House approves spending bill to avoid government shutdown
Democrats and Republicans in the House voted overwhelmingly to approve a bill to keep the government open until Friday, March 14. The bill passed just hours before the government was set to shut down.
Notably, the bill –– known as a continuing resolution –– did not maintain the debt ceiling suspension, something President-elect Donald Trump advocated for. However, it did include language from the annual Farm Bill as well as disaster relief aid.
Rep. Mark Alford, R-Mo., delivered a holiday-themed pitch on the House floor before the vote.
“‘Twas five days before Christmas and all through this House, not a lawmaker was resting, not even their spouse. The [continuing resolution] stalled, the debates full of heat, while a shutdown shadow loomed over our streets. My friends, it’s time to fund our defense and aid for our farms and disaster relief to protect our very own citizens from harm,” Alford said.
The House has revised the bill multiple times over the last few days. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., did not move the first version forward after it received extensive public criticism on Wednesday, Dec. 18, from Elon Musk and the president-elect.
A second version, released Thursday, Dec. 19, would have raised the debt ceiling, but it fell short despite Trump and Musk’s backing. Thirty-eight House Republicans joined Democrats in voting against that bill.
Democrats mostly supported the bill but criticized Musk, accusing him of sabotaging and complicating the process.
“At the behest of the world’s richest man who no one voted for, the Congress has been thrown into pandemonium,” Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., said.
“It leads you to the question of; who is in charge? I thought that there was a Republican majority in this body. Not a President Musk majority,” DeLauro added.
The final version of the bill also removed funding for a bipartisan program for pediatric cancer research, as well as research into other diseases, including Down syndrome, and options to treat and detect sickle cell disease, breast cancer and cervical cancer.
A separate bill for pediatric cancer research that passed in the House last March is still awaiting a vote, but Senate Democrats have not brought it up. Republicans have said they support that bill and believe the Senate should approve it there, as opposed to making it part of the continuing resolution.
In the hours following the passage of the continuing resolution, the Senate voted unanimously to approve the bill the House passed last March. That legislation now heads to President Biden’s desk.
Government shutdown looms as House votes against latest funding bill
A government shutdown looms nearer after the House rejected a bill that would have kept it funded into March. And drones are now banned in parts of New York and New Jersey after a spate of mysterious sightings. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Friday, Dec. 20, 2024.
House votes against latest stopgap bill aimed to avoid government shutdown
The House rejected a stopgap bill Thursday, Dec. 19, that would have kept the government running. The vote came ahead of a potential shutdown starting at midnight Saturday, Dec. 21, when lawmakers head home for the holidays.
The bill fell short of the needed two-thirds majority to speed up its passage. More than three dozen Republicans joined 197 Democrats in voting against it. Republicans split with each other on how the bill handles government spending.
“Three hundred and thirty billion dollars. Congratulations. You’ve added to the debt since you were given the majority again on Nov. 5,” Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, said.
Roy voted against the bill.
He added, “It’s embarrassing. It’s shameful. Yes, I think this bill is better than it was yesterday in certain respects. But to take this bill, to take this bill yesterday and congratulate yourself because it’s shorter in pages but increases the debt by $5 trillion, is asinine.”
Meanwhile, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., said on the House floor, “The deal on the table will keep the government open for the American people and if you guys so choose to shut it down, it will be on you but not the Republican Party.”
She added, “We will not be going back to the table. This deal stands as it is. So let you go back home on Christmas and explain to your people why you shut down the government because we won’t be doing it.”
The latest spending bill, known as a continuing resolution, is a quickly amended bill tailored to the liking of President-elect Donald Trump and his top ally Elon Musk.
Musk postedrepeatedlyonX condemning the original bill. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., worked on it with bipartisan support from Republicans and Democrats.
However, when both Musk and Trump opposed the bill, that guaranteed most House Republicans would vote against it and forced Johnson to craft a new bill.
Now, there are two conflicting interests. Musk wants major government spending cuts, and while Trump agrees, he also wants to permanently suspend the debt ceiling.
