House Passes Budget Plan to Advance Trump’s Agenda; EU Pauses Counter-Tariffs Against US for 90 Days

The House on Thursday passed a budget plan that lays the groundwork for extending President Donald Trump’s 2017 tax cuts, which was opposed by all Democrats and two Republicans who worried that it does not cut spending sufficiently. The 216-214 House vote is a preliminary—but required—step that would enable Republicans to bypass Democratic opposition and pass tax cut legislation along party lines later this year.

The European Union will pause its first countermeasures against U.S. tariffs after Trump temporarily lowered the hefty duties he recently imposed on dozens of countries, European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said on Thursday. The bloc was due to launch counter-tariffs on about 21 billion euros ($23.25 billion) of U.S. imports from next Tuesday in response to Trump’s 25 percent tariffs on steel and aluminum. The EU is still assessing how to respond to U.S. car tariffs and the broader 10 percent levies that remain.

Military officials are testifying on Thursday before the Senate Armed Services Committee on the national security challenges and the military posture of U.S. armed forces in the Indo-Pacific region.

Topics in this episode include:

1. House Passes Budget Resolution
2. European Union Pauses Retaliatory Tariffs for 90 Days
3. Inflation Cooled to 6-Month Low in March
4. White House: U.S. Close to Deals With Trading Partners
5. Chinese Regime Restricts Hollywood Films in China
6. Australia Rejects Chinese Call to Unite Against Tariffs
7. Ksenia Karelina Freed in Prisoner Swap With Russia
8. Trump Signs Order to Boost Shipbuilding Amid China Threat
9. Trump May Reduce US Troops in Europe
10. Supreme Court Pauses Order to Rehire Labor Board Members
11. Examining Readiness in Today’s Higher Education System
12. Judge Orders Trump to Resume Refugee Admissions
13. House Passes Bill to Limit Judges’ National Orders
14. DOJ Asks to Drop Charges Against Salvadoran Man
15. 4 Chinese Nationals Face Deportation Over Fraud Scheme
16. Stefanik Gets New House GOP Top Position
17. RFK Jr. Gives Food Companies Two-Year Deadline to Ditch Dyes
18. Bessent to Visit Argentina to Support Economic Reforms
19. Ukraine: Talks With US on Minerals to Start Friday
20. Ukraine Identifies 155 Chinese Troops Fighting for Russia
21. US–Russia Talks to Restore Diplomatic Missions
22. Hungary Faces Potential Biological Attack
23. Thailand Says US Tariff Pause Gives More Time for Response
24. Taiwan Foreign Minister Wants ‘Coalition’ With US on Trade
25. Activists Pour Red Dye in Pond at US Embassy in London
26. Report: Political Purges Largely Target Xi’s Aides
27. Whistleblower: Meta Risked US Security for China Business

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