What's Happening

Politics

Trump's Trillion-Dollar Tug-of-War

What's going on: House Republicans are fighting, and President Donald Trump’s “big beautiful bill” is to blame. There is so much packed into its 1,116 pages that it has created dueling factions. Hardline conservatives say the measure doesn’t cut deeply enough, especially when it comes to Medicaid. Meanwhile, moderates are pushing back against any proposal that slashes social safety net programs. Fiscal hawks have their own concerns: Several think tanks estimate the bill would increase the federal deficit by $2.5 trillion over the next decade, despite the White House saying it would save the government $1.6 trillion. That’s quite the accounting discrepancy. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) is struggling to get his party on the same page, and even Trump’s visit to Congress yesterday hasn’t resolved the deadlock. But the president’s message was clear: “Don’t f**k around with Medicaid.”

What it means: This legislation could be central to Trump’s second-term agenda. But with Democrats unified in opposition, Republicans can’t afford to lose more than three GOP votes in the House. According to Axios, Trump is already eyeing primary challengers to punish any Republicans who vote no. It’s not just the House that’s a concern, the bill also faces tough odds in the Senate. If it does pass both chambers, the measure could bring sweeping changes: reduced Medicaid access for millions, stricter work requirements for food assistance, loss of federal funding for Planned Parenthood, and billions directed to border wall construction. The stakes are high — not just for Trump’s agenda, but for Republican unity in a deeply divided Congress. 

Related: Trump Unveiled Plans for a “Golden Dome” Missile Defense System (WaPo Gift Link)

Health

Pain, Meet Progress

What's going on: In a move that falls squarely into the “better late than never” category, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has issued new guidance to make several gynecological procedures hurt a little less. The group now “urges” doctors to offer pain relief — such as local anesthetics, NSAIDs like ibuprofen, or nerve blocks — for in-office procedures like IUD insertions, cervical biopsies, and hysteroscopies. This goes further than the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) 2024 update, which acknowledged local anesthetics can help with IUD insertion pain. Now, ACOG clearly states that clinicians should offer it as an option. As one doctor told NPR: “I can’t think of any other procedures where there’s a significant chance of severe pain where we don’t recommend at least local anesthetic.”

What it means: This marks a long-overdue step toward treating gynecological pain like… pain. This guidance follows years of stirrup-side horror stories — and a wave of viral TikToks featuring teary, contorted faces mid-IUD insertion. Research shows doctors often downplay women’s concerns, especially among patients of color. ACOG addressed this in a statement, noting: “Historically, Black patients have received less analgesics than white patients, and women have received less attention to their pain than men undergoing similar procedures.” One doctor told The New York Times that physicians will need to figure out how to incorporate the new recommendations into their practices. Here’s hoping more doctors heed the call.

Related: The FDA Is Prepared To Restrict COVID Vaccine Access (NYT Gift Link)

Money

America's Budget Crisis, Now in Four Installments

What's going on: Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) started as a way to split up the cost of a splurge (think: a fancy purse or big electronics purchase). But for 100 million users, it’s now either a financial lifeline — or a fast track to falling behind. According to LendingTree, 41% of BNPL users say they’ve missed a payment in the last year — up from 34% a year ago. And nearly a quarter now use it for groceries — nearly double last year’s rate. Top player Klarna has teamed up with Walmart and DoorDash to let people finance everything from groceries to takeout (but maybe think twice before splitting that $14 pad thai into four payments). This is all playing out against the backdrop of record-breaking US consumer debt, which now stands at $18.2 trillion, and as Americans grapple with the increasing cost of living and stagnant wages.

What it means: While most people aren’t drowning in BNPL debt — yet — it’s a slippery slope to a lifestyle that normalizes borrowing for basics and quietly builds long-term financial strain. It also sidesteps the guardrails that typically come with traditional loans or credit cards — making it easier to rack up debt without realizing it. One study found that BNPL users tend to spend more than they otherwise would, lured in by the smaller upfront costs. In the UK, where officials have called the sector a financial “wild west,” regulators are stepping in with new rules. Starting next year, BNPL companies operating in the UK will be required to assess whether shoppers can afford their purchases, simplify refunds, and offer formal complaint channels.

Related: Elon Musk Says “I’ve Done Enough,” Plans to Dial Back Political Donations (WSJ Gift Link)