Worth Watching: Vance On Biden Developments

🚨 JD VANCE NAILS IT ON BIDEN'S CANCER DIAGNOSIS: "We really do need to be honest about whether the former president was capable of doing the job [...] I don't think that he was in good enough health. In some ways, I blame him less than I blame the people around him."

"You can… pic.twitter.com/S7tmImjoCv

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) May 19, 2025

Supports Piles Up For Trump's Legislation!

President Donald J. Trump’s One, Big, Beautiful Bill is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make good on the promises Republicans have made — and that’s why advocacy groups and other stakeholders are coming out in droves to urge Congress to immediately pass the landmark bill.

Here’s what they’re saying about the One, Big, Beautiful Bill:

American Exploration & Production Council CEO Anne Bradbury: “On behalf of America’s leading independent producers of oil and natural gas, AXPC urges all House Republicans to pass the budget reconciliation and advance President Trump’s agenda to unleash American energy. This legislation takes decisive steps towards improving our nation’s energy landscape by repealing the Biden-era menthane tax, unlocking oil and gas development on federal lands, and alleviating regulatory pain points that have stymied the build out of American energy. Passing this bill is essential to secure America’s energy dominance through smart, durable reforms.”

NumbersUSA: “For decades Congress has promised to secure the border and failed to deliver. The House Reconciliation bill delivers on the promise of building the border wall, 10,000 ICE officers, detention beds, historic funding for Customs and Border Patrol and a tax on money illegal aliens send out of the country. The Trump Administration needs this funding to deport illegal aliens, millions of whom entered the country over the last four years. The American people voted in mess this last election to secure our borders and return law and order to our immigration system. Congress must not fail them.”

Airlines for America: “A4A strongly supports the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and applauds the inclusion of a critical investment of $12.5 billion in modernizing the Federal Aviation Administration’s air traffic facilities, systems and infrastructure. For years, A4A has been sounding the alarm about ATC staffing shortages and antiquated equipment, such as copper wires and floppy disks. Given the challenges facing the air traffic system, these funds are a vital down payment on updating the technology that guides 27,000 flights, 2.7 million passengers and 61,000 tons of cargo every day—all while driving five percent of our nation’s GDP. The legislation also makes smart, strategic investments in Customs and Border Protection personnel and training for the aviation workforce of tomorrow while supporting American energy dominance in aviation fuel production. We encourage the House to pass this legislation and deliver on the Department of Transportation’s plan to help keep our skies safe and efficient. Modernizing our National Airspace System is necessary, and passing the One Big Beautiful Bill Act will help ensure the United States has a world-class aviation system.”

National Federation of Independent Business SVP for Advocacy Adam Temple: “On behalf of NFIB, the nation’s leading small business advocacy organization, I write in support of the Committee's legislative proposal to comply with reconciliation instructions contained within the concurrent resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2025, H. Con. Res. 14. As written, this is one of the most pro-small business pieces of tax legislation in recent history.”

CTIA—The Wireless Association President and CEO Ajit Pai: “The wireless industry urges swift passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The critical spectrum and tax provisions in this legislation will allow the wireless industry to invest, create jobs, propel economic growth, and secure America’s edge in innovation.”

Job Creators Network CEO Alfredo Ortiz: “House Republicans’ big, beautiful reconciliation bill is exactly what the country needs to jumpstart the economy and guarantee the safety and prosperity of Americans for decades to come. It helps people of all backgrounds but especially small businesses, the backbone of our economy, by making permanent and expanding the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. It increases the small business tax deduction used by 26 million entrepreneurs annually from 20% to 23% — a tax cut Job Creators Network has long been the leading voice for. The bill also restores 100% immediate expensing, allowing businesses to write off investments, expansion, and modernization. It will empower Main Street to expand, hire, raise wages, and reinvest in their communities, while also providing significant tax relief for ordinary folks. All Republicans should unite to support this historic reconciliation bill. We need Tax Cuts Now.”

Business Roundtable President & COO Kristen Silverberg: “Business Roundtable strongly supports the House budget reconciliation bill. This important legislation ensures a more competitive, pro-growth tax system, secures our borders and takes the necessary step of raising the debt ceiling. We urge members of the House Budget Committee to swiftly pass this measure.”

Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council President & CEO Karen Kerrigan: “SBE Council strongly supports the One Big, Beautiful Bill and urges every member of the U.S. House to vote in support of this economically powerful package. The One Big, Beautiful Bill provides entrepreneurs and small businesses with the tools and policy environment they need to invest in their businesses and workforce, to innovate and strengthen their firms, and to lead America’s economic resurgence.”

Associated Equipment Distributors SVP Daniel B. Fisher: “This legislation will spur economic growth and job creation, incentivize capital investment, and ensure AED members, which supply and maintain the equipment needed to build, feed and fuel America, remain competitive for years to come. We urge support for the bill and look forward to working with the entire House of Representatives to approve it as soon as possible.”

