Republican Defiance Over Trump Fundings

Republicans in the U.S. Congress have Revolted over Trump's (R) $1.776 billion Fund for People He says were Vvictims of Government "Weaponization," setting the stage for a searing Battle less than six months before Midterm Elections. On 5/21/2026, the Senate called Timeout on a $72 billion Spending Bill on Immigration Enforcement, which has become a Battleground over the "anti-weaponization" Fund, after many Republican Senators demanded that it either be killed or Subjected to Tough Guardrails.

Democrats, meanwhile, have also Pledged to use the Immigration Bill to Stage an Attack on the Fund. Just One day earlier, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) Blocked $1 billion in Federal Funding for a White House Ballroom that Trump has already begun Building. He said he did Not have the Republican Votes for it.

On 5/22/2026, Trump shot back: "I am helping others, who were so badly abused by an evil, corrupt, and weaponized Biden Administration, receive, at long last, JUSTICE!" Trump wrote on His Social Media Platform. This Battle of Wills between Trump and His Party, Stoked by recent Primary Election Victories of Trump Endorsed Challengers over Sitting Lawmakers, Threatens to Intensify when Congress returns from Recess 6/2026, and could Reverberate into the November Midterms.

"The American people are going to reject this out of hand," Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) said of the Anti-Weaponization Fund, whose Beneficiaries could include those Convicted in Connection with the Attack on the Capitol on 1/6/2021. While many Republican Senators were Uncharacteristically Mum, coming out of a 5/21/2026 Meeting on the Spending Bill, Tillis and Others were Clear on just how Politically Unpalatable Trump's Demands had become. "(The fund) could potentially compensate someone who assaulted a police officer, admitted their guilt, got convicted, got pardoned and now we're going to pay them for that? That's absurd," Tillis, who is Not running for Re-Election, said.

Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), who faces a Tough Re-Election Battle this Fall, Teamed-Up with Representative Tom Suozzi (D-NY, 3rd District) on Legislation to Prohibit the Payment of any Claims Submitted to the Fund. Retiring Representative Don Bacon (NE-2nd District) said the Ballroom and Aanti-Weaponization Funds in the Immigration Spending Bill had become "Poison Pills" for House Republicans who face Tough Re-Election Campaigns. With Republicans holding only Slim Majorities in both Houses of Congress, it would only take a Handful of Defiant Lawmakers to Defeat Trump's Proposals.

But Skepticism Runs Deep that Congressional Republicans, who until recently have been Loyal to Trump on Matters from Tariffs to Spending Cuts to the Iran War, were ready to Break Ranks. "We've heard this talk for 10 years now of rebellion and cracks in the coalition. It has never happened," said Doug Heye (R), a longtime Strategist. He said Republicans are "constantly capitulating" on matters Important to Trump, and that any Revolt would be "light years" away.

Many of Trump's Backers in Congress, including Representatives Abraham Hamadeh (R-AZ, 8th District) and John Rose (R-TN, 6th District), have Stepped up to Ddefend Him. "Not a single congressional Republican was elected to oppose President Trump," Hamadeh posted on X, adding: "Yet an insurgency is already brewing" in the Senate. "STOP slamming the brakes on the America First agenda."

Peter Ticktin, an Attorney representing more than 400 January 6 Defendants, said He was Confident His Clients will receive Payouts, despite Congressional Pushback. "They're fools if they think this is going to work," Ticktin said of Senate Republicans who Oppose the Fund. "It's still going to go through, and those opposing the fund will suffer in future elections."

Meanwhile the Democrats, while Largely Powerless as the Minority Party in both Houses of Congress, are seizing on what they see as Trump's Politically Tone-Deaf Proposals. They have Contrasted the Plight of U.S. Consumers Struggling amid Inflation to {ay their Bills, with Trump's Lavish Ballroom Plans and the Large Sums of Government Money He might Direct to the January 6 Rioters or otherAallies. "Is it possible on May 21, 2026, Republicans finally found an ethical bridge too far?" Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), the Second-Highest-Ranking Member of Democrats' Senate Leadership, said at a 5/21/2026 Press Conference.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (NY) on 5/21/2026 Portrayed Republicans as being in the Throes of a "Meltdown" over the Ballroom and what they call a Trump "slush fund." One possibility for Congressional Republicans after they Return from Recess on 6/1/2026 to seek some sort of Middle Ground. One Source familiar with the Maneuverings, said there are Discussions about Proposed Guardrails on the Fund, such as Standards for Who would Serve on a Commission Overseeing it, or Requiring Judicial Review of it.

At the very least, Democrats will likely do what they can to Force their Opponents to Cast Politically Difficult Votes on Amendments to the Spending Bill.

Democratic Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) this Week, told Reporters He had Drafted 13 such Amendments. One would Bar Payments to January 6th Rioters who Assaulted Law Enforcement at the Capitol, while Others would Prohibit the Use of any Taxpayer Money to make Payments, and Rrequire All Payments to be made Public, if the Fund Survives, a Spokesperson for the Senator said.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Ukraine Reaches Deal with Russia on Evacuation from Oleshky

Ukraine has Agreed on Technical Issues with Russia, regarding the Evacuation of around 6,000 Civilians from the Oleshky area. Kyiv is currently Awaiting a Ceasefire Date from Russia, in Order to begin Evacuating People, stated the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets.

According to the Ombudsman, the Evacuation Plan covers the City of Oleshky and several nearby Settlements. Among the 6,000 People to be Evacuated are around 200 Children. Talks on this Issue took place on 5/15/2026.

"At present, we have technically discussed all issues. We are waiting for a date from the Russian side when the ceasefire process will be launched, and the physical evacuation will begin," He said.

Lubinets Clarified that the Evacuation will be Carried Out to Ukrainian Controlled Territory. First, the People will be taken to a Relatively Safe Location, after which the Ukrainian Side will Collect them, and bring them Back to the Territory, under the Control of the Ukrainian Government. The Ombudsman Stressed that a Rreal Humanitarian Catastrophe has been Unfolding in Oleshky for Several Months.

"In other words, people are sitting in basements, active combat operations are taking place there, there are bombings, drones are being used, food has practically run out, and there is not enough drinking water," Lubinets said.

Ukraine First sent a Request to the Red Cross and Russia at the Beginning of March, to Organize a Humanitarian Corridor from Oleshky and nearby Aareas in the Kherson Region. Since then, the Security and Humanitarian Situation in these Settlements has Significantly Wworsened.

Earlier, the 21st Separate Unmanned Systems Regiment Kraken 1654 of the 3rd Army Corps of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, carried out an Operation to Rescue Civilians in the Lyman Direction using Unmanned Ground Vehicles.

In addition, Due to Worsening Security Conditions and Constant Strikes, a Mandatory Evacuation was Announced in One of the Districts of the Dnipropetrovsk Region. Residents of several Settlements were Ordered to Leave within 30 days.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Hegseth Facing Pressure over Ukraine Aid Package

A Bipartisan Group of Senators is Pushing Back on Delays by the Department of Defense/War (DOD/DOW) in Sending $600 Million in Security Aid to Ukraine, and other Allies in Eastern Europe, Dispatching a Letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (R) on 5/22/2026 that Calls for the Funding to be Disbursed. Friction has grown between Congress and the Trump Administration in recent weeks, as Lawmakers from both sides of the Aisle push for Updates on what has happened with $400 million in Ukraine and $200 million More for Defense Programs in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. The Money was Allocated by Congress 2025.

Even Republican Lawmakers have Aired their Frustration as Trump's (R) Administration Disengages with Ukraine and other European Allies.

"Ukraine has Persistently and Bravely Repelled a Four-Year Russian Onslaught, but its Military needs and Deserves Continued American Support," said Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) in the Joint Letter.

During a Congressional Hearing over Three weeks ago, Hegseth had told Lawmakers that the Ukraine Funding had been "Released" and a Spending Plan would soon be sent to Lawmakers. But the Senators say the Pentagon Failed to Meet the Promised 5/15/2026 Deadline for that Plan. "Any further delays — particularly as the Department reportedly plans troubling U.S. troops withdrawals from the region — risks our ability to adequately deter Russia," the Senators said.

The Letter was the Latest Sign of Senate Republican Frustration with the Trump Administration, after a Week in which Trump Endorsed the Primary Challenger to Texas Sen. John Cornyn (R), Angering Many.

In a back-and-forth with Trump on Social Media 5/22/2026, Tillis Blamed Trump's Advisors for a List of Policies He says, are Hurting the GOP Politically, including, "Firing our very best generals and not holding Putin accountable for his systematic kidnapping, rape, torture, and murder of Ukrainian civilians."

Several Republicans have also taken Issue with Hegseth's Firing of Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George last month. George had Pushed to Rreconfigure the Army's Battlefield Strategy to Incorporate Drone Warfare and had Worked with Ukraine's Military to Learn from its Experience.

In the House, a Democratic-Backed Proposal to Impose Sweeping Sanctions on Russia and Send $1 Billion in Military Aid to Ukraine has Gained Momentum as well. While that Aid Package is Unlikely to become Law, it’s Helping Fuel a Renewed Push among Lawmakers for Supporting Ukraine’s War Effort.

The $400 Million in Security Aid for Ukraine is Relatively Small Compared to the Multi-Dillion Dollar Aid Ppackages that Congress Initially Approved in the Months and years immediately following Russia's Invasion, but for Llawmakers, the Provision has also taken on Significance as a Sign of their Continued Support.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Crypto News Limited Master Account

The U.S. Federal Reserve, is Proposing a New Type of Limited Master Account, that would give Cryptocurrency Companies some Access to the Central Bank’s Payment system, a Service traditionally Reserved for Banks.

The Proposal would Allow Crypto Firms to use Payment and Settlement Services through the Fed, though with Stricter Limits than Traditional Bank Accounts.

Crypto Companies would Not Receive Benefits: such as Intraday Credit, Access to the Fed’s Discount Window, or Interest on Reserve Balances.

Instead, the Accounts would Mainly Support Payment Processing with Safeguards to Prevent Overdrafts.

The Crypto Industry has Long pushed for Access to the Fed’s Payment Infrastructure, Viewing it as a way to Llower Costs and Gain Legitimacy, Although some Firms have Criticized the Proposal as Offering only “skinny accounts.”

The Fed has Opened the Plan for Public Comment, and the move follows Kraken becoming the First Crypto Bank Earlier this Year, to Receive a Limited Master Account through the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City.

This matters because it Signals that the Federal Reserve is becoming more Open to Integrating Crypto Companies into the Traditional Financial System, potentially giving the Industry Greater Legitimacy, Cheaper Payment Processing, and more Direct Access to U.S. Financial Infrastructure.

Even though the Proposed Accounts are Limited, the Move could Pave the Way for Faster Crypto Transactions, Stronger Institutional Adoption, and Closer Ties between Digital Assets and Mainstream Banking.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Trump Clears Path to Drill Minie Log on Public Land

Trump’s (R) Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has Officially Overturned the Rule, that Required the Government to put Conservation on Equal Footing with Oil and Gas Interests. By Repealing it, Tipped-the-Scales further in Favor of their Big Oil Buddies.

The BLM will No Longer Prioritize Land Conservation. The move Paves the Way for Wholesale Drilling, Mining, and Logging Operations across 245 million Acres of Public Land.

Now we need to Rally Environmental Allies in Congress, to Block Trump’s Policies.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Farm-to-Fuel Momentum in Asia’s Biofuels Push

Asia is Experiencing a “Farm-to-Fuel” Transformation, where Agricultural Waste and Byproducts are being Repurposed into Biofuels, Bioplastics, and other Value-Added Products to boost Energy Security, Reduce Emissions, and Create Rural Economic Opportunities.

From Waste to Renewable Energy: Agricultural Waste, including Crop Residues, Food Scraps, and Livestock Manure, is Increasingly seen as a Misallocated RIn China, Anaerobic Digestion and Composting are the Main Routes for Biogas and Organic Fertilizers, while Malaysia is Promoting Waste Valorization to Improve the 23% currently Repurposed Asia Pathways. Thailand and Malaysia’s Sugarcane and Palm Oil Industries show Strong Potential to Convert Waste into Food, Energy, and Fertilizers Asia Pathways. Japan’s Yuge Farm in Kobe Processes Dairy Waste and Food Scraps into 2,400 m³ of Biogas Annually, Equivalent to 518 kWh of Electricity Asia Pathways.

Policy and Market Drivers: The Asian Clean Fuels Association (ACFA) Notes that Successful Biofuel Programs Require Robust Policy Design, Stakeholder Engagement, and Scientific Analysis of Land, Water, and Food, Demand Impacts. Countries like Philippines and Thailand, have Implemented Biofuel Programs Effectively, while others face Challenges such as: Climate Variability Concerns, Feasibility, and Food Price. The Hormuz Energy Crisis has further Accelerated Demand, as Biofuels can be Blended into Gasoline and Diesel, to extend Fuel Supplies Bloomberg.

