Latest news with #Republican-backed
Time of India
18 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
'We all are going to die': Senator Ernst booed at Town Hall over support for Trump's $700 billion spending cuts
Senator Joni Ernst (Image credits: AP) Republican senator Joni Ernst faced boos and groans from constituents during a tense town hall in Parkersburg, Iowa, on Friday after defending a Republican-backed spending and tax cut package, dubbed as 'the big, beautiful bill' by US President Trump, which includes $700 billion in cuts, including significant reductions to Medicaid. Speaking at a high school in north-central Iowa, Ernst was responding to a constituent who warned that people could die without health coverage. 'People are not... well, we all are going to die,' Ernst replied, drawing audible groans from the crowd. She added, 'For heaven's sake, folks,' and stressed that the proposal would protect 'those that are most vulnerable' and eligible for Medicaid. The controversial legislation narrowly passed the House last week by a single vote and now moves to the Senate. Ernst acknowledged that the Senate version will likely differ from the House bill. Republicans argue the bill's new work requirements and stricter eligibility checks for able-bodied adults without dependents will preserve the program for those who need it most. Democrats, however, warn that millions could lose coverage. According to a preliminary estimate from the nonpartisan Congressional budget office, the plan could leave 8.6 million people without healthcare over the next decade. Video of Ernst's comment quickly circulated on social media, with Democratic leaders using it to attack the GOP's stance on healthcare. 'This morning, Joni Ernst said the quiet part out loud: Republicans do not care about whether their own constituents live or die as long as the richest few get richer,' said Ken Martin, chair of the Democratic national committee. Ernst is up for re-election in 2026.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
GOP plan could raise credit requirements for Pell Grant recipients
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — A Republican-backed proposal could bring major changes to the Pell Grant program, requiring many college students to take on heavier course loads to qualify for federal aid. Under the legislation, full-time students would need to enroll in at least 30 credit hours per year, up from the current 24, to remain eligible. Part-time students would see their requirement increase from 12 to at least 15 credit hours annually. 'It's a goal to get more students to go full time, graduate more quickly, and I think it will help some students get there,' said Robert Kelchen, an Education Professor at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. But Kelchen also cautioned that many students might struggle to meet the new demands. 'About two-thirds of students work, and many of them are working close to full time,' he said. 'Some are balancing full-time school and full-time work. Others are taking one or two classes while working 40 hours a week and caring for their families.' Pell Grants were established by Congress in 1972 to help low-income students access higher education. Today, about 40% of U.S. college students receive the grant, which does not need to be repaid. The federal government spent approximately $31.47 billion on the program during the last academic year. Critics of the proposal, including the NAACP, warn it could disproportionately harm students of color and roll back recent gains in college access. 'What we're seeing is a really aggressive and swift attack,' said Wisdom Cole, the NAACP's National Director of Youth and College. 'About 75% of graduates from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are Pell Grant recipients. Those are the students who will be hit the hardest.' Supporters argue the changes are necessary to ensure accountability. Madison Marino, a Higher Education Policy Expert at the conservative Heritage Foundation, cited data showing that only about 53% of Pell Grant recipients complete a degree — significantly lower than the 70% to 73% completion rate for their peers. 'I think it will make students re-evaluate what educational pathways are available to them,' Marino said. 'Does a traditional four-year college fit me?' The proposal, which also redirects more financial aid toward workforce training programs, passed the House last week and is now awaiting action in the Senate. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Business Journals
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Journals
Tax bill means big breaks, risks for middle-market companies
The Republican-backed tax plan could encourage middle-market companies to invest in research, but other aspects of the bill could prove worrisome.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
How Trump's war on Harvard exposes a big MAGA scam targeting US student aid
Trump's $3 billion Harvard threat hides deep GOP cuts to US education support President Donald Trump's escalating campaign against Harvard University took a new turn over the weekend as he threatened to revoke billions in federal education grants. In a fiery statement, Trump declared his intent to strip Harvard of $3 billion in funding and reallocate it to trade schools, claiming that foreign students are "taking places reserved for American kids. " But the president's rhetoric, critics argue, masks a deeper policy shift that could severely harm the very working-class students he claims to defend. The controversy centers around Trump's recent move to block Harvard from hosting international students, citing national security and antisemitism concerns. On May 26, 2025, Trump posted on Truth Social , "I am considering taking Three Billion Dollars of Grant Money away from a very antisemitic Harvard, and giving it to TRADE SCHOOLS all across our land. What a great investment that would be for the USA, and so badly needed!!!" However, behind this populist language lies a budget proposal that could slash financial aid for hundreds of thousands of low-income US students. A misleading attack framed as support for American students Trump's public justification for targeting Harvard hinges on the claim that international students are crowding out domestic applicants. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Switch to UnionBank Rewards Card UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo "They can't go there because you have 31 percent foreign," Trump told reporters, insisting that American students are being denied spots in top universities. But as The New Republic reported, Trump's assertion comes amid his support for a Republican-backed budget bill that would drastically reduce access to federal student aid. The budget, recently passed by House Republicans, proposes changes to Pell Grants that could eliminate eligibility for up to 700,000 students. A ccording to The New Republic, the bill would make it harder for full-time students to qualify, remove many part-time students entirely, and increase overall costs for those who still qualify. Jonathan Fansmith, senior vice president at the American Council on Education, told The New Republic that "millions of college students will wind up paying a lot more, and low-income students will be by far the hardest hit. " Billions cut from financial aid while tax breaks expand for the wealthy While Trump portrays his trade school initiative as a boost for American workers, the financial reality is starkly different. The same bill that expands Pell Grant access to certain vocational programs also introduces new eligibility restrictions. As detailed by The New Republic, analyses from American University and EdTrust indicate that these changes will make it harder for many vocational students to access those same grants. Moreover, the budget's overall impact heavily favors wealthier Americans. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the proposed cuts to education spending will free up hundreds of billions of dollars, primarily to finance another round of tax cuts for high-income earners. This redirection of funds, critics argue, exposes the administration's real priorities. A campaign of power, not policy Trump's crackdown on Harvard has less to do with genuine policy concerns and more with consolidating control over liberal institutions. The revocation of Harvard's ability to host international students followed an intrusive demand for information that appeared designed to be unmet—creating, as The New Republic put it, "a pretext for Trump to broaden his attack." After Harvard filed a lawsuit, a court temporarily blocked the revocation within hours. Ultimately, Trump's rhetoric paints a false zero-sum picture: that foreign students are to blame for the challenges faced by working-class Americans. As The New Republic notes, this narrative makes it easier to justify stripping resources from educational institutions and redistributing them upwards through tax policy. Far from empowering working families, the MAGA agenda appears to be undermining the very ladders of opportunity that education was meant to provide. Ready to empower your child for the AI era? Join our program now! Hurry, only a few seats left.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Elon Musk Exits Donald Trump Administration After 4 Months
Originally appeared on E! Online Elon Musk is done with his political duties. The Tesla CEO will step away from his government role in President 's administration, Musk shared on X (formerly Twitter) May 28. "As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President @realDonaldTrump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending," he wrote. "The @DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government." Before his exit, Musk had recently criticized a Republican-backed domestic policy bill for increasing the deficit, per NBC News. "I was, like, disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly, which increases the budget deficit, not just decrease it," Musk told CBS' "Sunday Morning" in an interview airing June 1. "And undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing." Back in March, Trump told his cabinet that Musk would be vacating his position in the coming months, according to NBC News. More from E! Online Brad Pitt Breaks Silence on Finalizing Angelina Jolie Divorce Duck Dynasty's Korie Robertson Says Phil Robertson's Health Declined 'Really Rapidly' Before His Death Todd Chrisley Released From Prison After Donald Trump Pardon In a private March 24 cabinet meeting, Trump revealed Musk—who has lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) since the administration began in January—would be transitioning back to the private sector. The 47th president went on to call Musk a 'patriot' when cameras were brought in at the end of the meeting. 'He is a patriot,' Trump, 78, said, per NBC News. 'He's a friend of mine. He's become a friend of mine. He supported me in the election. That's when I got to know him. I knew him a little bit from the first term, but not much. But he's a patriot more than anything else.' Trump also lauded Musk for 'never' seeking personal favors. 'He has never asked me for a thing,' the Apprentice alum continued. 'He could have. I always say, I wonder if he's ever going to ask me for something, and that's always subject to change, and if it does change, I'll let you know about it. But Elon has never asked me for a thing.' As for why Musk, 53, is vacating his role? Trump noted his pal had other business to attend to—but wouldn't confirm the fate of DOGE. 'He's got a big company to run, and so at some point he's going to be going back,' Trump told reporters at a March 31 press conference. 'I keep [sic] him as long as I could keep him. He's a very talented guy. You know, I love very smart people. He's very smart, and he's done a good job.' Indeed, Trump has been supported by Musk since the campaign trail and even had the SpaceX founder by his side at his Inauguration in January. A month later, Musk brought his and ex Grimes' 4-year-old son X Æ A-Xii Musk, to the White House for a meeting with the president. And while Trump had his desk sent out to be refinished shortly after Musk's son was caught wiping his boogers on it, the president had nothing but glowing praise for the toddler. 'He's a great guy," Trump said. 'High-IQ individual.' Meanwhile, Grimes—who also shares Exa, 3, and Techno Machanicus, 2, with Musk—later shared she 'did not know' or approve of the visit, but told a fan who effused over her son's manners over X, 'I'm glad he was polite. Sigh.' Keep reading for a thorough look at Trump's cabinet... (E! and NBC News are both part of the NBCUniversal family.) Vice President JD VanceSecretary of State Marco RubioSecretary of Treasury Scott BessentSecretary of Defense Pete HegsethAttorney General Pam BondiSecretary of Interior Doug BurgumSecretary of Agriculture Brooke RollinsSecretary of Commerce Howard LutnickSecretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemerSecretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy of Housing and Urban Development Scott TurnerSecretary of Transportation Sean DuffySecretary of Energy Chris WrightSecretary of Education Linda McMahonSecretary of Veterans Affairs Doug CollinsSecretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App
