House Advances Reconciliation Bill as Trump Tariffs in Limbo

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1), a reconciliation bill that extends and expands major provisions of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, increases the child tax credit temporarily, removes taxes on tips for workers in certain industries, and introduces new administrative requirements for Medicaid eligibility. The legislation also includes spending cuts, rescinds some unspent energy funds, revises Opportunity Zones, and imposes new fees on electric and hybrid vehicles. Over ten years, the bill is projected to increase primary deficits by nearly $2.8 trillion. The bill now moves to the Senate, where significant changes are expected before final passage.

Separately, in a setback for President Trump, federal judges ruled that his recent tariffs exceeded presidential authority in imposing sweeping tariffs on imports from most countries and that only Congress held such authority. However, the tariffs will remain in effect while the administration appeals the decision. Trump has since announced additional tariffs on steel imports.

 

Pope Leo XIV Caps First Month of Papacy

Pope Leo XIV, the new leader of Roman Catholic Church, made history this month as first US-born pope and the first from the Augustinian order. Born as Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, his election on May 8, 2025, followed a swift two-day conclave of four ballots, one of the shortest in modern history.

The conclave, held in the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City, brought together 133 cardinals from across the world  to choose the successor to Pope Francis, who died in April following recent illnesses.

Discussions among the cardinals reportedly focused on addressing global challenges like secularism, church reform, and outreach to marginalized communities. Prevost’s extensive experience as a missionary in Peru, coupled with his Vatican roles, including leadership in the Dicastery for Bishops, positioned him as a unifying figure capable of bridging the divide between the more traditionalist conservative bloc and the more liberal bloc aligned with Pope Francis. Prevost was seen as close to Pope Francis and somewhat liberal-leaning, though a more moderate choice overall compared to other cardinals rumored to be contenders for pope.

Upon appearing on St. Peter’s Basilica’s balcony, Pope Leo XIV greeted the onlookers in Vatican City, delivering his address in fluent Italian and Spanish. He thanked the late Pope Francis and reflected on his nearly two decades in Peru, where he most recently served as Bishop of Chiclayo.

In his first weeks as pope, Leo XIV celebrated Mass in the Sistine Chapel, urged Church unity, prayed for war victims, and took possession of St. John Lateran. He met key cardinals to address abuse reform and Vatican finances, emphasizing mercy and human dignity.

 

Harrison Ruffin Tyler, Grandon of 10th President, Dies at 96

Virginia businessman Harrison Ruffin Tyler died last Sunday at 96. Tyler, a noted preservationist of Virginia history, was perhaps most noted for being the last living grandson of the 10th US President John Tyler, who was born in 1790 and left office in 1845.

This genealogical quirk was made possible by President Tyler and his son, Lyon Gardiner Tyler, both having children late in life, allowing the lives of the three men to span nearly the entire existence of the US as a country and across all 47 presidential administrations, from Washington’s first term to Trump’s second.