INTERNACIONAL
Capitol Police arrest protesters disrupting budget markup as Cory Booker thanks them for defending Medicaid
More than two dozen protesters were arrested for disrupting the House Energy and Commerce’s budget reconciliation markup on Tuesday, as Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., thanked those holding court in the hallway.
«Around 2 p.m., 26 people were arrested for illegally demonstrating in the Rayburn House Office Building. They were arrested for 22-1307 Crowding, Obstructing, and Incommoding. It is against the law to protest inside the Congressional Buildings,» the U.S. Capitol Police Department told Fox News Digital.
Dozens of protesters, many in wheelchairs, filled the halls outside the John D. Dingell Room in the Rayburn House Office Building on Tuesday afternoon, chanting, «No cuts to Medicaid!» Several protesters, who were blocking the entrance to the committee room, were wheeled away and arrested by Capitol police after multiple warnings.
A defiant Booker walked by the budget markup during its first hour and was greeted by the cheers and whistles of those protesting Medicaid cuts. Booker, who spent more than 12 hours protesting President Donald Trump’s agenda on the steps of the U.S. Capitol just two weeks ago, thanked the protesters for showing up to protect Medicaid.
HOUSE GOP UNVEILS MEDICAID WORK REQUIREMENTS IN TRUMP’S ‘BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL’
Demonstrators calling for preservation of Medicaid funding, are removed from the House Energy and Commerce markup of the FY2025 budget resolution in Rayburn building on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
A Capitol police officer confirmed to Fox News Digital that disruptors were arrested for protesting and would be processed and released immediately. Many protesters remained in the hallway during the first few hours of the markup as others were removed for shouting during the representative’s testimonies and subsequently arrested.
ANTI-ABORTION PROVIDER MEASURE IN TRUMP’S ‘BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL’ COULD SPARK HOUSE GOP REBELLION
«The audience is supportive that you’re all here and participating. We want you here. You’re part of the process. We want you to be here, but we have to proceed. And the rules of the House, and the law is that – if you’re disruptive, you’ll be removed, and you’re subject to arrest. I don’t make that decision, the Capitol Police does,» Kentucky Republican Rep. Brett Guthrie, Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, said following one of several disruptions by protesters.
Inside the budget markup, Democrats and Republicans sparred over rhetoric about Medicaid cuts. Democrats claimed the Republican budget bill would cut vital access to Medicaid, with many representatives sharing stories of their constituents who have benefited from its services. Meanwhile, Republicans accused Democrats of lying to the American people about Medicaid cuts – a word Guthrie deterred his colleagues from using.
«I want to send one very clear message: you’re being lied to. The other side is telling you a lot of things about this legislation. I’m not sure they have read this legislation,» Rep. Richard Hudson, R-N.C., who chairs the Republican Congressional Campaign Committee, said.
Republicans mostly avoided the deep cuts to Medicaid pushed by fiscal conservatives in the House Republican Conference, which could serve to benefit moderate Republicans who have fielded relentless attacks from Democrats over potential Medicaid cuts. House Republicans, however, have vowed to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse in the Medicaid program.
Protesters staked out the House Energy and Commerce’s budget reconciliation markup on Tuesday. (Fox News Digital)
The committee’s budget markup includes increased regulations and program cuts to Medicaid, including tightened address verification requirements, ensuring deceased individuals are not enrolled, more provider screening requirements, removing excess Medicaid payments, revising home equity limits for determining eligibility, prohibiting illegal immigrants from obtaining Medicaid services, ensuring accurate payments, prohibiting funding for gender transition procedures for minors and requirements for states to establish Medicaid community engagement programs.
«This budget does not cut Medicaid, Medicare or Social Security benefits for the Americans who truly need them. We are strengthening and protecting Medicaid for pregnant women, children, individuals with disabilities, low-income seniors and vulnerable families. These Americans will continue to have access to the care they need and deserve. What we are doing is eliminating waste, fraud and abuse,» Rep. Erin Houchin, R-Indiana, told the committee.
