Senate Parliamentarian Rules Against Some Immigration Enforcement Funding

The Senate Parliamentarian on 5/14/2026 Ruled that Several Elements of the Republicans’ Budget Reconciliation Package to Provide $70 Billion in Immigration Enforcement Funding, Failed to Comply with the Byrd Rule, and could Subject the Entire Package to a 60-Vote Threshold if Left in the Bill. The Ruling is a Setback for Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), who wants to Bring the Legislation to the Floor next Week, that will Require Republicans to Redraft or Drop some Provisions of the Package.

Democrats Hailed the Parliamentarian’s Ruling as a Big Win, though a Spokesperson for Thune Downplayed it as simply Requiring “technical fixes that were not unexpected. As Senate Democrats warned time and time again, we were prepared to look at every line of this bill to ensure it was compliant with the Byrd Rule and the rules of the reconciliation process. While we expect Republicans to continue to do anything Trump asks." "This is a win for the rule of law and to ensure children in immigration detention are protected by existing laws” Senate Budget Committee Ranking Member Jeff Merkley (D-OR) said in a Statement.

Merkley said Democrats “are prepared to continue fighting this bill.” The Pparliamentarian Ruled Against a Section of the Bill that would Allow Funds to be Used for the Initial Screenings of Unaccompanied Migrant Children. The Parliamentarian Ruled that the Legislation, as Drafted, Inappropriately Funded some Activities Outside the Senate Homeland Security Committee’s Jurisdiction.

The Parliamentarian also Ruled that the Provision Undermined Decades-Old Protections for Non-Citizen Children in the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA), according to a Summary of the Ruling issued by Democrats on the Senate Budget Committee. She also Ruled that a Section of the Legislation that would provide Another $2.5 billion in Appropriations to Immigration-Related Provisions of the 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s Homeland Security Title Undermined the Flores Settlement Agreement and The Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA).

The Flores Agreement is a Binding Federal Consent Decree that establishes Standards for the Detention, Treatment and Release of Migrant Minors Who are Apprehended by Federal Immigration Officers. The Byrd Rule Prohibits Provisions that make Significant Policy Changes with Only Tangential Impacts on the Budget from being Allowed to Pass with Simple-Majority Votes through the Budget Reconciliation Process.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (NY) Declared the Parliamentarian’s Rulings had Dealt a Significant Setback to Senate Republicans. “Senate Republicans’ reconciliation bill tells you exactly who they’re fighting for: Trump’s raids, Trump’s violent ICE agents, and Trump’s gilded ballroom — not working families. Democrats promised to fight this bill tooth and nail, and on Day One, we forced Republicans back on their heels. They’re already scrambling to rewrite key pieces of their plan,” Schumer said.

Ryan Wrasse (R), a Spokesperson for Thune, said Democrats are Overblowing the Significance of the Rulings. “Despite what Budget Dems would like folks to believe, the sky is not falling. These are all technical fixes that were not unexpected. We look forward to continued productive work with the parts to fully fund Border Patrol and immigration enforcement,” He Posted on the Social Platform X.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

US Stops Troop Rotation to Poland

The U.S. has Stopped a Planned Rotation of more than 4,000 American Troops en route to Europe, as U.S Allies on the Continent Rush to Spend more on Defense while waiting to see how many Soldiers Trump (R) and His Administration will Withdraw in coming Months. Members of the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, had already Left their Texas Home Base for Poland, when the Order came to Halt the Scheduled Rotation.

A Temporary Deployment of Troops to Europe had been “Paused” so the U.S. could Re-Evaluate where its Soldiers and Military Equipment were Dotted around Europe, Lithuania’s Defense Minister, Robertas Kaunas told the Baltic Country’s LRT State Broadcaster on 5/14/2026. NATO Member Lithuania Shares Borders with Poland and the Russian Exclave of Kaliningrad. My Father's Mother came from Lithuania.

The U.S. has long said it is looking at Withdrawing a Significant Chunk of the roughly 80,000 American Soldiers Stationed in Europe away from the Continent, as Washington turns its Gaze toward China’s growing Power in the Indo-Pacific and Contends with the Strain of Two and a Half Months of War in the Middle East. Trump has already said he will Cut 5,000 Soldiers from the Vast U.S. Presence in Germany, and left the Door Open to Slicing this further, although this is seen as Largely a Reaction to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz Criticizing the U.S. Wwar against Iran.

The U.S. has Not yet Published a Long-Awaited Document detailing where it will Deploy its Military Forces across the Globe, keeping Allies Gguessing about the Future of U.S. Troop Footprints. For this type of Rotational Deployment, where a Brigade will typically Spend Nnine Months deployed in Europe, before being Replaced by Several Thousand Fresh Personnel, Heavy Military Equipment like Tanks will often Travel by Sea ahead of most of the Soldiers. Further Troop Arrivals will follow in Stages, Predominantly Traveling on Aircraft.

