© The Associated Press / J. Scott Applewhite | The Capitol on Tuesday. |
|
|
Crunch time on shutdown; a heated GOP debate |
|
|
With just three days until the government funding deadline, Congress is running out of options. Glimmers of hope for cooperation between the House and Senate emerged Tuesday, but by Wednesday, both chambers were once again approaching the spending conundrum from entirely different angles. Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) is grasping at straws that could get House Republicans some policy wins while averting a shutdown. The Democratic-controlled Senate — with the help of Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) — has aimed to take the reins on a short-term solution, advancing a stopgap that Republicans say is dead on arrival in the House. McCarthy, who said Wednesday he won't consider the Senate bill, is facing roadblocks from multiple corners of his conference that will likely prevent him from executing a strategy that he and his allies hoped could win concessions on border policy. With days remaining until the shutdown, McCarthy on Wednesday still refused to negotiate with Democrats as he aims to exhaust all intraparty options first (The Washington Post). WHILE THE HOUSE APPEARS BUSY, The Hill's Emily Brooks reports, members acknowledge it could be barreling toward another brick wall. THE SENATE BILL IS HITTING TURBULENCE as Republicans demand changes to the legislation, possibly delaying it until Sunday, a day after government funding expires. The bill has been ruled a non-starter by the House GOP, in part because it lacks border enforcement language and includes more funding for Ukraine (The Hill and Politico). Further, McCarthy said he isn't interested in negotiating with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) about spending and wants to sit down with President Biden instead, an ask Democrats are largely dismissing. McCarthy has made repeated calls this week for the president to come to the bargaining table, The Hill's Aris Folley reports, but Democrats say the Speaker is in a weaker starting position than earlier this year — when he used the threat of a national default as leverage to secure a deal with Biden on budget caps — and argue that McCarthy is the one who backed away from that deal. |
|
|
McCarthy has no capacity to deliver. Why would the president talk to somebody who can't even get his own caucus together?" Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) told The Hill. "That's a dodge. Kevin's got to get his caucus together." |
|
|
How will the shutdown impact health care? From Medicare to Social Security, The Hill's Nathaniel Weixel breaks down what programs will continue sending benefits as normal and where Americans can expect changes. |
|
|
- The New York Times: These Republicans are driving Congress toward a shutdown.
- The Hill: Voters would be more likely to blame Republicans in Congress than Democrats for a government shutdown, a new poll found.
- The Washington Post: See where federal workers live in the U.S.
|
|
|
Morning Report's Alexis Simendinger is on leave. |
|
|
© The Associated Press / Mark J. Terrill | Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy during the Republican debate in Simi Valley, Calif., on Wednesday. |
|
|
SPLIT SCREEN: The leading candidates for the Republican nomination competed for attention Wednesday, as seven participated in the second GOP debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif., while frontrunner Trump addressed autoworkers in Michigan. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley, former Vice President Mike Pence, Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum qualified for the second debate. The night marked an opportunity for one of the seven candidates — who all trail Trump significantly in the polls — to make an impression on voters. Commentators were divided over who had the strongest performance, but most agreed that the debate likely did little to alter the trajectory of the race or eat into Trump's 40-point lead in the polls. "None of them created a memorable moment, so it all seemed like a missed opportunity," Monica Crowley, a conservative commentator who was a Treasury Department spokeswoman in the Trump administration, told The New York Times. "Without an individual breakthrough, the dynamic of this race remains the same, with Trump on top by far." INDIVIDUAL BRIGHT SPOTS: DeSantis took the opportunity to aggressively challenge the absent Trump within the initial minutes of the debate, and some of his rivals also aimed more pointed barbs at the former president. Still, the GOP candidates spent much more of their time going after each other than the frontrunner. Even candidates who were essentially bystanders in the first debate — like Scott and Haley, who traded pointed attacks — interrupted their rivals and ignored the Fox Business moderators' requests to abide by the rules as the event at times descended into a shouting match, with candidates speaking over one another (The Hill and The Washington Post). But Trump's absence still hung over the night like a shadow. At one point, Christie looked into the camera to send a message to the former president. "I know you're watching, okay?" Christie said to Trump. "And you're not here tonight not because of polls and not because of your indictments. You're not here tonight because you're afraid of being on this stage and defending your record." Here are five of the most memorable moments from the debate, and five key takeaways. |
- CNN: Fact-checking the second GOP debate.
- The Washington Post: Candidates' differences on Ukraine reflect stark divide within GOP.
