Now in America | Trump signs ICE funding bill, Bill Gates to testifies in Epstein investigation

[00:00:00]Time now is 5:44. [music] That means it's time to check in on the national stories that are making headlines. For that, Russ Mitchell joins us for what's happening now in America. Hi, Russ.

[00:00:10]>> Hey, Betsy. Good evening. Good evening to home as well. President Trump's immigration and deportation agenda is getting a nearly $70 billion boost. The president signed a bill into law giving $38 billion to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and $26 billion to the Border Patrol.

[00:00:26]It ends a nearly 6-month fight over Department of Homeland Security funding that began with the shooting deaths in January of two US citizens during federal immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis.

[00:00:38]Bill Gates testified in front of the House Oversight Committee on his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.

[00:00:44]Gates has not been accused of any wrongdoing.

[00:00:46]Lawmakers requested testimony after his name appeared in documents released as part of the Epstein investigation.

[00:00:53]>> I'm glad to be here voluntarily to testify uh to help with the committee's work. Uh I'll start with an opening statement in the hearing room.

[00:01:04]Uh I hope my testimony is helpful to the work important work of the committee to find justice for the victims.

[00:01:11]>> And in testimony, Gates acknowledged what he called a grave error in judgment for meeting with Epstein.

[00:01:18]FBI agents executed a federal search warrant in Garden Grove, California in connection with last month's chemical tank crisis at a facility.

[00:01:26]The threat of an explosion surrounding the tank forced 50,000 people to evacuate the area.

[00:01:31]And the annual inflation rate is now sitting above 4% for the first time in 3 years, driven by a spike in oil prices.

[00:01:39]Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals inflation at 4.2% last month.

[00:01:45]But President Trump says he is optimistic about the rising costs.

[00:01:49]>> The numbers were great. You know what I really love? I love the inflation. You know why? Because as soon as this war is over, you know, I can say it now.

[00:01:59]Something you didn't know. Do you know we've been taking out millions of barrels of oil?

[00:02:04]Nobody knows it. Do you know who doesn't know about it? Iran, until right now.

[00:02:10]>> Democrats today criticized the president's remarks. Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer said, quote, President's contempt for the average American knows no bounds, end quote.

[00:02:20]And that is all from this desk for right now. See you back here in about uh 14 minutes. Jane, Betsy, back to you.