Republicans pull overnighter to advance Trump’s spending bill: Unbiased Updates, May 21, 2025
With Memorial Day weekend approaching, House Speaker Mike Johnson races to finalize President Donald Trump’s budget bill and push it through Congress. Also, former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo faces consequences from a criminal investigation into his tenure and COVID handling, raising inquiries about his awareness.
Thinking about getting a COVID shot this year? The FDA has updated its regulations, making it challenging for most individuals to schedule a vaccination appointment unless they’re part of a specific group.
These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Wednesday, May 21, 2025.
House panel meets overnight on Trump’s massive spending bill
With pressure mounting and a floor vote looming, House Republicans continue to wrestle with the final shape of President Donald Trump’s massive tax and spending bill. The House Rules Committee met overnight, kicking off just after 1 a.m. EST to try to hammer out a deal. It’s the last stop before the bill heads to a full House vote.
One of the biggest sticking points? The state and local tax deduction, known as SALT.
Republican leaders consider a plan to raise the cap from $10,000 to $40,000 for households earning less than $500,000 a year. However, conservatives view it as a giveaway to blue states with high taxes, and they are pushing back.
This all follows Trump’s visit to Capitol Hill on Tuesday, May 20, as he tries to rally Republicans behind what he’s calling his “big, beautiful bill.” Despite the reported pushback from some Republicans, the president remained upbeat after the meeting.
“I think it was a really great. That was a meeting of love. Let me tell you, that was love in that room. There was no shouting. I think it was a meeting of love,” Trump said. “There were a couple of things that we talked about specifically where some people felt a little bit one way or the other, not a big deal.”
Republicans will need nearly complete unity to push the bill through, which includes sweeping tax cuts and significant reductions to Medicaid, food stamps and green energy programs. All Democrats are expected to oppose the legislation.
Justice Department investigating former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo
The Justice Department has launched an investigation into former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, just as he leads the race for New York City Mayor. The New York Times first reported on the probe. According to the report, federal prosecutors are looking into whether Cuomo misled Congress regarding how his team managed nursing home deaths during COVID.
At issue is a 2020 state report that undercounted deaths, by nearly half.
Cuomo’s spokesperson described the allegations as “lawfare and election interference,” labeling them as blatant political maneuvers by the Trump administration, especially following their recent dismissal of a corruption case against his main opponent, Mayor Eric Adams.
However, the group Voices for Seniors praised the investigation. They argue that as governor, Cuomo sent thousands of COVID-positive patients back into nursing homes, where elderly residents subsequently died from the virus. They maintain that the probe is long overdue and that their loved ones died needlessly.
The Justice Department is not commenting on the investigation.
Pope Leo XIV holds first weekly general audience
Pope Leo XIV delivered his first weekly general audience in Saint Peter’s Square on Wednesday morning, May 21. The new pontiff spoke directly to pilgrims and visitors from around the world during the longstanding tradition of the general audience.
The address comes after a high-profile meeting earlier this week at the Vatican involving Leo, Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
With the Trump administration pushing for a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, the Vatican has offered to host peace talks and to support humanitarian relief efforts. Since his election earlier this month, Leo has called for “every effort” to end the war in Ukraine.
Trump announces $175 billion ‘Golden Dome’ missile defense system
Trump outlined a plan for what he referred to as a “game-changer” in national defense: a $175 billion missile shield called the “Golden Dome.” The plan involves hundreds of satellites and launch platforms designed to detect and intercept enemy missiles, even from space.
On Tuesday, May 20, during a presentation from the Oval Office, the president announced that the U.S. will experience unprecedented protection. He expressed confidence that the initiative will be operational in approximately three years.
“It will be capable of intercepting missiles launched from the other side of the world,” Trump said. “Even if they’re launched from space.”
However, critics have already raised red flags. The Congressional Budget Office states that the long-term cost could exceed $500 billion, and some defense analysts argue that the technology is not yet available.
FDA to limit COVID-19 shots to those 65 and older, at-risk groups
The FDA is tightening its approach to COVID-19 vaccines, stating that drugmakers will now need to conduct new clinical trials before the shots can be approved for most Americans. Under the new plan, updated vaccines will still be available this fall, but only for seniors and individuals at high risk.
The change comes amid growing public skepticism about vaccine safety and a shifting political landscape, with Trump and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. opposing future mandates.
Officials said the new rules aim to restore trust and ensure transparency, all while protecting the most vulnerable. The next round of vaccines is anticipated to target the latest variants and could be available by September.
Actor George Wendt, Norm from ‘Cheers,’ dead at 76
George Wendt, who portrayed Norm Peterson on the sitcom “Cheers” for 11 years, died Tuesday, May 20. The series revolved around a Boston bar where close friends gathered daily after work to enjoy a few beers, share laughs and tackle life’s challenges.
Wendt’s character embodied the guy at the end of the bar you could count on for a one-liner, that trusty uncle type who always had a laugh, a quip or a light-hearted joke to lift the mood. The actor garnered six Emmy nominations.
Tributes have flooded in following the announcement of his passing. Ted Danson, who portrayed Sam the bartender, expressed to the New York Post that he is heartbroken and it will take a considerable amount of time to come to terms with this loss. Rhea Perlman, known for her role as Carla, described him as the sweetest and kindest person she had ever known, emphasizing that it was impossible not to like him.
His family reported that Wendt died peacefully in his sleep in Los Angeles. He was 76 years old.
Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