- The Associated Press: Trump skipped the GOP debate again. This time, his rivals took him on directly.
|
MEANWHILE IN MICHIGAN, Trump dug into Biden in a bid to woo autoworkers in Michigan, a state he lost last election. Trump, speaking in Clinton Township, a suburb of Detroit, wasted no time before bashing the incumbent president on what he views as a flawed and failing auto industry under the Biden administration, criticizing the White House on everything from China and NAFTA to electric vehicles. By avoiding another debate with the GOP candidates looking to snatch the nomination from him, the front-running Trump is signaling he is more focused on a general election battle against Biden (NBC News). Trump's event comes after Biden sought this week to court UAW members, taking the unusual step of joining striking members on the picket line. Biden announced he would head to the battleground state after Trump announced plans to do the same. In contrast with Biden's optimistic tone for frustrated workers, Trump painted a grim picture about what their future could look like under another term for Biden (The Hill). But hardly any striking workers were on hand. "There are a few strikers here, yes," Brian Pannebecker, a former local autoworker who organizes an Auto Workers for Trump Facebook page and helped shore up attendees for the event, told NBC News. "I don't know where they're at. But there are several — a handful." |
- Politico: Tonight's biggest split screen wasn't actually about Trump vs. his GOP rivals.
- The Hill: UAW negotiator lays into Trump: "Where are the jobs he promised?"
|
|
| All In: Building a Diverse, Equitable & Inclusive Energy Workforce Thursday, Sept. 28, 5:45-7 p.m. ET — The Park at 14th, 920 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20005 |
As the U.S. prepares for the energy transition, a renewed focus has been placed on workforce diversity in the energy industry. Join The Hill as we look to answer questions about what companies in the sector can do and what role communities and government may play. The event will feature Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C), House Assistant Democratic Leader. |
|
|
The House convenes at 9 a.m. The Senate meets at 10 a.m. The president is in Arizona, where he will speak in Tempe about the late Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and the work necessary to strengthen democracy. Biden will later attend a campaign reception, before traveling back to Washington. Vice President Harris will travel to Miami, where she will speak at Florida International University as part of her "Fight for Our Freedoms" college tour. U.S. Small Business Administrator Isabel Guzman will also speak at the event, which will be moderated by Fat Joe and Anthony Ramos. Afterward, Harris will speak at a campaign event before traveling back to Washington. Second gentleman Doug Emhoff will speak at a campaign event at the Jefferson Hotel in Washington. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will speak with The Atlantic's Jeff Goldberg at The Atlantic Festival in Washington. Afterward, he will meet with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar at the State Department, and then attend a reopening ceremony for the Benjamin Franklin Room. 🎂 The Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum has moved up planned festivities for the former president's 99th birthday to Saturday amid the possibility of a shutdown. |
|
|
© The Associated Press / Seth Wenig | Trump Tower in New York in March. |
After a New York judge found that Trump and his company had "repeatedly" violated state fraud laws, the former president could be at risk of losing his grasp on his New York business empire — a collection of properties that has defined his image as a successful real estate tycoon. New York Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron ordered Tuesday that the business certificates for Trump's New York companies be "canceled" and that three potential independent receivers be appointed within 10 days to "to manage the dissolution of the canceled" limited liability companies associated with Trump and the Trump Organization (CBS News). In the same ruling, Engoron found Trump liable for fraud in New York Attorney General Letitia James's (D) far-reaching civil case against Trump and his businesses, laying the groundwork for the remaining elements to head to trial as early as next week. The decision was a major blow to Trump, who was sued by James's office over alleged decades of fraud last September alongside the Trump Organization and two of his adult children — Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr. The Hill's Ella Lee and Zach Schonfeld break down why Trump's latest legal blow is a big loss for the former president. |
- The New York Times: Trump's lawyers try to grasp the implications of Engoron's fraud ruling.
- The Washington Post: How Jamaica-born Judge Tanya Chutkan became Trump's latest target.
- The Hill: Chutkan denies Trump bid for her recusal in Jan. 6 case.
- Atlanta Journal-Constitution: The Fulton County, Ga., district attorney prosecuting Trump and rapper Young Thug says her family has been threatened.
|
|
|
Content from our sponsor: Pratt & Whitney |
Pratt & Whitney F135 Engine Core Upgrade |
Pratt & Whitney's F135 Engine Core Upgrade leverages the expertise and capabilities of RTX while saving taxpayers tens of billions in lifecycle costs—it's the smart decision for the F-35. Learn more. |
|
|
Ukrainian pilots are honing their skills in virtual F-16 fighter jet cockpits as they anxiously await approval to travel abroad for training, reports The Hill's Laura Kelly after an exclusive visit to a secret facility this month. Biden agreed in June to allow the transfer of American-made F-16s from allied countries to Ukraine, and the U.S. would start training some Ukrainian pilots at a base in Arizona as soon as October. But delivery of the aircraft and their operations are not expected to take place until 2024 at the earliest. The simulator program is expected to reduce the overall length of the training for pilots, but it's a protocol that's never been tried before. "We are taking this road for the first time now. So at this moment, I cannot say how much we will be able to reduce the length of training, owing to that approach," Oleksii Diakiv, head of the training command for the air force of Ukraine, told The Hill. "But we are sure that this will reduce the time needed for that training. But once we have that experience, we certainly will be able to share it." Meanwhile, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Mark Milley is handing the reins over to his replacement on Friday. The transfer couldn't come at a more precarious time, Politico reports, as the West shows signs of running out of weapons — and patience — with Ukraine. |
- The Hill: Army Pvt. Travis King is back in U.S. custody after North Korean officials released the service member who crossed into their country in July.