National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association Interim CEO Michele Stanley: “NSSGA appreciates that ‘The One, Big, Beautiful Bill’ includes aggregates industry priorities, such as
bonus depreciation, the Research and Development Tax Credit, small business deductions, keeping the corporate tax rate at the status quo and protecting percentage depletion and estate taxes. Additionally, we appreciate the committee’s commitment to safeguarding associations’ tax-protected status. NSSGA thanks the committee for introducing this bill and encourages the Ways and Means Committee and the House of Representatives to pass this package in a timely manner.”

60 Plus Association Chairman Jim Martin: “It’s a win for seniors across the country. The President and House Republicans are providing much needed tax relief to middle and low-income seniors.”

Association of Mature American Citizens Action SVP Andrew J. Mangione, Jr.: “This bill is a win for seniors, for taxpayers, and for the future of our country. We urge swift passage and full support from lawmakers who value liberty, accountability, and the financial security of AMAC members across the country.”

RATE Coalition Executive Director Dan Combs: “This legislation is a clear step toward preserving a tax code that spurs job creation, boosts wages, and builds on the legacy created by President Trump and Congress under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Now is the time for Congress to come together, finish the work, and deliver a strong, stable economic foundation for American workers and businesses. A competitive corporate tax rate is key to keeping the U.S. ahead and a top destination for investment in the global economy. This bill goes a long way towards making that possible.”

Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi: “We’ve said from the start: No Tax on Tips should include @Uber drivers & couriers. Grateful the new House Ways & Means bill does just that. Thanks to @POTUS and @RepJasonSmith for backing all tipped workers—no matter how they work. Let’s get this done!”

DoorDash CEO Tony Xu: “Thanks to @POTUS and @RepJasonSmith, millions of Dashers may soon get a tax break on their hard-earned tips. Following advocacy from 40K Dashers, including dozens in DC last week, the House’s budget bill is an important step in making #NoTaxOnTips a reality.”

Americans for Prosperity Chief Government Affairs Officer Brent Gardner: “The Republican Party has an incredible opportunity to put the country on the right track for long-term economic growth by making the Trump Tax Cuts permanent and avoiding the largest tax hike in American history. This bill is smart pro-growth policy that would provide certainty for American businesses and lead to sustained prosperity for millions of working Americans. This legislation also takes meaningful action to cut billions in special interest giveaways, reforming broken programs, and rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse –   ensuring that taxpayers’ hard-earned dollars are spent wisely. It’s about making government work better for the people it serves. We’re encouraged by the foundation laid in the House and stand ready to work with Senate lawmakers to get this measure across the finish line. The moment for action is now. We urge all Members to support this legislation and put our economy on the path to growth and opportunity.”

Concerned Veterans for America Executive Director John Vick: “Failing to extend President Trump’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act would impose the largest tax hike in U.S. history on American families and businesses. Congress must seize its opportunity to protect our long-term prosperity while improving the lives of middle-class Americans. The American people sent a clear message last November: they are tired of massive tax hikes, higher prices, reckless government spending, and Biden-era “Green New Deal” giveaways. Congress must answer this call by moving budget reconciliation forward. As veterans, we fought for a better future for our fellow Americans. We also understand that a strong economy is the bedrock of American strength at home and abroad. Today, CVA calls on Congress to act to protect the promise of long-term economic growth and prosperity for all Americans.”

The LIBRE Initiative Executive Director Sandra Benitez: “We commend the House Budget Committee for taking a positive step to ensure that we continue extending tax relief to middle-class families and job creators, including Latinos who cannot afford a tax hike. Now it is critical that the House of Representatives have a full House vote as quickly as possible and approve this pro-growth legislation to help unleash prosperity and opportunity for all. The LIBRE Initiative looks forward to educating and activating the Latino community on the benefits of this critical legislation.”

America First Policy Institute: “Conservatives must deliver to the American people! The One, Big, Beautiful Bill cuts taxes for ALL Americans, secures the border, stands up to the woke mob by empowering parents and protecting women and children, and much more!”

Independent Women Center for Economic Opportunity Director Patrice Onwuka: “Passing the Big, Beautiful Bill is an imperative. The stakes are high. If Congress fails to pass this bill, average Americans face a massive 22% tax increase, 40 million families will see their Child Tax Credit slashed in half, and 26 million small businesses face a 43.4% top tax rate. Republicans should not hold up tax relief for American families and small businesses to bail out high-tax blue states.”

Family Business Coalition: “Family Business Coalition supports the ‘One, Big, Beautiful Bill’ which includes tax relief that will help family businesses expand, upgrade equipment, and hire more workers. FBC urges the House to take action now to move this process forward in Congress.” 

Trump Extends Wishes To Biden And Family

 

Tell Congress: Pass The BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL!