The new plan lifts the debt limit, leading Trump to support the bill in a Truth Social post.
“Now we can Make America Great Again, very quickly, which is what the People gave us a mandate to accomplish,” Trump posted.
But Democrats attacked the bill over what spending Republicans chose to cut.
“The Musk-Johnson proposal is not serious, it’s laughable,” said House Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y. “Extreme MAGA Republicans are driving us to a government shutdown.”
The bill removed funding for a bipartisan program for pediatric cancer research, studying genetic conditions like Down syndrome and treatment options for sickle cell disease as well as cancers.
It will be on Johnson to craft a bill to secure votes from the majority of the House.
However, Johnson may not have the political leeway to rely on support from Democrats. He’ll need nearly every returning member of the House Republican caucus to vote for him next month to remain speaker.
The new Congress takes office in the new year.
New details of accused UnitedHealthcare CEO shooter’s plan emerge
Newly unsealed court documents put into perspective what led up to the deadly shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. A federal complaint shed light on 26-year-old Luigi Mangione’s “hostility toward the health insurance industry and wealthy executives in particular.”
In a notebook found on Mangione when he was arrested, he allegedly wrote of his plans to “wack” an insurance company CEO at its investor conference. Federal prosecutors said he traveled from Georgia to New York to stalk and kill Thompson.
Magione appeared in a New York courtroom Thursday, and four new federal charges were levied against him. The charges included murder with a firearm, which is an offense punishable by the death penalty.
The hearing followed Mangione’s extradition from Pennsylvania, where police arrested him on Dec. 9, to New York.
Armed guards surrounded Mangione as NYPD officers walked him off a helicopter upon his arrival in Manhattan. New York City Mayor Eric Adams joined the walk.
“Police Commissioner [Jessica] Tisch and I all want to send a very clear and loud message that this act of terrorism and the violence that stems from it is something that will not be tolerated in this city,” Adams told the press at the site of the helicopter arrival.
Mangione already faces state-level charges in New York. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg brought charges against him Tuesday, Dec. 17, including for murder as an act of terrorism.
However, Mangione also received a hero’s welcome from protesters outside the courthouse. Thompson’s killing sparked backlash against the health insurance industry and its coverage policies.
While judges have not set any dates yet, Mangione will face state-level charges first. A federal trial will follow.
New York abolished the death penalty, meaning it’s not an option for Mangione in the state-level case. However, the death penalty can still be exercised in the federal case.
FAA temporarily bans drones in parts of New York and New Jersey
Drones are now banned in parts of New York and New Jersey — at least for the time being. It comes amid an investigation into multiple mysterious sightings over the last month that set off fear and speculation.
In a statement, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said the Federal Aviation Administration’s bans are “purely precautionary.” Meanwhile, the FAA’s restrictions in New Jersey are largely aimed at limiting drone flights over power stations and infrastructure.
The FAA implemented emergency flight restrictions across New Jersey, prohibiting drone operations until Jan. 17, 2025, for “special security reasons.” Unless operators obtain special government clearance, the directive bans uncrewed aircraft within a one-nautical-mile radius of designated areas and up to 400 feet in altitude.
The FAA designated areas such as Camden, Jersey City, Elizabeth and South Brunswick as “National Defense Airspace.”
Violators may face severe penalties, including interception, detention, certificate revocation and potential criminal charges. In extreme cases, authorities are authorized to use “deadly force” against drones posing an “imminent security threat.”
These restrictions follow a surge in unexplained drone sightings across New Jersey and nearby states that began in mid-November. Federal agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Defense (DOD), received over 5,000 reports of drone activity.
Dow Jones snaps worst losing streak in 50 years
The Dow Jones Industrial Average snapped its worst losing streak in 50 years Thursday. The losing streak lasted 10 days.
During the losing streak, the market wiped out all of its post-election gains. The Dow ended Wednesday down 2.5% from when Trump won the election.
