Another Big GOP to Step Down from Congress

Powerful House Sam Graves (R-MO, 6th-District) is Stepping Away from Congress after more than Two Decades, adding another Name to the Growing Roster of Lawmakers calling it Quits.

The 62-year-old Missourian, who Chairs the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, said He's Withdrawing His Re-Election Paperwork and will Retire at the End of His 13th Term.

"I think it is time for me to step down," He said, noting that the Move isn't about Frustration with Gridlock or Fears about Re-Election in His Solidly Republican District.

He Added in a Social Media Post that He's "making room for the next generation."

His Exit comes amid a Record Setting Wave of House Retirements for a Midterm Cycle, with more than 50 Members Opting Not to Run again.

The New York Times Calls it "the latest sign that the GOP is bracing for big losses." Graves has Led the Transportation Panel's GOP Side since 2019, and even Secured a Rare Waiver to Stay on Past the Party's usual Six-year Cap for Committee Leaders.

Before He Leaves, He aims to Push through a Major Surface Transportation Bill, and Secure Funding to Modernize Air Traffic Control.

After Congress, He says He Wants to Help Businesses Navigate the Legislative Process. Graves named Rep. David Rouzer (R-NC, 7th District) as the Best Suited to take over the Transportation Gavel.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Ukraine Agrees to Defense Cooperation with UAE and Qatar

Ukraine on 3/28/2026 Agreed to Co-Operate on Defence with the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, as President Volodymyr Zelenskiy Travelled to both Countries amid Escalating Tensions in the Region.

Qatar's Defence Ministry said in a Statement on Saturday, that Doha and Kyiv have Signed a Defence Co-Operation Agreement which includes the Exchange of Expertise in Countering Missiles and Unmanned Aerial Systems.

"We are talking about a 10-year partnership. We have already signed the agreement with Saudi Arabia, and we have just signed a similar 10-year agreement with Qatar," Zelenskiy told Reporters during an Online Briefing. "We will also sign a 10-year agreement with the UAE. It will happen within the next several days."

Zelenskiy had earlier been to the UAE and Met President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, as the Two Countries Agreed to Co-Operate in the Fields of Security and Defence.

The U.S.-Israeli War on Iran has Killed more than 2,000 People, Upended Global Markets and Effectively Shut the Strait of Hormuz.

Ukraine has Offered its Air-Defence Expertise and Drone Technology to Countries in the Region.

Zelenskiy Hopes to Draw Support from the Gulf Nations in Ukraine's War against Russia, which is now in its Fifth year, as Western Military aid Faces New Uncertainty and Kyiv Scrambles for Cash to Cover its Budget Deficit and Fund Domestic Weapon Production.

More than 200 Ukrainian Military and Security Experts have been Dispatched to Advise Middle East Countries on how to Intercept Drone Attacks that have Wreaked Havoc on Energy Infrastructure Across the Region. Zelenskiy said that during His Visits, He sought to Build Strategic Relationships with the Gulf Region and Raise Funds to Invest in Weapons Production in Ukraine.

The Talks focused on Weapons Co-Production, Exchanging Experiences, and also on Securing Energy and Fuel Supplies to Ukraine, Zelenskiy said.

Zelenskiy Agreed on Diesel Supplies for a year to Ukraine, but Provided No other Details. Diesel is Key for the Ukrainian Armed Forces and for the Country's Agricultural Sector.

Ukraine needed about 700,000 Liters of Diesel a Month, Zelenskiy said, Adding that the Army was Fully Supplied.

Earlier this Week, Zelenskiy Visited Saudi Arabia where the Two Countries also Signed an Agreement on Defence Co-Operation.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

DHS Says Cory Lewandowski Left

Corey Lewandowski (R), a Special Government Employee, who Served as a Top Adviser to former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem (R), Has Departed from His Post at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), a Spokesperson Confirmed.

“Mr. Lewandowski no longer has a role at DHS,” a Department Spokesperson said 3/28/2026 Amid Questions about whether Lewandowski would be Leaving the Agency, where He was Serving as a Special Government Employee.

Noem’s Firing came amid Mounting Scrutiny of Noem on several Fronts, including over Her Relationship with Lewandowski, and His Role Overseeing Contracts at DHS.

Last week, Democratic Lawmakers Launched an Inquiry into Lewandowski, and whether He sought Personal Payments from Contractors while Working at DHS.

The Inquiry came after NBC News Rreported that Lewandowski asked some DHS Contractors to be Paid In-Exchange for Protecting and Growing their Contracts with the Department.

