美国总统特朗普星期四再度放话，要伊朗将高度浓缩铀交给美国，而美国很可能将它们销毁。他此前已多次要伊朗交出浓缩铀。

路透社同日引述伊朗消息人士报道，伊朗最高领袖穆杰塔巴下达指令，不得将浓缩铀库存运往国外。

美伊谈判陷入僵局，美伊战争引发的全球能源危机难以解除，甚至可能恶化。国际能源署星期四警告，夏季燃料需求高峰即将来临，加上中东新增供应不足，全球能源可能在7月和8月进入“红色警戒”。

霍尔木兹海峡形同封锁，石油出口难以恢复正常。在美伊战争爆发前，从这条海峡通过的船只每天有125艘至140艘，如今只有少数可通过。

伊朗媒体星期五报道，过去24小时共有35艘船只在伊朗海军的协调下通过了霍尔木兹海峡，包括油轮、集装箱船和其他商船。

Jimmie Johnson reacts to Kyle Busch’s shocking death: “I’m kinda lost for words”

May 22, 2026 / 9:57 AM EDT / CBS News

By Mark Osborne

NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson couldn’t find the words to describe the shocking and sudden death of his former teammate and fellow champion Kyle Busch.

“I’m kinda lost for words at this moment, but we’re gonna miss you buddy. Gone too soon to say the least,” Johnson told “CBS Mornings” on Friday.

Busch’s family posted on his social media Thursday morning he had been hospitalized with a severe illness and would not be competing at this weekend’s race in Charlotte. Just a few hours later, NASCAR announced Busch had died.

“We are saddened and heartbroken to share the news of the passing of Kyle Busch, a two-time Cup champion and one of our sport’s greatest and fiercest drivers,” NASCAR wrote on social media.

Busch was beloved by many fans for his take-no-prisoners driving style, an attitude that earned him the nickname “Rowdy.”

“[I’ll remember] just that spirited, ruthless competitor on track. And I use ruthless in the best way possible. If you took an inch, he was going to take two,” Johnson told “CBS Mornings” on Friday. “And there was an amount of respect on the track that you just showed him, as a result. At the same time, [he] would race you so hard and so clean, and just an incredible competitor.”

Jimmie Johnson, left, talks with Kyle Busch during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 19, 2017, in Charlotte, N.C. Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Busch won Cup Series titles, the sport’s highest level, in 2015 and 2019. Busch is the all-time leader in wins in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (102) and Craftsman Truck Series (69), considered the second and third tier in the sport respectively. Combined with 63 wins in the Cup Series, he holds the most wins ever by a driver in NASCAR’s three top divisions (234).

Johnson, who has a record-tying seven Cup Series titles, was teammates with Busch at Hendrick Motorsports early in Busch’s career. From 2004 to 2007, Johnson got to know the young Busch — just 18 years old at the time of his Cup Series debut — not just as a teammate but as a person and a close friend.

“Fierce competitor, but at the same time, helmet comes off with his family, just, you know, a dad, a husband and somebody that cared deeply about his children and heavily involved,” Johnson said. “So, you know, the guy off the track is somebody I’ll certainly remember most, and just feel for his family and young children growing up with this void.”

“Experiencing some tragedy on my own, and understanding the implications, we still try to continue on,” he added. “My heart breaks for him.”

Busch leaves behind his wife, Samantha, and two young children, Brexton, 11, and Lennix, 4.

An exact cause of death has not been released.

Trump doubles down on $1.8 billion ‘slush fund’ that killed his agenda, spurred Republican rebellion

May 22, 2026 11:09am EDT / Fox News

The nearly $1.8B fund stemmed from Trump’s $10B lawsuit settlement with the IRS over leaked tax returns

By Alex Miller, Fox News

President Donald Trump isn’t backing down from his administration’s latest move that has blown up his agenda in Congress.

Trump on Friday stood by the newly created “anti-weaponization” fund that some Republicans have described as a slush fund launched by the Department of Justice (DOJ) earlier this week. He argued that what could have been a massive payday for himself was converted into “justice” for others.

“I gave up a lot of money in allowing the just announced Anti-Weaponization Fund to go forward,” Trump said on Truth Social. “I could have settled my case, including the illegal release of my Tax Returns and the equally illegal BREAK IN of Mar-a-Lago, for an absolute fortune.”

SENATE GOP ERUPTS OVER TRUMP DOJ ‘ANTI-WEAPONIZATION’ FUND, PUNTS ICE, BORDER PATROL FUNDING

President Donald Trump attends an event in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., on May 21, 2026.(Jacquelyn Martin/AP)

“Instead, I am helping others who were so badly abused by an evil, corrupt, and weaponized Biden Administration, receive, at long last, JUSTICE! President DJT,” he continued.

The fund stemmed from an agreement among Trump, his family and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to settle his $10 billion lawsuit against the government over the leak of their tax returns.

The nearly $1.8 billion fund would “provide a systematic process to hear and redress claims of others who suffered weaponization and lawfare,” according to the DOJ.

But, its creation foiled his agenda in Congress to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Border Patrol throughout his term. Republicans contended that the timing could have waited.

REPUBLICANS RECOIL AS TRUMP’S BILLION-DOLLAR DOJ ‘SLUSH FUND’ FOR ALLIES THREATENS ICE, BORDER PATROL PLAN

https://www.foxnews.com/video/6396089330112

“Well, it would have been nice if they had consulted, and I think they probably would have gotten plenty of advice from lots of folks about it, but it’s water under the bridge now,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said.

“And you play the hand you’re dealt, and we’ll sort it out from here, but obviously it became a more complicated and bumpy path than we hoped,” he continued.

That’s because the majority of Senate Republicans on Thursday took issue with a lack of clear guardrails on whether those convicted of assaulting police officers during the riots on Capitol Hill on Jan. 6, 2021, could make a claim and get a taxpayer-funded payout.

The announcement of the settlement and subsequent creation of the fund earlier this week derailed what was meant to be the last sprint to pass the massive, $72 billion package. The goal was to have the legislation on Trump’s desk by June 1.

SENATE REPUBLICAN THREATENS TO DERAIL ICE, BORDER PATROL PACKAGE OVER TRUMP’S BILLION-DOLLAR REQUEST

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., leaves the Republican Senate luncheon in the U.S. Capitol on March 3, 2026, arguing that Democrats were pushing to keep DHS closed because it was “politically advantageous.”(Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc.)

But Republicans, facing severe political headwinds, weren’t satisfied with the explanations of how the fund would work and what guardrails could be installed.

And despite the administration’s argument that the fund has nothing to do with the reconciliation process, it is inextricably tied to the maneuver because the Senate Judiciary Committee oversees the DOJ and has played a major role in crafting the broader package.

The Senate doesn’t return until Trump’s deadline, and the likelihood that lawmakers solve the issue and finish their work is low.

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Meanwhile, Senate Democrats cheered the result.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., accused Republicans of “fleeing” from Washington, D.C., on Thursday, and charged that “they’re at each other’s throats.”

“Trapped in a corner by their own president, Republicans have their backs to the wall with no way out. Nowhere to hide. No end in sight,” Schumer said. “The only way for Republicans to get out of this box is to stop backing the slush fund. Stop pushing the ballroom.”

Alex Miller is a writer for Fox News Digital covering the U.S. Senate.

美国务卿：与伊朗谈判有“些许进展” 协议前景仍不明朗

2026年5月22日 23:15 / 联合早报

5月22日，美国国务卿鲁比奥在瑞典赫尔辛堡举行的北约外长会议期间与记者交谈。 （法新社）

美国国务卿鲁比奥说，与伊朗之间由第三方斡旋的谈判取得了“些许进展”。但将脆弱停火转化为持久和平协议的前景仍不明朗。

鲁比奥星期五（5月22日）在瑞典举行的北约外长会议上说，“我不想夸大其词，但确实出现了一点进展，这是好事。”