Also on Wednesday, Wall Street’s fear gauge, the CBOE Volatility Index, had its second-biggest percentage spike in history. The VIX shot up 74% after the Federal Reserve shared its outlook for the coming year.
On Wednesday, the Fed cut its benchmark interest rate for a third time in 2024, which was widely predicted.
Feeling the holiday blues?
The holidays are often called “the most wonderful time of the year,” but the season can bring about sadness and stress for many. This -emotional shift, commonly known as the “holiday blues” or seasonal affective disorder (SAD), can affect millions of people across the country.
Licensed adult psychiatrist Dr. Patrice Mann said the holiday blues are due to several factors. They include social pressures, disruptive routines and financial strain.
“Things like having a bunch of holiday events on the calendar, not to say we don’t look forward to them oftentimes, but they take a toll on us,” says Dr. Mann. “You’re up late, interacting with a lot of people, and that’s not everyone’s nature.”
Grief and seasonal depression can also complicate these feelings. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, seasonal depression affects millions of Americans every year, but many may not even realize they have it.
Symptoms of holiday blues and seasonal depression can include a persistent low mood, loss of interest in activities and changes in eating or sleeping habits. If these symptoms last more than two weeks, Dr. Mann said it could indicate a more serious depressive episode. In such cases, seeking professional help is important.
Dr. Mann recommended several self-care strategies to help manage both the holiday blues and seasonal depression. She suggested getting tested for vitamin D deficiency and taking supplements during winter. Vitamin D plays a vital role in mood and energy levels.
She also advised getting as much sunlight as possible during the shorter winter days. Light therapy boxes can mimic outdoor sunlight if natural sunlight isn’t available. Using them for 20 to 30 minutes in the morning can help trick the brain and improve mood.
For those experiencing grief during the holidays, Dr. Mann encouraged reflecting on personal needs and communicating with trusted friends or family members. She also recommended incorporating new social activities into your routine and checking in with yourself after attending events.
For those supporting others through grief, it’s important to recognize that everyone processes emotions differently. Dr. Mann suggested engaging in activities with those less open about mental health, such as cooking or playing games, to help create a comfortable environment for them to express themselves.
While the holiday season brings unique challenges, small steps can make a big difference. Prioritizing self-care, maintaining routines and reaching out for support are important practices to help manage holiday stress.
If you or someone you know is struggling, remember that professional help is available. The National Suicide Hotline is available 24 hours a day by calling 988.
House defies Trump and Musk, votes against bill to avoid government shutdown
The House of Representatives rejected a bill on Thursday, Dec. 19, that would have kept the government open. The vote came ahead of a potential shutdown starting at midnight on Saturday, Dec. 21, when lawmakers head home for the holidays.
The bill fell short of the needed two-thirds majority to speed up its passage, with 38 House Republicans joining 197 Democrats in voting against it. Republicans split with each other on how the bill handles government spending.
“Three hundred and thirty billion dollars. Congratulations. You’ve added to the debt since you were given the majority again on Nov. 5,” Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, who voted against the bill, said while addressing his fellow Republicans.
Roy added, “It’s embarrassing. It’s shameful. Yes, I think this bill is better than it was yesterday on certain respects. But to take this bill, to take this bill yesterday and congratulate yourself because it’s shorter in pages but increases the debt by $5 trillion, is asinine.”
Meanwhile, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., said on the House floor, “The deal on the table will keep the government open for the American people and if you guys so choose to shut it down, it will be on you but not the Republican Party.”
She added, “We will not be going back to the table. This deal stands as it is. So let you go back home on Christmas and explain to your people why you shut down the government because we won’t be doing it.”
The latest spending bill, known as a continuing resolution, is a quickly amended bill tailored to the liking of President-elect Donald Trump and his top ally Elon Musk.
Musk postedrepeatedlyonX condemning the original bill. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., worked on it with bipartisan support from Republicans and Democrats.
However, when both Musk and Trump opposed the bill, that guaranteed most House Republicans would vote against it and forced Johnson to craft a new bill.
Now, there are two conflicting interests. Musk wants major government spending cuts, and while Trump agrees, he also wants to permanently suspend the debt ceiling.
