Washington lawmakers vote to pass a budget proposal after an all-night “vote-a-rama.” And the cease-fire between Israel and Hamas hangs on by a thread after bus explosions in Tel Aviv and a hostage hoax. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Friday, Feb. 21, 2025.
Senate passes budget resolution after overnight ‘vote-a-rama’
It was a long night for U.S. senators Thursday, Feb. 20, as they participated in what’s known as a “vote-a-rama” to attempt to pass the Republicans’ $342 billion budget blueprint.
Democrats made it challenging, requiring GOP lawmakers to take a stand on issues such as the war in Ukraine and safeguarding Medicare and Medicaid from cuts. At the same time, Republicans aimed to implement President Donald Trump’s legislative priorities.
The budget plan from Senate Republicans, which narrowly passed 52-48 mostly along party lines early Friday morning, aims to increase funding for immigration enforcement, national security, and energy production. It also proposes offsetting cuts of the same amount over four years. Trump has endorsed a competing plan put forth by House Republicans that is more expansive.
If passed by both chambers, a budget resolution would trigger a process known as budget reconciliation. This process allows the Senate to bypass its filibuster rules and pass legislation with a simple majority vote instead of the 60-vote threshold needed for most measures. Thus, Republicans could pass Trump’s fiscal agenda later this year without needing Democratic help.
Republicans have a 53-47 majority in the Senate and a 218-215 majority in the House, with two seats vacant.
Netanyahu orders West Bank military operation after Israel bus bombings
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered his country’s military to conduct an operation in the occupied West Bank after a suspected terror attack saw three empty buses explode in Tel Aviv on Thursday night.
The explosions followed the Israeli army’s announcement that one of the hostage bodies returned to Israel by Hamas earlier in the day was not who the militant group claimed it was, sparking demands from some Israeli leaders to end the ceasefire.
Straight Arrow News reporter Lauren Taylor has more details about the bus explosions and the hostage whose remains were not returned here.
Israel has increased security measures and suspended bus and train services nationwide following the blasts, which Netanyahu’s office described as an “attempt to perpetrate a chain of mass bus bombings.”
Meanwhile, Hamas accused Israel of delaying the second phase of the ceasefire, stating that discussions have not yet started. The militant group also claimed that Israel has not fully upheld its commitment under the first phase of the ceasefire regarding humanitarian aid in Gaza.
Arab leaders convene to develop post-war strategy for Gaza
Leaders from across the Middle East will gather in Saudi Arabia on Friday, Feb. 21, to seek a unified response to Trump’s proposal to have the U.S. take control of the war-ravaged Gaza Strip and turn it into what he described as the “Riviera of the Middle East.”
The meeting will include Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and other Gulf Arab nations. It also takes place ahead of a larger Arab summit scheduled for March 4.
Egypt fast-tracked the meetings and insisted it has a long-term plan for Gaza, which the Middle East said it might take five years to implement.
Trump’s proposal last month to not only take over Gaza but also permanently displace Palestinians from the enclave faced immediate opposition from Middle Eastern countries. Egypt and Jordan rejected the idea of accepting nearly two million Palestinian refugees.
Arab nations are developing a plan to fund and manage the reconstruction in Gaza, while also ensuring the Palestinians remain in their homes and maintaining the possibility of a Palestinian state.
Trump has stated that the Israel-Hamas War has severely devastated the 25-mile strip, describing it as uninhabitable.
Federal judge issues warning to Trump, another hands him a win
One federal judge warned Trump about one of his executive orders, while a different judge gave another order a green light.
U.S. District Court Judge Amir Ali stated that the Trump administration continues to withhold foreign aid, despite a court order prohibiting this action. He asserted that the administration must at least temporarily restore funding to programs around the globe.
However, he rejected a request from non-profit groups working with the U.S. Agency for International Development to find Trump administration officials in contempt of his order.
Meanwhile, another district judge said the Trump administration can continue with mass firings of federal employees.
While Judge Christopher Cooper signaled in his ruling that he’s sympathetic to the five labor unions that were seeking a restraining order to temporarily halt the layoffs, he ruled the federal court is not the appropriate venue for their lawsuit. Instead, Cooper said those types of claims should go before the Federal Labor Relations Authority.
The Trump administration and its Department of Government Efficiency have laid off tens of thousands of federal workers and halted funding to various organizations in an effort to shrink the size of the federal government.
In the first four weeks of the new administration, DOGE asserts it has reduced government spending by $55 billion.
US Marshals Service deputizes Musk’s private security detail: Reports
The U.S. Marshals Service reportedly deputized members of Elon Musk’s private security team, giving them the same rights and protections as some federal law enforcement agents.
The tech billionaire who chairs DOGE does not have a Secret Service detail. Until now, his private security guards were limited in what they could do in Washington, D.C.
Multiple outlets reported the move comes over heightened safety concerns for Musk’s safety after he received death threats in recent weeks.
The Marshals Service often deputizes police to bolster security at major events, such as Trump’s inauguration, but it is uncommon to deputize private security officers.
It’s not yet clear exactly what authority Musk’s security will have. Special deputies are usually allowed to carry guns on federal grounds and make arrests.
Canada defeats US in OT To win 4 Nations Face-Off
The U.S. and Canada battled for the championship in the 4 Nations Face-Off on Thursday, Feb. 20. The best NHL players represented their respective countries. Canada prevailed over Thursday night’s championship game.
The U.S. defeated Canada in Montreal during the round-robin last Saturday, Feb. 15, so Thursday’s rematch in Boston was filled with intensity.
Nathan McKinnon put Canada ahead in the first period. The U.S. responded with two consecutive goals from Brady Tkachuk and Jake Sanderson, taking a 2-1 lead.
Canada tied it in the second period, and the game went to overtime. Canada’s Connor McDavid scored the game-winning goal after the U.S. had a couple of chances to win it all.
Canada won the inaugural 4 Nations Face-Off tournament 3-2.