伊朗方面正在考虑美国通过巴基斯坦提交的最新提议，但尚未表明何时会正式作出回应。霍尔木兹海峡的地位以及伊朗核计划问题，仍是双方谈判中的主要症结所在。

伊朗驻法国大使穆罕默德·阿明-内贾德（Mohammad Amin-Nejad）星期三接受彭博采访时说，伊朗正与阿曼讨论在霍尔木兹海峡实施某种永久性收费机制。美方已明确表示这一做法“不可接受”。

鲁比奥说，此举可能为世界其他地区树立先例，任何国家都不应接受在霍尔木兹海峡征收通行费。美国总统特朗普星期四也表态反对这一想法。他在白宫对记者说：“我们希望它开放、自由通行，我们不希望有通行费。”

延伸阅读

中东五国表明不接受伊朗管控霍尔木兹海峡
美情报指伊朗军事重建快于预期 美军损耗迅速引盟友担忧

由于市场仍不清楚美国与伊朗是否更接近达成妥协，油价上涨，结束此前连续三天下跌走势。布伦特原油上涨2.7%，报每桶105美元（134.36新元）之上，仍显著高于战争爆发前水平。

除霍尔木兹海峡问题外，美国还一再要求德黑兰移交其浓缩铀，并承诺至少在未来十年内停止铀浓缩活动。伊朗领导层已公开拒绝这一要求，总统佩泽希齐扬星期四表明，“我们在谈判中绝不会退让。”

据伊朗半官方媒体伊朗学生通讯社报道，伊朗外长阿拉格齐星期五与巴基斯坦内政部长纳克维举行了新一轮会谈。作为主要斡旋方，巴基斯坦近来一直在美伊双方之间展开穿梭外交，试图推动双方达成妥协，以推进停火。

美国务卿：与伊朗谈判有“些许进展” 协议前景仍不明朗

2026年5月22日 23:15 / 联合早报

5月22日，美国国务卿鲁比奥在瑞典赫尔辛堡举行的北约外长会议期间与记者交谈。 （法新社）

美国国务卿鲁比奥说，与伊朗之间由第三方斡旋的谈判取得了“些许进展”。但将脆弱停火转化为持久和平协议的前景仍不明朗。

鲁比奥星期五（5月22日）在瑞典举行的北约外长会议上说，“我不想夸大其词，但确实出现了一点进展，这是好事。”

伊朗方面正在考虑美国通过巴基斯坦提交的最新提议，但尚未表明何时会正式作出回应。霍尔木兹海峡的地位以及伊朗核计划问题，仍是双方谈判中的主要症结所在。

伊朗驻法国大使穆罕默德·阿明-内贾德（Mohammad Amin-Nejad）星期三接受彭博采访时说，伊朗正与阿曼讨论在霍尔木兹海峡实施某种永久性收费机制。美方已明确表示这一做法“不可接受”。

鲁比奥说，此举可能为世界其他地区树立先例，任何国家都不应接受在霍尔木兹海峡征收通行费。美国总统特朗普星期四也表态反对这一想法。他在白宫对记者说：“我们希望它开放、自由通行，我们不希望有通行费。”

延伸阅读

中东五国表明不接受伊朗管控霍尔木兹海峡
美情报指伊朗军事重建快于预期 美军损耗迅速引盟友担忧

由于市场仍不清楚美国与伊朗是否更接近达成妥协，油价上涨，结束此前连续三天下跌走势。布伦特原油上涨2.7%，报每桶105美元（134.36新元）之上，仍显著高于战争爆发前水平。

除霍尔木兹海峡问题外，美国还一再要求德黑兰移交其浓缩铀，并承诺至少在未来十年内停止铀浓缩活动。伊朗领导层已公开拒绝这一要求，总统佩泽希齐扬星期四表明，“我们在谈判中绝不会退让。”

据伊朗半官方媒体伊朗学生通讯社报道，伊朗外长阿拉格齐星期五与巴基斯坦内政部长纳克维举行了新一轮会谈。作为主要斡旋方，巴基斯坦近来一直在美伊双方之间展开穿梭外交，试图推动双方达成妥协，以推进停火。