Democratic Senators have also Opened a Separate Inquiry into whether Noem or Lewandowski Personally Profited from a $220 million Ad Contract that Featured Noem in 2025.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Trump Admin Suit Thrown Out

In yet another Legal Blow, a Federal Judge has Dismissed the Trump (R) Administration's Lawsuit trying to Overturn Minnesota's Policy of giving In-State Tuition Rates to certain Immigrants Without Legal Status.

The Case, Heard by U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez, Argued that Minnesota's Policy is Pre-Empted by the Federal Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IRAIRA), which States that "Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an alien who is not lawfully present in the United States shall not be eligible on the basis of residence within a State (or a political subdivision) for any post secondary education benefit unless a citizen or national of the United States is eligible for such a benefit (in no less an amount)".

Specifically, the Trump Administration pointed to the Resident Tuition Statute, its Use in the Resident Student Statute, that Defines a "Resident Student," and these Laws' use in Qualification for the North Star Promise Program for Free Tuition. They Argued that Technically, the Way this is Worded, some Immigrants could Qualify for Free Tuition that Ssimilarly Ssituated Citizens could Not.

Menendez Rejected this Argument, by Pointing-Out that the Tuition Law Doesn't Solely apply to People who lLve in Minnesota, or Universally Apply to All People in the State; the Requirements, She noted, are Residency-Neutral, only Turning on how many Years have been Completed at a Minnesota High School.

"The plain text of § 1623 is clear: it does not preempt the Minnesota statutes because the Resident Tuition Statute does not determine eligibility for Resident Tuition on the basis of residence. Defendants’ Motion [to dismiss] is granted," wrote Menendez.

This comes as Judges around the Country find Trump's Administration has been Trying to Illegally Rewrite the Law across the Board, from Immigration Law, to even Infrastructure Law.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Canada in Talks with Trump on Major New Deal

Canada and the U.S. States might be Facing the Worst Political Tensions the Two Countries have Experienced in Decades, but that hasn’t Stopped Ottawa from Speaking with Trump Oofficials about Reviving a Long-Dead Cross-Border Oil Pipeline. On 3/24/226, Reports that Canadian Officials Spoke with Representatives from the Trump (R) Administration about Resurrecting the Keystone XL Pipeline, a Project that has had a Long and Confusing History since it was First Proposed.

The Canadian Pipeline Company South Bow and its Partner in the U.S., Bridge Pipeline, are Masterminds behind the Keystone XL Plan, which could Increase Canada’s Crude Oil Exports South-of-the-Border by over 12%. The Government of Alberta Noted in a Report on the Pipeline that Keystone XL was First Proposed in 2008, as an Extension to the Existing Keystone Pipeline Network.

The Keystone XL Pipeline was a Planned 1,179-mile (1,897km) Development that would Run from the Alberta Oil Sands Town of Hardisty to Steele City in Nebraska, where it would Join-Up with an Existing Pipeline Network. Development of the Pipeline was Blocked by the Obama (D) Administration in 2015. Trump Allowed the Project to move Ahead during His First Term, but Biden (D) Later Pulled the Permits for the Project in 2021, Effectively Killing the Pipline Expansion.

However, with Trump Back-in-Power, it may be Possible for Keystone XL to move Ahead once again, and that seems to be the Thinking in Canada. According to a Key official, the pipeline was recently the topic of discussion with the Trump administration. On March 25th, the Canadian Energy and Natural Resources Minister, Tim Hodgson, said that He and Canadian Ambassador to the U.S., Mark Wiseman, Discussed Keystone XL with the U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright (R) and U.S. Secretary of the ⁠Interior Doug Burgum (R) while Meeting with the Key American Officials in Houston, TX.

Reuters Reported that Hodgson Noted during an Interview at the CERAWeek by S&P Global Conference that the Canadian Energy and Natural Resources Minister Framed the Prospect of a New Pipeline between Canada and the U.S. as an Option that could Assist the U.S. with its Energy Security Goals, even Amid the Ongoing War with Iran.

“Yes, [the United States is] the largest producer of oil in the world, they’re at 12-13 million barrels per day — but they consume 20,” Hodgson Reportedly explained. “And they understand that Canada provides about 63 per cent of that difference.”

Despite the Political Tensions Caused by the Trump’s Tariff Attacks and His 51st State Rhetoric, Trump has Repeatedly Called for Lower Oil Prices, and many Producers in the U.S. Rely on Canada to Provide them with the Roughly 4.4 million Barrels that Canadian Oil Companies Export South of the Border Every Day. But can Resurrecting the Keystone XL Pipeline really help?