 Following is a special; message from catholicvote.org:

I often tell you how strong our collected voice is.  But sometimes seeing it in action amazes even me. It’s only been about a week since we started our CatholicVote Action Center push in favor of President Trump’s “big, beautiful bill.” In that time, more than 22,000 of you have contacted Congress, urging your Representatives to vote in favor of the president’s budget blueprint. And Congress has responded.  Sunday night, the House Budget Committee voted to approve the bill. CatholicVote voices played an important role in getting Speaker Mike Johnson the votes he needed. Next stop is the House Rules Committee. Then a vote by the entire House, which Speaker Johnson wants to see happen before Congress leaves for the Memorial Day break. That means it’s time for another push. Congress will be in session through Thursday, so let’s make sure they know how important it is to make this vote happen…and to make it a win for President Trump. The CatholicVote Action Center is locked and loaded with a new message in support of getting a House vote this week.  If you’ve already contacted your Representative, please reach out again and let him or her know the fight isn’t over. If you haven’t had an opportunity to make your voice heard yet, now is the perfect time.   And we’ve made it so easy.   Just go to the CatholicVote Action Center, where you’ll be automatically connected to your House Representative. You can then choose to send our pre-written message, edit it before sending it, or write your own message. As we’ve mentioned before, President Trump’s budget blueprint has a lot of great things in it, not the least of which is stripping federal funding from Planned Parenthood. That alone is reason enough to support this bill. Factor in the tax breaks for families, pro-worker policies, educational choice, and more, and the “big-beautifil bill” adds up to a major win for Americans.   Please go to the CatholicVote Action Center today. Josh Mercer, for Catholic Vote

Quite A BIG Announcement From President Trump

 

From A Democrat Doctor, On MSNBC . . . .

THIS Is Why Cancer Makes Me VERY Angry!

Inasmuch as President Biden is the latest to be struck with an insidious disease, I thought I'd share some sentiments on the disease (which claimed my mother, my brother-in-law, my and my sister) and why it makes me so angry. 

The following is adapted from something that I wrote for the Philadelphia Daily News some time ago:

Cancer makes me angry. Very angry.
It made me angry more than 60 years ago when my godfather was diagnosed with lung cancer and died. I was angry then. And I'm even angrier now. They told me then that I wouldn’t have to worry about cancer when I grew up. “It’s okay,” they said. “It will be cured by then.” They lied.

They always say they are close to a cure for cancer. Always. But every day we hear of more people being diagnosed with cancer. And every day we seem to hear about more types of cancer then we ever heard of before.

In the case of Joe Biden you have to wonder how his prostrate cancer was allowed to advance so far that it has now spread to his bones. They say prostrate cancer is easily conquered if detected early and this man has no doubt been examined and checked out regularly, multiple times, I’m sure. His health has been thoroughly monitored. Perhaps Biden and his family even knew about this long before they told us about it yesterday. That's being speculated about now and more remains to be seen, but still . . . . back to the menace of cancer.

Cancer makes me angry.
It made me angry when my father was diagnosed with cancer; and later, my mother as well.
My father looked me in the eye and told me he would beat it in the end. And he did. Luckily, he didn’t die of cancer. But the removal of most of one lung seemed to leave his breathing capacity so diminished that I’m sure the cancer chopped extra years off his life.

My mother was not so lucky. The cancer had already metastasized by the time they discovered it. The doctor gave us the bad news as we stood in a hospital hallway. “It has already spread,” he said. He talked about my mother as if she wasn’t even there. He mentioned the word “palliative.” Then, he was on his way. But my mother was there and she heard what he said. She simply chose not to dwell on it and lived her remaining time best as she could.

And then my brother-in-law was gone just three weeks after his diagnosis. And my beloved sister, gone less than a week after the doctors told her they were "out of options." 

And it doesn't matter who you are or how famous you are or how much success you've achieved or how much money you've amassed -- cancer finds you. Again, look at the example of Joe Biden, and his son Beau as well.

Cancer makes me angry.
Maybe it’s a guy thing. But the injustice of cancer makes me want to beat the guts out of somebody.

I was angry back in 2008 when former White House Press Secretary Tony Snow died of cancer. A classy guy -- a real gentleman. What did he do to deserve such a fate? Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Steve Jobs. Toby Keith. Go back and look up "famous people who died of cancer" and you'll find the list is endless and gets longer every day. Nothing seems to stop cancer -- not the top doctors and not the best care that all the money in the world can buy.

Nothing.

And it's a sneaky disease. My brother-in-law had no warning. None. One day he was short of breath. He grew weak. And before we knew it, he was gone.

So, don't tell me about cancer's "warning signs" because I'm not necessarily buying it.

I hate it when people say of someone: “He lost his battle with cancer.” Some people don't even have a chance to fight.

And, none of us gets out of here alive. So, no one loses a battle with cancer. No one.

Instead, the rest of us lose. We lose that person’s special talent; their unique contribution; their smile, their friendship, their love. And with each recurrence, with each new bad news bulletin, with each additional death we lose hope as well.

Dammit! Why are people still dying of cancer? WHY? 

We don’t want to admit it. We fight bravely on. But fear stalks us and hope continues to die.

If you Google the word “cancer” you will come up with more than a quarter of a billion hits. There are so many cancer theories, cancer funds, cancer marches, cancer hospitals, cancer centers and cancer studies that the enormity of the army amassed to fight cancer gives one pause. Still, there is no cancer cure.