The new plan lifts the debt limit, leading President-elect Trump to support the bill in a Truth Social post.
“Now we can Make America Great Again, very quickly, which is what the People gave us a mandate to accomplish,” Trump posted.
But Democrats have attacked the bill over what spending Republicans chose to cut.
“The Musk-Johnson proposal is not serious, it’s laughable,” said House Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y. “Extreme MAGA Republicans are driving us to a government shutdown.”
The bill also removed funding for a bipartisan program for pediatric cancer research, research into diseases such as Down syndrome, and options to treat and detect sickle cell disease, as well as breast and cervical cancer.
It will be on Johnson to craft a bill that would secure votes from the majority of the House.
However, Johnson may not have the political leeway to rely on support from Democrats. He’ll need nearly every returning member of the House Republican caucus to vote for him next month to remain speaker. The new Congress takes office in the new year.
Amazon workers strike as last-minute holiday shopping rush gets underway
As the final days of the holiday shopping season begin, Amazon workers nationwide are going on strike. And the CDC announces the first severe case of bird flu in a human in the United States. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024.
Amazon workers strike as last-minute holiday shopping rush gets underway
As shoppers have less than a week now to cross off their holiday lists, Amazon workers across the country are headed to the picket lines. Thousands of Amazon employees are striking after the International Brotherhood of Teamsters said the company ignored its Dec. 15 deadline for contract negotiations.
The Teamsters represent nearly 10,000 workers at 10 Amazon facilities. That accounts for about 1% of the company’s hourly workforce.
A facility in New York’s Staten Island became Amazon’s first-ever unionized warehouse in 2022, but since then, workers there have said the company has refused to recognize the union and negotiate a contract.
In a statement on X, Teamsters President Sean O’Brien said, “If your package is delayed during the holidays, you can blame Amazon’s insatiable greed. We gave Amazon a clear deadline to come to the table and do right by our members. They ignored it.”
TEAMSTERS LAUNCH LARGEST STRIKE AGAINST AMAZON IN AMERICAN HISTORY
The Teamsters will launch the largest strike against Amazon in U.S. history beginning at 6 a.m. EST on Thurs., Dec. 19. The nationwide action follows Amazon’s repeated refusal to follow the law and bargain with… pic.twitter.com/A06NKciCDB
“The truth is that the teamsters have actively threatened, intimidated, and attempted to coerce amazon employees and third-party drivers to join them, which is illegal,” Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel said in a statement.
The Seattle-based online retailer seeks to re-do the election that led to the union victory in Staten Island. It filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the National Labor Relations Board.
Despite the Teamsters calling this strike the largest in Amazon’s history, the company said it does not expect the strike to impact operations.
Israeli airstrikes target Houthi infrastructure in Yemen
The Israeli military carried out a series of airstrikes in Yemen early Thursday, Dec. 19, killing at least nine people. The strikes happened right after Israel said it intercepted a Houthi missile targeted at the central part of the country.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it was a coincidence, and Thursday’s strikes targeting the Iran-backed militant group’s infrastructure were in the works for months.
⭕️ IAF fighter jets struck military targets belonging to the Houthi terrorist regime on the western coast and in inland Yemen.
Over the past year, the Houthi terrorist regime has been operating with the direction and funding of Iran, and in cooperation with Iraqi militias in… pic.twitter.com/hYNRstbhxP
“Over the last 14 months, the Iran-backed Houthi terror regime in Yemen has launched hundreds of missile and UAV attacks against the State of Israel,” Israeli military spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said in a video statement. “In the last two weeks only, the Houthis fired a drone that hit an apartment block in southern Israel, and on Sunday [Dec. 15], they fired a long-range missile towards central Israel. The Houthis have been carrying out attacks against Israel in violation of international law.”
Hagari added, “Israel will not hesitate to act in order to defend itself and its citizens from the Houthi’s attacks.”