- NPR: The Biden administration on Tuesday suspended most nonhumanitarian aid to Gabon after a military takeover in the country last month.
- The New York Times: Once thought inconceivable, officials' visits highlight warming Saudi-Israeli ties.
|
© The Associated Press / Peter Dejong | The Netherlands and Denmark will deliver American-made F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine; the pilots are getting a virtual jump on training ahead of their arrival. |
|
|
The United States is currently in the midst of a healthcare worker shortage that experts project will only get worse, The Hill's Alejandra O'Connell-Domenech writes. By the 2030s, the country could be faced with a shortage of nearly 200,000 nurses and 124,000 physicians; experts say that an aging population, an aging healthcare workforce and workers leaving due to burnout are driving the shortage. 💊 The intermediaries in the prescription drug supply chain are stuck between a rock and a hard place, facing congressional scrutiny and pharmaceutical-industry-backed efforts to reform the multibillion-dollar industry (The Hill). |
- The New York Times: Now that the U.S. government has stepped back from issuing COVID-19 vaccines, long-term care operators have yet to start administering shots to protect one of the most vulnerable populations.
- The Hill: The anticipated uptake of the updated COVID-19 vaccines is divided along partisan lines, a new survey shows.
|
High school seniors are preparing the first round of college applications since the Supreme Court decision that banned colleges' use of affirmative action in the admissions process. The Hill's Lexi Lonas reports that in the new landscape, school counselors and advocates are urging students to find ways to take advantage of their essays to talk about their "lived experiences." | - NPR: Colleges look for new and legal ways to help build a diverse first-year class.
- Nature: Universities axe diversity statements in wake of the Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action.
|
|
|
- Everyone lost the second debate — especially the audience, by Derek Hunter, opinion contributor, The Hill.
Trump is trying to bamboozle union workers; he won't succeed, by Steve Rosenthal, opinion contributor, The Hill.
|
|
|
© The Associated Press / Charles Harrity | Sen. Herman Talmadge (D-Ga.) talks with one of his attorneys prior to the start of the Senate Ethics Committee hearings looking into his financial affairs in 1979. |
|
|
Take Our Morning Report Quiz And finally … It's Thursday, which means it's time for this week's Morning Report Quiz! Inspired by Sen. Bob Menendez's (D-N.J.) Wednesday arraignment, we're eager for some smart guesses about politicians' run-ins with the law. Be sure to email your responses to kkarisch@thehill.com — please add "Quiz" to your subject line. Winners who submit correct answers will enjoy some richly deserved newsletter fame on Friday. Georgia Sen. Herman E. Talmadge (D) became embroiled in a financial scandal during his time in office, and was found to have accepted reimbursements of $43,435.83 for official expenses not incurred, which he reported as campaign expenditures. Testifying before the Senate Select Committee on Ethics, Talmadge's ex-wife told the panel that during their marriage, she routinely got spending money in $100 bills from where? - A lockbox in their basement
- An old overcoat stuffed with cash
- Talmadge's secretary
- A buried flowerpot in their garden
It's not Menendez's first time being indicted. The senator in 2015 was indicted on charges that campaign contributions, trips and accommodations provided by a Florida eye specialist were bribes to get the senator's help in battles over Medicare reimbursement. Why was he acquitted in 2018? - The jury could not reach a verdict
- Prosecutors had confused him with his cousin
- A technical error when filing charges
- He was pardoned
The Nixon administration is most infamous for the Watergate scandal. Yet then-Vice President Spiro Agnew faced separate legal challenges during his time in office, after prosecutors discovered he… - Devised a plot to oust Nixon
- Was taking kickbacks from contractors during his time as Baltimore County executive and governor of Maryland, which he continued to do as vice president
- Had forged his college diploma
- Was engaging in voter fraud
The Congressional Post Office Scandal uncovered corruption among employees of the Post Office and the House of Representatives. What were the allegations? - A coordinated effort to steal mailers and stationery from the U.S. Capitol
- The use of federal funds to send out campaign materials
- A conspiracy to launder Post Office money through stamps and postal vouchers
- A scheme to artificially inflate the price of postage stamps
|
|
| 1625 K Street NW, 9th Floor, Washington, DC 20006 | © 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. |
|
|
|
No comments:
Post a Comment