INTERNACIONAL
‘Hell Week’ in Washington: A look at House Republicans’ current bind, and how we got here
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There’s no such thing as hazing in Congress.
You won’t find «fraternity row,» with each house festooned with a trifecta of deltas, gammas and epsilons.
No drinking games here.
At least not officially.
WHCD SHOOTING SHOWS DEMS ARE ‘PLAYING’ WITH AMERICANS’ SAFETY BY WITHHOLDING DHS FUNDING, GOP LAWMAKER SAYS
Capitol Hill and Greek pledges share one common denominator at the moment: the impending doom of a forthcoming «hell week.» (Aaron Schwartz/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)
But get ready for something on Capitol Hill with which many Greek pledges are all too familiar:
«I’m going to say next week is hell week,» warned Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Texas, last Thursday. «Next week is going to be hell week.’
And this was all before the harrowing episode Saturday night at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington.
HOUSE GOP PUSHES BACK ON SENATE’S ‘SKINNY’ PLAN TO END RECORD-BREAKING DHS SHUTDOWN
To wit about the week facing Capitol Hill:
House Republicans face a devil of a week. They must get on the same page as the Senate to pass a budget framework – to prospectively fund ICE and the Border Patrol. FISA, the nation’s controversial spy program expires early Friday morning. That’s to say nothing of trying to pass the farm bill.
If they don’t get all of this done, «Dean Wormer» (of Animal House fame) might just place House Republicans on «double secret probation» before the week is through.
So let’s examine what got House Republicans in this bind.
Let’s start at 3:36 a.m. last Thursday.
We begin there, because in the past several weeks, the most important moments in Congress have unfolded at 2:12 on a Friday morning, 2:16 on a Friday morning and now 3:36 on a Thursday morning.
3:36 a.m. is when the Senate approved a budget framework to possibly fund ICE and CBP. Republicans are running a special legislative gambit called «reconciliation» to bypass a filibuster. That’s because Democrats won’t help. They’ve never secured the reforms they need to support ICE. So Republicans are going it alone.
«We’re trying to use the reconciliation process to get money to secure the border,» said Senate Budget Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.
Democrats have been cold on ICE funding ever since the wintertime killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. (Stefani Reynolds/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Democrats have balked about funding ICE since the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis over the winter.
«They want to give $140 billion for ICE and Border Patrol without any reforms,» said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. «(They’re) adding $140 billion to an agency that nobody – well, two groups, Border Patrol and ICE – that nobody respects in this country.»
That prompted an explosive response from Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin during an appearance on Fox.
«It makes my ears red. It takes a lot to get me upset. But Chuck Schumer, no one respects you. The definition of a lying scumbag politician. That is you,» said Mullin of his former Senate colleague.
ICE SHUTDOWN FIGHT MIGHT RESTRICT FEMA, COAST GUARD TO ‘LIFE-THREATENING’ EMERGENCIES
Perhaps this why the white-hot rhetoric on both sides may have contributed to the mayhem of Saturday night.
Mullin says emergency DHS money is about to expire. So pressure is intensifying on the House to align with the Senate with no changes to the outline adopted by the Senate.
«It has to be clean, because it’s got to be quick,» said House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La. «The last paychecks go out at the end of this month.»
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., says the Senate funding package contains «problematic language.» (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
But remember, this is just the House lining up with the Senate on a blueprint to address the funding lapse at ICE and CBP. The assassination attempt at the White House dinner only amplified the need to fund DHS. And fast. However, Johnson refused to pick up a bill to fund everything else at DHS which the Senate passed twice. Then Johnson agreed to pass the bill after dissing it. But the House has never synced up.
Johnson says the Senate funding package – not the reconciliation framework – «has some problematic language» because it was «haphazardly drafted.»
And now Johnson is suggesting there may be yet another DHS funding bill in the works.
That may be inevitable, considering the chaos of the weekend.
REPUBLICANS EYE ENDING GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWNS FOREVER OVER FEARS DEMS WILL DO IT AGAIN
Budget reconciliation takes a while.
«Reconciliation is still a little ways off,» said Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D. «They’re running out of runway to fund a lot of those agencies.»
But here’s the other problem with reconciliation: Many conservatives insist on add-ons.
«We should be taking a broader approach to reconciliation,» said Rep. Chip Roy R-Texas.
Here’s what they’re mulling: Maybe money to cover the cost of the war in Iran. Perhaps a suspension of the federal gasoline tax. Additional tax cuts. You name it.
Many on the right demand the inclusion of the SAVE America Act. The bill requires proof of citizenship in order to vote.
«I think you’d see a lot more folks on our side jump on board with it if they had that,» said Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., about the SAVE America Act.
Many on the right demand the inclusion of the SAVE America Act in a reconciliation bill. Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., argued, «you’d see a lot more folks on our side jump on board with it if they had that.» (Heather Diehl/Getty Images)
However, even advocates of the SAVE America Act doubt the GOP can stuff that into a Senate bill which must be fiscal in nature. Many demand an additional, expansive reconciliation bill which is not limited to DHS.
«This is probably the only reconciliation we’re going to have before the break. That’s a poor excuse for the work we’re doing up here,» complained Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C. «One bill with that limited amount.»
«People probably intend to do a third reconciliation bill. But you’re not looking at Bambi’s baby brother here,» said Sen. John Kennedy, R-La. «This is the last train leaving the station.»
All aboard?
SENATE TAKES FIRST STEP TO FUND ICE, BORDER PATROL IN BID TO CUT DEMS OUT OF THE FUNDING PROCESS
For the moment, President Trump is still focused on the reconciliation outline.
«We need all Republicans to join together and support this Budget Blueprint, which will allow us to bypass Democrat obstruction in the Senate, and fund Immigration Enforcement with only Republican Votes. The Senate passed this Blueprint last week on Thursday morning, and now, House Republicans must UNIFY, and pass the same Blueprint to get the Bill done,» wrote the President on Truth Social.
The President added that he wants a «FAST and FOCUSED» bill by June 1.
That’s nearly five weeks from now.
Hence the challenge of the week.
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«This is so difficult. Up here, we can’t agree with much,» fumed Nehls.
But here’s a little secret. Every week on Capitol Hill in recent memory has morphed into a political inferno. A failed exercise to fund the government which lingered since last summer. Fights over the Epstein files. Resignations amid dark political scandals. Efforts to expel other lawmakers. You name it.
«If you’re going through hell, keep going,» said Winston Churchill.
Which is maybe why Congress goes through the same hellish, legislative landscape nearly every week.
congress, house of representatives politics, republicans
INTERNACIONAL
Crecen las críticas al plan de la NASA de estrellar la Estación Espacial Internacional en el océano Pacífico
El fin de una era espacial llegará en menos de cinco años. La NASA y sus socios internacionales confirmaron que la Estación Espacial Internacional (ISS, por sus siglas en inglés), uno de los mayores logros de la cooperación científica y tecnológica global, terminará su misión a principios de la próxima década con una maniobra planeada para sumergir sus restos en el océano Pacífico.
El proceso, previsto para fines de 2030 o principios de 2031, será histórico por la magnitud del aparato a desorbitar —del tamaño de un campo de fútbol— y por el modo en que la comunidad internacional enfrenta la transición hacia nuevas plataformas orbitales privadas.
Sin embargo, la decisión de dirigir los escombros al Punto Nemo, una zona remota del Pacífico, ya genera cuestionamientos de expertos en derecho espacial y grupos de defensa de los océanos, que advierten sobre un vacío legal y la falta de estudios sobre el efecto en los ecosistemas marinos.
El plan técnico es claro: la ISS perderá altura en etapas, primero por fricción atmosférica y maniobras del segmento ruso, y luego mediante el acople de un Vehículo de Desorbitación Estadounidense (USDV) construido por SpaceX.
Este vehículo, equipado con 46 propulsores Draco, será el encargado de guiar la estación hacia su reingreso controlado en la atmósfera terrestre.
Según la NASA, la Estación Espacial Internacional será desorbitada mediante una serie de acciones. En primer lugar, entre principios y mediados de 2028, la ISS comenzará a descender debido a la fricción atmosférica natural de la Tierra y a las maniobras de reentrada del segmento ruso de la ISS.
Posteriormente, a mediados de 2029, la NASA planea lanzar un Vehículo de Desorbitación Estadounidense (USDV), suministrado por SpaceX y financiado por el gobierno, acoplarlo a la ISS. Este vehículo encenderá sus 46 propulsores Draco y empujará la estación hacia su destino final en el océano”.
Para la NASA, la ISS representa “uno de los mayores logros de cooperación e ingeniería de la humanidad”. Durante casi 30 años, más de 265 personas de 20 países habitaron la estación, que funcionó como plataforma para miles de experimentos en microgravedad, medicina, tecnología y ciencias de la vida. Las tripulaciones se ofrecieron como sujetos de prueba para estudios sobre adaptación humana al espacio, mientras que instrumentos y sensores desplegados a bordo aportaron datos valiosos sobre el clima terrestre, la materia oscura y el comportamiento de las estrellas de neutrones.
Según la agencia, la misión de la estación espacial es llevar a cabo investigación y desarrollo en órbita terrestre baja (LEO) para aprender cómo la humanidad puede vivir y trabajar mejor en el espacio y devolver los beneficios de esta investigación a las personas en la Tierra.
Sin embargo, el final planificado para la estación genera “serias preocupaciones para la salud de los océanos”, según Mark Spalding, presidente de la Ocean Foundation, organización con sede en Washington, D.C.
Spalding advierte que “la planeada desorbitación de la Estación Espacial Internacional plantea serias preocupaciones para la salud de los océanos que la comunidad espacial no ha abordado adecuadamente”.
El temor radica en la falta de información sobre qué materiales sobrevivirán al reingreso y cómo impactarán en el fondo marino. “La verdad es que no lo sabemos con certeza. Eso es muy preocupante para una estructura del tamaño de un campo de fútbol. Sabemos que no todo se quema al reingresar a la atmósfera. Los componentes más densos sobrevivirán y llegarán al fondo marino”, señaló Spalding.
La Oficina de Responsabilidad Gubernamental de Estados Unidos (GAO) publicó un informe donde también apunta a una “brecha preocupante” en el derecho internacional. El Convenio sobre Responsabilidad Espacial de 1972 obliga a indemnizar por daños en tierra firme o territorios nacionales, pero no contempla los daños ambientales en alta mar.
“Como resultado, cuando las agencias espaciales controlan dónde caen los desechos, apuntan a alta mar y, al hacerlo, no contraen ninguna obligación legal de pagar por la limpieza o la remediación ambiental”, explicó Spalding. La remota ubicación del Punto Nemo, elegida para minimizar riesgos a la población, no elimina el valor ecológico de los océanos ni su vulnerabilidad.
La Ocean Foundation reclama una evaluación completa del impacto ambiental del campo de escombros del fondo marino previsto y de los efectos atmosféricos y la divulgación pública de todos los materiales que sobrevivirán a la reentrada y llegarán al fondo del océano.
También pide un análisis jurídico riguroso de las obligaciones contraídas en virtud de la Convención de las Naciones Unidas sobre el Derecho del Mar (CNUDM), el Protocolo de Londres de 1996 y el Acuerdo BBNJ, que exige evaluaciones de impacto ambiental para actividades con efectos inciertos en el mar.
Spalding concluye: “En alta mar no existe un soberano que pueda exigir responsabilidades. Creemos que es necesario subsanar esta laguna en el derecho internacional, y la desorbitación de la ISS es un claro ejemplo de por qué”.
La NASA justifica la decisión de desorbitar la ISS en la seguridad y en la necesidad de liberar el espacio para futuras estaciones comerciales, pero reafirma el valor científico de sus casi tres décadas de operación. “Sin la continuación de estas demostraciones y experimentos de larga duración en el sistema conjunto humano-vehículo, la exploración humana del sistema solar no será posible”, subraya la agencia.
Los sensores climáticos validaron modelos globales y aportaron información sobre el clima cambiante, mientras que la colaboración internacional permitió avances en medicina, materiales y biología que impactan en la vida cotidiana en la Tierra.
La transición hacia nuevas plataformas orbitales implica riesgos y desafíos regulatorios. El informe de la GAO advierte sobre la posibilidad de un “vacío” en la presencia humana continua en la órbita terrestre baja, ya que la transición de la ISS a estaciones comerciales aún no está asegurada. La NASA y sus socios —CSA, ESA, JAXA y Roscosmos— aceleran los acuerdos y el desarrollo de infraestructuras privadas, pero la pregunta sobre el legado de la ISS y el futuro de la cooperación internacional en el espacio sigue abierta.
El debate por la caída controlada de la ISS revela la necesidad de actualizar el marco legal internacional para proteger los océanos como un bien común.
El Acuerdo BBNJ recién negociado en la ONU establece que “las partes realicen evaluaciones de impacto ambiental para las actividades que puedan afectar el medio marino más allá de la jurisdicción nacional cuando se desconozcan o no se comprendan bien los efectos”.
Spalding plantea: “Cabe preguntarse si la desorbitación de la ISS —la mayor reentrada de este tipo en la historia, dirigida a alta mar— debería activar esa obligación”.
El destino de la ISS será observado como un caso de estudio para el futuro de la basura espacial y la protección de los océanos. La comunidad internacional enfrenta el desafío de equilibrar los logros de la ciencia con la preservación de los ecosistemas marinos, en un contexto donde la lejanía del océano no debe confundirse con falta de valor o vulnerabilidad.
estación espacial internacional,NASA,Punto Nemo,desorbitación,medio ambiente,derecho espacial
INTERNACIONAL
South Korea’s proposed platform law could cost US states $525B over the next decade, model estimates
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A new model shows devastating economic losses for U.S. companies if South Korea adopts controversial legislation that would regulate transactions with some American firms, and lawmakers warn that the country’s leadership is now «closely aligned with China.»
The Online Platform Fairness Act, which is spearheaded by the Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC), has gained steam in the Asian nation and is backed by far-left South Korean President Lee Jae-myung.
A Competere Foundation model estimates a $525 billion loss in economic activity in U.S. states over the next decade, including a $123 billion loss for California, a $48.7 billion loss for Texas, a $33.9 billion loss for New York and a $27.4 billion loss for Washington.
«South Korea is an American ally and an economic success story, which is why its recent and continuing actions restricting American companies — like its 20-year ban on Google Maps — are so troubling,» Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., told Fox News Digital. «I remain concerned that its current trade commission resembles the worst of Lina Khan’s FTC, not the free market tradition that has helped to bring Seoul and Washington together.»
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and his wife Kim Hea Kyung arrive at Seoul airport to depart for China on Jan. 4, 2026. (Lee Jin-man/AP Photo)
OVER 50 HOUSE MEMBERS ACCUSE SOUTH KOREA’S NEW LEFT-WING GOVERNMENT OF ATTACKING US COMPANIES, FAVORING CHINA
Issa told Fox News Digital in April that South Korean leadership and the nature of the Democratic majority in the country is «closely aligned with China.»
Yoon Suk-yeol, a conservative from the People Power Party, was elected president of South Korea in 2022 but was impeached in December 2024. His decision to impose martial law was a key factor in his ouster.
Lee narrowly lost to Yoon in the 2022 presidential election but won the presidency in 2025. The Democratic Party in South Korea already holds a substantial majority in the National Assembly. The country is now operating at a full Democratic majority.
SOUTH KOREA FLIPS LEFT IN PRESIDENTIAL RACE; LEE SECURES VICTORY AFTER CONSERVATIVE OPPONENT CONCEDES
Trump is expected to press Xi on China’s economic and strategic support for both Iran and Russia, including oil revenue, dual-use components and potential weapons transfers, according to senior administration officials. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)
The Democratic Party is the main liberal force party in the country and favors progressive domestic policies as opposed to the conservative beliefs that have previously reduced political engagement with North Korea and promoted relations with the U.S.
The proposed bill, which remains pending in South Korea’s assembly, would broaden the power of the KFTC, the same agency members of Congress are criticizing for unfairly treating U.S. companies.
Shanker Singham, international trade and competition economist and CEO of the Competere Foundation, said, «Korea is already an increasingly unfriendly place for U.S. companies to do business,» adding the «looming regulations will make that environment even worse.»
SOUTH KOREA’S NEW LEFTIST PRESIDENT PULLS A FAST ONE ON DONALD TRUMP
Supporters of former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol stage a rally outside the Seoul High Court in Seoul on April 29, 2026. (Ahn Young-joon/AP)
Former Utah Republican Rep. Chris Stewart also warned of South Korea’s posture to increase regulatory burdens for U.S. companies, telling Fox News Digital it could be devastating for more than just tech companies.
«South Korea’s campaign against American companies isn’t just a trade issue. It’s a strategic mistake that benefits China,» Stewart said. «Every time Korean regulators make it harder for U.S. innovators like Coupang, Google or Meta to compete, they create more room for Chinese companies to gain market share and influence in one of the world’s most important digital economies.»
Stewart noted that the cost would affect more than just Silicon Valley, tying the economic losses to a Chinese win, since Beijing would likely take up lost market share in South Korea if American companies were to reduce investment.
BEYOND MISPERCEPTION: A RENEWED KOREAN DEMOCRACY AND A RENEWED ALLIANCE
In early June, foreign policy experts Nicholas Eberstadt and Lawrence Peck published an editorial in the Wall Street Journal titled, «South Korea Takes a Hard Left Turn Against America,» which alleged that South Korean officials «stormed» U.S. air force bases as part of a domestic investigation.
Logos of internet company Coupang and security company SentinelOne are displayed on their shared headquarters in Mountain View, Calif., on Oct. 28, 2018. (Smith Collection/Gado/Sipa USA)
The investigation focused on Coupang, a U.S. tech company similar to Amazon. In early June, South Korea fined Coupang roughly $410 million for a data breach, the largest fine the country has ever issued for a similar charge.
South Korea’s science ministry said a Chinese national and former Coupang employee stole data and customer information from the American company, including information about South Korean citizens.
WILL SOUTH KOREA EXPEL THE US?
«The investigation into the case of Coupang is proportionate to the nature of the data breach and consistent with those applied to Korean companies in comparable cases,» South Korean embassy spokesperson Minseong Seo told Semafor.
In April, 50 members of the House of Representatives expressed their concern in a letter to Republic of Korea (ROK) Ambassador to the United States Kyung-wha Kang over what they deemed to be «discriminatory» business practices.
Supporters of former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol stage a rally outside the Seoul High Court in Seoul, South Korea, on April 29, 2026. (Ahn Young-joon/AP)
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The letter referenced a previous report from Competere that also addressed economic losses in the U.S. as a result of tighter regulations from South Korea.
«Many American tech companies have faced a range of regulatory actions that seek to punish them while shielding Korean domestic competition,» the letter reads. «Recent research by think tank Competere shows such regulatory actions by the ROK government will cost $1 trillion in combined economic damage to the U.S. and Korean economies over the next 10 years, with the U.S. economy losing $525 billion and American households losing nearly $4,000 each.»
congress, competition, south korea, trade, regulation
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