But despite Republicans’ assurances that the proposed budget does not cut Medicaid, Democrats testified, one after the other, about the threats program cuts pose to Americans.
Protesters disrupted the House Energy and Commerce’s budget reconciliation markup on Tuesday. (Fox News Digital) (Fox News Digital)
«They are cutting this Medicaid care and these Medicaid dollars to pay for tax cuts for Elon Musk and billionaires, so this money isn’t even going towards funding better care for people who are eligible… We are cutting money and health care from people and families who are suffering, to pay for tax cuts for the rich. It is a crime happening in front of the American public right now,» Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., said.
The proposed legislation would put a new 80-hour-per-month work requirement on certain able-bodied adults receiving Medicaid, aged 19 through 64.
It would also put guardrails on states spending funds on their expanded Medicaid populations. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) allowed states to expand Medicaid coverage to adults who make up to 138% of the poverty level.
Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., right, and Debbie Dingell, D-Mich., attend the House Energy and Commerce markup of the FY2025 budget resolution in Rayburn building on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images) (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
More specifically, states that provide Medicaid coverage to illegal immigrants could see their federal Medicaid reimbursement dollars diminished, putting more of that cost on the state itself.
The bill would also require states with expanded Medicaid populations to perform eligibility checks every six months to ensure the system is not being abused.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The Energy & Commerce Committee, which has broad jurisdiction, including over federal health programs, telecommunications and energy, was tasked with finding at least $880 billion in spending cuts to pay for other priorities in Trump’s «big, beautiful bill.»
Guthrie told House Republicans on a lawmaker-only call on Sunday night that the panel had found «north of $900 billion» in savings.
House Of Representatives,Capitol Protests,Elections,Cory Booker,US protests
INTERNACIONAL
Party of ‘crazies’: Dems comply with outrageous redistricting stunts due to primary threats, state rep says
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Many of the Texas Democrats who fled the Lone Star State to Democrat-stronghold states amid a Republican redistricting effort are complying with the political stunt out of fear of being primaried by «someone even crazier» within the party, Republican Texas state Rep. Briscoe Cain told Fox News Digital in a Thursday interview.
«If they were to come back, they would lose in a primary to someone even more socialistic than they are,» Cain told Fox News Digital in a Thursday Zoom interview. «So yeah, they’re actually there out of fear, not out of fear of the Republican legislation, but out of fear of their own people. And so they’ll continue to sit out of state at their own detriment, all because of the fear of being primaried by someone even crazier than they are.»
«I can tell you that many of them don’t want to be there. They know that ultimately they’re going to lose, but because their party’s run by a bunch of crazies, they have to be there,» he continued of the Democrats who left the state ahead of Monday.
Dozens of Democratic state lawmakers fled Texas for liberal bastions such as Illinois, Massachusetts and New York to prevent a quorum for a special session as state lawmakers prepared to vote on a redrawn congressional map for the state ahead of the 2026 midterms.
State lawmakers have reported they plan to be absent from the state until the end of August, when the special session ends.
ABBOTT, PAXTON LAUNCH LEGAL BLITZ ON FLEEING DEMOCRATS IN REDISTRICTING SHOWDOWN
Texas Democrats stood next to Illinois lawmakers on Aug. 4, 2025 to oppose redistricting measures proposed by Texas Republicans. (Fox News)
Texas law requires at least two-thirds of lawmakers in either chamber be present to proceed with legislative matters, with the Democrat minority party currently holding 62 seats in the Texas house to the GOP’s 88.
The Texas House has been at a standstill since the Democrats fled over the weekend. Six Democrats are in the Austin area this week, Cain explained, meaning six more Democrats are required before the body can reach a quorum.
Cain said that he heard three additional Democrats are in the Houston area and likely «taunting» Republicans to potentially arrest them over their absence.
«They’re older members, and they’re kind of taunting us to arrest them with the idea that ‘who would arrest grandma?’ It’s kind of a clever play by the Democrats,» he said.