Hodgsonr reportedly declined to say whether the U.s. was interested in moving ahead with the Keystone XL Project again. However, the Prospect that the Pipeline could be Revisited is an Interesting One Amid the Current Political Tension. However, Hodgson did Note He believed Wright and Burgum were “thoughtfully looking at all of the options to make sure the world has the oil it needs to function.”

CTV News noted that an Unnamed Trump Administration Official said the Trump’s Team was Working with Canada on the Permits needed to Resurrect the Project. The Outlet noted that the Project is Fully Permitted on the Canadian Side, but Presidential Permits and State Regulatory Permits are Needed to Bring the Pipeline Back.

“The president’s entire energy team has been working diligently with our partners in Canada to work through the permitting process,” the U.S. Official Reportedly said. Even if Canada does Not Revive the Keystone XL Pipeline Plan, Ottawa is Aggressively Working to Expand the Country’s Oil Exports under Mark Carney, to New Markets around the World, by Completing its Expansion of the Trans Mountain Pipeline.

The Trans Mountain Pipeline runs from Alberta to British Columbia. The New Expansion will Allow the Pipeline to be able to Handle 300,000 more Barrels per Day. Canada’s Prime Minister has been Working to Reduce Canadian Reliance on the U.S. States as the Main Market for the Nation’s Exports. According to the Canadian Energy Centre, Crude Oil Exports to the U.S. made up 22% of All Canadian Goods Exports in 2024.

"What we need to do, as the Prime Minister has said, is not sell less to the United States. We ​need to sell more to other people," Hodgson Explained.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Putin Forced to Beg for Money to Continue to Fund Ukraine War

Russian President Vladimir Putin is Reportedly seeking Hefty Donations from Russia's Wealthy Upper Class to help Fund the Increasingly Expensive Ukraine War. Sources told The Financial Times that Putin wants more Money so he can continue the now Four Year War, with the Goal of Forces Capturing the Rest of Ukraine's Eastern Donbas Region that it hasn't already taken Over.

The Kremlin's Request for Funds Suggests that Putin continues to March forward with the Invasion, despite its Draining Effect on the Country's Budget. Putin Aide Fears 'Nuclear Conflict' as 'Biggest War' in Middle East Still Ahead. The War has ballooned Russia's Defense Costs to an Estimated 15.5 trillion Rubles ($191 billion) in 2025, up from an Estimated 9.1 trillion Rubles ($86.4 billion) in 2022.

Putin called on "voluntary contributions" to the Wartime Budget during Private Meetings with Top Business Executives, as Reported by Russian independent News Outlet The Bell. A Personal Ask from the President essentially points to it being "all but inconceivable" to Turn Down Funding for the War, Reports the Financial Times.

So far, at least Two Wealthy Businessmen have Reportedly Pledged to Donate Funds to the Kremlin's Budget. Some of these Donors include Russian Senator Suleiman Kerimov, who has an Estimated Net Worth of More than $25 billion. Kerimov reportedly said He'd be Willing to Donate around 100 billion rubles ($1.23 billion).

Metals Magnate Oleg Deripaska, believed to be Worth more than $7 billion, also Agreed to Contribute. Both Kerimov and Deripaska have been Sanctioned by the U.S. and Ukraine. Earlier this month, the Russian Government is Preparing to Potentially Cut 10% of All "Non-Sensitive" Spending in the 2026 Budget. However, the Final Say depends on how Sustainable the Oil Price Hike Triggered by the Iran War is.

As the U.S. Iran War continues, it seems Russia has received an unlikely Payday Caused by the Conflict. Analysis Suggests Russia is Pulling in nearly $690 million in Oil Revenues each Day due to the War.

A Report by the Kyiv School of Economics (KSE) Institute, Released Earlier this Month, suggests that Russia's Oil and Gas Sales will Double from around $12bn to nearly $24bn in 3/2026. But that will be Reduced, as Ukraine Slowly Destroys their Ability to sell Oil and Gas.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Ukraine and Saudi Arabia Sign Defense Deal

Ukraine President Zelenskyy sought Saudi Backing, as the U.S. Reportedly weighed Shifting Eeapons to the Middle East. The U.S. Troop Buildup in the Middle East Suggests Limited Operations, Not a Ground Invasion, Analysts told CNBC. EU Funding for Ukraine was Thrown into Doubt after Hungary Vetoed Aaid.

Zelenskyy on Friday, said the Country had Signed an Agreement on Defense Cooperation with Saudi Arabia, that Lays the Foundation for Future Contracts and Investment. The Deal, which came during Zelenskyy's Surprise Visit to the Oil-Rich Kingdom, was Signed Ahead of His Meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. "We are ready to share our expertise and systems with Saudi Arabia, and towWork together to strengthen the protection of lives," Zelenskyy said in a Social Mmedia Post.

