NPR News: 05-21-2025 12PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: May 21, 2025, 12PM EDT – Detailed Summary

Released on May 21, 2025

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1. House Budget Bill Faces Conservative Pushback

Time Stamp: [00:15]

NPR News anchors Lakshmi Singh reports from Washington, highlighting significant tensions within the House over President Trump's massive budget bill. Freedom Caucus Chairman Andy Harris declared that there is "no way President Trump's massive budget bill passes the House today" (00:15). Addressing Newsmax, Harris emphasized the deteriorating state of the bill, stating, “this bill actually got worse overnight" (00:15). Alongside conservative Congressman Chip Roy, Harris is actively seeking additional spending cuts to prevent the national debt from escalating further.

Andy Harris's Perspective:

At [00:39], Harris elaborates on the situation: “We as members are at the table. We don't want the deal to be ended. This is an arbitrary deadline. If today comes and goes, it doesn't mean that this, this possibility to make sure that taxes stay low and that we fix America's health care system and fix America's energy system. It doesn't mean that prospect is off the table.” Harris underscores the ongoing commitment to key policy areas despite the looming deadline for the budget bill.

2. Impact of Trump’s Tax Policies and Marco Rubio’s Stance

Time Stamp: [00:58]

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has issued a stark analysis projecting that President Trump's tax policies will contribute an additional $3.8 trillion to the national debt (00:58). Amidst these developments, Secretary of State Marco Rubio is under scrutiny on Capitol Hill regarding proposed budget cuts and the potential dismantlement of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

Democratic Criticism:

Michelle Kellerman from NPR highlights that Democrats on the House Foreign Affairs Committee are critical of Rubio's actions. A Democratic ranking member stated, “This is not the Rubio he once knew. As a longtime Florida senator who often talked democracy and human rights, Secretary Rubio...” (01:22).

Marco Rubio’s Defense:

In response, Rubio contends, “Is doing precisely what Senator Rubio feared, withholding congressional appropriated funds, stonewalling oversight and acting as if laws passed by this body are optional.” (01:32). He defends his record by asserting that he has meticulously reviewed all aid to ensure alignment with the Trump administration's "America First" policy. Additionally, Rubio announced the integration of the remaining USAID functions into the State Department (01:45).

3. Devastating Tornado Strikes St. Louis

Time Stamp: [01:58]

A powerful tornado wreaked havoc in St. Louis, with wind speeds reaching up to 150 miles per hour and a width extending at least one mile. The tornado devastated residential areas, leaving numerous homes and businesses in ruins. Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe announced that following FEMA's assessment, he plans to request a major disaster declaration from President Donald Trump, which would facilitate federal assistance (02:30).

Failure of Tornado Siren System:

St. Louis Mayor Kara Spencer revealed that the tornado siren system failed to alert residents, preventing timely sheltering (02:12). A Capital One representative acknowledged the lapse: “There was a failure, a human failure, a failure in protocol to get the sirens up and running to let the community know that there was a massive weather event hitting our community.” (02:18).

On-the-Ground Reporting:

Hiba Ahmed from St. Louis Public Radio provided on-site reporting, detailing the extensive damage and community impact. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is actively surveying the affected regions to coordinate relief efforts.

4. Mixed Performance in U.S. Stock Markets

Time Stamp: [02:52]

U.S. stock markets exhibited a mixed performance during the hour, with notable movements as follows:

• Dow Jones Industrial Average: Decreased by 335 points (over 0.75%) to 42,341
• S&P 500: Fell by 8 points
• NASDAQ: Rose by 79 points

These fluctuations reflect the market's response to ongoing political and economic developments, including budgetary debates and international tensions.

5. International Tensions: U.S. Ambassador to Israel Criticizes Allies

Time Stamp: [02:52]

Mike Huckabee, the new U.S. ambassador to Israel, expressed strong disapproval of the United Kingdom, France, and Canada for their condemnation of Israel's recent military actions in Gaza. Under severe international pressure, Israel has permitted limited aid into the Gaza enclave amidst its intensified military offensive, which includes mass evacuations and increased airstrikes resulting in significant casualties, as reported by Gaza health officials (02:52).

Huckabee conveyed his outrage to NPR, emphasizing the U.S.'s unwavering support for Israel despite global criticisms. This stance underscores the complexities of international alliances and the challenges of maintaining diplomatic relations amid regional conflicts.

6. Tribute to George Wendt of "Cheers"

Time Stamp: [02:52]

In entertainment news, the family of George Wendt, beloved for his role as Norm on the iconic NBC show "Cheers," mourns his passing at age 76. Wendt's portrayal earned him six Emmy nominations and garnered a dedicated fanbase over the show's 11-season run from 1982 to its finale on May 20, 1993 (03:40).

Local Tributes:

Suvon Lee from member station WBUR reports from The Subground Tavern in Boston's Beacon Hill neighborhood, the bar that inspired the show's central setting. The establishment displayed a large vase of flowers and a personalized mug of Sam Adams alongside a laminated photograph of Wendt with a heartfelt message: "thank you for all the laughs."

Community Reflections:

Regular patron Miles Hager shared his admiration, saying, “He was just absolutely hilarious. A typical I wouldn't call him a bar fly, but a typical bar regular who came in and, you know, he's part of the crew in a sense, and part of the show.” (04:30) This sentiment reflects the lasting legacy Wendt leaves both on and off the screen, cherished by fans and community members alike.

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This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights presented in the NPR News Now episode released on May 21, 2025. For more detailed information, listeners are encouraged to tune into the full episode.

Transcript

[Capital One Representative]

This message comes from Capital One Access.

[News Anchor]

Comprehensive solutions from a top commercial bank that prioritizes your needs today and goals for tomorrow. Learn [e-mail] commercial member FDIC.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Lakshmi Singh. Freedom Caucus Chairman Andy Harris says there is no way President Trump's massive budget bill passes the House today. He told Newsmax this morning, quote, this bill actually got worse overnight. He and fellow conservative Congressman Chip Roy are demanding more spending cuts to keep the debt from spiraling higher.

[Andy Harris]

We as members are at the table. We don't want the deal to be ended. This is an arbitrary deadline. If today comes and goes, it doesn't mean that this, this possibility to make sure that taxes stay low and that we fix America's health care system and fix America's energy system. It doesn't mean that prospect is off the table.

[Lakshmi Singh]

The Congressional Budget Office recently issued an analysis that projects President Trump's tax policies will add $3.8 trillion to the national debt. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is back on Capitol Hill facing questions about budget cuts and the dismantlement of the U.S. agency for International Development. And he's getting a lot of pushback from Democrats. More from NPR's Michelle Kellerman, the ranking.

[Michelle Kellerman]

Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee says this is not the Rubio he once knew. As a longtime Florida senator who often talked democracy and human rights, Secretary Rubio.

[Marco Rubio]

Is doing precisely what Senator Rubio feared, withholding congressional appropriated funds, stonewalling oversight and acting as if laws passed by this body are optional.

[Michelle Kellerman]

Rubio is defending his record, saying he's reviewed all aid to make sure it aligns with the Trump administration's America first policy. He says he's folding what remains of USAID into the State Department. Michelle Kellerman, NPR News.

[Lakshmi Singh]

The State Department, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, is on the ground in St. Louis to survey tornado damage. St. Louis Public Radio's Hiba Ahmed reports city officials have shared more details about last Friday's storm.

[News Anchor]

St. Louis Mayor Kara Spencer said the tornado siren system failed to warn residents to take shelter.

[Capital One Representative]

There was a failure, a human failure, a failure in protocol to get the sirens up and running to let the community know that there was a massive weather event hitting our community.

[News Anchor]

The tornado, which had wind speeds of up to 150 miles per hour and stretched at least a mile wide, tore through residential areas, leaving homes and local businesses in rubble. Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe says after FEMA completes its survey, he will ask for a major disaster declaration from President Donald Trump, which would open up federal assistance. For NPR News, I'm hiba Ahmed in St. Louis.

[Lakshmi Singh]

U.S. stocks are mixed this hour. The Dow Jones industrial average down 335 points, more than three quarters of a percent at 42,341. The S&P is down 8 points. The NASDAQ has risen 79 points. From Washington, this is NPR News. The new U.S. ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, tells NPR he is outraged at the leaders of the UK France and Canada for condemning Israel's new military offensive in Gaza. Israel launched a new intensified military offensive Sunday, ordering mass evacuation, stepping up airstrikes throughout the territory and killing hundreds of people, according to Gaza health officials. Under intense international pressure, Israel has allowed a small amount of aid into the enclave today. The family of Cheers, where everybody knows your name as the popular TV theme on the NBC show Go is mourning the loss of a very familiar character, Norm, played by George Wendt. Wendt died yesterday. He was 76 years old. He earned six Emmy nominations for his portrayal of the role from member station wbur, Suvon Lee reports from the Boston bar that inspired the theme of the show.

[Suvon Lee]

In the Subground Tavern in Boston's Beacon Hill neighborhood. Staff had said a large vase of flowers and a mug of Sam Adams. At the corner of the bar. A laminated printout showed a photo of Wendt with a message, thank you for all the laughs. Miles Hager says he came to the bar to pay tribute to the late actor.

[Miles Hager]

He was just absolutely hilarious. A typical I wouldn't call him a bar fly, but a typical bar regular who came in and, you know, he's part of the crew in a sense, and part of the show.

[Suvon Lee]

Wendt appeared in all episodes of the show from 1982 until its finale, which aired May 20, 1993, exactly 32 years prior to the day of his passing.

[Marco Rubio]

Listen to this podcast sponsor free on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or any podcast app, by subscribing to NPR News Now. [e-mail] that's plus.NPR.org.