Texas Speaker of the House Dustin Burrows signed arrest warrants for the absent Democrats on Monday, following the state House approving of such warrants and Gov. Greg Abbott calling on the Texas Department of Public Safety to arrest the «delinquent Texas House Democrats.» The arrest warrants are largely viewed as symbolic as they only apply to those within state lines.
TEXAS RESIDENTS SAY ‘THERE SHOULD BE CONSEQUENCES’ FOR DEMS FLEEING STATE TO AVOID VOTE
Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair Gene Wu speaks to reporters on Aug. 3, 2025 as Democrats fled Texas to prevent a quorum. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) reported Thursday that the FBI agreed to his request to help assist in locating the whereabouts of the derelict lawmakers as Republicans work to reach a quorum upon the Democrats’ returns.
«I thank President Trump and Director Patel for supporting and swiftly acting on my call for the federal government to hold these supposed lawmakers accountable for fleeing Texas,» Cornyn said in a Thursday news release. «We cannot allow these rogue legislators to avoid their constitutional responsibilities.»
Cain told Fox Digital that Republicans are doing «everything in our power» after Democrats fled the state, including launching investigations into potential bribery. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced an investigation Wednesday into former presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke’s nonprofit, Powered by People, over claims it was helping fund the Democratic exodus from the state, which he described as a political bribe.
«They’re being investigated for potential bribery,» Cain told Fox Digital. «And the Attorney General has launched an investigation into Beto O’Rourke’s organization for bribery as well. I’ll tell you, under the Texas Penal Code, offering or accepting or knowingly doing … a benefit to an elected official in exchange for their vote or some kind of discretionary action, like showing up to work, is considered bribery here in Texas. And it kind of looks like that and we need to launch an investigation.»
In response to the investigation, O’Rourke described Republicans in Texas as «thugs» who are attempting to «steal our country» and accused Paxton of bribery himself.
TEXAS DEMS ALSO SKIPPED TOWN IN 2021 TO AVOID A VOTE, AND SEVERAL CAUGHT COVID-19 IN DC
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has slammed lawmakers who fled the state as «delinquent Texas House Democrats.» (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
Democratic governors, such as Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, have since opened their proverbial doors to the Texas Democrats who fled the Lone Star State.
Cain remarked the irony is not lost on him that the Democrats fled to states that have long histories embracing gerrymandered voting lines.
«The irony of this entire walkout, of course, they go to states that are some of the worst gerrymandered states that we’ve seen.
«We’re now being able to expose and show the world the maps of these hypocrites. And they also call themselves brave. But as to quote Governor Greg Abbott, they’re very un-Texan, Texans don’t run from a fight,» he continued.
TEXAS DEMOCRATS FLEE STATE TO BLOCK TRUMP-BACKED REDISTRICTING VOTE IN DRAMATIC LEGISLATIVE MOVE
Texas lawmakers have used quorum breaking as a political strategy going back to 1870, and last unfolded in 2021, when Democratic state lawmakers fled to Washington, D.C., out of an attempt to block the passage of voting and election integrity legislation, as well as the 2004 walk-out also over redistricting.
Cain said history shows such stunts have not proven fruitful for Democrats.
«Democrats lost seats every time they came back – might be a hint that the voters don’t appreciate those things. We also still passed the legislation. So it’s really a costly, futile move whereby it’s just pure theater, a chance to go and fundraise, but really they’re not standing up for democracy at all. Rather, they’re just being pure obstructionists and obstructing the will of the people that have elected them,» he said.
President Donald Trump has encouraged redistricting in Texas, including remarking on Tuesday that efforts to redistrict in Texas could lead to the GOP picking up five seats.
«In California, it’s all gerrymandered,» Trump said during an interview with CNBC Tuesday. «And we have an opportunity in Texas to pick up five seats. We have a really good governor, and we have good people in Texas. And I won Texas. I got the highest vote in the history of Texas, as you probably know, and we are entitled to five more seats.»
For Cain, redistricting in Texas is needed as its demographics have shifted since 2020, when the state last redrew its voting maps.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
«Over the last few years, Texas has drastically changed, our population has tremendously changed, not just from the open border policies of Joe Biden, but also because of our great economic conditions that have caused people to flee California and Illinois and Boston to come and want to live here. In order to reflect that population change, we need to update our map,» he said.
Fox News Digital’s Diana Stancy and Alec Schemmel contributed to this report.
texas,elections,donald trump,voting,democratic party
INTERNACIONAL
Perú denunció que un avión militar de Colombia violó su espacio aéreo al sobrevolar la isla que reclama Gustavo Petro
El Gobierno de Perú denunció que un avión militar de Colombia invadió presuntamente su espacio aéreo al sobrevolar a baja altura en las inmediaciones de la isla peruana en mitad del río Amazonas que el presidente colombiano, Gustavo Petro, reclama para su país, después de que haya sido elevada por las autoridades peruanas a la categoría de municipio.
El primer ministro de Perú, Eduardo Arana, y el ministro de Defensa, Walter Astudillo, anunciaron en una rueda de prensa que el incidente motivó la presentación de una nota de protesta, ya que sucedió este jueves, cuando una delegación del Ejecutivo peruano visitaba Santa Rosa, a la par que Petro visitaba en la otra orilla la ciudad colombiana de Leticia, donde dijo que no reconocía la soberanía peruana sobre Santa Rosa.
«Quiero denunciar desde aquí la violación del espacio aéreo peruano. Mientras nosotros desempeñábamos nuestra actividad oficial y coordinábamos acciones en este distrito, pudimos observar cómo sobrevolaba alrededor de la isla una aeronave que desconocíamos su origen y cuál era su destino», dijo Arana, en una rueda de prensa posterior al Consejo de Ministros.
Asimismo, el Ejecutivo «exigió las más amplias satisfacciones y garantías de que una situación similar no volverá a ocurrir, en resguardo de los históricos vínculos de cooperación e integración bilateral».
El presidente del Consejo de Ministros de Perú agregó que en ese momento se dispuso verificar la nave, su matrícula y comprobar si tenía autorización, y poco después supieron que se trataba de una aeronave militar colombiana.
«Ante este hecho, el Gobierno inmediatamente dispuso que se requieran las explicaciones tanto por los canales militares como diplomáticos. Es un hecho que nos causó primero sorpresa y luego indignación, no tuvimos conocimiento oficial del ingreso de la nave», indicó Arana al recordar que toda incursión en el espacio aéreo debe estar permitida previamente por las autoridades del país.
Asimismo, declaró que las explicaciones que ha dado hasta el momento el Gobierno de Colombia no satisfacen al Ejecutivo peruano, por lo que en la sesión del Consejo de Ministros, se decidió remitir de inmediato una nota de protesta que la Cancillería deberá elaborar próximamente.
En relación a esto, el viceministro de Relaciones Exteriores, Félix Denegri, señaló que no adelantará detalles sobre la nota de protesta y precisó que, una vez enviada, se emitirá un comunicado oficial.
Por su parte, el ministro de Defensa, Walter Astudillo, precisó que la nave colombiana es una aeronave militar tipo A-29, más conocida como ‘Super Tucano’, y que esta volaba entre unos 200 y 300 metros de altura.
Añadió que estos aviones cuentan con un motor de alta potencia y se emplean como apoyo aerotáctico de fuerzas terrestres, especialmente en la lucha contra el tráfico ilícito de drogas.
Además dijo que las autoridades colombianas expresaron que la incursión de la aeronave no fue intencional. «No existe ninguna justificación para que una aeronave ingrese a nuestro espacio aéreo sin tener el permiso correspondiente», afirmó el ministro.
La presidenta de Perú, Dina Boluarte, mandó este jueves un mensaje de calma a la población de su país porque aseguró que no hay ningún tema limítrofe pendiente de tratar con Colombia, después de que Petro afirmara el martes que el país andino supuestamente se apropió de una isla amazónica en la frontera entre ambos países.
Desde Japón, donde Boluarte realiza una visita oficial, la mandataria dio un mensaje a la nación en el que dijo que la soberanía del país sobre la isla reclamada por Colombia, donde se encuentra la población de Santa Rosa de Loreto, no está en conflicto y no hay ningún tema pendiente de tratar «de ninguna manera».
«No hay nada que tratar con nuestro hermano país del norte, con nuestros hermanos colombianos, de ninguna manera», sostuvo al añadir que el tratado de 1922 y su reconfirmación en el Protocolo de Río de Janeiro de 1934 muestran que la isla Chinería, ubicada frente a la ciudad colombiana de Leticia, es peruana y está dentro de su soberanía nacional.
Perú,Colombia,Gustavo Petro,Últimas Noticias
INTERNACIONAL
Crisis en Cuba: la cosecha de azúcar no alcanzó las 150.000 toneladas y se convirtió en la peor en más de un siglo
La zafra (cosecha) de 2024/2025 en Cuba no superó las 150.000 toneladas de azúcar, lo que supone el peor resultado en más de un siglo y menos de la mitad de lo obtenido el año pasado, según cálculos de EFE basados en fuentes oficiales.
La cifra es aún peor que las estimaciones independientes publicadas hasta la fecha y apenas algo más de la mitad del modesto plan estatal para esta temporada de producción de azúcar, un producto que durante décadas fue pilar fundamental de la economía cubana, primera exportación nacional y fuente de orgullo.
De “desastre” califica estos datos un antiguo responsable del ahora extinto Ministerio de la Industria Azucarera (Minaz) de Cuba, que pide mantener el anonimato.
Este volumen, advierten los expertos, resulta insuficiente para las necesidades internas del país, pone en aprietos a la industria del ron cubano (que tiene el azúcar nacional como ingrediente imprescindible) e impide de nuevo que La Habana cumpla su acuerdo de suministro preferente con China.
El cálculo se ha elaborado a partir de una treintena de reportes parciales de medios oficiales nacionales y regionales, y ante la falta de información comprensiva por parte de instituciones y medios oficiales. EFE solicitó una entrevista con la azucarera estatal Azcuba, pero no ha obtenido respuesta.
La suma de los objetivos de los quince centrales azucareros operativos en esta zafra (menos de un 10 % de los que llegaron a funcionar en Cuba) no llega a las 280.0000 toneladas de azúcar, según estas informaciones. Los centrales azucareros son fábricas en las que se procesa la caña de azúcar.
Por el contrario, no se ha informado públicamente del resultado total de la cosecha, pese a su relevancia económica.
Distintos medios oficiales difundieron por separado las cifras de producción de diez centrales (entre ellos los principales del país, como el Antonio Guiteras de Las Tunas y el Ciro Redondo de Ciego de Ávila) por un total de 95.584 toneladas.
De la cosecha de los otros cinco centrales no se puede encontrar información pública, pero sí de sus objetivos, que sumaban 52.068 toneladas de azúcar.
Si como publicó Granma -órgano oficial del Partido Comunista de Cuba (PCC, único legal)- tan sólo uno de los 15 centrales operativos -el Melanio Hernández- logró su meta, entonces se puede inferir que la zafra 2024/2025 no superó las 150.000 toneladas.
Algunos centrales han tenido resultados muy pobres. El Dos Ríos de Santiago de Cuba apenas logró 2.700 toneladas, de las 20.811 planificadas (13%); y el Antonio Guiteras sumó 7.200, de las 45.000 previstas (16%).
Según distintas fuentes históricas, Cuba no producía menos de 150.000 toneladas desde el siglo XIX, cuando las guerras de independencia frente a España lastraron la producción del ya entonces cultivo principal de la isla. En 1989, por el contrario, el país alcanzó los ocho millones.
Cuba llegó a ser el primer exportador mundial de azúcar y contó con más de 160 centrales. A lo largo de los años suscribió acuerdos preferenciales con Estados Unidos (antes de la revolución) y con la URSS.
Tras el derrumbe del sector los expertos señalan, entre otras causas, la obsolescencia de los centrales, la falta de inversiones y recursos materiales (equipos, combustible, etc), los apagones, las adversidades climatológicas, la escasez de personal capacitado y las ineficiencias.
El ex responsable del central destaca a EFE que se está plantando poca caña por hectárea y que parte de la materia prima se pierde por no procesarla rápidamente por los cortes eléctricos, las averías y la falta de combustible.
Este jubilado, que lloró el día que vio las ruinas en que se ha convertido el central que dirigió, señala que quizá, en las condiciones actuales, sería más barato importar el azúcar que producirlo en Cuba.
La industria azucarera cubana vive un continuado declive desde hace décadas, en parte por el contexto externo (caída del bloque socialista europeo, sanciones estadounidenses, precios en el mercado internacional…), pero también por decisiones propias, entre las que destaca el proceso de reestructuración del sector a principios de siglo.
La del azúcar es otra más de las crisis que padece la isla, en una situación económica y social muy complicada desde 2020. En estos cinco años el producto interno bruto (PIB) de la isla se ha contraído un 11% y las previsiones apuntan a una nueva caída este ejercicio.
(EFE)
Agricultural Markets,Corporate Events,South America / Central America,SAN CRISTOBAL
Ricardo Montaner se sinceró sobre su hija como nunca antes
Party of ‘crazies’: Dems comply with outrageous redistricting stunts due to primary threats, state rep says
El Gobierno se resigna a las derrotas en el Congreso “hasta diciembre” y advierte que “se vetará todo”
Perú denunció que un avión militar de Colombia violó su espacio aéreo al sobrevolar la isla que reclama Gustavo Petro
Comienza la cuenta regresiva para elegir la nueva CGT: cuál es el primer punto que se discutirá y que ya genera tensiones
Foster Gillett, al límite en Uruguay: pagó deudas y Rampla Juniors zafó del descenso
Malas noticias para Wanda Nara: por qué la bajaron misteriosamente de MasterChef: «No va a salir este año»
Axel Kicillof reclamó ante la Corte Suprema $12 billones que le adeuda Nación
Mauricio Macri cruzó a los libertarios por el acuerdo electoral: “Quieren tomar una posición dominante”
“¡Vergüenza nacional! La Policía Federal recibirá aumentos ridículos de solo $10.000 y vive un colapso salarial mientras el costo de vida se dispara”
Milei afirmó que la elección en la provincia de Buenos Aires “podría significar el fin del kirchnerismo”
Causa Cuadernos: la Justicia confirmó el inicio del juicio en contra de Cristina Kirchner por corrupción
El discurso de Javier Milei, en vivo: inminente medidas del Gobierno
En el marco de su plan de alcanzar el déficit cero, el Presidente anunció que en los próximos días presentará...
La nota que publicó The New York Times sobre la expedición del Conicet y la tensión con Milei
El reconocido diario estadounidense The New York Times publicó este viernes una nota que aborda la expedición al fondo del...
Lilia Lemoine reaccionó a las declaraciones de Diana Mondino y dijo que “atentó” contra el Presidente: “Está armado”
Después de que la excanciller Diana Mondino diera una entrevista en el exterior y realizara declaraciones sobre Javier Milei -entre...
POLITICA3 días agoCausa Cuadernos: la Justicia confirmó el inicio del juicio en contra de Cristina Kirchner por corrupción
- DEPORTE3 días ago
Rakitic, obligado a pedir disculpas tras felicitar a Modric por su fichaje
- POLITICA2 días ago
La oposición logró la media sanción para el aumento del financiamiento universitario y desafía a Milei