I'm talking about a CURE here, okay? Not extending people's lives or enhancing their quality of life for a temporary period. A cure! A cure means cracking cancer's code. Crack the code! 

Cancer makes me angry.

And I have no intention of letting go of my anger.

Because cancer is too persistent, too insidious, too pervasive.
Which makes me suspicious as well.
Sometimes I even allow myself to believe that there is some sort of vested interest in not curing cancer if only because cancer treatment has become a lucrative, worldwide industry.

So count me as one of the angry ones – and throw in a dose of hard-learned skepticism as well.

Trump And Churchill? You Better Believe It!

It's been said that a setback is nothing more than a setup for a comeback. Sadly, most people who suffer setbacks don't seem to see it this way. Indeed, it takes a person of exceptional resilience to realize that after you've stumbled, reaching the top can actually become a more focused goal and a sweeter achievement when you finally get there. 

Winston Churchill and Donald Trump, though separated by era, geography, and upbringing both seemed to understand this as part of their very fiber. Giving up just wasn't in their DNA.

These two indefatigable political figures reshaped their nations through sheer force of personality, unrelenting patriotism, and a willingness to defy conventional politics. With Donald Trump’s re-election as President last year, the comparisons between his career and that of Winston Churchill’s become even more compelling. 

Both men experienced political exiles followed by dramatic returns to power, and both led their nations during defining moments in history. A deeper look at their lives, words, and actions reveals striking and favorable similarities that resonate strongly with supporters of bold, unapologetic leadership.

Dramatic comebacks

Churchill became Prime Minister in 1940 after years in the political "wilderness," warning against the rise of Nazi Germany while much of the British Parliament clung to appeasement. His return was a vindication of foresight and resolve. After leading Britain through World War II, Churchill lost reelection in 1945 but returned to power in 1951. Churchill knew not only defeat but isolation and ostracism as well.

Likewise, Trump’s political trajectory mirrors the cycle of disruption and resurgence. After his contentious 2020 loss, many assumed his political influence would wane. Instead, Trump steadfastly refused to cede ground and managed to remain the dominant figure in the Republican Party. Against considerable media and institutional resistance, he won nomination and re-election in 2024. Like Churchill, Trump capitalized on growing public frustration—this time over inflation, immigration crises, and international instability—to mount a return based on strong leadership, an unwillingness to surrender to entrenched forces and a desire for national renewal. 

Words that galvanize the public

Words have played a big role in the public journey of both these compelling leaders.

Churchill's speeches during World War II are legendary for their moral clarity and emotional power. His 1940 declaration, “We shall fight on the beaches... we shall never surrender,” was a verbal bulwark against despair. Churchill understood the power of words to inspire and unify a country under siege.

Trump’s communication style carries a similar populist electricity. His 2024 campaign revived the “Make America Great Again” message, refocused under slogans like “Finish the Job” and “America Reborn.” In his 2024 inaugural address, Trump declared:

“This is a new beginning for our great country. We are taking back our future, our economy, our borders, and our voice.”

Like Churchill, Trump uses clear, emotionally resonant language that transcends policy details and connects with millions who feel ignored by traditional elites. When the allies freed Europe on VE Day in 2025, Churchill told the British people: "This is your victory, not mine." Likewise, when he became only the second person in history to regain the presidency after being turned out of office, Trump declared: "This is a magnificent victory for the American people." 

Fierce nationalism and defense of sovereignty

Churchill’s defense of British independence from both Nazi domination and postwar continental entanglement is well documented. He resisted calls to compromise national interest for the sake of temporary peace or political convenience. Even after the war, he warned of the dangers of collectivism and the importance of preserving British institutions. Indeed, this was part of his dramatic comeback in 1951.

Trump, in a similar vein, places American sovereignty at the center of his agenda. His first term was marked by withdrawal from multilateral agreements like the Paris Climate Accord and a focus on border security, trade renegotiation (USMCA), and military strength. In his second term, Trump has doubled down on these priorities, pushing forward with renewed border enforcement, energy independence initiatives, and tariff protections. Both men espoused a belief that a strong nation must prioritize its own citizens over global approval.

Resilience in the face of adversity

Churchill’s long political life was riddled with controversy and setbacks—from the failed Gallipoli campaign in World War I to his marginalization in the 1930s. Yet his perseverance and refusal to conform allowed him to seize the moment when his country needed a wartime leader.

Trump, likewise, faced two impeachments, relentless legal investigations, and widespread media hostility. Despite this, he returned to the presidency in 2024 with a reinvigorated base and a firm grip on the direction of American conservatism. Both men serve as examples of resilience—not merely surviving political storms, but emerging stronger and more relevant afterward. Both also dramatically reshaped the tone, tenor and philosophy of their respective political parties.

Disrupting political orthodoxy

Churchill was often regarded as a maverick in British politics. He switched parties twice, opposed Indian independence (to great controversy), and constantly challenged political consensus. Yet his instincts on national defense and the dangers of tyranny proved prescient.

Trump has likewise disrupted the modern American political order. From rejecting bipartisan norms on trade and foreign policy to rebuilding the Republican Party into a populist, nationalist coalition, he has redefined the landscape. His 2024 return only cements his place as a transformative figure—polarizing at times but undeniably impactful.

The men and the moment

Donald Trump’s re-election in 2024 provides a fresh lens through which to view his leadership in comparison with Winston Churchill’s. Both men possess a rare combination of defiance, rhetorical power, and conviction in the primacy of national interest. Their careers—marked by political defeat, rebirth, and enduring influence—reflect the archetype of the determined leader who refuses to be silenced or sidelined.

In times of crisis, both Churchill and Trump offered a vision grounded not in appeasement or compromise, but in strength, clarity, and loyalty to country above all. For those who value fearless leadership in the face of elite opposition and global uncertainty, Churchill and Trump stand as parallel figures whose legacies continue to shape the future of their nations.

Hmmm - Comey Must Have Missed This . . .

 

Podcast: OMG! The Pope Is A Villanovan!

Remembering A Broadway Great: Charles Strouse

Big Beautiful Bill Protects Medicaid, Saves $$$$$!

The One, Big, Beautiful Bill is a generational chance to protect Medicaid for Americans by removing at least 1.4 million illegal immigrants from the program.

Read more in Breitbart:
 
“House Republicans are moving to block an estimated 1.4 million illegal aliens from receiving American taxpayer-funded Medicaid as Democrats struggle to message their support for the unpopular position.
 
The House Energy and Commerce Committee completed its markup of its portion of the budget reconciliation bill Wednesday morning after an all-night session which included a provision blocking anyone unable to verify citizenship, nationality, or satisfactory immigration status from coverage.
 
The committee projects 1.4 million illegal aliens will be removed from the program due to those requirements.”

Vatican Releases Pope Leo's Official Portrait

 

VP Vance To Lead US Delegation For Pope Event

Vice President JD Vance will lead a U.S. Delegation to Vatican City to attend the inaugural Mass of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV on Sunday, May 18, 2025.

Vice President Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance will be joined by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Mrs. Jeanette Rubio.
 
Pope Leo XIV is the first American Pope. Vice President Vance is the first Catholic convert to serve as Vice President.

Pope Leo Welcomes Italian Tennis Star

The following is from catholicvote.org:

Pope Leo XIV, who is reportedly an avid tennis player, received Italian tennis champion Jannik Sinner at the Vatican for an audience May 14.

The 23-year-old athlete presented Pope Leo with a tennis racket, a video of the audience posted by Vatican News showed.

Though the dialogue is in Italian, Vatican News reported that Sinner offered the pope a tennis ball as well and asked him if he wanted to play. Gesturing to the room, located in the Paul VI Hall, Pope Leo laughed and reportedly said, “Here we’ll break something. Best not to!”

Vatican News reported that the audience included Sinner’s family and the president of the Italian Tennis Federation. Sinner is currently in Rome to compete in the 2025 Italian Open, an 11-day tennis tournament. Top tennis players from across the world are also competing in the tournament.  

Reuters reported that Pope Leo revealed his love for tennis in a 2023 interview with his own Order of St. Augustine, saying that he considers himself “quite the amateur tennis player.”

Reuters also reported that Sinner said at a May 12 press conference that he had heard Pope Leo is a tennis player, adding “I think it’s a good thing for us tennis players to have a pope who likes this sport that we’re playing.”

Pope Leo will be officially installed as the Bishop of Rome May 18.

Trump Scores $2 TRILLION In New Investments!

Today in Abu Dhabi, President Donald J. Trump announced over $200 billion in commercial deals between the United States and the United Arab Emirates—bringing the total of investment agreements in the Gulf region to over $2 trillion.

• President Trump continues to advance the interests of the American people, enhancing market access for American exporters to strengthen our economic and national security.
• These deals will significantly expand investment in the United States and U.S. market access in the United Arab Emirates.
• The following represent just a few of the many transformative deals secured in the United Arab Emirates:
  • Boeing and GE Aerospace secured a $14.5 billion commitment from Etihad Airways to invest in 28 American-made Boeing 787 and 777X aircraft powered by GE engines. With the inclusion of the next-generation 777X in its fleet plan, the investment deepens the longstanding commercial aviation partnership between the UAE and the United States, fueling American manufacturing, driving exports, and supporting 60,000 U.S. jobs.
  • In Oklahoma, Emirates Global Aluminum will invest to develop a $4 billion primary aluminum smelter project, one of the first new aluminum smelters in America in 45 years, that will create a thousand jobs in America, strengthen critical mineral supply chains, and double current U.S. production capacity.
  • In line with President Trump’s executive order to unleash American energy leadership worldwide, ExxonMobil, Occidental Petroleum, and EOG Resources are partnering with the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) for expanded oil and natural gas production valued at $60 billion that will help lower energy costs and create hundreds of skilled jobs in both countries.
  • RTX is partnering with Emirates Global Aluminum and the UAE’s Tawazun Council on a pioneering Gallium project that will help secure and stabilize the United States' critical mineral supply chain. By diversifying sources of this essential input for semiconductors and defense technologies, the partnership strengthens America's supply security, supports high-tech manufacturing, and creates jobs across the U.S. critical minerals and defense industrial base.
  • Qualcomm is expanding its global innovation footprint through partnerships with ADIO and e&.  A new Global Engineering Center in Abu Dhabi will focus on AI, data centers, and industrial IoT – advancing the UAE’s digital transformation while supporting U.S. research, engineering jobs and demand for American technologies.  Meanwhile, the collaboration with e& accelerates the deployment of advanced connectivity, edge AI, and cloud computing solutions.  Together, these efforts strengthen Qualcomm’s leadership in critical technologies, fuel U.S high-tech job creation, and bolster America’s economic and national security. 
  • Holtec International and IHC Industrial Holding Company (IHC) are entering cooperation to build a fleet of Holtec’s SMR-300 small modular reactors, starting at the Palisades site in Michigan. This agreement includes a commitment of $10 billion, and an additional $20 billion for fleet projects, helping to revitalize American nuclear energy infrastructure, strengthen domestic energy security, and create high-skilled jobs in engineering, construction, and advanced manufacturing across the United States.
  • Amazon Web Services, e&, and the UAE Cybersecurity Council have launched a Sovereign Cloud Launchpad to accelerate public cloud services adoption in the UAE.  The initiative is expected to contribute $181 billion to the UAE's digital economy by 2033 and includes a new UAE cybersecurity technology Innovation center. This collaboration expands demand for U.S.–developed cloud infrastructure and cybersecurity technologies, supporting high-skilled jobs in the United States and reinforcing U.S. leadership in secure digital innovation globally.
• These deals lay the foundation for investment, innovation and good-paying U.S. jobs, including in frontier technologies, aerospace, energy, and critical minerals.
• Today’s deals strengthen the U.S.-UAE investment and trade relationship and build on the UAE’s landmark commitment to a 10-year, $1.4 trillion investment framework that will contribute to the U.S. boom in AI infrastructure, semiconductors, energy, quantum computing, biotechnology, and manufacturing. 
  • The U.S. and UAE signed an AI agreement today that supports the $1.4 trillion investment commitment secured in March. This includes the UAE committing to invest in, build, or finance U.S. data centers that are at least as large and as powerful as those in the UAE. The agreement also contains historic commitments by the UAE to further align their national security regulations with the United States, including strong protections to prevent the diversion of U.S.-origin technology.
  • The U.S.-UAE AI agreement strengthens bilateral investment partnerships, ensuring U.S. security interests and dominance in AI while extending the American tech stack to an important strategic partner. 

 
ACCELERATING TRADE AND INVESTMENT IN STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP:  The strategic partnership between the United States and the United Arab Emirates has spanned decades and supported the prosperity and security of Americans and Emiratis. This partnership encompasses strategic cooperation in defense, trade, energy, space and diplomacy, reflecting shared interests and mutual respect.

• This partnership is particularly significant thanks to the historic achievement of the Abraham Accords announced during President Trump’s first term.
• The UAE stands as a significant commercial partner for the United States in the Middle East.  Bilateral trade and investment have flourished, with the UAE serving as a hub for American businesses seeking opportunities in the region.
  • The UAE had $35 billion in foreign direct investments in the United States, supporting over 33,000 American jobs in 2023.
  • U.S. total goods trade with the UAE was an estimated $34.4 billion in 2024, with a U.S. trade surplus of $19.5 billion, the third largest in the world.
• President Trump’s historic visit to the United Arab Emirates is another opportunity to welcome new partnerships in frontier technologies, health and life sciences, mobility, entertainment, and many other fields.

NEVER TIRED OF WINNING: President Trump keeps scoring great deals for the American people, securing over $2 trillion in investment agreements with Middle Eastern nations for a more safe and prosperous future.

• The $200 billion UAE deals build on the $600 billion in Saudi Arabia and $1.2 trillion in Qatar the President secured on behalf of the American people.
• This comes days after President Trump announced the U.S.-UK trade agreement and a joint agreement with China in pursuit of more fair, reciprocal trade that grows good-paying jobs and prosperity in America.
• While it took President Biden nearly four years to secure $1 trillion in investments, President Trump achieved this in his first month, with additional investment commitments continuing to roll in.
• President Trump is accelerating investment in America and securing fair trade deals around the world, paving the way for a new Golden Age of lasting prosperity for generations to come.

State Legislators: No NJ Casinos Beyond AC!

Today, Senator Vince Polistina, Assemblyman Don Guardian and Assemblywoman Claire Swift responded to a recent initiative by Senators Vin Gopal and Paul Sarlo to expand casino gaming to North Jersey.

“New Jersey voters have made their voices clear that casinos belong in Atlantic City and Atlantic City only. Now is the time to focus on strengthening the economy in the Atlantic County region as New York gaming expands,” said Senator Vince Polistina.

