Jesus Healed The Sick, Republicans Steal From Them

5.14.25

Happy Tuesday and welcome back to Common Sense, your source for news and analysis on the circus that is American politics and entertainment.

CBO: Republican plan will take 10.3M off Medicaid, leave 7.6M uninsured… The CBO does not lie or spin. It is fiercely non-partisan and respected on both sides of the aisle in Washington. They are as credible as it gets. Politico reports, “The Medicaid portions of the GOP megabill would lead to 10.3 million people losing coverage under the health safety net program and 7.6 million people going uninsured, according to estimates from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. Republicans released the partial estimates Tuesday less than a half hour before the House Energy and Commerce Committee is scheduled to mark up its portion of the legislation central to enacting President Donald Trump’s agenda on taxes, the border and energy.” OUR TAKE: No matter how heartless the Republicans can be when harming the poor and working class in America to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy, this is going to be a VERY big pill for Republicans in competitive House re-elections to swallow. CBO reporting was central to preserving Obamacare in 2017.

Trump to end Syria sanctions as he seeks $600M investment from Saudis… NBC News reports “Trump announced that the U.S. would cease sanctions against war-torn Syria ‘to give them a chance at greatness,’ as he seeks to strengthen ties to Saudi Arabia and others. ‘Oh, what I do for the crown prince,’ Trump said as Mohammed bin Salman, seated in the front row, crossed his arms over his chest in an expression of gratitude.” CBS News reports “President Trump delivered remarks Tuesday at a U.S.-Saudi investment summit as the White House announced a $600 billion investment from Saudi Arabia, including” a large defense sales agreement. OUR TAKE: American foreign policy is complicated even under a president who understands it. Our relationship with Saudi Arabia has been positive over the years, even with its abhorrent record on women’s rights and LGBTQ+ rights. Trump doesn’t care about either, obviously, but Democratic presidents have worked closely with the Saudis. Today, the U.S.-Saudi alliance is critical to ensure America prevails in what seems like a looming second Cold War. Russia (having empire restoration ambitions) and Iran (nuclear program, threat to Middle East stability) are strengthening ties. Saudi Arabia checks Russia’s power on oil markets and minimizes Iran’s regional influence.

We’re not scientists but when “vaccine experts are perplexed by… the Trump Administration,” we’re scared… NPR reports, “Vaccine experts are perplexed by a project the Trump administration has launched to develop a universal flu vaccine, which has long been a goal, though an elusive one, in medical research. Dubbed Generation Gold Standard, the project is aimed at creating a flu shot that doesn't have to be updated every year to match the latest strains of the virus. The project also aims to produce a vaccine that could protect people against other respiratory viruses that could cause a pandemic, such as bird flu and coronaviruses. ‘Generation Gold Standard is a paradigm shift,’ said National Institutes of Heath Director Jay Bhattacharya in a statement announcing the project. ‘It extends vaccine protection beyond strain-specific limits and prepares for flu viral threats — not just today's, but tomorrow's as well — using traditional vaccine technology brought into the 21st century.’”

Another federal judge reminds Trump that he can’t just end funding passed by Congress… It feels like Groundhog Day sometimes. Trump defunds a critical government program passed by Congress, plaintiffs with interest in the program sue, and Trump loses. Over and over again. Either Donald Trump has never read the Constitution or does not care. But these judges must be getting pretty damn annoyed… ABC News reports, “A federal judge in West Virginia has temporarily halted sweeping layoffs affecting health officials responsible for diagnosing and treating coal miners for black lung disease, dealing yet another setback to the Trump administration as it seeks to drastically limit the scope of federal health programs. Judge Irene Berger on Tuesday ordered Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to reinstate hundreds of respiratory health workers in Morgantown, W.Va., who oversee a screening program for coal miners at risk of contracting black lung.”

Today’s Furry Friend

Meet Kristin, a Great Mastiff with great (and sad) trust issues. The humans around her gave her love and she was able to start living a new, happy life with all sorts of friends. AND she paid it forward by showing love to kittens. We’re crying!

Today’s Buzz

Jimmy Kimmel gives no f*cks; rips his own network, offers corporate naming rights to his soon-to-be grandchild… The Hollywood Reporter writes the host of Jimmy Kimmel Live “typically doesn’t pull many punches in his annual appearance/roast at Disney’s upfront, but his monologue Tuesday carried something of an existential… After a pre-taped sketch (watch it below) where he offered to sell naming rights to his soon-to-be-born grandchild, Kimmel appeared on stage and took shots at rivals CBS (“led by their hit comedy Ghosts, which is also what most of their viewers will be soon”) and NBCUniversal (“Versant is a perfect name. It already sounds like something you subscribed to by accident”), as he usually does. He reserved his harshest jokes, though, for his own employer.” So, umm… in other news, Jimmy Kimmel is going to be a grandpa!!

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