It's day 18 of the federal government shutdown. It's now the third longest in US history. No end in sight to this one.The Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson has once again shuttered the lower chamber for the upcoming week, instructing GOP lawmakers to stay in their home districts and out of Washington. It's been something of a rolling recess instituted by Speaker Johnson since September 19th when the House passed its version of a short-term funding bill. House Republicans have been pretty much MIA since ...

So, here's what you missed with the federal government shutdown this week. So, Senate Majority Leader John Thood made Democrats an offer. He said, "Hey, if you guys vote to reopen the government, I promise you, you will get a vote on extending those Affordable Care Act tax credits." And Democrats said, "Thanks, but no thanks." And that's because most of them know that at this point that extension can't pass the Senate, and if it can't, it can't pass the House.They need to have more negotiations. So then Rep ...

The government shutdown is set to continue of course over this weekend. This after another funding vote failed to pass in the Senate yesterday. Let's get over to Emily Wilkins. She has the latest on exactly where things stand. Day 17, right Emily? >> Day 17, David. And the question really right now, how long is this shutdown going to go? Is there any offramp? And one sign we're looking at, you know, usually when the Senate is stuck like this, you do see a bipartisan coalition emerge, it's often dubbed a gan ...

Legal & Political Developments - Former Trump official John Bolton was indicted on 18 counts related to retaining or transmitting classified information [1] - Trump reacted to Bolton's indictment by calling him a "bad person" [1] - Bolton denied any illegal activity, referencing a prior email hack and lack of charges during the previous administration [1] - The report mentions indictments against other Trump critics, including former FBI Director Jim Comey and New York Attorney General Leticia James [1] - The White House is reportedly planning to install Trump loyalists in the IRS criminal unit, potentially to target left-leaning groups [2][3] Government Shutdown & Policy - The Senate failed to pass a clean funding bill, leading to the government shutdown entering its 17th day [1] - Senate Majority Leader John Thune offered Democrats a vote on ACA subsidies in exchange for reopening the government [4] - Republicans argue that ACA subsidies were temporary and should not be extended, while Democrats seek to extend them [8] - The public is currently blaming both parties for the government shutdown, according to Reuters/Ipsos polls [6] Healthcare & Affordable Care Act (ACA) - Republicans are revisiting attacks on the Affordable Care Act (ACA), arguing it's a disaster and shouldn't receive more funding [9][10] - Despite Republican attacks, the ACA remains popular because it has significantly reduced the number of uninsured Americans and provides healthcare for people with pre-existing conditions [11][12]

Government Shutdown & Protests - The report highlights the Republican party's criticism of protests against the administration, labeling protesters as Marxists and pro-Hamas [1][6] - The report emphasizes the importance of protest as a fundamental right in the US, citing historical examples like the Boston Tea Party and Rosa Parks [4] - The report suggests that the administration is perceived as anti-protest, especially when directed at them [3] - The report indicates a potential connection between the protests and the government shutdown, with Republicans offering a vote on Obamacare subsidies in exchange for ending the protests [7] Healthcare & Policy - The report mentions concerns about cuts to Medicaid, threats to Medicare, and the lack of tax credits associated with the Affordable Care Act [9] - The report cites an example of a couple in South Carolina whose healthcare premiums could increase from around $50 per month to over $2,000 if changes are implemented [17] Political Landscape in South Carolina - The report references a call to eliminate Congressman Clyburn's district in South Carolina [18] - The report states that Democrats in South Carolina hold approximately 45% of the vote in every election, but only have 14% representation in the congressional delegation [19] - The report suggests a perception that fairness is lacking in the political process in South Carolina [15][20]

Government Shutdown & Healthcare Crisis - The Democratic party aims to end the government shutdown and seeks bipartisan agreement on spending to improve life quality and lower costs for Americans [2][3] - Republicans are considered responsible for a healthcare crisis, including cuts to Medicaid, hospital closures, and refusal to extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies [7] - The speaker mentioned that Republicans have attempted to repeal the Affordable Care Act more than 70 times since 2010 [9] Affordable Care Act (ACA) & Healthcare Affordability - Millions of Americans are receiving notices of skyrocketing premiums, co-pays, and deductibles, potentially making healthcare unaffordable [4] - A potential offer from Republicans involves a vote on ACA subsidies in exchange for reopening the government, but the Democratic party seeks a decisive resolution to the healthcare crisis [5][6] - The Democratic party seeks an "ironclad path forward" to address the Republican healthcare crisis, implying distrust in Republican promises regarding the ACA [9] Political Accusations & Government Overreach - Accusations are made against the administration for potentially using the Department of Justice and IRS to target political opponents [10][12] - Concerns are raised about the administration's attempts to intimidate and silence dissent, potentially threatening free speech [13][14] - Republican colleagues are criticized for being a "reckless rubber stamp" for extreme policies, allegedly hurting everyday Americans to benefit billionaire donors with tax breaks [15] Foreign Policy & Domestic Priorities - Criticism is leveled against Republicans for potentially finding $20 billion to support a foreign government while being unwilling to support working-class Americans [8]

Government Shutdown & Negotiation - The discussion revolves around the need for negotiation between Democrats and Republicans to resolve the government shutdown [2][8] - Democrats have been requesting negotiations with Republicans for weeks, particularly regarding the tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans [2] - Republicans propose reopening the government in exchange for a process and vote on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits [8] - The President needs to engage with Mike Johnson and John Thun to facilitate a resolution [16] Affordable Care Act (ACA) & Healthcare Coverage - The shutdown is impacting millions of people, potentially causing 2 million people to lose their healthcare coverage [14] - Loss of healthcare coverage could lead to adverse outcomes, including death and bankruptcy for tens of thousands of people annually [14][15] - The Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies are crucial for many individuals and families to afford healthcare [6] - Rising premiums, potentially increasing from $600 to $4,000 per month in some states like Alaska, make healthcare unaffordable for many [9] Political Stance & Precedent - Democrats emphasize the importance of preventing people from losing healthcare coverage [14] - Republicans are accused of using the shutdown as a tactic to force their agenda [11] - Concerns are raised about setting a terrible precedent by using government shutdowns to force political opponents to comply [11]

As we speak, House Democrats have just concluded a strategy meeting on Capitol Hill about the government shutdown. House Republicans, on the other hand, they continue to stay home. And Speaker Mike Johnson is telling reporters to prepare for a lengthy shutdown, refusing to entertain the idea of negotiating with Democrats.But it does appear that some in the party are ready to break from that plan. New reporting from MSNBC details that House Republicans are indeed talking with the White House about a possible ...

Government Shutdown & Congressional Function - The House of Representatives is not in session despite the government shutdown, frustrating some members who believe they should be working to resolve the situation [1][3] - The speaker's rationale for not being in session is based on a previous vote for a seven-week continuing resolution, which some members find insufficient given the current crisis [2] - The shutdown has halted oversight hearings, legislative markups, and other scheduled activities of the House [5] - There are concerns about Congress ceding its legislative authority to the executive branch, particularly regarding the movement of funds during the shutdown [15][17][18] Impact of Shutdown - The shutdown is causing hardship for many, including potential missed paychecks for military personnel, furloughs for over 1 million federal employees, and disruptions to services like national parks [7][9][10] - The White House is attempting to mitigate the impact by finding funds to pay military members, but this is viewed as a short-term solution [7][9] Potential Solutions & Political Considerations - There is a call for bipartisan negotiations, including discussions on Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, to find a way out of the shutdown [11][12][13] - A one-year extension of ACA subsidies is suggested as a possible pathway to resolving the impasse, though broader healthcare reforms are also needed [19][20] - The speaker is urged to engage with Senate leaders to find a resolution [11] Redistricting Concerns - There is bipartisan opposition to mid-decade redistricting efforts, with concerns about gerrymandering and its negative impact on representation [26][29][30] - A bill to ban mid-decade redistricting is proposed, with potential for passage if brought to a vote [25][26]

I want to bring in Delaware Democratic Senator Chris Coons. It's good to see you, Senator. Look, uh, House Speaker Mike Johnson, you heard, um, says this could be the longest shutdown in US history.So, what's the Democrat's strategy now. Is it just to sit tight and hope that Republicans crack. Is it going to take Americans feeling an almost unbearable amount of pain before this gets done.Well, Chris, there's already a huge amount of pain coming to American families as a result of President Trump's so-called ...