Joe: The affordability crisis isn't a hox; this is something Americans are living every day

Government Shutdown & Legislation - The Senate passed a bill to reopen the government with bipartisan support (52 Republicans, 7 Democrats, and 1 independent), combining spending bills and a stop-gap measure to fund the government through the end of January [1] - The bill reverses mass layoffs and blocks additional firings but does not extend health care subsidies [2] - Speaker Johnson is aiming to clear the legislation in the House, but cannot guarantee a vote [2][3][4] Political Landscape & Midterm Elections - Republicans suffered politically in Virginia due to cuts affecting food assistance and healthcare access, impacting Biden-won districts [7] - Every county in Virginia moved toward the Democrats, indicating concerns about affordability [9] - Some counties that hadn't voted Democratic since LBJ shifted, suggesting a potential negative forecast for Republicans in the midterm elections [12] - The Democratic party is perceived to have won the shutdown, with Trump's disapproval ratings increasing [25] Affordability Crisis & Voter Sentiment - Affordability is a key issue for Americans, impacting their daily lives at grocery stores, gas stations, and doctor's offices [15][16] - There's a sense that something is wrong with the government, with voters feeling disconnected from their representatives [17] - Trump's denial of the affordability crisis as a "con job" is seen as out of touch with voters' realities [20][31] - The House of Representatives has been in session for only 20 days in the last 18 weeks, leading to anger over abdicated responsibility [22]