“Expanding casino gaming to North Jersey will do nothing to increase gaming revenues statewide and will only move them from Atlantic City elsewhere,” explained Assemblyman Don Guardian. “Our focus has been to make Atlantic City a worldwide destination for both gaming and non-gaming tourism. We need to continue to work on the infrastructure of the city to not only keep our current visitors but attract new ones.”

“The entire State of New Jersey benefits from the gaming revenues in the City of Atlantic City,” said Assemblywoman Claire Swift. “The State pulls a tremendous amount of dollars from the City and spends them on projects outside its limits. Instead of creating in-state competition, why not put some of those current dollars back in projects that will continue to bring visitors to Atlantic City from North Jersey and beyond?”

As recently as 2016, a referendum to permit casinos outside Atlantic City failed 77%-23%. “I look forward to working with my colleagues and the Governor on measures to address the challenges in Atlantic City and provide a foundation for continued growth in the region,” added Senator Polistina.

Trump Names Religious Liberty C'ssn Members

Today, President Donald Trump has designated the following individuals to serve on the advisory boards of the Religious Liberty Commission. On May 1^st, the President signed an Executive Order establishing the Religious Liberty Commission. He designated Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick as chair and Dr. Ben Carson as vice chair, as well as 11 other commission members. Today, he has designated individuals to serve on the three advisory boards comprised of religious leaders, legal experts, and lay advisors, respectively.

 

Advisory Board of Religious Leaders

1. Bishop Salvatore Cordileone. Salvatore Cordileone is the Archbishop of San Francisco and a member of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth and also of its Committee for Canonical Affairs and Church Governance. 
2. Pastor Jentezen Franklin. Jentezen Franklin is the Senior Pastor of Free Chapel, a multi-campus church based in Gainesville, Georgia. He has written multiple books including the bestseller, Fasting: Opening the door to a deeper, more intimate, more powerful relationship with God.
3. Archbishop Elpidophoros of America. Archbishop Elpidophoros is the eighth Archbishop of America elected since the establishment of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese in 1922. He has been an active member of the World Council of Churches and has advanced religious freedom for decades.
4. Father Thomas Ferguson. Father Thomas Ferguson is the pastor of Good Shepherd Parish in Alexandria, Virginia. He is the author of Catholic and American: The Political Theology of John Courtney Murray.
5. Rabbi Mark Gottlieb. Rabbi Mark Gottlieb is Chief Education Officer of Tikvah and founding dean of the Tikvah Scholars Program. Prior to joining Tikvah, Rabbi Gottlieb served as head of school at Yeshiva University High School for Boys and principal of the Maimonides School in Brookline, Massachusetts. Rabbi Gottlieb is a trustee of the Hildebrand Project and serves on the Editorial Committee of Tradition: A Journal of Orthodox Jewish Thought.
6. Pastor Jack Graham. Jack Graham is Senior Pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Dallas, and author of multiple books, including The Jesus Book: Reading and Understanding the Bible for Yourself. Dr. Graham has served as Honorary Chairman of the National Day of Prayer and has helped lead various national prayer initiatives. From 2002-2004, he served as President of the Southern Baptist Convention.
7. Rabbi Yaakov Menken. Rabbi Yaakov Menken is the Executive Vice President of the Coalition for Jewish Values. He previously co-founded and edited Cross-Currents.com, an online journal of Orthodox Jewish thought and opinion. Rabbi Menken is a fellow of the Amud Aish Memorial Museum, focusing upon the study of modern anti-Semitism, and author of The Everything Torah Book.
8. Bishop Thomas Paprocki.  Thomas Paprocki is the Bishop of Springfield, Illinois. He coined the “Fortnight for Freedom,” a campaign of American Bishops to defend religious liberty. The episcopal board chair for the Catholic Athletes for Christ, Bishop Paprocki has completed 24 marathons and authored Running for a Higher Purpose and Holy Goals for Body and Soul.
9. Bishop Kevin Rhoades.  Kevin Rhoades is the Bishop of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Indiana. He currently chairs the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on Religious Liberty. In addition to his religious liberty work, Bishop Rhoades sits on the USCCB Committee on Doctrine, ad hoc Committee against Racism, and served on the board of directors for the National Eucharistic Congress.
10. Rabbi Eitan Webb. Rabbi Eitan Webb co-founded the Chabad House of Princeton in 2002, with his wife Gitty and has served as a Jewish Chaplain at Princeton University since 2007. In addition to his service to university students, Rabbi Webb serves on the board of directors of the Chabad on Campus International Foundation and of the Sinai Scholars Society. 
11. Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel. Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel is the Executive Vice President of Agudath Israel of America, an American organization that represents Orthodox Jews. In 2020, he helped organize one of the largest gatherings of Orthodox Jews in U.S. history. 