The strikes risk escalating the ongoing conflict with the Houthis, whose attacks on the Red Sea corridor have drastically impacted global shipping. The Houthis started launching those attacks after Hamas — another group backed by Iran — attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. The October ambush started the ongoing war in Gaza.
Government shutdown looms as Trump, Musk reject stopgap bill
It’s back to the drawing board for congressional leaders as the stopgap spending bill to avert a government shutdown this weekend is reportedly in jeopardy. The 1,500-page measure aimed to extend government funding through mid-March. A government shutdown is possible if Congress doesn’t take action by Friday night’s deadline.
The bill included aid for farmers and disaster victims and a pay raise for members of Congress, among many other items. On Wednesday, Dec. 18, President-elect Donald Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk rejected the bill.
Musk, who will lead Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency come January, posted about the bill to X more than 100 times. He warned congressional members who vote for the bill, saying they “deserve to be voted out in two years!”
Trump echoed the sentiment, saying Republicans who vote in favor of the bill need to be “primaried.” He released a joint statement with Vice President-elect JD Vance, saying Congress should pass a “streamlined spending bill.”
Trump said the bill should be paired with a measure suspending the debt limit.
It’s unclear what steps House Speaker Mike Johnson will take, but he held a late-night meeting with lawmakers in his office Wednesday.
Following the meeting, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise confirmed the original stopgap bill was dead and hoped the House could find a resolution Thursday.
Teacher, student killed in Wisconsin school shooting identified
Authorities identified the teacher and student killed during a shooting inside a Madison, Wisconsin, school earlier this week. The medical examiner released their names late Wednesday evening, a day after a vigil was held for the victims.
Erin M. West, 42, and Rubi P. Vergara, 14, were pronounced dead at the scene.
Police said the suspected shooter, 15-year-old Natalie “Samantha” Rupnow, opened fire in a classroom at Abundant Life Christian School on Monday morning, Dec. 16. She killed two and injured six others before turning the weapon on herself, police said.
Two students remain hospitalized with life-threatening injuries. Four others, identified as three students and a teacher, were released from the hospital.
As the investigation continues, authorities said they recovered two guns at the school, but only one was used during the shooting. They said the motive appears to be a combination of factors.
CDC confirms first severe human case of bird flu in the US
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed the first severe human case of bird flu in the U.S. A patient in Louisiana has been hospitalized in critical condition with severe respiratory symptoms, state health officials said.
Officials said the patient is over the age of 65 with underlying medical conditions. The CDC said the person has a version of the virus recently found to be spreading in wild birds and poultry in the U.S. It was also found in some human cases in Canada and Washington state.
This version of the illness is different from the specific version of the virus that’s been spreading in dairy cows across the U.S.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency over bird flu since the state has the highest number of infected cattle in the U.S. Since April, 61 human cases of bird flu have been reported in the U.S.; 33 of them in California.
ABC reaches new deal with George Stephanopoulos days after Trump settlement
George Stephanopoulos signed a new deal with ABC News, securing his position as anchor of “Good Morning America.” The Los Angeles Times was the first to report on the new contract.
While details about his offer are unknown, he’s previously been one of the highest-paid faces on television, earning $18 million a year.
The agreement comes amid speculation about his future with the network after Disney paid $15 million in a legal settlement over comments Stephanoupolos made about Trump during an interview in 2024.
The libel lawsuit revolved around the anchor saying Trump was “found liable for rape” in the case with writer E. Jean Carroll. The jury in that civil case had actually found Trump liable for sexual abuse. Reports suggested Stephanopoulos was blindsided by ABC’s settlement.
His new contract with ABC comes as parent company Disney is said to be looking to trim costs, which follows a trend right now among media giants. Many are scaling back amid a shift in the industry.
Republicans reject Speaker Johnson’s bill to avoid government shutdown
Republicans rejected House Speaker Mike Johnson’s, R-La., bipartisan plan to avoid a government shutdown. With three days until the funding deadline, Johnson needs a new solution that earns the support of President-elect Donald Trump.
Trump and House Republicans criticized Johnson’s deal, released Tuesday, Dec. 17, for its concessions to Democrats, including an extension to the debt ceiling suspension.
Shortly after the bill’s release, Elon Musk repeatedly posted on X –– the social media company he owns –– criticizing the bill. He and former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy are leading Trump’s charge to make large-scale cuts to government spending under the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency.
After the bill collapsed, Musk posted, “Your elected representatives have heard you and now the terrible bill is dead.”
In a joint statement, Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance said, “If Democrats threaten to shut down the government unless we give them everything they want, then CALL THEIR BLUFF.”
Republicans control the House, and Democrats control the Senate.
The bill needs a two-thirds majority in the House because Johnson is moving to speed up its passage.
However, the swearing-in of a new Congress in January adds to the complexity of Johnson’s situation. Johnson will have a narrower majority and will need the support of nearly every House Republican to remain speaker when the new Congress convenes and elects one next month.
Thomas Massie, R-Ky., has already said he will vote against Johnson.
Most federal operations will shut down if Congress can’t reach a deal by 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 21. However, with the weekend, most services will not be fully affected until Monday, Dec. 23.
A shutdown would close everything from national parks to government-operated museums and historic sites. It would also delay applications for things like government benefits or new passports.
The shutdown does not affect things like mail delivery. Essential services like border patrol and airport security will not close, but their staff will not be paid until after a shutdown ends.
Congressional leaders unveil a stopgap bill to fund the government until March. And a mega-merger between Nissan and Honda might be revving up. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024.
Congressional leaders unveil stopgap government funding bill
With just days left to prevent a shutdown, Congress unveiled a stopgap bill to keep the government funded into March. It’ll be down to the wire with the Dec. 20 deadline, as House leaders are supposed to wait 72 hours before bringing proposed legislation to the floor for a vote. This practice allows lawmakers time to review the bill.
House Speaker Mike Johnson said Tuesday, Dec. 17, that he believes in adhering to the 72-hour rule, but with the deadline approaching so quickly that might not be feasible.
This new stopgap bill includes more than $100 billion in disaster aid, a one-year extension to the farm bill, $10 billion in economic assistance to farmers, a bill to renew expiring health care programs and a measure to restrict U.S. investments in China.
Right now, the government is funded through Friday by a different stopgap measure approved by lawmakers in September.
I am particularly proud that this bill advances some of my key priorities including strong proposals to help the United States out-compete the Chinese Communist Party. pic.twitter.com/k73axXhUl0
In a statement last night, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he’s “pleased these negotiations led to a bipartisan government funding agreement free of cuts and poison pills, while also securing Democratic priorities like millions for child care, workforce training and job placement, assistance for the key bridge rebuild, additional disaster relief funding and more.”
If approved, this new stopgap bill would keep the government open through March 14, after the GOP has gained control of both the House and Senate.
Luigi Mangione charged with first-degree murder as an act of terrorism
In a press conference Tuesday, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg called the shooting outside a Manhattan hotel a “frightening, well-planned, targeted murder intended to cause shock and attention and intimidation.”
Mangione faces 11 counts, including two second-degree murder charges. If convicted, he faces life in prison without parole.
Mangione, who remains in a Pennsylvania prison, is set for two hearings on Thursday, Dec. 19. One for charges he faces in the Keystone State and another hearing for his extradition to New York.
Baltimore County Police Chief Robert McCullough said officers responded to reports of shots fired at around 7:15 p.m. Tuesday and found a vehicle lying on its side in flames. McCullough said it appears the car was involved in an incident that caused it to crash and catch on fire but did not say how that was related to the shooting.
“We know that there are some additional scenes that we’re investigating right now where other gunfire took place throughout the neighborhood,” McCullough said. “And that was evidenced by the multiple calls for service from the neighbors who were calling 911 about the gunshots in the community.”
McCullough said the incident was “intentional and targeted.” No arrests have been made in connection with this case.
Madison school shooting motive appears to be ‘combination of factors’: Police
Wisconsin authorities provided more information on Tuesday about the shooting inside a Christian school classroom that left three dead: a teacher, a student and the 15-year-old suspect.
