5 things to know for May 9: Biden, Immigration, Capitol Hill, Severe weather, Starliner

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Health professionals have long warned that ultraprocessed foods can have detrimental impacts on the body, but some options — like cereals and whole grain bread — can be nutritious when enjoyed in moderation. The scientific community also broadly agrees that processed meats and sugary beverages are the foods you most need to avoid. Here’s what else you need to know to Get Up to Speed and On with Your Day. President Joe Biden told CNN on Wednesday he would halt some shipments of US weapons to Israel if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a major invasion of the southern Gaza city of Rafah. This comes as Israel continues to defy international pressure to limit its campaign in the city, with Netanyahu this week saying Israel will defend itself even if “forced to stand alone.” Separately, Biden in the interview sought to reframe perceptions of the American economy, touting strong job growth while questioning polls showing voters are still pessimistic about the country’s direction. In CNN’s most recent poll, Biden’s approval ratings for the economy (34%) and inflation (29%) remain starkly negative, as voters say economic concerns remain a high priority to them when choosing a presidential candidate this year. The Biden administration is expected to propose a rule today that would crack down on migrants ineligible to claim asylum, according to two sources. The move comes as the White House has tried to toughen its position on the US-Mexico border and flip the script on Republicans who continue to criticize President Biden’s immigration policies ahead of the November election. The proposed rule would tighten the current system by allowing officials to quickly reject some migrants from claiming asylum earlier in the process if they’re found to be ineligible. In the 2023 fiscal year, there were nearly 2.5 million migrant encounters at the southern border, according to federal data. The House voted swiftly on Wednesday to kill Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s effort to oust Speaker Mike Johnson from his leadership post. The vote was 359 to 43 in Johnson’s favor — which came with the help of Democrats — and brings to an end the most serious challenge to the speakership the Louisiana Republican has faced, at least for now. The vote could quiet calls for Johnson’s removal among conservative hardliners who are angry about his support of a $95 billion foreign aid package that passed last month. The speaker tried to look forward after the vote, although he slammed the move as a distraction and “frivolous character assassination.” Millions in the Southeast US are bracing for the possibility of severe weather today that could bring large hail, damaging winds and flooding. The Storm Prediction Center has issued a level 3 of 5 enhanced risk of severe thunderstorms from East Texas to central and southern Georgia and far southern South Carolina. At the same time, officials in the central and southern US are assessing the damage from reported tornadoes and powerful storms that killed at least three people Wednesday. Tennessee was especially hit hard, with at least four tornado reports for the Volunteer State, and flash flooding prompting water rescues and blocked roads north of Nashville.