INTERNACIONAL
Dems ‘deliberately obfuscating’ truth about ‘big, beautiful bill’ with this claim: Watchdog
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After House Republicans passed reconciliation language banning taxpayer funds from paying for sex change treatments, Democrats began using language to drum up opposition that conservative watchdog group the American Principles Project says is meant «to confuse people and make it sound like we’re trying to ban normal healthcare, medically necessary healthcare.»
The House-passed version of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act includes provisions that prohibit federal Medicaid and Affordable Care Act funding from being spent on «gender transition procedures for any age» in all 50 states.
In response, Democrats and left-wing groups have begun claiming the GOP’s spending package seeks to eliminate «medically-necessary care.»
However, according to APP President Terry Schilling, «it’s a lie» and an effort to combat the prevailing notion among Americans that taxpayer funds should not be paying for transgender procedures.
‘RIGHT DOWN THE LINE’: MEDICAID REFORM IN ‘BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL’ DIVIDES LAWMAKERS BY PARTY
«They’re deliberately obfuscating here, and it’s because they don’t have any good arguments,» Schilling told Fox News Digital. «We shouldn’t be paying for any cosmetic sex change procedures with our tax dollars, and that’s what we’re cutting here.
«But they’re introducing and now ramping up these highly weaponized and high-powered words to confuse people and make it sound like we’re trying to ban normal healthcare, medically necessary healthcare.»
A transgender activist poses for a photograph after a rally where hundreds gathered in support of transgender youth at the Utah State Capitol in 2023. (Rick Bowmer)
After Republicans in the House of Representatives passed their version of the GOP spending package last month, the Congressional Equality Caucus complained that «Congress should be working to make healthcare more affordable – not banning coverage of medically necessary care.»
«House Republicans changed a previous anti-trans provision so it now cuts off federal Medicaid and Affordable Care Act funding for medically-necessary care for ALL transgender people — no matter their age,» a press release from the pro-trans Human Rights Campaign said after the House passed its spending bill.
GOP RAILS AGAINST ‘BLATANTLY FALSE’ DEM CLAIMS ABOUT MEDICAID REFORM IN TRUMP’S ‘BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL’
Debate heats up over a bill prohibiting Medicaid and ACA funding for gender transition as conservatives and progressives clash on «medically necessary care.» (Getty Images)
According to APP’s Schilling, arguments that Republicans are taking away «medically necessary» healthcare from anyone are «just not true.»
To make his point, APP’s Schilling pointed to one of the left’s frequent sources for transgender medical recommendations, the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH). Schilling pointed out that WPATH’s guidelines and standards explicitly state there is no «one-size-fits-all approach» to treating individuals with gender dysphoria.
«These are not medically necessary [treatments]. It’s a lie. These are cosmetic,» Schilling argued. «If you look at WPATH, even according to their own standards, transgender-identifying people don’t actually have to medically transition. They say there’s no one size fits all. Well, I’m sorry, but medically necessary means you need it in order to survive. You need it for your health. And they’re saying in their own writings that it’s not medically necessary, that it’s not a one-size-fits-all.»
Schilling added that they’re «arguing out of both sides of their mouth.»
«We’re calling out the transgender industry, and we’re trying to stop them from confusing even more people as we pass a very, very good and important bill,» he said.
FIRST-KNOWN PUBERTY BLOCKER PATIENT SAYS ‘INSULTING’ YOUTH GENDER MOVEMENT MAKES MOCKERY OF TRUE DYSPHORIA
In a statement to Fox News Digital, the Human Rights Campaign argued «gender-affirming care» is considered «best practice» and «evidence-based» by every major medical association in the country, noting that studies have shown it significantly improves mental health outcomes for transgender youth.
«Healthcare decisions should be made by patients, families, and doctors — not the American Principles Project,» HRC said.
Protesters fill the Iowa Capitol to denounce a bill that would strip the state civil rights code of protections based on gender identity Feb. 27, 2025, in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Schilling said he has run numerous polls and focus groups about whether Americans agree with taxpayer funds supporting individuals’ gender transitions, and he told Fox News Digital that the overwhelming sentiment from people across the political spectrum is that they should not.
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«Here’s where Americans are at,» Schilling said. «They want to ban the procedures for anyone under 18. And, anyone over 18, they want you to pay for it yourself. That’s where they’re at, and that’s where [APP is] at, and that’s where Donald Trump is at. That’s where Republicans in the House and Senate are at.»
The Congressional Equality Caucus did not respond to requests for comment on this article.
INTERNACIONAL
Italia realizó el primer lanzamiento de ayuda humanitaria en Gaza y el Reino Unido anunció que destinará más fondos
El Ministerio de Defensa italiano informó sobre el vuelo inaugural del primer avión del país destinado a lanzar ayuda humanitaria a la población de Gaza, con una frecuencia de uno por día durante una semana.
La institución difundió imágenes de un avión de transporte C-130J de la Fuerza Aérea Italiana en pista, preparándose para despegar bajo la misión “Solidarity Path Operation 2» («Operación Sendero Solidario 2″), un puente humanitario destinado a apoyar a la población civil en la Franja de Gaza.
Italia enviará alrededor de 100 toneladas de bienes, incluidos alimentos y artículos básicos, que serán transportados a Amán en un vuelo civil. Estos suministros, almacenados en palés, se cargarán posteriormente en aviones para su lanzamiento aéreo.
La operación prevé un lanzamiento diario durante siete días, implicando a tripulaciones de la Fuerza Aérea y personal del Ejército especializado en logística de carga.
Previo a esta misión, el Ministerio de Defensa había apoyado a Gaza mediante el buque hospital “Vulcano“, vuelos médicos para niños heridos y la entrega de medicamentos a través de helicópteros del Ejército.
En la plataforma X, el Ministerio compartió junto al video la siguiente cita textual: “Despega el primer vuelo para el lanzamiento en paracaídas de ayuda humanitaria en la Franja de Gaza. La Defensa siempre está ahí, donde y cuando se la necesita”.
Además, el Ministerio italiano de Asuntos Exteriores confirmó recientemente un nuevo envío de ayuda humanitaria a Gaza. Este envío incluye más de 350 toneladas de harina para la población civil palestina, cuya entrada a la Franja se realizará por camión desde Jordania.
Por su parte, el Reino Unido asignará 8,5 millones de libras adicionales (9,8 millones de euros) para apoyar la labor humanitaria de las Naciones Unidas en Gaza, según informó el Ministerio británico de Asuntos Exteriores en un comunicado.
Estos fondos se canalizarán mediante el fondo para los Territorios Palestinos Ocupados (TPO) de la agencia de la ONU para asuntos humanitarios (OCHA) y se destinarán a proveer alimentos, agua y combustible en las áreas más necesitadas de la Franja de Gaza, de acuerdo con el Foreign Office.
La suma anunciada se incluye en el presupuesto de 101 millones de libras (116,6 millones de euros) de ayuda oficial al desarrollo que el Reino Unido comprometió este año fiscal para los TPO.
Según el ministerio, el Reino Unido es el principal donante de este fondo humanitario de la ONU y el nuevo paquete podría beneficiar a miles de civiles “si Israel permite que la ONU y otras agencias operen en la escala necesaria”.
El respaldo británico, a través de OCHA, ya ha posibilitado la distribución de alimentos y atención médica y económica para más de 750.000 palestinos desde el inicio del conflicto en octubre de 2023, según el Foreign Office.
El anuncio se produce tras la aprobación por parte del gabinete de seguridad israelí, liderado por Benjamín Netanyahu, de un plan para una nueva ofensiva militar en la Franja de Gaza, con el objetivo de ocupar la ciudad de Gaza. El primer ministro británico, Keir Starmer, calificó esta decisión como «errónea“.
“La catástrofe humanitaria en Gaza continúa e instamos a Israel a revertir su decisión de ampliar las operaciones militares. Todas las partes deben restablecer el alto el fuego para poner fin al terrible sufrimiento y asegurar la liberación de todos los rehenes», declaró Jenny Chapman, secretaria de Estado británica para el Desarrollo Internacional.
Chapman también describió como «inaceptable» que la ayuda permanezca en la frontera y reclamó a Israel permitir el acceso seguro de más suministros. Además, aseguró que el Reino Unido está preparado para enviar más víveres con la colaboración de sus socios.
“La insuficiencia de suministros que llegan está provocando escenas atroces y caóticas mientras civiles desesperados intentan acceder a cantidades mínimas de ayuda”, afirmó Chapman.
conflict,government aid,human rights,politics,unrest, conflicts and war,war
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A super PAC supporting Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s 2026 primary challenge against longtime Republican Sen. John Cornyn is showcasing the MAGA firebrand’s efforts in the Lone Star State’s high-stakes redistricting battle.
It’s the latest example of how the redistricting showdown in Texas is shaping what is likely to be one of the most bruising and expensive Senate races in next year’s midterm elections.
A digital spot by Lone Star Liberty PAC includes a compilation of cable news reports, and it highlights Paxton’s efforts to track down Democratic Texas lawmakers who fled the state to prevent the Republican-dominated legislature from voting on new GOP-crafted congressional maps in the red state that would create five more right-leaning congressional districts.
It includes a clip of Paxton pushing «to remove some of these legislators from office» and conservative media figures praising the attorney general’s moves. If also includes a photo of Paxton standing next to President Donald Trump, who remains neutral to date in the GOP primary battle.
TEXAS ATTORNEY GENERAL PAXTON INVESTIGATING BETO O’ROURKE
The Republican push in Texas, which comes at Trump’s urging, is part of a broader effort by the GOP across the country to keep control of its razor-thin House majority in the 2026 midterms, when the party in power traditionally faces political headwinds and loses seats.
Trump and his political team are aiming to prevent what happened during his first term in the White House, when Democrats stormed back to grab the House majority in the 2018 midterms.
SEN. CORNYN SUCCESSFUL IN URGING FBI TO TRACK DOWN FLEEING TEXAS DEMOCRATIC STATE LAWMAKERS
While the redistricting battle has spread to states across the country as Democratic governors in blue states and GOP governors in red states move toward rare mid-decade gerrymandering pushes of their own, the dispute in Texas is taking center stage in the GOP Senate primary.
Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, left, and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who are facing off in the state’s 2026 GOP Senate primary, are showcasing their efforts to crack down on fleeing Texas Democratic state lawmakers. (Getty Images)
Texas-based veteran Republican strategist Tyler Norris told Fox News Cornyn and Paxton «are using every tool at their disposal to prove that they’re both dedicated to helping the Trump administration gain more seats in Congress for 2026.»
Cornyn spotlighted his urgent letter asking the FBI for help in tracking down the Democratic state lawmakers who fled Texas. The senator’s move resulted in the FBI approving his request to locate the AWOL lawmakers.
«I am proud to announce that Director Kash Patel has approved my request for the FBI to assist state and local law enforcement in locating runaway Texas House Democrats,» Cornyn said in a statement. «We cannot allow these rogue legislators to avoid their constitutional responsibilities.»
But it remains unclear whether the FBI could actually return the lawmakers to Texas.
Paxton is also looking into whether two political action committees aligned with former Democratic Rep. Beto O’Rourke of Texas may have violated state laws by assisting the state lawmakers who fled.
«Any Democrat coward breaking the law by taking a Beto bribe will be held accountable,» Paxton said this week during a news conference.
O’Rourke came close to ousting Sen. Ted Cruz in the 2018 midterms before running unsuccessfully for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination. He lost to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in the state’s 2022 gubernatorial contest, and is considering jumping into the 2026 Senate race in Texas.
He’s been visible in his support for the fleeing Texas Democrats.
Former Rep. Beto O’Rourke, D-Texas, who is considering a U.S. Senate run in 2026, is supportive of Texas Democratic state lawmakers who fled the Lone Star State in the redistricting dispute. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
And O’Rourke has pushed back against Paxton.
«The guy impeached for bribery is going after the folks trying to stop the theft of five Congressional seats,» O’Rourke argued in a social media post Wednesday. «Let’s stop these thugs before they steal our country.»
Texas state Sen. James Talarico, who is also moving toward entering the Senate race, is among the Democrats who fled to Illinois to prevent the legislature from voting on the redistricting plan.
Since arriving in Illinois, Talarico has sat for a couple dozen interviews with media outlets across the country.
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The only major Democrat who’s already announced his candidacy in the Senate race, former Rep. Colin Allred, is also supportive of the fleeing lawmakers.
But Allred, who is making his second straight bid for the Senate in Texas, has not been in the media spotlight to the degree of Talarico or O’Rourke.
texas,donald trump,beto orourke,senate,elections,midterm elections,house of representatives politics
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Amid a flurry of recent global headlines declaring an all-out famine in the Gaza Strip, the leaders of France, Britain and Canada, as well as some other countries, declared their intentions to formally recognize a Palestinian state as a way of ending the nearly two-year war.
Yet, the announcements — a direct response to global headlines and shocking photographs of allegedly starving children — may become hollow statements after the Israeli government on Friday said it would expand the military operation in Gaza as the only way to defeat Hamas, the designated Palestinian terror group whose Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel sparked the devastating war, and restore peace.
Recognition of a Palestinian state by a growing number of states could come as soon as next month’s United Nations General Assembly. Yet with Hamas still present in Gaza and still holding at least 50 hostages, and with the other Palestinian leadership, the West Bank’s Palestinian Authority, weak and corrupt, will that recognition undermine efforts to reach both a short- and long-term solution to the decades-old intractable conflict?
STARMER SAYS UK TO RECOGNIZE PALESTINIAN STATE IF ISRAEL DOESN’T AGREE TO CEASEFIRE, HAMAS MUST ‘DISARM’
French President Emmanuel Macron, right, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer recently declared their intentions to recognize a Palestinian state. The two are seen here during a meeting on the situation in Ukraine and security issues in Europe at Elysée Palace Feb. 17, 2025, in Paris. (Tom Nicholson/Getty Images)
«I assume there is a combination of considerations here — some related to foreign policy, others to domestic politics — but the basis is still the naive belief that a Palestinian state is the right way to solve the conflict,» Meir Ben Shabbat, Israel’s former national security advisor who now heads the Misgav Institute for National Security, told Fox News Digital.
Ben Shabbat, who led the National Security Council from 2017 to 2021, said that from the perspective of French President Emmanuel Macron, «the initiative itself is what matters, not its content or chances of success.»
«It’s doubtful whether he has considered the consequences this might have, even within the Palestinian camp itself,» Ben Shabbat said.
NY TIMES’ ERRONEOUS COVER PHOTO OF GAZAN CHILD JOINS SERIES OF MEDIA BLUNDERS FRAMING STORIES AGAINST ISRAEL
Palestinian Hamas terrorists stand guard in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip Feb. 22, 2025, on the day of a handover of hostages in Gaza after the deadly Oct. 7, 2023, attack. (Reuters/Hatem Khaled/File Photo)
Last week, Ghazi Hamad, a senior Hamas political bureau official based in Qatar, told Qatari news network Al Jazeera that international recognition of a Palestinian state was «one of the fruits of the Oct. 7 attack.»
«Why are all these countries recognizing Palestine now?» he said, according to a translation from Arabic by non-profit organization MEMRI. «The overall outcome of Oct. 7 forced the world to open its eyes to the Palestinian cause and to act forcefully in this respect. (They recognize now) that the Palestinian people deserve freedom and their own state.»
Israeli leaders have warned that recognizing a Palestinian state at this juncture would be a clear reward for terrorism, and it will certainly do little to strengthen the position — or popularity — of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who has been accused of corruption and who has refused to hold democratic elections for 20 years.
International recognition of a Palestinian state is also unlikely to change the reality on the ground in Gaza or the West Bank, both of which have changed physically and demographically since initial plans for a two-state solution were drafted as part of the Oslo Accords some 32 years ago.
«In practical terms, the effects of unilateral recognition are quite limited,» Ben Shabbat said. «The recognition does not address borders, and, in fact, most of the world has already recognized a Palestinian state when it was accepted as a U.N. observer state (in 2012).»
HAMAS ENDGAME IS ‘LONG-TERM’ AND IS PLAYING OUT FOR ALL TO SEE AS ISRAEL PUSHES DEEPER INTO GAZA
Hamas terrorists killed civilians, including women, children and the elderly, when they attacked Israel Oct. 7. (Israel Defense Forces via AP)
«The main impact of these declarations is psychological —the momentum they might generate and the foundation they lay for potential future practical decisions,» he said.
Gayil Talshir, a political scientist and expert on Israeli trends and public opinion from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, said the steps to recognize a Palestinian state were «just empty declarations» that could actually end up «worsening the situation.»
«It’s a reaction to images instead of thinking about diplomacy and the process of how to make a real change,» she said.
By contrast, the «New York Declaration» issued last week by the Arab League, which called on Hamas to release all the hostages, disarm and end its rule of Gaza forges a more promising path to peace, she said.
Palestinians march during the funeral of Palestinian terrorists killed in clashes the previous day in the Israeli military operation in Jenin in the occupied West Bank July 5, 2023. (Jaafar Ashtiyeh/AFP via Getty Images)
«What is the political imagination that stands behind the French declaration of support of Palestine if it doesn’t say that Hamas should not be part of such a state or that the Palestinian Authority, which is completely corrupt, should not be part of it,» said Talshir.
«A declaration may feel very righteous for France and Canada and the rest of these states, but it actually complicates the situation further and maybe even distances an option that could materialize in the future,» she added. «instead of building a process in which you have international supervision over Gaza and maybe also over the occupied Palestinian territories and gradually build Palestinian capabilities of self rule, they are just standing with Hamas against Israel.»
ARAB NATIONS FOR FIRST TIME PRESSURE HAMAS TO DISARM, RELINQUISH POWER IN GAZA
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas at a leadership meeting in Ramallah in the West Bank April 23, 2025. (Reuters/Mohammed Torokman)
Among some Palestinians, too, the idea of statehood, while welcomed, feels far out of reach.
«Practically speaking, I can’t see this will happen anytime soon. It has to happen through long-term negotiations,» said Huda Abu Arqoub, a Palestinian peace-building activist, referring to the idea of a Palestinian state coming to life.
«For Palestinians watching what is happening in Gaza, something inside us has died. And with that kind of despair, we just don’t have the luxury right now to think of the day after or of a two-state solution.
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«Once this war is out of the picture, maybe we can breathe, maybe we can regroup, maybe we will be open to having other solutions rather than just the Oslo-based solution,» said Abu Arqoub, who acts as an advisor on peace to the European Union and some Arab states, including Saudi Arabia.
Instead of an international community «just taking sides,» she added, «there must be a transitional period for Palestinians to regain some sort of trust in the system, in the two-state solution, and to give us a choice whether we want to be part of a political entity that runs for elections or not.»
israel,middle east,canada,france,united kingdom,terrorism
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