In a press conference, Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said the motive appears to be “a combination of factors.” Barnes added investigators are speaking with other students to see if bullying was one of those factors.
“Some have asked if people were specifically targeted,” Barnes said. “Everyone was targeted in this incident, and everyone was put in equal danger.”
Barnes said investigators are looking into the suspect’s social activity. Police identified the suspect as Natalie Rupnow and asked anyone who knew her to contact them.
Police said Rupnow opened fire Monday morning, Dec. 16, during a study hall full of students from multiple grade levels at Abundant Life Christian School. She struck several people before shooting herself. Six others were injured in the shooting and two remain in critical condition.
Nissan shares surge amid rumors of merger with Honda
Shares for Nissan surged following reports of potential merger talks with Honda. Both automotive giants released a statement to media confirming the whispers of a possible “business integration,” but not confirming any decisions set in stone yet.
The two have already collaborated on electric vehicles and battery technology, but the companies could benefit from deepening ties as both have seen challenges this year.
Nissan and Honda have seen dwindling sales in China, the world’s largest car market. Additionally, both automakers are navigating a slow shift to the electric vehicle market amid growing competition.
Talks of the potential merger saw Nissan shares notch their best day in more than 40 years with a 24% surge, though Honda saw a dip.
Some reports suggested the two will sign “a memorandum of understanding” on the potential deal soon. Mitsubishi is said to be a potential third player in the mix.
Tom Cruise receives Navy’s Distinguished Public Service Award
Nearly 40 years after he first starred as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell in the film “Top Gun,” actor Tom Cruise was awarded the U.S. Navy’s top civilian honor on Tuesday.
“I admire all of the servicemen and women,” Cruise said during the ceremony. “I know in life something that is very true to me is that is to lead is to serve, and I know that to my core. And I see that in the servicemen and women. I see that in you, and you understand that. And I appreciate everyone’s dedication. And it’s a true honor to represent them. And I’m just very proud.”
The Navy said the 62-year-old actor’s efforts in the film industry have increased public awareness and appreciation for its “highly trained personnel and the sacrifices they make while in uniform.”
As for what’s next for Cruise, his film “Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning” is set to be released in theaters in May.
Congress has a big to-do list before it leaves for holidays
Government funding runs out Friday, Dec. 20, at midnight and there’s still no bill on the table for lawmakers to consider. Congress is going to have to pass a continuing resolution into 2025 to prevent a government shutdown.
However, once lawmakers leave at the end of the week, they’re not scheduled to return to Washington for the rest of 2024.
The temporary funding measure will last until mid-March. That means Republicans will have a trifecta in Washington when government funding for 2025 is finalized.
Congress is also on track to approve the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), a bill lawmakers pass every year to fund the Defense Department. This year’s NDAA has an $895.2 billion price tag. It includes measures Democrats fought against, including a restriction on new diversity, equity and inclusion programs, as well as a ban on the Pentagon’s health insurance plan from covering gender dysphoria treatments for minors.
Democrats argued the provisions are unnecessary because, as commander-in-chief, President-elect Donald Trump wouldn’t allow those types of programs anyway.
Despite the controversial measures, 80 Democrats voted for the legislation when it passed the House. It’s unclear how many will vote for it in the Senate, but the legislation expected to get well over the 60 votesneeded for approval.
Finally, Congress needs to approve the Farm Bill, which sets food and farm policy for five years. The previous version expired in September. Just like government funding, lawmakers appear on track to provide a temporary remedy that lasts until 2025, when they’ll come up with a permanent solution.
The Farm Bill impacts everyone. There are products grown in America that cost more to produce than they can be sold for, so farmers rely on assistance from the government to make up for the losses. Without that help, it will impact the availability and price of those products.
SNAP food benefits for lower-income families are also approved within the Farm Bill, so that’s where lawmakers will make an increase in payments to help offset inflationary cost increases.