"Now into the fifth year, Ukrainians are resisting the same kind of terrorist attacks – ballistic missiles and drones – that the Iranian regime is currently carrying out in the Middle East and the Gulf region." Zelenskyy added that Saudi Arabia "also has capabilities that are of interest to Ukraine, and this cooperation can be mutually beneficial."

Zelenskyy Met with Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah, to Discuss the Escalating Military Tensions in the Middle East, and the War in Ukraine. Zelenskyy said He Expected to Hold "important meetings" during this Trip, as Kyiv Offered its Air-Defense Expertise and Drone Technology to Countries in the Region Reeling from the Iranian Strikes.

More than 200 Ukrainian Experts have been Dispatched to Advise Middle East Ccountries on how to Intercept Attacks that have Wreaked Havoc on Energy Infrastructure across the Region. Zelenskyy is Hoping to Ddraw Ssupport from the Gulf Nations in Kyiv's War against Russia, which is Now in its Fifth year and Western Military Aid Faces New Encertainty.

Iran's Shahed-136 'Kamikaze' Drone has become a Fixture of Modern Warfare, with Moscow Utilizing the Technology in its Years-Long Invasion of Ukraine. Ukraine has found some Success in Downing Drones with Fighter Jet Cannon Fire and recently Pioneered the Development of Cheaper Mass-Produced Interceptors. In an earlier Speech to the U.K. Parliament on 3/17/2026, Zelenskyy sought to Draw Parallels between the Iran War and Kyiv's Battle with Russia.

"If, together with Partners in the Middle East, we build a [military] system like Ukraine's, they will be able to track attacks from Iran or the Houthis in real time, analyze them, keep improving their defense – giving people, critical infrastructure, and trade routes real security," He said.

Zelenskyy's trip comes as the Pentagon was Weighing Redirecting the Equipment and Weapons Intended for Ukraine, to the Middle East, as the Conflict with Iran Strains Existing American Munitions Stockpiles. The Trump Administration was also considering Sending another 10,000 Troops to the Middle East, adding to the Buildup of roughly 5,000 Marines and Thousands of Paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division in the Region.

The Growing U.S. Military Presence in the Middle East has Fueled Concerns about a Ground Attack against Iran, even as Both Sides Held on to Contradictory Signals on Potential Peace Talks. Trump on 3/26/2026 Insisted that the Negotiations were going Well, while Tehran has Denied any Direct Talks with the U.S.

"All announcements regarding troop deployments will come from the Department of War. As we have said, Trump always has all military options at his disposal," White House Spokesperson Anna Kelly (R) told CNBC in an emailed Statement. Ukraine is also Facing Renewed Russian Offensives as U.S. Backed Peace Talks Stalled, while Struggling to Secure Fresh Commitments from NATO Allies to Replenish Stocks of American-made Air Defense Interceptors capable of Countering High-Speed Russian Ballistic Missiles.

A Critical €90 billion ($104 billion) European Union Loan Package for Ukraine, has also been Thrown into Question after Hungary Vetoed the Financial Aid. Military Experts said the Scale of Additional Troop Deployments to the Region Appeared Consistent with Plans for Discrete, Time-Limited Operations, rather than a Sustained Ground Campaign. Former Assistant Secretary of State Mark Kimmitt said Friday, that the Number of American Troops being Mobilized to the Region so far, pointed to Targeted Missions rather than a Broader Land War.

"There may be a specific operation that [Trump] has in mind, but unless you're going to be bringing in some very, very light units, this is going to take a significant period of time before we get those troops on the ground," the Retired Brigadier General told CNBC's "Squawk Box Asia" on 3/27/2026y. A Direct Ground Assault on Tehran would Require a Minimum of Two to Three Divisions, He Said, a Scale-of-Force that is Neither in Current Planning, nor One the American Public would Tolerate.

The more Plausible Sscenario, He Suggested, was Targeted High-Risk Missions: a Paratroop Insertion onto Kharg Island, the Hub for the Vast Majority of Iran's Crude Exports, or a Marine Landing along the Coast, to Seize Control of the Strait of Hormuz. "There are lots of different small-scale tactical operations that could be conducted — but nothing of the strategic importance or operational scale that would indicate a ground invasion," Kimmitt said.

Retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Daniel Davis, Estimated Thursday that only 4,000 to 5,000 "Trigger Pullers" or Ground Troops were being Ddeployed in the Region. "I have seen no evidence that any kind of force of size has been even considered, much less alerted, prepared, equipped, or trained up that you would need to go. … That takes months of time to do," Davis, a Senior Fellow and Military Expert at Defense Priorities.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker