Monday morning news: May 26, 2025

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Budget bill latest » Senate Republicans now are taking a hard look at the budget bill passed in the House last week. That is, of course, what the president calls his ‘big beautiful bill.’

It includes tax cuts and funding for the president’s other top priorities on border enforcement and national security.

Those are things all Senate Republicans can get behind. But some, like Sen. Rand Paul, say it fails to address Washington’s spending problem.

PAUL:  I support spending cuts. I think the cuts currently in the bill are wimpy and anemic, but I still would support the bill even with wimpy and anemic cuts if they weren't going to explode the debt.

The Congressional Budget Office projects that the bill would add trillions to the national debt over a decade.

And Paul says the spiraling national debt is a threat to America’s national security.

House Speaker Mike Johnson responded Sunday:

JOHNSON:  The national debt is our, the greatest threat to our national security and deficits are a serious problem. What I think Rand is missing on this one is the fact that we are quite serious about this. This is the biggest spending cut in more than 30 years.

Speaker Johnson adds that turning the debt around takes time, but the president and Republicans in both chambers are committed to that end.

While some Republicans are concerned about overspending. Democrats slam the bill, claiming it will cut important benefits and hand tax cuts to the wealthy.

Trump speech to West Point » President Trump addressed graduating military cadets at West Point over the weekend.

TRUMP:  Every cadet on the field before me should savor this morning 'cause this is a day that you will never, ever forget.

The president blended praise with politics In his commencement address. He criticized past administrations for involving US troops in what he framed as unwise overseas entanglements.

TRUMP:  They sent our warriors on nation building crusades to nations that wanted nothing to do with us, led by leaders that didn't have a clue in distant lands.

He also took aim at the prior administration for DEI initiatives and imposing social ideology on the military.

Those days, he said, are over.

Nuclear power » Republicans are pushing back against criticism of President Trump’s push to speed up production of nuclear energy.

Trump signed executive orders Friday to grant the energy secretary authority to approve advanced reactor designs and projects. Critics claim the moves could compromise safety.

But GOP Sen. John Barrasso says:

BARRASSO:  Never again can we de be dependent on Russia or China for nuclear material or anything related to energy. The president is absolutely right. Uh, we need to meet uranium here. The next generation nuclear power plants here.

Barrasso says ramping up energy production is key to America’s economy and national security. He adds that we’ll need massive amounts of energy to win the AI race against China.

Friday's orders would reorganize the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to ensure quicker reviews of nuclear projects, including an 18-month deadline for the NRC to act on industry applications.

SNAP sugary foods » Numerous states are asking the Trump administration for waivers banning food-stamp recipients from using those benefits to buy sodas and candy.

Indiana Governor Mike Braun:

BRAUN:  It doesn't make sense, and that's where you get the worst of government involved. They want to push it, I think, for the wrong reasons. Then you get industry buying into it. Yeah. That's not gonna fly with the current administration, nor with mine here in Indiana.

Some companies and lobbying groups are pushing back against the change, including the National Confectioners Association, which argues that the restriction is not really affecting change. They claim candy purchases represent only 2% of purchases using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance benefits - or SNAP - benefits.

Last week, a panel commissioned by the Department of Health and Human Services issued a report identifying poor nutrition as a key driver of chronic disease in America.

SOUND: [Ukrainian prisoners return]

Russia and Ukraine complete prisoner swap hours after Moscow launches major aerial assault » Former Ukrainian prisoners of war heard there returning to Ukraine after Kyiv and Moscow complete a major prisoner swap.

The two countries exchanged more than 300 prisoners on Sunday after exchanging hundreds more on Friday and Saturday.

At least one soldier plans to head right back to the front lines.

AUDIO: [Speaking Ukrainian]

He said, "We’ll return anyway and we'll enlist again, we’ll take weapons into our hands and defend Ukraine once again.

Sunday’s exchange came just hours after Russian drones and missiles again rained down on Kyiv in other regions in another massive attack, killing at least 12 people.

I'm Kent Covington.

Still ahead, the Monday Legal Docket. Plus, a musical History Book commemorating Memorial Day with WORLD’s Bob Case.

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