Environmental and Economic Benefits: Biofuels from Ffarm Waste offer Dual Benefits: Reducing Fossil Fuel Dependence and Lowering Greenhouse Gas Emissions. In Nepal, Full Manure Utilization could Produce 3.04 Billion m³ of Biogas Annually, Offsetting 4.35 Million Tons of CO₂ Equivalent Asia Pathways. In the Pacific, Biofuels are also seen as a “Gold Rush” Factor for Rural Incomes and Agricultural Commodity Prices Food and Agriculture Organization.

Key Hurdles include: Feedstock Availability and Competition with Food Production Fitch Solutions. Infrastructure Gaps for Collection, Processing, and Bistribution. Policy Coherence to Balance Energy, Food, and Environmental Goals, Market Acceptance and Integration into Existing Fuel Supply Chains.

Outlook: With Climate Goals, Energy Security concerns, and Circular Economy Principles gaining Traction, Farm-to-Fuel Systems in Asia are expected to Expand. The Focus is Shifting toward Low or Zero-Carbon Biofuels that can Compete with Battery Electric Vehicles on Lifecycle Emissions. If Feedstock Supply Chains, Policy Frameworks, and Technology Adoption Improve, Asia could become a Major Hub for Sustainable Biofuel Production, Turning Waste into a Strategic Energy Asset.

The Key Commodities Affected by the Biofuels Movement in Asia are: Palm Oil, Maize, Sugarcane, Soybean, Cassava, and Coconut Oil. While Biofuel Use and Production will Continue to be Driven by the World’s most Important Agricultural Markets like Brazil, India, and the U.S.

Southeast Asia, a Region of more than 700mn People with an ever Increasing Energy Demand, is steadily turning to Biofuels as part of its Broader Energy Transition. But many have Cars that will Not beable to use this type of Fuel.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Trump Closes Migrants Stay in US Waiting for Green Cards

The Trump (R) Administration is moving to Close what it describes as a Loophole, that allows Migrants to Remain in the U.S. while awaiting Permanent Residency.

On 5/22/2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced New Guidance directing Immigration Officers to Treat the Transition from Temporary Non-Immigrant Status to Permanent Immigrant Status under Section 245(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), as a Process that should Ggenerally take place Outside the U.S.

Under the Guidance, Individuals seeking Lawful Permanent Residency would Typically be Required to Return to their Home Country, complete Screening Procedures, and Obtain an Immigrant Visa through the U.S. Department of State (DOS) before Re-Entering the U.S. as Immigrants.

USCIS Director Joseph Edlow (R) emphasized the Trump Administration is Reinforcing the Distinction between Temporary Entry and Permanent Residence. “Under President Trump, USCIS is returning to the original intent of the law and reinforcing the proper distinction between temporary admission and permanent residence. Aliens who come to the United States temporarily and later seek permanent residency should pursue an immigrant visa through the proper channels in their home countries before being admitted as immigrants.”

The Document further states that Individuals should Only be Allowed to Remain in the U/S. and Complete the Adjustment of Status Process Domestically in “extraordinary circumstances,” with Vetting Conducted by USCIS Officers, rather than through the Standard Immigrant Visa Process Abroad. The Agency instructs Immigration Officers to weigh All Relevant Factors on a Case-by-Case Basis when Determining whether someone Qqualifies for this Type of Administrative Relief.

Under Section 245(a) of the INA, States that the Status of an Individual who was “inspected and admitted or paroled into the United States” may be Adjusted to Lawful Permanent Resident Status at the Attorney General’s Discretion, provided the Individual Applies for Adjustment, is “eligible to receive an immigrant visa,” is Admissible for Permanent Residence, and that “an immigrant visa is immediately available” at the Time the Application is Filed.

The Aadministration’s New Guidance Argues that these Provisions should be Interpreted more Narrowly, Emphasizing Immigrant Visa Eligibility and Overseas Processing rather than Allowing Applicants already in the U.S. to Complete Adjustment of Status Domestically except in certainCcircumstances. USCIS Spokesman Zach Kahler (R) said Individuals in the U.S. on Temporary Status who Seek Lawful Permanent Rresidency, should Generally Complete that Process from their Home Countries.

“We’re returning to the original intent of the law to ensure aliens navigate our nation’s immigration system properly. From now on, an alien who is in the U.S. temporarily and wants a Green Card must return to their home country to apply, except in extraordinary circumstances,” Kahler said in a Statement.

“This policy allows our immigration system to function as the law intended instead of incentivizing loopholes. When aliens apply from their home country, it reduces the need to find and remove those who decide to slip into the shadows and remain in the U.S. illegally after being denied residency,” He continued.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker