Cruz castigated as 'openly corrupt'

Why it feels so uncomfortable to start living again after the vaccine.

By Kurt Heine TOP STORIES   Monday, May 3 CROOKED CRUZ RIPPED AS 'OPENLY CORRUPT' Sen. Ted Cruz, who declared he'll stop taking money from companies he deems too "woke," may have made the most openly corrupt confession in Senate history, former government ethics chief Walter Shaub said. Cruz warned CEOs that "when the time comes that you need help with a tax break or a regulatory change, I hope the Democrats take your calls, because we may not." Shaub said the statement proves "crooks sell access." [HuffPost]    GAETZ PROBE EXPANDS BEYOND SEX TO CORRUPTION A federal investigation into whether GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz paid women for sex, including a 17-year-old, has expanded into a larger probe of public corruption involving the medical marijuana industry. Gaetz, unbowed, plans to hold a series of rallies starting this week with fellow lightning-rod Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Politico reported. Meanwhile, The Daily Beast obtained a letter from Gaetz's indicted party pal saying Gaetz paid for sex with the underage girl. [AP]   INDIA: A HOSPITAL SO BAD PATIENTS WANT TO LEAVE India's health care system is so swamped by coronavirus cases that sick patients are desperately trying to leave understaffed, undersupplied hospitals, CNN reported. In some areas the suffering is so overwhelming that the sick are caring for the sicker. India's number of COVID-19 infections is second in the world, after the U.S. [AP]    GIULIANI PROBERS TARGET AMBASSADOR FIRING Federal authorities who seized computers and cellphones from former Donald Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani sought communications involving his push to oust the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, Marie Yovanovitch. Trump fired the anti-corrpution ambassador, who was a key witness in his first impeachment. Meanwhile, the raid has terrified Trump's inner circle of lackeys. [HuffPost]    3 DIE AS MIGRANT BOAT CAPSIZES OFF SAN DIEGO At least three people died and more than two dozen were hurt when a boat authorities said they suspected was smuggling migrants broke apart in rough surf off the coast of San Diego. [AP]    Why it feels so uncomfortable to live like you used to, even after you're vaccinated. Here's what we learned new about the coronavirus in April. How you can help India. You missed your second vaccine shot. Now what? Guilt trips and withholding grandkids: How people convinced reluctant loved ones to get vaccinated. Even if you're vaccinated, indoor dining is still complicated. U.S. counties at highest risk for COVID harm often have the lowest vaccination rates. Get the latest coronavirus updates on our dedicated page WHAT'S BREWING   THE BIG POLICY IDEA THAT NOBODY (NOT EVEN BIDEN) IS DISCUSSING President Joe Biden's health care agenda has a lot of buzz. But there's something missing, reports HuffPost's Jonathan Cohn: Getting health insurance for low-income people who are part of what's come to be known as the "Medicaid gap." About 4 million Americans fall into this gap, including food servers or retail clerks, parts of the child care workforce and the unemployed. [HuffPost]   REPUBLICANS TAR NEW CHILD BENEFIT AS 'WELFARE WITHOUT WORK' Democrats have dropped the kind of work requirements they loved in the 1990s in exchange for unconditional cash assistance, HuffPost's Arthur Delaney reports. To which Republicans are asking: Hey, whatever happened to the 1990s? [HuffPost]   THE RISE OF ECOFASCISM Now that climate change is undeniable, some Republicans are pretending to care about the environment, HuffPost's Alexander Kaufman explains. Here's a deep look at the GOP Arizona attorney general's lawsuit against the Biden administration contending the federal government isn't doing enough to protect the environment from what he considers pollution: immigrants. [HuffPost]   UTAH REPUBLICANS BOO ROMNEY: 'AREN'T YOU EMBARRASSED?' A Utah state GOP vote to censure Sen. Mitt Romney for voting twice to impeach Donald Trump narrowly failed over the weekend. Romney, who once led the Republican Party as its 2012 presidential nominee, was jeered and booed when he spoke on stage. [HuffPost]   REPUBLICANS ARE STILL WAITING FOR BIDEN'S TEA PARTY BACKLASH GOP fury is growing against Biden's expansive and expensive agenda, but so far Republicans haven't been able to mobilize a mass opposition movement. That's a lot different from Barack Obama's presidency, which was already reeling during its first 100 days from rising tea party protests against spending Great Recession recovery programs. HuffPost's Igor Bobic explains what's different. [HuffPost]   THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT BOWEN YANG Here's how the actor is altering the next decade of comedy right before our eyes. And check out the others on HuffPost's annual Culture Shifters list, including TV writer Cord Jefferson and activist Mariah Moore. [HuffPost]   THE BEST OF THE REST  "I've never been involved in anything as secret as this." The plan to kill Osama bin Laden, from those inside the room. Stop spending time on things you hate. Europe's economy is sinking back into recession. But the U.S. is back on its feet. Here's how the U.S. won the recovery. An icy death at the bottom of the world: Vanity Fair has an exclusive look at one of the year's most anticipated books. This TikTok trend was antisemitic. So Jewish creators reinvented it. Falling in love with someone from halfway across the world. Why two-time Olympian Des Linden still loves the pursuit. Is there a case for legalizing heroin? An addiction researcher argues against the distinction between hard and soft drugs. BEFORE YOU GO Here's some amazing pictures from last week that HuffPost's photo editors don't want you to miss. I thought I never wanted to have kids. Here's what I learned when I had one. Major Biden's troubles aren't over. A cat is about to join the White House first family. A billion lab-grown mosquitoes are being released and people are freaking out. How Kate Middleton's wedding dress still inspires brides 10 years later. TikTokers are drinking liquid chlorophyl. Here's what to know. TurboTax just tricked you (again) into paying to file your taxes. West Virginia's governor, who just signed anti-trans legislation into law, can't name one time that a trans kid had an advantage in sports. Six gaslighting phrases people say to manipulate you. "That never happened." Bennifer revival? Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez are hanging out again. Trump decamps to Jersey for the summer. And yes, he's still lying. Get ready for Cinco de Mayo. Our great food writer Julie Kendrick lets us in on the tools pro bartenders use for their margaritas. Finally, HuffPost's David Moye, whose eye for the weird is unrivaled in journalism, helps you find that perfect Mother's Day present with his annual roundup of the best gag gifts. Toilet paper earrings are right on time. Thanks for reading! Liza Hearon will be back tomorrow. Does somebody keep forwarding you this newsletter? — Subscribe here!   ©2021 HuffPost BuzzFeed, Inc 111 E 18th St, 13th Floor, New York, NY 10003 You are receiving this email because you signed up for updates from HuffPost   Feedback | Privacy Policy | Unsubscribe