Senator Warner on Government Shutdown, H-1B Visas, Gabbard

Government Shutdown & Healthcare - A potential government shutdown looms due to disagreements between Republicans and Democrats, with healthcare cuts being a major point of contention [1][2][3][4] - Healthcare rates are expected to increase, potentially impacting individuals buying through the Obamacare marketplace, with an example given of a Virginia couple facing an $800/month increase [2][3][9] - The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is accused of selectively funding government programs, raising concerns about the legality and impact on healthcare [6][8] H-1B Visa & Immigration - The Trump administration is reportedly considering an H-1B visa overhaul, including a $100,000 fee for authorization, which could impact companies and potentially exclude graduate students from other nations [10][11] - Concerns are raised that anti-immigrant policies are hindering the attraction of world-class talent to American graduate programs and workplaces, potentially harming the economy in the long term [12] International Relations & Security - Reports suggest the Trump administration may consider re-establishing a presence at Bagram Air Force Base in Afghanistan, raising questions about the wisdom of such a move [13][15] - Vladimir Putin is perceived to be testing NATO's resolve, with concerns about whether the US will honor its commitments, especially given incidents involving Russia and NATO allies like Poland and Estonia [14][15][16][17] - Bibi Netanyahu's actions, such as bombing Qatar, an American ally, are seen as straining relations and raising questions about Trump's stance on international alliances [18] Intelligence Community - Concerns are voiced about the politicization of the intelligence community, with accusations that officials are being removed for not aligning with the president's ideology [19][20][21][22][23] - The removal of experienced intelligence professionals is seen as detrimental to national security, potentially discouraging future talent from joining the CIA [24][27] - Tulsi Gabbard is criticized for allegedly failing to uphold her promise not to politicize the intelligence community during her confirmation [19][20][25]