Advisory Board of Legal Experts

1. Francis Beckwith. A Professor of Philosophy & Church-State Studies, Affiliate Professor of Political Science, and Associate Director of the Graduate Program in Philosophy at Baylor University, Dr. Beckwith teaches and publishes in the areas of religion, jurisprudence, politics, and ethics. A graduate of Fordham University (Ph.D. and M.A. in philosophy) and the Washington University School of Law in St. Louis (Master of Juridical Studies), he has published over 100 academic articles, book chapters, reviews, and reference entries.
2. Jason Bedrick. Jason Bedrick is a Research Fellow in the Center for Education Policy at The Heritage Foundation, where he focuses on policies that promote education freedom, religious liberty, classical education, and restoring the primary role of families in education. Bedrick is the co-editor and co-author of two books, including Educational Freedom: Remembering Andrew Coulson, Debating His Ideas and Religious Liberty and Education: A Case Study of Yeshivas vs. New York.
3. Josh Blackman. A national thought leader on constitutional law and the United States Supreme Court, Blackman serves as a professor at the South Texas College of Law Houston where he holds the Centennial Chair of Constitutional Law. Blackman was selected by Forbes Magazine for the “30 Under 30” in Law and Policy and is the President of the Harlan Institute.
4. Gerald Bradley. Gerard Bradley is professor of law at the University of Notre Dame, where he teaches Legal Ethics and Constitutional Law. He directs the Natural Law Institute and co-edits The American Journal of Jurisprudence, an international forum for legal philosophy. Bradley has been a visiting fellow at the Hoover Institution of Stanford University, and a senior fellow of the Witherspoon Institute, in Princeton, New Jersey. His most recent books are an edited collection of essays titled, Challenges to Religious Liberty in the Twenty-First Century.
5. Alyza Lewin. Alyza Lewin is the President of The Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law. Lewin is also a co-founder and partner in Lewin & Lewin, LLP where she specializes in litigation, mediation and government relations. Her experience includes criminal defense, civil litigation and anti-discrimination matters. Lewin served as President of the American Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists from 2012 – 2017.
6. Kristen Waggoner. Kristen Waggoner is the CEO, president, and general counsel of Alliance Defending Freedom: the world’s largest legal organization advancing every person’s God-given right to live and speak the truth.

 

Advisory Board of Lay Leaders

1. Abigail Robertson Allen. An on-air reporter for over ten years, Abigail Robertson is the co-host of Heaven Meets Earth, a podcast of the Christian Broadcasting Network that highlights modern-day miracles and divine encounters. 
2. Gene Bailey. Gene is a host on The Victory Channel, a faith-based Christian television network. He is known for hosting programs like FlashPoint, which discusses current events and prophecy, and Revival Radio TV, which explores historical and modern-day spiritual awakenings.
3. Mark David Hall.  A professor at Regent University in the Robertson School of Government, Dr. Hall is a scholar of early America. Prior to Regent, he was the Herbert Hoover Distinguished Professor of Politics at George Fox University. Hall has written or edited a dozen books including, Did America Have a Christian Founding?: Separating Modern Myth from Historical Truth, Great Christian Jurists in American History, and Faith and the Founders of the American Republic.
4. Alveda King.  Building upon the efforts of her father, Rev. A.D. King, and her uncle, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Dr. Alveda King has dedicated her life to the civil rights issues of our time. King is Chair of the Center for the American Dream at the America First Policy Institute and Board Member to Priests for Life. She previously served on the Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Commission.
5. Christopher Levenick.  Director of the Program for Civic Renewal with the Connelly Foundation, and the editor-in-chief of Philanthropy Magazine, Levenick has explored religion in the United States throughout his career. Writing for Claremont, AEI, and other publications, Levenick has long traced strands of the Founding manifesting themselves in the character of American Christianity, compared the principles of constitutional interpretation with those of scriptural exegesis, and explored the implications of pluralism on the exercise of religion in the public square.
6. Sameerah Munshi. Sameerah has courageously spoken out against forcing children to learn radical gender ideology in schools. She testified before the Montgomery County School Board, in a case that is currently before the Supreme Court, and has worked with the Coalition of Virtue and the Religious Freedom Institute.
7. Ismail Royer. Ismail Royer serves as Director of the Islam and Religious Freedom Action Team for the Religious Freedom Institute. Since converting to Islam in 1992, he has studied religious sciences with traditional Islamic scholars and spent over a decade working at non-profit Islamic organizations. Royer has worked with nonprofits to promote peace between faiths. His writing has appeared in multiple publications and he co-authored an article on Islam on Religious Violence Today: Faith and Conflict in the Modern World. 
8. Ryan Tucker. Ryan Tucker serves as senior counsel and director of the Center for Christian Ministries with Alliance Defending Freedom. He oversees all litigation efforts to maintain and defend the constitutionally protected freedom of churches, Christian ministries, and religious schools to exercise their rights under the First Amendment.
9. Shaykh Hamza Yusuf. Sheikh Hamza is one of the leading proponents of classical learning in Islam and is a co-founder of Zaytuna College, the first accredited Muslim liberal arts college in the United States. He is an advisor to the Center for Islamic Studies at Berkeley’s Graduate Theological Union. For almost a decade, Hamza was consecutively ranked as “The Western world’s most influential Islamic scholar” in The 500 Most Influential Muslims. During the first Trump administration, he served on the State Department’s Commission on Unalienable Rights.