Congress needs to fund gov and military, pass farm bill and raise debt ceiling
Congress has a list of vital legislation it must approve before the new Congress is sworn in on Jan. 3. Failure to act will result in a government shutdown and a potential default on the nation’s debt.
There are two key deadlines
The first is Dec. 20 when government funding expires.
Congress has two options: approve a bill for the rest of fiscal year 2025 or approve another temporary measure, which would mean the permanent solution is finalized when Republicans are in total control of Washington.
The next deadline is Jan. 1 when the nation hits the debt ceiling, which is the maximum amount of money it’s allowed to borrow without further approval.
The deadline was set in 2023 by the Fiscal Responsibility Act, a compromise between then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., and President Biden.
The Treasury Department can use some fancy accounting to push the deadline back a couple of months, but eventually Congress will have to increase the amount of money the government is allowed to borrow because the country spends more than it brings in.
Congress also has to approve the farm bill, which only comes up about once every five years. The farm bill that was approved in 2018 is expiring.
This legislation has a tremendous impact on the nation’s food supply. It covers crop insurance, training for young farmers on sustainable practices and provides assistance for low-income families so they can buy healthier foods.
“While continuing resolution’s never ideal — none of us like them, it’s not a way to run a railroad — it allows Congress to continue serving the American people through the election,” Johnson said. “This is not the House’s fault. It’s the Senate’s fault. They passed not a single appropriations bill, so there was nothing for the two chambers to negotiate in the end, and there was no agreement on the top line spending number. So, we had, we had no choice.”
Over in the Senate, the bill passed by a 78-18 margin. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said, “Americans can breathe easy, because both sides have chosen bipartisanship. Congress is getting the job done.”
The bill now heads to President Joe Biden’s desk for his signature.
House passes continuing resolution as Congress works to fund government
The House overwhelmingly approved (341-82) a continuing resolution to temporarily fund the government through Dec. 20. The extraordinary bipartisanship was both political and necessary. Neither party’s leadership wanted a shutdown a month before the election, and because it was considered under suspension of the normal rules, it needed a two-thirds majority to pass, not a simple majority.
This bill will fund the government at its current levels and provide an extra $231 million to the Secret Service for protecting presidential candidates.
Democrats took credit for the plan.
“House Democrats have now avoided a reckless Republican government shutdown on five different occasions to make sure that we meet the needs of the American people and keep the government open,” Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., said.
This is Chuck Schumer’s fault,” Johnson told reporters. “We did our work, we passed 12 appropriations bills through the committee process in record time, we put them on the floor, almost 73% of federal funding has been passed through the House. We sent it all over to the Senate and they’ve done nothing.”
Republicans originally wanted a continuing resolution that funded the government through March of next year and included a measure requiring Americans to provide proof of citizenship when registering to vote. That failed, so they had no choice but to put the clean CR on the floor.
“We loathe CRs as much as anyone but this is the situation that Senate Democrat leadership put us in,” Johnson said. “It would be political malpractice to shut the government down.”
But if Johnson lost this round, he’s putting his foot down for the Dec. 20 deadline.
“There won’t be a Christmas omnibus,” Johnson said.
An omnibus is a massive bill that funds the entirety of the federal government. They can be thousands of pages, the omnibus proposed in 2022 was more than 4,000. They are used when Congress can’t fund the government through standard procedure. Congress is supposed to pass 12 appropriations bills per year, each of which fund a specific function within the government.
Straight Arrow News asked Rep. Mark Molinaro, R-N.Y. to explain why Republicans oppose an omnibus.
“The average American wants us to be clear that we’re not creating these massive bills that have so many disparate parts,” Molinaro explained. “Christmas trees, right, with ornaments attached to them. Instead of being able to consider a single focus appropriation bill, we’re forced into voting for this big, massive thing that has plenty of ugly parts that folks don’t want us to have to endorse.”
Now the House CR is off to the Senate. The chamber will have to approve it exactly as is because the House is leaving Washington for the entire month of October, and if the Senate makes any changes the House will have to reapprove it.