The Polish Rotational Deployment was part of Approximately 20,000 U.S. Soldiers that were sent to Beef-Up American Forces in Europe when Russia Launched its Full-Scale Invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Another Brigade Deployed at the same time to Romania, which Shares a Border with Ukraine, was Withdrawn in late 2025. President Joe Biden’s (D) Administration had Discussed Withdrawing these Additional Brigades from Eastern Europe, before the End of the Democrat’s Term, but the Order was Not given before theNnew Government took Office in 1/2025.

Polish Officials Denied Warsaw would be Impacted by Suspended U.S. Troop Deployments, with Polish Minister without Portfolio Tomasz Siemoniak Insisting the “cancellation of [a] U.S. Army rotation does not apply to Poland.” Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, Poland’s Defense Minister, said this did “not concern Poland” and was Related to Previously-Announced Changes, Appearing to Reference the German Troop Drawdown.

U.S. forces Stationed in Eastern Europe, Aim to Deter a possible Russian Invasion of Countries Close to Russian Soil, like the Baltic States and Poland. Poland also shares a Border with Ukraine, which has warned other European Nations will come under Russian Attack, if its Defenses against Moscow’s Troops Fall, and Belarus, a Key Russian Ally that Allowed the Kremlin to use its Territory to Launch its War on Ukraine more than Four years ago. My Mother's Farther came from Poland and Mother came from ukrane Kiev.

Eastern European Countries are Concerned that U.S. Troop Withdrawals from the Continent, Particularly from its Eastern Flank, could be seen by Moscow as a Signal that the U.S. wouldn’t come to their Aid, if Russian Tanks Roll-Over their Borders. Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Romania, are All NATO Members, and All Countries in the Alliance are Obligated to come to their Defense, however they see Fit if One Nation is Attacked. This is meant to Discourage a Potential Enemy from Attacking any Member of the Alliance, because they could be Faced with the Military Strength of All 32 Members, the most Powerful of which is the U.S.

A Senior NATO Military Official said Rotational Forces were Not Factored into NATO’s Plans to Defend the Continent from Attack, and the Alliance would “maintain a strong presence” in Eastern Europe. Most of the 10,000 American Troops in Poland, areRrotated In and Out Regularly.

NATO Separately has Multi-National Forces, including a Limited Number of U.S. Troops, Deployed in Eastern Europe, which the Alliance Boosted in 2022. A NATO Official said the Alliance’s Members were Aware the U.S. is Working Out how to Change where its Forces are Deployed in Europe, and how many Troops are Stationed on the Continent, but said Canada and Germany were Increasing their Presence in the East.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

NATO Sinks Russia's Nuclear Vessel Bound for North Korea

A Russian Covert Fleet Ship, known as the Ursa Major, was Transporting Two Components for a Nuclear Submarine Reactors to North Korea, when it was Sunk 60 miles off the Coast of Spain in 12/2024.

Spanish Authorities Verified that the Captain of the Ship, Referred to the Cargo as Nuclear Reactor Casings for Submarines.

New Evidence indicates that the Vessel was Brought Down by a NATO-Standard Torpedo.

Had the Reactors been Delivered, they would have Greatly Enhanced North Korea's Ability to Operate Nuclear Submarines, that could Reach U.S. Territory.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Fire in Moscow After Drone Attacks by Ukraine

During the Night, Ukraine Executed Drone Strikes on Three Significant Russian Energy Sites, which included the Tamanneftegaz Oil Terminal, the Yaroslavl Refinery, and the Astrakhan Gas Processing Facility.

Officials from Ukraine, Claimed that these Actions were Intended to Disrupt Fuel Supplies and Military Logistics, that Support Russia's War Efforts.

A few hours later, President Volodymyr Zelensky Reported that Russia Retaliated with over 800 Drones in One of the Most Extensive Daytime Attacks of the Conflict, Resulting in at least Six Fatalities and Numerous Injuries.

Furthermore, Moscow Imposed New Limitations on Reporting Damage from Drone Strikes as Worries over Security and Infrastructure Weaknesses continue to Escalate.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Senate Panel Advances Crypto Bill

The Senate Panel Voted 15-9 to Send the Clarity Act to the Floor, with Sens. Ruben Gallego (D-AR) and Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD) Joining their GOP Colleagues to Advance the Measure.

The Vote Marked a Major Step Forward for the Bill, which has Faced a Long and Winding Path through the Senate, over the past year.

However, the Final Tally may Preview the Problems it could Face on the Floor, where it will need more Democratic Support to get Across the Finish Line.

“Through serious, bipartisan negotiations, we have made incredible progress on this bill. We have narrowed the gap on many of the outstanding issues,” Gallego said in a Statement following the Markup.

“My vote today is so we can continue these efforts. But I want to be clear: My vote here does not guarantee a vote on the floor,” He added. The Markup of the Bill, which aims to Provide Guidelines for Federal Regulators Overseeing the Crypto Industry, comes after Months of Negotiations between Senate Republicans and a Contingent of Crypto-Friendly Democrats.

Talks continued down to the Wire, with Senators indicating that Discussions were Ongoing as of 5/14/2026 Morning.

This Appears to have Proved somewhat Fruitful, as Senate Banking Chair Tim Scott (R-SC) Opted to Add in several Amendments, part way through the Markup, at the Request of Several Democrats“to make this a Bipartisan Outcome.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Fed's Miran Will Vacate Board Seat

U.S. Federal Reserve Governor Stephen Miran (R) on 5/14/2026, said he would Resign His Seat On or Shortly Before Kevin Warsh (R) is Sworn-in as the Fed's Next Chair.

It is a Necessary Step, since there is No Other Open Seat on the Seven Member Board, for Warsh to Fill, and Miran's Term had Technically Expired in 1/2026.

In a Letter to Trump (R) Released by the Fed, Miran Recounted the Arguments He made in Favor of Lower Interest Rates, familiar from His many Public Appearances and the Dissents He Registered at Every Fed PolicyMmeeting, since Joining the Central Bank's Board last 9/2025, while on Leave from the Trump Administration.

Warsh's Nomination to the Fed, was Confirmed by the U.S. Senate this week, with His Swearing-In still to be Scheduled.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Trump to Relax Toxic Limits on Wastewater from Coal Power Plants

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) moved 5/14/2026 to Relax Limits that Require Coal-Fired Power Plants, to Prevent the Release of Toxic Heavy Metals into Streams and Rivers, saying a Three-Year-Old Rule is Unduly Costly for the Energy Industry, at a time when Energy Demand is Spiking.

It is the Latest Step that Trump's (R) Administration has taken, to Pull Back Regulations on Coal Mining and Coal-Fired Power, and Empower Fossil Fuels as a Primary Energy Source to Feed the Rapid Growth of Artificial Intelligence Data Centers.

In its Proposed Rule, the EPA said a 2024 Rule under President Biden (D) Misjudged the Effectiveness and Cost of the Regulation, and had the Effect of Shutting Down Coal-Fired Power Plants, at a time when Energy Demand is Spiking, but was covered by Solar and Wind.

Changing the Rule is Critical to making Electricity more Affordable and Reliable, while Advancing the Economy, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin (R) said in a Statement.

“The AI and data center revolution is creating an electricity and baseload power demand that cannot be met under the overly restrictive policies of past administrations,” Zeldin said. “The Trump EPA will continue doing its part to address these burdensome regulations on the coal-fired power plant sector that hold American communities back from the new opportunities presented by this new 21st century energy reality.”

The Wastewater Rule was Designed to Require Power Plant Owners to Clean Coal Ash and Toxic Heavy Metals such as Mercury, Arsenic, and Selenium, from Plant Wastewater before it is Dumped intoSstreams and Rivers.

In 2024, the EPA Strengthened Regulations over Several Types of Plant Wastewater, Substantially Reducing the Amount of Pollutants that Power Plant Owners were Allowed to Dump into Waterways. The EPA had given Power Plant owners until 12/ 31.2029, to meet the New Limits.

The EPA said the Rule proposed 5/14/2026, if Finalized, would Reduce Power Costs by as much as $1.1 billion a year. Coal and Power Industry Trade Associations Cheered the EPA's Move. Environmental Groups Slammed it as a Public Health Danger and Giveaway to the Coal-Power Industry.

"Earthjustice", an Environmental Advocacy Group, said the Lakes, Rivers, and other Waterways, that will see more Pollution as a Result of the EPA's Proposal are often Sources of Drinking Water. Coal-Fired Power Plants are by farOone of the Largest Sources of Toxic Pollutants in America’s Rivers, Lake,s and Streams, Earthjustice said.

The Proposal would Exempt Contaminated Groundwater Seeping into Waterways from Mandatory Treatment Requirements, Earthjustice said. Power Plant Owners would Only be Required to Treat the Contaminated Groundwater, if they First Decide to Pump it to the Surface, asPpart of a Groundwater Cleanup, the Group Added.

“This is another example of the Trump administration endangering the health of Americans as a favor to corporate polluters,” Earthjustice Attorney Thom Cmar said in a Statement. “This plan would eliminate safeguards on hundreds of millions of pounds of wastewater with neurotoxins and cancer-causing contaminants. It would allow coal power plants to avoid cleaning up contamination that threatens our drinking water sources.”

The EPA said it remains Committed to Protecting Water through “common-sense and workable limits” on Wastewater Discharges from Power Plants and said its New Rule would “rescind certain one-size-fits-all limits” in Favor of “case-by-case, data-driven discharge limits.”

The EPA had Estimated in 2024, that its New Rule that Year, would Reduce Pollutant Discharges by 660 to 672 Million Pounds per year, Provide $3.2 billion in Public Health Benefits each year and Especially Benefit “low-income communities and communities of color that are disproportionately impacted by pollution from coal-fired power plants.”

It had Projected that Electricity Bills for the Average Residential Household would Increase by less than $3.50 per year.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker